Tag: Landrum SC

This protected area is part of a larger 22,000-acre conservation effort in the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment, an beautiful area recognized for its dramatic elevation changes and biodiversity. The Audubon Society designated Blue Wall Preserve as an Important Bird Area—over 100 bird species have been seen there! Keep your eyes on the trail as you walk, and you have a decent chance of spotting some unique animal tracks…and lots of dog tracks!

Choose Your Own Adventure

The Blue Wall Preserve is an ideal hiking destination in part because you can hike different routes depending on the challenge you’re wanting. And the best news? One of the best views is available on the easiest part of the trail!

EASY: First Pond Trail

If you want the best view with the easiest hike, then I recommend just tackling what I call the First Pond Trail. When you park in the gravel lot off Pennell Road, just follow the paved road down the hill past the gate. As you approach the first bridge over Vaughn’s Creek, the path will turn to gravel.

The distance from the parking lot to the first pond in Blue Wall Preserve is a little less than a mile. You’ll find some moderate inclines along the way, but they are pretty manageable as long as you’re not carrying much. I did recently complete this trail while pushing my kids in a stroller wagon (which I do NOT recommend!) and that was a lot more challenging. Even with several stops to catch my breath, it only took us about an hour to reach the pond and return to the parking lot.

At the far point in this trail, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning view of three mountaintops over a large, reflective pond. It is truly beautiful at any time of year, but this view is hands-down one of the most beautiful views in all of Upstate South Carolina when the fall foliage reaches peak color. The best vantage point will be right where you first find the pond, but you can check out a couple more if you follow the fork in the path to your left. This stretch of the trail dead-ends at the other end of the pond.

MODERATE: Waterfall Loop Trail (Twin Ponds Trail)

If you follow the fork in the path to your right, you’ll start up the more challenging Waterfall Loop Trail, also called the Twin Ponds Trail on some maps. If you follow the complete loop out and back to the parking lot, you will have hiked about 3.5 miles. Hiking without my kids (and stopping for the occasional pictures), this route takes me about an hour and half.

The Waterfall Loop Trail narrows significantly as you go along, sometimes only wide enough for one person at a time to hike comfortably. The ground is more natural and uneven, with a lot of roots and some muddy stretches along the way. It will take you up to the second pond in Blue Wall Preserve and all the way around it, before bringing you back to the fork in the trail at the first pond.

DIFFICULT: Blue Wall Passage

If you’re really up for a challenge, then you can hike the full 6.5-mile route through the Blue Wall Preserve to Vaughn’s Gap. This is known as the Blue Wall Passage of the Palmetto Trail.

You’ll see your first sign for Vaughn’s gap as soon as you reach the second pond. You can follow the fork to your left to head straight to it, but I personally recommend following the Waterfall Loop down the fork to your right. Both ways will take you down the length of the pond before splitting off towards Vaughn’s gap, but following the trail to the right will lead you past the waterfall.

Once you’ve traversed the length of the pond, you’ll see a second sign for Vaughn’s Gap. This is where the Blue Wall Passage separates from the Waterfall Loop Trail, and it will take you into tougher terrain and elevation gains.

What to Know Before You Go

No Cell Service: It’s important for hikers to note that cell service is virtually nonexistent in the Blue Wall Preserve. I managed to get one bar at the top of Pennell Road, but it took a lot of walking around to find it. I highly recommend downloading any maps you want on your phone before you go. You may also want to text a family member or friend where you are hiking and how long you expect to be gone when you are at least a few minutes out from the preserve. Once you get close, there is no guarantee that you’ll find a signal.

Limited Parking: The parking lot for Blue Wall Preserve is very small, and this is a popular local hike. When I’ve visited right when the preserve opens at 7am, I have usually been the only one in the parking lot, especially in the cooler months when the sun rises later. When I’ve visited around 9am, there have typically been several cars already there. By 11am, even on a weekday, the parking lot is usually full. I recommend getting there as early as you can, and try to carpool if you’re hiking with a group.

Trail Safety: This might go without saying, but these trails are going to take you through secluded woods, near mountain drop-offs, and across multiple water features. I definitely recommend the buddy safety so you’re not out there hiking alone, and you’ll want to wear good shoes, bring a water bottle, and consider bug spray or even bear spray. Be vigilant on the trail, and keep a close eye on any children with you.

Hiking with Kids: If you’re hiking with children, I recommend a chest or backpack carrier for little ones and letting school-aged kids walk along with you. I did push a stroller wagon on the First Pond Trail once, so it’s possible, but I don’t think I’ll be doing that again and don’t recommend it for anyone else. My preschooler probably could have handled hiking the First Pond Trail, but I would be concerned about the drop-offs along the path, especially as we crossed a couple bridges over the water. Talk to your kids about trail safety, the importance of staying close and listening, and what to do in different emergency situations before hiking with them.