Several waterfalls are scattered along the shore of Lake animal communities that have resulted, and management Popular trout streams include Eastatoee River, Side-of- Hiking along the from pull-in RV sites for the weekend camper to rugged Another favorite place for wildflowers is upper Cane route that runs the prominent ridges within the landscape. The Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc. is a Introduction Jocassee with some dropping directly into the lake. Dozens efforts to maintain and protect the resources of the area. Mountain, Thompson, Whitewater, Reedy Cove, Laurel Fork, Foothills Trail also backcountry camping for the avid backpacker. Jones Gap, Creek. The easiest way to reach upper Cane Creek is to Many of the views are breathtaking and worth the trip. private, non-profit corporation which partners with the In the of smaller waterfalls can be found on the tributaries of Opportunities for “hands-on” activities and field excursions Cane, Abner, Willis and Emory creeks. Native “specks,” or provides easier Oconee, Table Rock, Keowee-Toxaway, Devils Fork and actually follow Mill Creek to its head in the mid-section Main roads are delineated on the map and coded as to South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for the uppermost Laurel Fork, Cane, Side-of-Mountain, Eastatoee, Emory and by land or boat are possible. brook trout, might be caught in the smaller headwaters at access to more Caesars Head State Parks all offer camping at designated of the Eastatoee Valley. Take Mill Creek Road off Cleo use. They are maintained to permit basic access to most promotion of education, reaches of Willis creeks. The best guide to hidden waterfalls is a good higher elevations. The larger streams support both stocked remote coves and sites. Some have attractive cabins for rent as well. Chapman Road and park at the red gates at the end of the research, management and the The DNR and conservation organizations conduct parts of the vast property. The roads are closed for public northwestern set of ears that will detect the cascading waters in their and wild rainbow and brown trout. In general, the streams stream courses. road. Use the map to explore Cane Creek, where Oconee administration of game and educational excursions periodically, and state park use in late winter to avoid detrimental impacts associated South Carolina, quest for the Atlantic Ocean. that can be easily accessed by vehicle support stocked trout Hikers sometimes Many state park camping areas include individual water bells are among the many unusual floral species to find. fish laws, which will benefit interpreters conduct a variety of nature-based programs with winter weather. Most main roads are also closed in the clear waters during the spring and summer months. The creeks that see great blue and electrical hookups, except for overflow and tent conservation of wildlife, Laurel Fork Falls is perhaps the most popular waterfall and walks highlighting mountain resources and culture. For the summer to allow for wildlife use of the unique habitats of Lake Jocassee require long hikes and foot trail access typically support wild, herons keeping camping; picnic tables; comfort stations with toilet facilities marine and other natural within Jocassee. It plummets about 100 feet into Lake more information about educational opportunities, visit found along the roadsides. splash against reproducing populations of trout. solitary vigil over and hot showers (winterized comfort stations are available resources in South Carolina. Jocassee and is accessible by hiking along the Foothills Trail . Jumping-Off Rock is one of the most well-known the base of http://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/wild/jocassee/education.htm clear, cool mountain in most parks); and dump stations for RVs. For information Access and Overlooks or by boat excursion on the lake. Laurel Fork Creek, above The Eastatoee River can be easily accessed from US overlooks in the upstate. Perhaps the most photographed the Blue Ridge streams, hunting for about a specific park’s campsites and reservations, call the falls, offers one of the most pleasant and interesting Highway 178 near the state line, or from either the Cleo Jocassee has about 35 miles of seasonally open roads. site on Jocassee, it provides the visitor with a panoramic Escarpment, a frogs and fish. 1-866-345-7275 or visit the South Carolina State Parks hikes on Jocassee. Some visitors will note odd patterns of Chapman Road or Roy Jones Road further down in the Most of the main roads are open from March 20 to May view of Lake Jocassee and surrounding wild lands all the “Blue Wall” website at: www.southcarolinaparks.com. vegetation that innocuously designate old homesites, where Eastatoee Valley. Hemlock Hollow Access Point on SC Higher, drier 10 and again from September 15 to January 15. Chestnut way to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Peregrine falcons set up of hills that early settlers once lived in the valley. Hidden walnut groves Scenic Highway 11 offers a short hike to a beautiful section habitats and moister Primitive camping opportunities are available along the 77- Mountain Road begins on NC Highway 281 near Sapphire, housekeeping in the vicinity in 2008 which necessitated represents the Bird watchers at Jocassee are clues of yesteryear and a way of life that has practically of the lower Eastatoee. Most of the other primary streams coves provide a mile Foothills Trail, which intersects the interior of the Jocassee North Carolina, runs through the NC Gorges State Park, some minor changes and the development of a new sharp transition vanished. on Jocassee require hikes that range from easy to difficult. unique variety of Gorges tract. This trail and its spurs link Oconee, Table Rock, down to Crossroads Mountain in South Carolina, and is overlook site. Nonetheless, it remains as the most striking between Jocassee’s forests were once heavily cut for their Use of the roads and terrain depicted on the Jocassee map habitats that harbor different species of birds. During Caesars Head and Jones Gap state parks along with DNR- open year-round. A 3.7-mile section of Horsepasture Road overlook in the property. the Carolina prized timber, and now it seems that the same forest has will aid any angler or hiker in selecting the best routes. the breeding season, the persistent song of the red-eyed owned Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve and Eastatoee Creek is open from US Highway 178 to the southeast corner mountains While the fall season remains the most popular time to attempted to cover up the past. Rusty, twisted narrow- vireo can be heard from ridgetop to deep cove. As with Heritage Preserve. Access points are along SC 11, SC 107, US of the Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve year-round. The and piedmont. appreciate the scenery in Jocassee, better long-range views gauge railroad rails used to haul timber may be found in The rivers that feed Lake Jocassee are largely wild. most species in this forest, more will be heard than seen. 178 and SC 130. For additional information about the Foothills Horsepasture Road passes through the heart of Jocassee Forested slopes may be had in the late fall or winter, after the leaves have the hollows, buried under a heavy layer of leaves and other They originate in North Carolina and include the Species that may be seen or heard on the drier slopes and Trail, contact the Foothills Trail Conference by visiting its Gorges and several overlooks were developed along the Fall colors at Jumping Off Rock drop in elevation fallen. organic materials. Cane Creek and Reedy Cove Creek Toxaway, Horsepasture, Thompson and Whitewater rivers. ridges include ovenbird, summer tanagers, solitary vireos, website at www.foothillstrail.org. by 2,500 vertical both harbor those leftovers from early life and timbering Bearwallow Creek is also an important stream that provides pine warblers, black and white warblers, worm-eating feet in a matter of one to two miles. The land supports Surrounding national forest lands provide a wide range in the southern Appalachians. Some families used corn, good fishing opportunities. The main rivers are most easily warblers and Eastern towhees. In the numerous coves, streams with names such as Saluda, Eastatoee, Laurel Fork, of camping opportunities, from developed campgrounds sugar and old-style distillation processes to help fund accessed from Lake Jocassee, and anglers who fish in North black-throated green warblers, scarlet tanagers, hooded Toxaway, Horsepasture, Bearcamp, Thompson, Whitewater to primitive camping opportunities. To find out what’s Peregrine falcon the family budget. Remains of liquor stills are a common Toxaway gneiss, oldest rock in South Carolina Carolina should secure the appropriate licenses. warblers, yellow-throated vireos, Northern parula warblers and Devils Fork, which carved the rugged gorges, creating available, call the Andrew Pickens Ranger District in find along clear tributaries of many hollows. Occupants and American redstarts are some of the more colorful scenic waterfalls and other natural beauties. These gorges, Management on Jocassee emphasizes improvement Mountain Rest at (864) 638-9568. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources who preceded the early American settlers are thought to members of the songbird community that may be observed. their streams and the more than 75 inches of precipitation of water quality. Old logging roads have been re-graded, prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, color, have left some traces behind, and the forests of Jocassee Hiking Clemson University has documented numerous nests that occur here each year make this area unique among stabilized and repaired to reduce sedimentation, erosion national origin, religion, disability or age. Direct inquiries to the have been unable to hide them all. Embedded within the by Swainson’s warbler, especially in the Eastatoee Creek Office of Human Resources, P.O.