Stumphouse Trail

Regional Director: Lee Morris

Parking Entrance Fee is $5 per vehicle (try to have exact change)

Too hot? Come up to the mountains! This month’s trip is to Stumphouse Park, which includes Stumphouse Tunnel, Issaqueena Falls, the Blue Ridge Railway Historic Trail, and the Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail.

Most of this area is heavily wooded with streams, waterfalls, and lakes. At this time of year there will be plenty of birds (although identifying by ear will probably be the best method), plants typical for the Blue Ridge, insects and herps. There is a lot of history in this area as well!

History (Brief) The Stumphouse Tunnel was to be one of three railroad tunnels proposed by SC Statesman John C. Calhoun, offering a new, short route through Blue Ridge Mountains. They were proposed in 1835, but construction did not start until the mid 1850s. In 1859, the State of South Carolina ceased working on Stumphouse Tunnel having already spent over a million dollars (in 1859 dollars!) on it. The tunnel was abandoned. The full tunnel was to be 5863 feet; excavation ended at 1617 feet. Middle Tunnel (1/4 mile from Stumphouse Tunnel) was completed but not used; it collapsed and then was partially sealed off in the mid-1900s. Saddle Tunnel was started north of Middle Tunnel but not completed; the majority of that tunnel is submerged in a lake. These three tunnels are accessed by the Blue Ridge Railway HIstorical Trail which starts at Stumphouse Park and ends at the entrance of Saddle Tunnel.

Stumphouse Tunnel was used from the 1950s to 1970s by Clemson University to age bleu cheese, as the constant temperature and humidity (50 degrees Fahrenheit and 85% humidity) is similar to natural caves where many bleu cheeses are aged.

Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls became Stumphouse Park, managed by the City of Walhalla. In 2007, Naturaland Trust pledged $2 million to protect the area and surrounding properties from being developed, thus ensuring public use of the park.

The Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail (PT established in 1994) is first of the Palmetto Trail Passages from the mountain end. It connects with the Ross Mountain Passage to Oconee State Park.

Trails
Stumphouse Tunnel can be accessed at the Stumphouse Tunnel (last) parking lot, a short distance up the hill.

The Blue Ridge Railway Historical Trail is an out-and-back. 3.9 mile trail. It is considered a moderate trail with some ups and downs (total elevation change 492 feet along the trail). The trailhead is at the southern end of the Issaqueena Falls parking lot. Middle Tunnel is about halfway along the route. The trail is mainly through woodland with an occasional view of the Piedmont.

Issaqueena Falls Trail is a short (0.4 mile) trail down to the Falls and back. The trailhead is at the southern end of Issaqueena Falls parking lot. It is rated to be an easy trail.

The Stumphouse Passage of the Palmetto Trail is an out-and-back trail starting at the eastern end of the Issaqueena Falls parking lot. It is 3 miles round trip. It is mainly wooded and the first half follows a creek with a couple of small waterfalls. About halfway, the trail reaches the Walhalla Reservoir then continues near a small creek. The trail hugs the hillside in places.

**There are three bike trails that branch off the main Stumphouse Passage, so the Passage is shared with bikers!** Hikers are not allowed on these trails; all three branch to the left on your way out. All bikers I encounters were cautious and courteous; their main interest is the bike trails. The end of the Stumphouse Passage is signified by a kiosk.

Restrooms
There are restrooms at the Issaqueena Falls parking lot. These are NOT plumbed, but are two (M and F) single occupant spaces that are large and relatively clean.

Picnic Areas
At the Issaqueena Falls parking area, there is a large shelter with picnic tables and tables dotted around the lot. To the east is a small trail leading to a gazebo that divides a small lake into two.

Through the gazebo is another, more natural picnic area that can allow you to get distracted by plants and birds while you eat.

Biters
I only encountered a few mosquitoes in the areas with more water, although I expect there might be a fly or two about. Bring insect repellant, but I doubt you will need it.

Directions:
We will meet in the Issaqueena Falls parking lot near the large shelter (north side) at 10:30. Reminder, there is a $5 entry fee.

Stumphouse Tunnel Rd, Walhalla, SC 29691 34.809355, -83.122232

Walhalla, SC is in Oconee County in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stumphouse Park is on Stumphouse Tunnel Road. It is about 30 minutes NW of Clemson. Route 76 to the west goes through Clemson to Seneca, SC. Turn right (north) on SC 28. Continue through Walhalla. A little over 5 miles (10 minutes) from the center of Walhalla will be Stumphouse Tunnel Rd on the right. There is typically a ranger collecting entrance fees about halfway down the road. The large parking area to the right will be the Issaqueena Falls parking lot. There will likely be a lot of bikes around. If you miss this parking lot, you will find yourself in a smaller lot a few hundred feet up the road. This is parking for the Tunnel itself; if the lower lot is full, parking here and walking down is not difficult.

Hope you see you there!