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 ever-changing landscapes. Participants should be able to walk four to five miles on uneven terrain.

• September 29 - Hike the Rainbow Falls Trail in Gorges State Park and in the Pisgah Ranger District; view Rainbow, Turtleback and Drift Falls along the Horsepasture River. (Moderately strenuous, 4.2 mi hike)

• October 13 – Hike the loop trail at Whiteside Mountain for exceptional autumn views from the sheer 750-foot rock wall. It’s the highest perpendicular bare rock face east of the Rockies. (Moderate 2.5 mi hike)

• October 27 – 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)

• November 10 – Hike a series of trails at Chau Ram County Park, an upstate gem featuring the scenic 30-ft cascading Ramsey Creek Falls, several whitewater rapids, and a 175-ft suspension bridge across the Chauga River. (Moderate, 3-4 mi)

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.