Enjoy interpreter-led hiking in the Piedmont of Upstate South Carolina and the Southern Appalachians of North Carolina and Georgia as we explore the rich biodiversity and geology of the region. We’ll see waterfalls and soak in the views from scenic vistas as we explore our-changing landscapes. Participants should be able to walk four to five miles on uneven terrain.

March 3 – Hike the loop trail at Eva Russell Heritage Preserve for exceptional views from a granitic dome. Other features: Slickum Falls and Trout Lilies. Then head to the Wattacoo Heritage Preserve and hike a portion of the Mountain Bridge Passage. Features: Granitic dome plant community and waterfalls. (2-3 mi, moderate)

March 10 – Hike the rim trails at Tallulah Gorge State Park, GA. The gorge, 2 miles long, is considered one of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S. (3 mi, moderate)

March 17 – Hike the trails at DuPont State Forest to view three spectacular waterfalls, Triple Falls, High Falls and Hooker Falls. (3.5 mi, moderate)

March 24 – Hike to Station Cove Falls. Features: Sweet Betsy Trillium which carpets the forest floor along with other early wildflowers, the 60-ft stepped, Station Cove Falls. (3 mi, moderate)

Jean Askew is an avid hiker and has been hiking with OLLI and other groups since moving back to the Upstate in 2008. She has an educational background in botany and forestry and completed the Upstate Master Naturalist program in 2016. Delsey Brown moved back to the Upstate in 2016 and started exploring the area she left in 1983. She has been hiking with OLLI since 2017 and enjoys hiking with a group where everyone learns from each other.