There were 657 steps down to the suspension bridge that sways 80 feet above the canyon. Then there were 657 steps going straight back up. It was enough to get your heart rate up and to make your face red. But it was worth it to see the power of the waterfalls and take a picture from the bottom of the Talullah River. What a spectacular view. We did a two mile loop on the north rim trail and the south rim trail with Matthew, Mary, Augustus, and Josephine. This stop was meant to tire the kids out on the drive to our post-Christmas family trip to Lake Keowee. Josephine was a trooper most of the way down. After the suspension bridge Matthew put her on the backpack. Augustus was worried most of the way because we had left Woody and Buzz behind in the car.
The trails were deemed strenuous, but they were well-packed, and the stairs were well-built. The falls revealed themselves slowly as we turned each corner on the trail. There was an air of suspense. What would the falls look like as we turned the next corner? And I kept wondering how or why someone like the great tightrope walker Karl Wallenda would walk 1,000 feet across this gorge – 700 feet above the bottom. The drama of his memorable 1970 walk across Tallulah Falls was very real to me as we made our way down the trail.
Eventually the roar of the falls became louder and louder, and ultimately, we found the bottom of the awe-inspiring, dramatic falls where we celebrated with family pics.
All in all, the experience was well-worth the 657 steep steps back up to the top of the gorge.
Must Sees: The swaying suspension bridge is an adventure. This park is all about the awe-inspiring views. Make sure you make it to the Tallulah Gorge floor to see Hurricane Falls crash on the boulders at the base of the falls.
