Stumphouse Tunnel & Isaqueena Falls

My in laws, Frank and Bobbie, came to visit this past weekend. They came to watch the boys play basketball in their final game of the season. They spent the weekend in Oconee County. It gave them the opportunity to see Stumphouse Tunnel and Isaqueena Water Fall north of Walhalla off of Highway 28.

Stumphouse Tunnel is a railroad tunnel that was in the process of being built in the 1850s when construction was halted due to the civil war (or the War of Northern Aggression as it's known in the South). Construction was never finished. Locals say if the tunnel had been completed, the south would have won the war.

Isaqueena Falls is one of the highest and most beautiful water falls in the Southern United States. Unlike a lot of the other water falls in the area, this one is easy to get to where just about anybody can see the beauty of the falls. It is less than a half mile from the parking area to the over look of the falls. No several mile hike up and down difficult terrain.

When our friend Joe from Ireland visited with my parents in October 2007, we took them to the falls and the tunnel as well. Enjoy the pictures.

Nana holds Parker's hand while walking to the tunnel

Looking at the Entrance to Stumphouse Tunnel

At the entrance of Stumphouse Tunnel

Looking back out Stumphouse tunnel

Kallsen & Joseph going down the steep mountain side instead of following the service road like everyone else

Kallsen at the top of Isaqueena Falls

(He's not as close as he looks, but closer than made Mom & Dad comfortable)

Joseph at the Overlook of Isaqueena Falls

Kallsen looking at the Falls

Isaqueena Water Fall

If you're ever vacationing in upstate South Carolina, Northeast Georgia or Western North Carolina, Stumphouse Tunnel and Isaqueena Falls is open year round, is free of charge and you don't have to hike a long way to see the tunnel or the waterfall. And it's only a few miles from where I live...a great reason to come for a visit!