Although Twin Falls is relatively remote, it is pretty easy to access. You can park within a quarter mile of the falls and amble up an easy, wide trail to a sturdy viewing platform.
Twin Falls stands at 90 feet tall and is rated as “Spectacular.” With such credentials and easy access, it is really tempting to just buzz into the parking lot, have a quick walk to the platform, take some pictures for posting on Facebook, then head back to the car to get on to your next adventure.
Please don’t do that. Although short, the trail to the falls is filled with sights worth seeing. Now, one thing that keeps folks pinned to the trail is the sign in the parking lot alerting you to the fact that you are in a private nature preserve and there is pretty much no anything except walking and looking: No swimming, no fishing, no climbing on the rocks – well, you get the idea.
As you start down the trail, Reedy Cove Creek can be heard off to your right but can’t be seen. As you progress toward the falls, the creek moves in closer to the trail and you’ll see spur trails leading off to the water’s edge to where large boulders create noisy, picturesque rapids.
Once you get to where you can glimpse the falls through the trees, look to your right and you’ll see the prettiest swimming hole (remember the parking lot sign, though) you’ve ever seen. Almost circular, this deep, clear basin is actually the base pool for a sluice that connects the pool to the bottom of Twin Falls.
Now, about this sluice. It measures possibly 100 feet in length with an almost constant slope. Looking at the sluice, it looks like it would be possible to slide its entire length down into the swimming hole. Given the prohibitions of the reserve, this dare isn’t taken, but you can’t help but wonder what it would be like to take that long slide down into that base pool at the bottom.
And the creek itself isn’t the only sight worth seeing, along the trail, you’ll pass a tree that “sits” on a large rock and a small, "memorial" waterwheel that worked a couple of years ago but has fallen into disrepair.
So, please go see Twin Falls but don’t just to go see the falls.
To get there, take US 178 north from the intersection of US 178 and SC 11 outside of Pickens. At Bob’s Place (2.5 miles), turn left. This is Cleo Chapman Highway. Follow it 2 miles to Eastatoee Community Road and a T intersection. Turn right and go 0.8 miles where you will see Water Falls Road on your right. Follow this narrow road to the parking lot for the falls. It will seem like you’re on somebody’s driveway, but keep going.
Comments