Yellow Branch Trail and the Heat!

This is the simple South Carolina trail that almost took me out! It was only a three mile in and out; but evidently, the heat was just too much.

Several days later, I ended up in the doctor’s office listening to her tell me that I should not be out “trying” to get my entire life back after chemo in this heat! Just Yikes!! I explained that I had plenty of energy bars and water with me, but she wasn’t buying it.

Until it gets cooler or until I get back to the higher peaks in much cooler North Carolina, I’m grounded.

She said, “Do whatever it is that “you do” before 10 am.”

“Really? I eat brunch at 10 am and then I visit friends and then I go out to hike.” I smiled but I sort of got the feeling she was serious. So, I guess, I sense a lifestyle change coming. Sigh.

So, this “moderately difficult” out-and-back trail leads you to the base of a cool 50-foot vertical cascade. Starting from the parking area, you hike approximately .2 mile on the Yellow Branch Nature Trail, before you come to the junction with the Yellow Branch Falls Trail.

We passed through a forest of  hardwoods and crossed at least eight meandering creek bottoms before beginning to head up the steep terrain. . . . And there are portions where it really is steep but nothing like North Carolina’s ups and downs!

In the beginning, The Yellow Branch Falls trail is flat before transitioning into yellow woods. I can imagine just how beautiful these trees are in fall.

Then the pathway turns yellow: yellow woods and a yellow path! Robert Frost!

It quickly starts up and rambles on through more hardwoods. One blogger I read cautioned people to “wear sturdy shoes and use extra caution during wet conditions as this trail skirts the edges of deep ravines.” But I saw women in flip flops, which I really did not  understand. I hike in Chacos, but nothing lighter.

For me, the trails in this part of South Carolina are better in cooler weather. And there’s always plenty of people along the trails, so you rarely feel isolated!

It did take us close to an hour to reach the waterfalls. I was not expecting that. But like everyone else, we removed our shoes and jumped into the cool water.

The falls are taller than this (50 feet), but I only took a photo of the upper portion.

I’ll return to this pathway in the fall; and hopefully, next time not battle the heat!