A quick blog post to capture a visit to https://www.atlantatrails.com/hiking-trails/fall-branch-falls-benton-mackaye-trail/ as well as a cool little (new) covered bridge, not to mention some nice rapids and an neat old bridge!
This visit was back on Feb 21, 2021, but I accidentally created a placeholder for it as a wiki page. I created the blog post placeholder on Aug 23 and now I’m here on Christmas Eve of the same year FINALLY pulling together this post! 
Like most of the Waterfalls there’s a little hike before you get there, but the hike is usually pretty darn beautiful, too!
This bit of the 300 mile Benton MacKaye Trail is super short and you arrive at the marker to pull off the main trail before you know it.
Another few minutes and you reach the base of 75 foot tall double-pool cascading Fall Branch Falls!!
You can easily walk to the right of the waterfalls to make it up to the base of the upper pool to see the top section a bit better. Why not take a selfie while there!?!?
A beauty for sure. On the way back, drove over the 100+ year old steel truss Shallowford Bridge.
Of course, #SELFIE time here, TOO!!
I really wanted to be on my kayak as I was look upriver on the Taccoa River.
Very close by are the Stanley Rapids are worth a few minute stop right off the road.
And for the fan of Covered Bridges that I am, there was an extra special treat! On the grounds of Aska Farms of Blue Ridge is a little, and modern, covered bridge to help the grounds keepers (and the animals) to cross a little stream. Super cute!!
A beautiful day out in the Blue Ridge area. I love North Georgia!!
This last Saturday was focused around reproducing this https://southeastwaterfalls.com/waterfall-trips/day-trip/south-carolina-waterfalls-day-trip/ blog posting, but with a few minor modifications. After sleeping over 11 hours and not even getting out of the hotel in Greenville until after noon it was time to “be flexible”, “focus on fun”, and “adjust the plan” to tackle a few less Waterfalls. Good news - still had a great time!
Wildcat Branch Falls
First up was Wildcat Branch Falls near Cleveland, SC. This VERY POPULAR 30 foot waterfall is visible from the road and looks even better when you walk 20 yards or so for a better picture.
Nice side view of the lower section when you take the stone staircase.
Then you find the 10 foot upper section (and a few interesting tattoos).
Take a couple more steps and you realize the upper falls are a great place for a refreshing shower!
Other Stuff
Original plans called for trying to find the waterfalls of Slickum Creek (Last Falls & Sweet Thing) which are not marked from the road, but SUPPOSEDLY only a quarter mile down the road. Definitely let me know if you check them out if you find yourself in this neck of the woods!!
We did not have plans to stop at Table Rock State Park and we also didn’t expect to see it from the road!
The plan was to skip Cedar Falls, but with the late start Station Cove Falls got the boot, too. Both of these were on the road trip post I linked to at the beginning of the article and surely look worth visiting.
Issaqueena Falls
Couldn’t pass up Issaqueena Falls – and yes, I love Covered Bridges! This little footbridge is even smaller than the one I walked over when on my Taking Germany’s Romantic Road to Harburg Castle and Rothenburg day trip a few years ago.
Hard to beat seeing a 100 foot waterfall with an observation deck only a 200 yard walk from the parking lot.
These pictures above and the following video do not do this 100 footer justice, so go see it for yourself.
Stumphouse Tunnel
Issaqueena Falls is within Stumphouse Park and, well, you can’t leave this area without visiting the Stumphouse Tunnel.
Ahhh… history markers to save the day and tell you what this tunnel is all about. :)
Made it to the blocked-off section!
RUNNING BACK OUT!!
WHAT WAS THAT?!?!
Phew, made it!!! hehe!
Maybe you couldn’t tell from the pics, but there was a creepy little fog coming out of the tunnel that made you feel like you were in a Scooby-Doo episode!
Leaving the creepy tunnel behind was a great time for a selfie. Like as shown in Facing My Fears at Gatorland, I don’t seem to have trouble turning my back to scary things!! << You’ll love that picture I’m talking about when you see it!!!
Reedy River Falls
The highlight of waterfalling around Greenville, South Carolina, clearly is at Falls Park in the middle of downtown.
Reedy River Falls is only 40 feet tall, but it is a wide beast who I would love to see again with some serious water flow over those huge rocks.
Yes, despite the look of it, it actually does sway quite a bit like any other suspension bridge. You can also take a pretty nice selfie from up there!
A very impressive waterfall overall with an extraordinary setting in the middle of the city.