With well over 250 species catalogued, and a engineer developing designs for a trailhead, the Rocky Branch Conservation Area in Little Mountain is the natural next step in recreation for Newberry County.

Little Mountain resident Roxie Derrick deeded just under 44 acres of scenic mountain woodlands to the Upper Savannah Trust for conservation purposes roughly two years ago. Her gift is developing into a pristine playground for nature lovers—both professional and amateur.

That land that runs seven-tenths of a mile along Billy Dreher Island Road is definitely living up naturalists’ expectations, and is on-target to be even more inviting to the amateur hiking enthusiasts.

Dr. Charles Horne of Newberry College is executing a two-year study of the flora and fauna encompassed in the area. Just six months into the study, with visits of about twice a month, the local expert has logged in more than 250 species, and about 25 new ones.

Currently, he and Little Mountain mayor Buddy Johnson await the blooming of some Gentian flowers along the creekbed that may bring the new species count even closer to 30.

But pure science is not the only reason the area has been set aside and protected from development.

Visitors are welcome to the area with its array of wild azaleas, mushrooms and mountain laurels. Johnson is working with several groups and individuals to make the area even more accessible.

Clemson students came up with seven or eight conceptual designs for a trailhead area. The area will include parking, restrooms and a picnic shelter.

An engineer has recently been commissioned to refine the trailhead plan and “give us some good numbers,” Johnson says. They will then take that estimate and use it to apply for grants to fund the project of constructing the trailhead.

Charles Weber of the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, the organization which built and manages the Palmetto Trail, is going to help lay out the trail itself through the conservation area.

“It’s a very special place,” Johnson says of the 44 acres, and a nationally-renowned naturalist will be visiting soon to help others recognize the area’s distinctive charm. Rudy Mancke will be in Little Mountain Nov. 9, 10 and 11 to film a segment to go along with the town’s history harvest film project.

SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE IN TOMORROW'S SPECIAL MONDAY EDITION "A SENSE OF PLACE: THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS THAT MAKE NEWBERRY COUNTY 'A PLACE TO VISIT, A PLACE TO LIVE'"