#hiking #waterfalls, A post shared by Chad Chandler (@chad.chandler) on Apr 2, 2018 at 10:21am PDT. The park features a ranger station with public restrooms, a parking lot, and picnic tables. Posted by. 12 comments. Rainbow Falls makes a nice side trip if you have the time and energy, but this hike angles left to stay on the Jones Gap Trail. 3 days ago. This section of trail will remain closed until spring temperatures are consistently warm enough for the ice to melt and the trail to become safely passable. At that point, I knew that I could probably bushwack my way to the top, but I doubted my ability to safely climb back down. Rainbow Falls in upstate South Carolina is a gorgeous 80-100' free falling waterfall on Cox Camp Creek. Reflections on Jones Gap State Park Contributor Dyana Walters, who captured the below photo of Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park, says, “The trail to Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park can be a challenge. J ones Gap State Park sits on the Blue Ridge Escarpment in upstate South Carolina very near the state line with its neighbor to the north. Hikes. They’re both technical, but not very difficult, at least for the first 60 or so feet. Accessing Rainbow Falls via the trail above requires a paid admittance to Jones Gap State Park. Within the first part of the trail, there will be 3 bridges to cross. share. There will be other hikers around regardless of the time/day/season. I recommend carrying trekking poles and wearing knee sleeves help to alleviate aches and pains from descending the mountain. I accessed the trail from Jones Gap state park and talked to the rangers there. There is roadside parking for … The trailhead is not in the main part of the park. It’s an additional 1.2 miles from the parking lot to the Rainbow Falls Trailhead, so you’re looking at a ~4½-mile out-and-back hike. The hike is a little deceiving because you mostly follow the water up the mountain until the trail takes you in the other direction. After about 3/4's of a mile, the trail to rainbow falls splits off from the Jones Gap Trail going straight following the red blazes. This waterfall is not to be confused with Rainbow Falls in nearby Gorges State Park. I've been meaning to take that trail and see what it looks like for some time now. In the spring, azalea, meadow rue, and Solomon's plume envelope many of the boulders. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Rainbow Falls drops 100 feet over steep walls streaked with black and tan from the alternating layers of amphibolite gneiss, granitic gneiss, and mica schist. If you have any questions, please contact the park directly. All rights reserved. The chapel is usually open to the public and allows for some great pictures of the valley. This trail is popular with children and pets as well, but it’s no joke. Reaching Rainbow Falls is a very strenuous five-mile round-trip hike. One of my favorite adventures in this area is to camp along the Middle Saluda River, then hike to Rainbow Falls, and continue on to Pretty Place Chapel. Climbing on the Jones Gap Trail After a brief rocky climb through a dense understory of rhododendron, the trail levels out for awhile. Rainbow Falls Trail Guide South Carolina State Parks Gap Waterfall Hiking The Incredibles Outdoor. Reaching Rainbow Falls is a very strenuous five-mile round-trip hike. A small side trail will go back about 150 feet or so to Jones Gap Falls which is kind of tucked away. It was possible to access the falls from Camp Greenville, but this is a very steep and dangerous route. The main way to get to the falls is through Jones Gap State Park. Departing Jones Gap, travel approximately .75 miles along the blue blazed Jones Gap Trail, then veer to the right onto the red blazed Rainbow Falls Trail. Rainbow Falls is located on YMCA Camp Greenville property. The small parking lot fills up quickly on warm weekends, so get there as close to 9:00 a.m. as you can. It was a nice hike. I have reported on this trail previously. The trek to the falls is strenuous but moderately short, and can be doable with kids if you plan ahead. I went back on a clear, dry day and decided to make the final ascent to Pretty Place Chapel. The Hike to Rainbow Falls. Rainbow Falls drops 100 feet over steep walls streaked with black and tan from the alternating layers of amphibolite gneiss, granitic gneiss, and mica schist. After relaxing at the base of the falls, return to Jones Gap along the trails you traveled, gazing upon the amazing vistas of the Jones Gap valley that open up as you descend. Waterfall. The 140-foot waterfall plunges over a granite cliff surrounded by steep granite walls in the secluded gorge. Jones Gap State Park Rainbow Falls Trail - South Carolina Waterfall Hikes Disclaimer: All resources on this website are from the Internet, and no video content is stored. Hikes. The Rainbow Falls Trail is a hike that everyone should do at least once in their life. He said it is a very, very difficult hike and advised approaching Rainbow Falls from the bottom of the mountain. We thought that the hike to Falls Creek Falls was even more strenuous than the approach to Rainbow Falls even though this hike was significantly shorter. Jones Gap State Park, Marietta: รูปถ่าย Rainbow Falls Trail, Jones Gap State Park - ดูภาพถ่ายและวิดีโอจริงจากสมาชิกของ Tripadvisor จำนวน 206 รายการ Your email address will not be published. Getting Started. Rainbow Falls flows into the Middle Saluda River at Jones Gap State Park. There’s a lovely trail hidden away in Jones Gap State Park that leads you straight to a stunning waterfall. I had read that there were orange blazes directing you up the mountain, but I never found any. In the spring, azalea, meadow rue, and Solomon's plume envelope many of the boulders. You walk for a long while without even being able to hear any water. Camping. The falls area is more quiet than Rainbow Falls when it comes to people but is unique in its own way. Several pools in the river provide wading opportunities and salamander hunts. Rainbow Falls is an amazing 100-foot freefall over a cliff face. Amazon Associates disclosure. Check the schedule before you plan your visit. From here, climb approximately 1,000 feet over a … Enjoy & research Jones Gap State park, South Carolina with trail guides, topo maps, photos, reviews & GPS routes on Trails.com. The Rainbow Falls Trail is a hike that everyone should do at least once in their life. Jones Gap Falls is a 3.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Slater-Marietta, South Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. One of the great attractions in the green sanctuary of Jones Gap State Park is Rainbow Falls. All rights reserved. Backtrack on the road about 10 yards and turn left to access the trail. What to expect at Jones Gap State Park Give your family plenty of time to complete this hike. The trail to the falls follows the boulder-strewn Middle Saluda River, which is in sight most of the way. Length: 4.2 miles, out and back Difficulty: Strenuous Directions: From U.S. Route 276, turn onto River Falls Road for 4.6 miles until it becomes Jones Gap Road, and continue for one mile. Trails include (mileage shown is one-way): Cleveland Connector (0.5 mile) Coldspring Branch (2.6 miles) Jones Gap NRT #1 (Jones Gap Falls) (5.3 miles) Hospital Rock #30 (4.4 miles) Rainbow Falls Trail (2.2 miles) If I find a way up that I think others might enjoy, I’ll update this post. A small side trail will go back about 150 feet or so to Jones Gap Falls which is kind of tucked away. Dogs are allowed on the trail as long as they are kept on a leash. Fullscreen. Pets. But having to scramble back down blind (read: backward) on wet mud/rocks seemed dangerous to the point of recklessness. The second was near the rock face to the left of the plunge. Jones Gap State Park, Marietta Picture: Rainbow Falls Trail, Jones Gap State Park - Check out Tripadvisor members' 207 candid photos and videos. Most people who visit Jones Gap State Park stroll the gently ascending Jones Gap Trail to Jones Gap Falls. Fee. I may do a little more research and see if I should have walked a contour near an old campfire instead of continuing straight up the mountain. If the sun is shining through the canopy, you will see rainbows in the mists that rise from the rocks. image. Thanks for letting us know, Tim. The hike reaches a trail junction at.3 mile, turning right to follow the Rainbow Falls Trail westbound. © 2021 C.C. From here, climb approximately 1,000 feet over a distance of 1.6 miles to the base of Rainbow Falls. A moderate one mile hike from near the Jones Gap State Park Headquarters leads to this 50-foot falls descending over a rugged stone staircase. Falls Creek Falls is a waterfall in Jones Gap State Park that features a 50-foot cascade that breaks over several stages. Play. Jones Gap State Park, Marietta: รูปถ่าย Rainbow Falls Trail, Jones Gap State Park - ดูภาพถ่ายและวิดีโอจริงจากสมาชิกของ Tripadvisor จำนวน 213 รายการ Due to the constant slickness of the rocks and mud, this is a very dangerous place to be. Detailed trail maps are available for sale at the park headquarters. Settings. Rainbow Falls - Jones Gap State Park. Jones Gap Trail to Rainbow Falls, Jones Gap State Park. If you are looking for a much longer hike, the Palmetto trail connects about 14 miles of existing trails (with multiple-colored blazes) in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area of Jones Gap State Park and Caesars Head State Park. Posted by Jeff on Jan 3, 2016 @ 12:03 pm in Hiking, Hiking Blog, Mountain Bridge Wilderness, Rated Difficult Hikes, South Carolina, Water Hikes | 0 comments | Last modified: February 20, 2020 . Rainbow Falls Trail #4 is marked Red Blaze, rated as Very Strenuous by the Ranger Station, 1.5 miles one way with a recommended 2 hour out and back time. I talked to someone associated with the YMCA, and he said he hadn't seen anyone use the trail from that end in many years and advised that the trail was likely overgrown. After a short distance you cross over the river and after a few minor creek crossings, you start the climb up the ridge. hide. One was on the right before you cross the creek at the base of the falls. Foto de Jones Gap State Park, Marietta: Rainbow Waterfall, Rainbow Falls Trail, Jones Gap State Park - Confira as 213 fotos e vídeos reais dos membros do Tripadvisor de Jones Gap State Park There are supposedly side trails that will take you from the falls to the top of the mountain and into the camp. The Hike -- Jones Gap Trail to Rainbow Falls Trail and back Jones Gap State Park -- South Carolina -- December 26th, 2011 I went to Jones Gap State Park today, intending to do part of the Jones Gap trail and return; however upon my arrival and looking at the park map, I noticed Rainbow Falls Trail which was the perfect distance for a short hike. Jones Gap State Park | 303 Jones Gap Road, Marietta, SC 29661 | (864) 836-3647 | Email. You can make camping reservations here. Rainbow Falls, located in Jones Gap State Park, is a moderately difficult hike but offers incredible views of the 100 ft waterfall. Hike on Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park, South Carolina. Registering with the park before using these trails is mandatory. The Hike to Rainbow Falls. You have to travel through the Palmetto Bible Camp to find it. The trail crosses the official Gorges State Park line at.8 … PARK HOURS: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily. There are new parking procedures put in place at Jones Gap. Carolina Towns and Trails: Rainbow Falls, Jones Gap State Park Posted by Jeff on Jan 3, 2016 @ 12:03 pm in Hiking, Hiking Blog, Mountain Bridge Wilderness, Rated Difficult Hikes, South Carolina, Water Hikes | 0 comments | Last modified: February 20, 2020 . Like I said, this hike is rated moderate-to-strenuous. The Jones Gap State Park trails allow hikers to traverse between the two parks, as well as connect to a portion of the Foothills Trail and Palmetto Trail South Carolina hikers know and love. You can spend the whole day in the park and even camp with a permit. Trails include (mileage shown is one-way): Cleveland Connector (0.5 mile) Coldspring Branch (2.6 miles) Jones Gap NRT #1 (Jones Gap Falls) (5.3 miles) Hospital Rock #30 (4.4 miles) Rainbow Falls Trail (2.2 miles) 281. Located in the Upstate of South Carolina in the 4,000 acre pristine woodlands of Jones Gap State Park, is the namesake waterfall of the park - Jones Gap Falls. Now I want to go even more! 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