Winding Stairs - Member Hike

Hike Name: Winding Stairs
Country: United States
State: South Carolina
Nearby Town: Mountain Rest, SC
Rating: 3 stars
Directions: Directions: To the northern trailhead: From Walhalla, drive west on SC 28 for 7.5 miles and bear right onto SC 107. Drive 8.8 miles to Cherry Hill Recreation Area on the right. The trailhead is on the right (east) side of the highway, just prior to the entrance of the recreation area. SCtrails.net directions are somewhat confusing and I initially believed the trailhead was in the recreation area.

The southern trailhead is found by driving west on SC 28 for 7.5 miles and bearing right onto SC 107. Drive 5.8 miles and turn right onto Tamassee Road (FS 710). Drive 3.4 miles to a small parking area and trailhead on the left, just prior to a bridge crossing Townes Creek. At 3.2 miles, you come to a bridge over Crane Creek. It also has a small parking area on the left. Don't be confused, Towne Creek is the second bridge. SCtrails.net incorrectly indicates the trailhead is 2.5 miles off SC 107.
Total Hike Distance: 3.50 miles
Hike Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Permit Required: No
Hike Type: One-Way, Shuttle Hike
Hike Starts: Hwy 107 .1 miles south of Cherry Hill Recreation Area
Hike Ends: Tamassee Road at Townes Creek
Trails Used: Winding Stairs
Backcountry Campsites: No
Backcountry Water Sources: Streams
Management: U.S. Forest Service
Contact Information: Sumter National Forest, Andrew Pickens Ranger District, 112 Andrew Pickens Circle, Mountain Rest, SC 29664, 864-638-9568
Best Season: Spring, Fall
Users: Hikers
Road Conditions: Primary Paved Roads, Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads
Hike Summary: I made this an out and back hike for a total of 7 miles. North to south is easy - south to north is moderate.

The trail from the north is easy to follow with a slight incline as it proceeds along the Townes Creek. After about 1.2 miles, and at the second switchback, there is a side trail to the left to Miuka Falls. The trail is not very detectable but you just follow the sound of the falls down a rather steep hill for approx 100 yards and you will be treated to the sight of a 75-foot falls.

Return to the main trail and proceed south for approx .9 mile and you can again hear a water fall off to the left. Follow one of several secondary trails down a steep hill and you come to what I believe to be a lower section of Miuka Falls.

Back on the main trail and continuing south for approx .4 miles (approx 2.5 miles into the hike), Secret Falls can be heard off to the right. Getting to the falls requires leaving for one more fairly steep descent to Crane Creek.

Another mile down the trail brings you to the Tamassee Road trailhead.

SCtrails.net wrongly indicates that Winding Stairs trail is marked by rust colored blazes. At the southern trailhead, just into the hike, there are 4 rust colored blazes off to the right, but these blazes have nothing to do with the trail. There are no blazes on the trail, but it is easy to follow. The map on SCtrails.net is also misleading. It makes you beleive Secret Falls is earlier in the hike.

Camping is available at Cherry Hill Recreation Center less than .1 miles from the trail.

Hiker:

lobo41


4,850 points


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Trip Reports

  Date Rating Duration Hiker
Winding Stairs - April 11, 2009 April 11, 2009 4 stars 4 hours hikingdiva

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