This week, we will visit several old depot stops along a route we like to call The Railroad Loop.  Start by heading south on US-25 from Hendersonville/Flat Rock as if you were going to Greenville, SC.  Take exit 5 to get on to NC-225 and drive through the town of Tuxedo and along Lake Summit.  Once through Tuxedo, continue along NC-225 and you will begin to enter the North Saluda Watershed and reservoir.  This is a popular road for both bikers and cyclists so be careful of them if you are a traveler of the 4-wheeled kind.

Once past the reservoir, you will need to make a left onto Callahan Mountain Road.  Passing both the earthen dam of the reservoir and Boy Scouts of Americas Camp Old Indian.   Callahan Mountain Road will eventually merge with SC-11.  Take SC-11 to the town of Gowensville, where you will turn left onto SC-14 and head to the town of Landrum.  Once in Landrum, turn left onto US-176 and head towards and through Tryon and then Saluda.  Once you pass through Saluda youll eventually make your way back to US-25 completing the loop.

• Be sure to follow all local traffic laws and speed limits.
• As you travel along the North Saluda Watershed, be careful of bikers and cyclists as this is a popular stretch of road for them to travel on.
• Along US-176 lies the towns of Landrum, Tryon, and Saludaall three were depot stops along the railroad once upon a time and all three still maintain their railroad depots as well as many local businesses along their main streets.  When it was in operation, the Saluda Grade was the steepest railroad grade in the United States with a change in elevation of 600 feet over a three-mile span.  Operations were ceased on the tracks in 2001.   Be sure to stop at these towns and see what the local commerce has to offer.