![]() ![]() Midway down the falls is an ever present rainbow in the mist. There was virtually no hike to get to it and the falls were massive. (“Someone” didn’t tell me beforehand that we were venturing into nature hence the lack of appropriate footwear.) Since I was wearing a pair of loafers, I decided to forgo that hike. More adventurous people descended down the side of the rock covered ravine to the bottom. The path splits and you can walk to the head of the falls or under a covered wooden bridge down a winding trail that takes you to a scenic viewing spot. Ī short walk across the parking lot leads you to the head of the falls. The tunnel still belongs to Clemson University, but it is managed by the city of Walhalla. The tunnel’s environment was later duplicated at Clemson, and the cheese making, that Clemson is now famous for, was moved there. In 1951, Clemson University bought the tunnel and used it to cure the South’s first blue cheese. There is wooden frame for Instragram pics. It also produces condensation and the tunnel is usually wet.Īfter you exit you can walk up another hill and see a railroad car on a partial railway track. The tunnel measures 17 feet wide by 25 feet high and about mid-way in, there is a 16 x 20 foot airshaft that extends 60 feet upwards to the surface, causing a consistent cool breeze to flow out of the tunnel, a welcome treat in mid-summer. You walk to the fence and then walk back out. Water drips from the ceiling and falls on your head as you walk to the fenced in back of the tunnel. Once you read the plaques, it is a short walk up the hill to enter the mouth of the cave. While there were various efforts by the Blue Ridge Railroad to revive the tunnel, none of them came to pass and it stands today as a monument to the efforts of pre-Civil War engineering. Started in 1852 to connect Charleston to Knoxville and eventually on to Cincinnati, the Civil War-and lack of funds-brought construction to a halt. Located about 7 miles northwest of Walhalla on Hyw 28, the 1,617 foot long Stumphouse Tunnel is an oddity. Basically, they brought in Irish workers to blast a tunnel through the mountains but the difficulty of the process combined with the Civil War ended the project. The history behind the tunnel’s construction was interesting to read. Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls are popular spots to visit and there was a steady stream of cars going in and out. With the exception of a few fast food chain spots and a BBQ setup in a parking lot on the main street, there isn’t much too see.Ĭhris had read about the falls and a tunnel on the outskirts of town. Which led to us driving to Walhalla, South Carolina one absolutely gorgeous Saturday. Read more about the project, sponsors and the ribbon cutting here.Who says “let’s go to Walhalla this weekend?” Apparently, my husband is on a quest to drive to every random spot in the Georgia and the Carolina’s. Upstate Forever is honored to hold the conservation easement on this beautiful property and we are grateful for the many partners and sponsors who made possible this exciting project to improve access to nature in the Upstate. The passage provides access to the trails in the 400-acre park. ![]() ![]() The Stumphouse Passage trailhead is located in the falls parking area. The park is adjacent to historic Stumphouse Tunnel and picturesque Issaqueena Falls, two well-known attractions in Oconee County. The first phase of mountain bike trails on Stumphouse Mountain in Oconee County is officially open! Six miles of trails are already accessible and ten total should be completed by the end of the year, linking the town of Walhalla to the Palmetto Trail.īuilt and managed by the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, the scenic Palmetto Trail is one of 16 cross-state trails in the United States and is recognized regionally and nationally as a visitor-friendly attraction. Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail opens ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |