Hiking is fun, but safety is stressed

With an increase in visitation this summer, the
Forest Service and Oconee County rescue organizations are encouraging hikers to be extra careful and plan ahead
before setting off for a hike in the mountains.
Summer is a great time to visit the mountains and take a hike to see one of the many waterfalls in Oconee County.
Unfortunately, there has been an increase in injuries and hiker rescues on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District in
the Sumter National Forest. Oconee County rescuers are currently averaging several rescues a week on the
85,000-acre national forest and surrounding lands.
With the rugged and remote terrain, each mountain rescue takes at least three hours and requires 20 or more
highly-trained rescuers—mostly volunteer firefighters from the local community, said Brandon Burton, fire chief
with the Walhalla Fire Department. “We know the trails, rivers and waterfalls in Oconee County are special and
the public is enthusiastic about getting outdoors right now,” Burton said. “We just ask everyone to take care and
be prepared before heading out for a hike. Even a short hike can end up as an emergency rescue if you are not
prepared.”
Before heading out to enjoy the outdoors and hike in Oconee County, please keep the following in mind:
• Yellow Branch Falls is a beautiful place. However, it is a fairly arduous trip out and back. Many people do
not realize that it is a single track trail with a steady decline in elevation. Once you reach the falls, it is a
strenuous trip to get back out. It’s about a three-mile roundtrip.
• Please plan for the weather as conditions can change rapidly in the Southern Appalachians, especially in
the summer with pop-up thunderstorms.
• Wear appropriate footwear. Flip flops and sandals are not the best choice for trails, especially at
Stumphouse/Issaqueena Falls or Yellow Branch Falls.
• Drink and carry plenty of water. Our humid environment will d