Raven Cliff Falls
8-26-06 Raven Cliff Falls is a beautiful 420' waterfall in the Caesar's Head area of upstate South Carolina. Unfortunately, the state decided to close the trail to the old viewing platform - I'm not sure why - and has constructed a new shorter trail to a different viewing area. Construction has begun on a new platform, but the view so far is horrible. I spoke with a man at the Caesar's Head State Park that said trees would be trimmed to improve the view, but the angle is very different and you won't be able to see the upper part of the falls like you can in the above shot from the old platform.
If you still want to go, head down Hwy 276 from Brevard to the South Carolina state line. Continue about another mile and turn left into the parking area for the trail. It's just past an entrance for cabins for rent. I've driven past the area on a busy day and cars have been parked along the road also. If you go too far, you'll pass the Caesar's Head State Park office on the right about a mile down. You can get a map of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area there if you need one.
The trail begins across Hwy 276 from the parking area. You must register at the info board and on my most recent visit, there was a pay station - $2 per adult. So I had to grab an envelope, head back to the vehicle to get the cash and hang the receipt on my mirror. The trail to the viewing area is 2 miles and moderate in difficulty. It's blazed red and is easy to follow. There are also blue blazes for the Gum Gap Trail. Near the end of the Raven Cliff Falls trail, there will be a wooden sign with a map. You will have passed a similar map farther back where the Gum Gap Trail splits off. The trail splits at the second map also. You'll see the old closed trail, the new trail to 'see' Raven Cliff Falls, and the purple blazed Dismal Trail. If you take the Dismal Trail for about 5 minutes, you can get this view of the falls from a rock outcropping shown in the below photo. This will be a similar angle as the new viewing area once the platform is built and the view is 'improved'.
