Miuka Falls & Secrets Falls via Winding Stairs Trail -- 1.2019

Don't you feel like good surprises are bonuses provided at the most unexpected times?  I recently had this experience on trail checking out some waterfalls in Sumter National Forest.

Gus and I set out on a clear blue sky day to hunt down Miuka Falls (also referred to as Cheohee Falls) and check out Secret Falls too.  Looking at AllTrails site, the directions generated by other users were unclear, terrible photos and pictures and even worse trail recordings.  We needed to get outside after all the recent rains we were having for two reasons:  the "Cabin Fever" had set in and the Falls should be full!

We packed up and headed down the road.  Upon arriving to the designated parking area off the side of the road, we started on a small slightly overgrown trail taking us into a closed for the winter campground, then finally to the Winding Stairs Trail.  This was supposed to be a down and back 6.9 mile hike, however several people had apparently made an uncharted discovery of Secret Falls just slightly off the trail.

As we wandered down the slightly declining trail, we could see through the trees Lake Keohee down in the distance.  Very noticeably there seems to have been a road or perhaps a failed train track that was constructed at some point.  This is my observation as I didn't read up on any history of the area, but even with the now overgrowth you can tell a 12 foot wide area is almost perfectly flat that hugs the mountainside and takes gentle turns around the bending terrain.  I know there was a one time Civil War era track that was supposed to run from Nashville to Atlanta to resupply troops for the Union Army.  This is the Stumphouse Tunnel story I am speaking of not far away from this area, where unfinished track has laid abandoned for centuries.  I digress...

Approximately a mile in, we started to hear the thunderous sounds of Miuka Falls echoing through the bare winter trees which brought excitement and encouraged our pace.  When approaching the switchback where the falls lay, you can get a great general view from a small stone lookout over the falls.  However, Gus and I were not here for general views as we wanted to immerse ourselves in the beauty of the falls.

We negotiated ourselves down a step beaten path of roots and azealia trees holding dearly onto the cliffside.  Our view of the falls was now in a much more intimate spot as we could watch the water fall from the top and playfully make its way down to us as it turned into a fast paced stream moving briskly down the granite mountain side almost like a natural waterslide.  We stayed here for about 30 mins shooting some video, taking photos and studying the maneuvers of the waters at Miuka Falls.

We finally made our way out of the steep sidewall and headed back down the trail to attempt to find the Secret Falls offshoot.  We passed an older set of hikers out for a sunday stroll and Gus quickly became friends with their black lab before bidding farewell and safe travels.

Gus and I passed through several switchbacks and hopped over a few small streams that trickled down the mountainside.  There is something very magical about hiking by yourself.  I will do my best to not sound like a lone-wolf who's antisocial, but hiking by yourself you get more immersed in the beauty of it all.  The only sounds you hear besides your own footsteps are all natures song.  The wind gently blowing between the naked winter trees, the pines swaying back and forth at times rubbing against each other creating creaking sounds and the waters falling down the mountain can be heard from greater distances beckoning to be seen.  Hiking with friends is great to have a shared experience and for safety, but there is something to be said that's enchanting about going solo too.

As we approached one of several switchbacks, we could start to hear the whitewaters rushing of Secret Falls.  What appeared as a sort of deer trail was the hidden path to make our approach down to the falls for exploration.  The loose mud from recent rains and wet leaves made for a precarious journey down the mountainside to get a good look at Secret Falls.

Finally we made our way to a little clearing maybe 15ft away from the water.  This was as close as we would get this day as our sunlight was starting to retreat to the west and to have sojourned down to the falls would have been quite a feat with zero trail or assistance from mother nature.  We took several shots and decided best to pack up and start our trek back up the mountain to the car.

Several things came out of this experience as I try to always learn something each hike.  Firstly, don't trust the website or other users.  You don't know their capabilities or ethics for venturing off trail.  This is potentially a dangerous action and must be executed with extreme caution.  I do not recommend going off trail.  Secondly, once again, make your own experience.  The photos I saw of both Secret and Miuka Falls were terrible and actually disheartened me a bit.  However, in person they were amazing!  I would definitely recommend the Winding Stairs Trail to anyone and to absolutely check out Miuka Falls.  Secret Falls is not as tall or exhilarating if I'm being honest, so you can forgo the perilless deer trail down to it.  Until next time...

Winding Stairs Trail Stats:
6.9 miles
5 hours (with stops)
1,312 vert feet
Rating:  Pretty easy with great falls (esp Miuka!)

Link to AllTrails App

Video I made about the experience to Miuka & Secret Falls: