South Carolina Waterfalls - Day 2

Chau Ram Falls, Brasstown Falls, and Bull Sluice Falls.

Today, 7/29/2015, began sunny and around 78 degrees.  We headed west along route 123 to Westminster where we then took route 76 west.  About two miles along 76 we turned into Chau Ram County Park where we found the Chau Ram Falls.  The falls were conveniently located right next to the parking lot in the park, so we did not need to hike too far.

Leaving Chau Ram Park we continued west along route 76 looking for the Riley Moore Falls.  After driving along the fire road as indicated, the road became impassable for our car, so we turned around.  Back on 76 we again headed west looking for the Brasstown falls.  This road was more easily found and passable.  A short hike along a root covered trail, we came to the Brasstown Falls. 

The upper falls were very nice, but the lower falls had a 30 foot drop,  straight down, very impressive. 

Getting below the lower falls section  was along a steep and difficult root and rock trail.  As you can see, when I got to a good place to take a picture, I was facing into the sun and there was a lot of spray from the falls giving a "fog" overlooking the falls.  Still the falls were impressive and would have liked to stay until the sun was in a different location, but it was getting late and we did have other falls to see.

Leaving the falls and while we were still on the gravel road, we came across a turkey.  It couldn't figure out which way to go so it ran down the middle of the road.  Racing in front of us, we got a couple of pictures before it decided to fly away.  Looks like Thanksgiving to me!

Back on 76 we continued west until we reached to South Carolina/Georgia border were the Chattooga River and the Bull Sluice Falls is located.  This falls is more rapids with a 14 foot drop at one point. 

We just missed a group of rubber rafts that just past the rapids as they were already through while we were walking to the falls.  You can see someone with goggles on in the middle of the falls, on the rock; must be looking for dropped items.

As we arrived at the car it started to rain so we called it a day and will continue on our waterfall quest tomorrow.  All the roads and surrounding lands are rolling hills and we are in the southern end of the Smokey mountains.  Tomorrow we will travel on the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (route 11) heading north to more water falls.