March 18, 2025
Oconee Station and Station Cove Falls Trails
near Salem, SC
It was a beautiful early spring day with sunny skies and warm temperatures. This was an easy hike with just one 1-mile moderately inclined hill on the Palmetto/Oconee Connector Trail. All of the trails were in excellent shape with just one large blowdown to duck under on the south side of the park lake. As advised by other hike reports, early wildflowers were out, mostly on the approach trail to Station Cove Falls. Despite not much rain in the area, the falls were still quite impressive and a great place to have our lunch.
Today's Hikers: Beth Hawkins, Charles, Hawkins, Mary Lu Norton, Angela Evans, Stephanie Kromelis, Allyson Aldrich, Renee Corbett, Beth McDonald, Jenny Bell, Bobbie Broussard, Pam Hembree, Dave Norton, Linda Shultz, Edwin Pruitt, Ken Kellerman & Cutie Pie, Sue Vaughn, Vic Robson & Mike Bell
The route
5.3 mi · 715 ft climbing · 3h 26m out, 2h 41m walking · 2.0 mph moving
Elevation
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- Steepness
- Gentle under 5%
- Moderate 5–10%
- Steep 10–15%
- Very steep over 15%
16 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.
Photos (18)
Station Cove Falls at Oconee Station Historic Site Today's Hikers (L-R) Back: Beth, Charles, Mary Lu, Stephanie, Renee, Beth, Bobbie, Dave, Edwin & Sue; Front: Angela, Allyson, Jenny, Pam, Vic, Linda, Mike & Ken with Cutie Pie. Eighteen hikers anxious to get started. "Don't forget me" Smile Cutie Pie, we won't. A nice trail around the lake. We went both ways today, but not all the way to Oconee State Park, just a mile up the trail. Some of the first, Little Sweet Betsy Trillium we saw on our way out to the falls. Green & Gold and Bloodroot, too. A living tree trunk with character. Common Blue and Halberd-leaved Violets Two variations of Hepatica, one with burgundy leaves that persist through winter and newer green growth. The leaves look similar to Trillium. Taking credit for making a nicely-done safe passage around a very large rootball hole. Breaktime at the Station Cove Falls. Renee, good to see you could join us today. Photo by Beth McDonald. Beth fooling around on one of the many blowdowns nearby the trail. Photo by Linda Shultz??? Beth McDonald spotted this Yellowroot in bloom among a cluster of young Buckeyes. Linda, Beth and Jenny heading back to the trailhead and still smiling. Always attractive Ground Cedar or Fan Clubmoss.