Issaqueena Falls is a 100 foot waterfall located inside Stumphouse Tunnel Park (note that there is a $5 parking fee at the park) about 7 miles west of Walhalla. Issaqueena Falls can be viewed from a observation deck about 200 yards from the parking lot. However, it is sometimes obstructed by the trees.
From the observation deck there is a steep trail to your right that will take you to the base of the waterfall. The trail to the observation deck is easy, however the trail to the base of the waterfall is moderate.
Many people believe that the waterfall was named from the story of a Creek woman named Issaqueena. Legend tells that Issaqueena was captured by the Cherokee as a girl. Later she met and fell in love with a trader named Allan Francis. One day she overheard a plan to attack the frontier where Allan’s fort was. She traveled 96 miles to warn him. Issaqueena remained with Allan and married him. One day the Cherokee Chief sent warriors to capture Issaqueena. She saw them coming and ran toward this waterfall to escape capture, knowing that the Cherokee believed evil spirits lived in waterfalls. She pretended to leap to hear death, hiding on the ledge below the top of the waterfall until they left and rejoined her family.
My family lives close to hear. This isn’t the most impressive waterfall, but it is quite pretty after a good rain. But if it does rain bring hiking boots because it does get slippery.