Station Cove Falls is about 50 minutes from our cabins by Lake Glenville. The South Carolina waterfalls are noticeably different from their North Carolina neighbors (see Yellow Branch Falls and Kings Creek Falls). The lacy waters trickle down layer cake rocks on this 60 foot high waterfall.
Its hard to keep perspective on a just a photo of a waterfall, so here is a shot with Mike in it. Looks a lot bigger doesn’t it?
To get to the waterfall, turn right on Highway 107, heading South. Continue 14 miles, through Cashiers, and make a hard left at the sign for Whitewater Falls and SC 130. This is cutoff road to SC 130, but there is also a spectacular view of Lake Jocasee if the weather is clear.
After a little more than 2 miles, the road ends into SC 130. Turn right (South). Go 5.1 miles, and turn right on Little River Road. In 4.3 miles,at the stop sign, turn right on SC 11. Drive 5.9 miles, and turn right on Oconee Station Road. Oconee Station is 2 miles on the right. Station Cove Falls trailhead is about a half mile further on the left. You can hike directly from the trailhead (a half mile hike one way), or you can hike from Oconee Station and see even more (1.5 mile hike).
Here is a link to the US Forest Service site for Station Cove Falls. They have a wildflower list for the spring and promise the one of the best spring wildflower displays in South Carolina. We did this hike in the winter, but I am definitely coming back in the spring to take pictures. Being a lower elevation, wildflowers should start blooming in March.
Oconee Station is a historic site that served as a fort and a trading post. If you get the chance, talk to the park ranger. You will learn a lot more about the history of the building and the settlement of the area. Here is a link to the South Carolina State Park website for Oconee Station.