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.

• February 16 – Carrick Creek Loop (Moderate, 1.8 mi) and the Pinnacle Lake Loop (Easy, 2 mi) at Table Rock State Park. Enjoy hiking along Carrick Creek with numerous views of cascading waterfalls in-route to Carrick Creek Falls. Then soak in winter beauty of the forest and spectacular views of Table Rock as we hike around the lakeshore steeped in history of a trail built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s.
• March 2 – Nine Times Preserve Trail and Appalachian Lumber Trail. Special features: Trout Lilies and views of Big Rock Mountain in winter. Moderate, 3 mi loop. 
• March 16 - Hike to Station Cove Falls. Features: Sweet Betsy Trillium which carpets the forest floor along with other early wildflowers, and the 60-ft stepped, Station Cove Falls. (3 mi, moderate)
• March 30 - Foothills Trail: Sassafras Mountain to Chimneytop Gap (Easy, 2.2 miles) Enjoy views from the tower on Sassafras Mountain. Then hike along the Foothills Trail to Chimneytop Gap passing by the iconic “balancing rock” boulder. 

 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.