Upper Raines Mill Falls
- Height: 12 feet
- Type: Cascade
- Stream: Fall Creek
- River Basin: Savannah River
- Elevation: 1,590 feet
- Landowner: Raines Mill LLC
- Recreational Area: N/A
- State: South Carolina
- County: Oconee
- USGS Map: Whetstone
- Difficulty: Easy
- Accessibility: Forest road & trail
- Trail Blaze: None
- Admission Fee: None
- Hike Length: 0.62 miles
- Waterfall GPS: 34.81609 -83.24919
- Parking GPS: 34.81752 -83.24569
Overview
Raines Mill was built in 1914 and was owned by Reverend Luther Henry Raines. (April, 20, 1887 - April, 1, 1970.) The mill is a rustic 3-story structure with a 40-foot tall overshot water wheel, thought to be one of the largest overshot water wheels in the area. During the daytime the mill was used to ground corn and wheat and at night generated hydroelectric power for the nearby Long Creek Academy, which Luther Raines was principal and preacher of.
Due to the ongoing restoration of Raines Mill, please use caution when visiting.
Due to the ongoing restoration of Raines Mill, please use caution when visiting.
Driving Directions
From Walhalla, South Carolina. From the intersection of SC-183, head west on SC-28 for 6.1 miles and turn left onto Whetstone Road. Drive 4.9 miles and turn left onto Chattooga Ridge Road. Drive 3.8 miles and turn right onto Fall Creek Road (FS-722). Drive 0.27 miles and park on the left side of the road near a gated road.
From Westminster, South Carolina. From the intersection of US-123, head north on US-76 for 15.4 miles and turn right onto Chattooga Ridge Road. Drive 2.1 miles and turn left onto Fall Creek Road (FS-722). Drive 0.27 miles and park on the left side of the road near a gated road.
From Clayton, Georgia. From the intersection of US-441, head east on US-76 for 10.3 miles and turn left onto Chattooga Ridge Road. Drive 2.1 miles and turn left onto Fall Creek Road (FS-722). Drive 0.27 miles and park on the left side of the road near a gated road.
Do not block the gated road!
From Westminster, South Carolina. From the intersection of US-123, head north on US-76 for 15.4 miles and turn right onto Chattooga Ridge Road. Drive 2.1 miles and turn left onto Fall Creek Road (FS-722). Drive 0.27 miles and park on the left side of the road near a gated road.
From Clayton, Georgia. From the intersection of US-441, head east on US-76 for 10.3 miles and turn left onto Chattooga Ridge Road. Drive 2.1 miles and turn left onto Fall Creek Road (FS-722). Drive 0.27 miles and park on the left side of the road near a gated road.
Do not block the gated road!
Hiking Directions
From the parking. Head around the gate and follow the old road for 780+ feet to a fork in the road. Keep right and continue for 560+ feet to a picnic area and an historic mill on the left near the stream. Head towards the mill and go left around the mill and follow the path for 150+ feet to the waterfall.