Member III
US Southeast NC/SC Gorges State Park Ride
- Thread starter Sasquatch SC
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Member III
Just adding a post as a place holder so I can find this thread easier. But I will be going
JButtress
Rank VI
Traveler II
Pretty cool video on this trail and area for anyone interested
Enthusiast I
I am just finalizing my on call schedule but looks like I will be able to come out to this. Haven’t been to this area and look forward to meeting up.
Member III
Awesome... looks like it might be a close tie between the 4Runner/Tacos & the Heavy Chevys to claim majority rule.
Then there are the weirdos like me & @Jeffrey Dill wheeling in the family station wagons.
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Enthusiast III
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Member III
Enthusiast III
Hey guys. I’m new here (introduced by Jbuttress). If you don’t mind kids I can join with my boys (8 and 6). We’ve got a Jeep with a RTT.
Do we need to reserve a campsite or are there plenty around? Are there bathhouses or are they primitive sites?
Do we need to reserve a campsite or are there plenty around? Are there bathhouses or are they primitive sites?
Member III
The end of the trail is at Lake Jocassee & there are primitive sites. It’s pretty much a first-come-first-served situation the best I can tell. The trail starts in North Carolina Gorges State Park, but it crosses into a WMA controlled by NC Wildlife & then crosses the state line into SC. Here is an email I got from the office at Gorges State Park when I asked about the trail:
Trey,
The Chestnut Mtn Rd Trail is currently open, but it no longer connects to the Musterground Road.
The entrance to Chestnut Mountain Road is located in our park at the Rainbow Falls Trailhead. It sounds like you will be prepared enough, but note that all the vehicles that go down must have 4x4, at least 8 in of clearance and though it is not required, it would also be a good idea to bring a chainsaw.
Chestnut Mtn Road is open to Turkey Pen Gap, which is about 3 miles down, from then the road changes to the Auger Hole Road, which will take you to the Toxaway Game Lands. Then you will come to a fork, and either go down Bear Camp Rd, or continue on the Auger Hole Road.
If you continue on the Auger Hole Road, you will have 2 gates, depending on the time of year that you decide to go, the first one may be open. This gate is controlled by NC Wildlife, and they control it based on the current hunting seasons. If it is open, you can continue until you come to a second gate located at the Iron Bridge at the Horsepasture River. As far as I know, this gate will no longer be open to the public regardless of the season. This is the trail that would of lead on to connect to Musterground Road.
If you turn left onto Bear Camp Road it will take you down an extremely rough off roading trail into South Carolina that leads another gate that has some campsites close to Lake Jocassee.
Either way both trails will be an out and back road, meaning you will not be able to come out on the other end.
If you have any further questions, feel free to call the park office (828) 966-9099 or stop in the visitor center.
Thanks,
Trisha Riddle
Administrative Associate II
N.C. Dept. of Natural and Cultural Resources
Gorges State Park
976 Grassy Ridge Road
Sapphire, NC 28774
828.966.9099
patricia.riddle@ncparks.gov
I suppose a phone call may be in order now that this has grown into a bigger group. The only other ride I’ve ever tried planning (officially) was up Old NC 105. I knew that area pretty well having been up there countless times. That ride only consisted of 10 rigs w/ only 5 rigs camping. I think we have 14 rigs confirmed as going on this 1. I will try to give them a call this week, but I’m pretty booked at the office. If someone has some time to double check this is a first-come situation at the lake it would be greatly appreciated. If not I will try my best to squeeze it in.
Sorry! I’m usually a flying by the seat of my pants kinda guy. I usually don’t have much of a plan. Typically, I leave the office, pick a direction & go from there. Planning stuff like this isn’t usually in my bag of tricks.
JButtress
Rank VI
Traveler II
You are definitely welcome bud!
Member II
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If you want an "established" camp ground nearby look at Cherry Hill Recreation Area in SC. It is about 30 minutes away from the Gorges Visitor center in South Carolina. It has hot showers and so on. You can reserve sites online there if that's your thing.
www.recreation.gov
Cherry Hill Campground, Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests - Recreation.gov
Explore Cherry Hill Campground in Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests, South Carolina with Recreation.gov. Open April 1 - October 31. Cherry Hill is near the Chattooga Wild and Scenic River and many miles of hiking trails. Site amenities include centrally-located
Member III
Enthusiast II
Just another weirdo adding a Subaru family wagon to the crew.
Enthusiast I
JButtress
Rank VI
Traveler II
Member III
You should definitely come! Gotta bring the Subaru population up on these trips!
Member II
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Not sure if the RSVP button is working on the Rally Point Link...
Where are we meeting? At the visitor center?
Where are we meeting? At the visitor center?
