Jocassee Gorges area

[izzyandsue]

This is the route I took to the point, using Gaia GPS app on iPad in case you go. It was an interesting exploration, I am not into the rock crawling, prefer expedition style driving though. I want to head to Chestnut too, plotting on how to get away, but with Big Creek the weekend after, could be too much.

Another place to go is Musterground Road, a bit west from Chestnut but still in Jocassee gorges area.

Let me know if you want the GPX file for the track

 

[tgadd]

So most of the road is open? Only certain segments have a gate up until September?

This is the route I took to the point, using Gaia GPS app on iPad in case you go. It was an interesting exploration, I am not into the rock crawling, prefer expedition style driving though. I want to head to Chestnut too, plotting on how to get away, but with Big Creek the weekend after, could be too much.

Another place to go is Musterground Road, a bit west from Chestnut but still in Jocassee gorges area.

Let me know if you want the GPX file for the track

View attachment 1122096

 

[tgadd]

I'll take the GPX file if you can send it

 

[izzyandsue]

Just the piece above is open now. Send me your email, will do

 

[the gimpey one]

So most of the road is open? Only certain segments have a gate up until September?

You can still go to jumping off rock.

 

[the gimpey one]

Black balsam should be opening up in the next week or so. On the blue Ridge parkway.

 

[izzyandsue]

Called the park, the gate is open and you can drive (wheel I guess) all the way to the Jocassee campsites. "But you need a suitable jeep vehicle" I was told. May look to rent a jeep for the weekend if I go.

 

[roadstr6]

I got one you can use. Says "Trail Rated" on a badge right there on the fender. Sticker on the window says "Mall Rated". It's truly a multi-purpose vehicle.

..but I must warn you. It is Mini-Van powered so you have to be careful with the skinny pedal. Lots of power on tap!

 

[izzyandsue]

Found this. Could be something if we had a place holder for "drives and expeditions" like that. I don't know much about this area either, how long is the trail, etc. Google will be my friend when I have time to research. Page 7 of the link below has great photos

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/black-balsam-2014-october-24-26th.815783/page-7

 

[tgadd]

Found this. Could be something if we had a place holder for "drives and expeditions" like that. I don't know much about this area either, how long is the trail, etc. Google will be my friend when I have time to research. Page 7 of the link below has great photos

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/black-balsam-2014-october-24-26th.815783/page-7

I found a video on YouTube of a guy driving it. His video went for 30 minutes and he didn't hit the end. Not sure how much longer it goes.

 

[JohnVee]

Upstate Cruisers does an annual trip to there. Sarah and Eric F went last year. I'm hoping to go this year.

 

[jfz80]

Found this. Could be something if we had a place holder for "drives and expeditions" like that. I don't know much about this area either, how long is the trail, etc. Google will be my friend when I have time to research. Page 7 of the link below has great photos

https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/black-balsam-2014-october-24-26th.815783/page-7

trail is not that long.... 45 min max it seems. guess it depend on if you run into a chevy celebrity wagon high centered half way in LOL

good out and back and epic spot to camp, athough it can get a bit windy. Oh and pinstripes..... I hope you like pinstripes


love the Jocasse area and have played and explored there for years.... As others have mentioned muster grounds and other areas are or used to be accessible in the area We used to hike in where the road crosses horsepasture river (before gorges st park was around) and work our way down the river and a great set of falls... bustass>turtleback>rainbow>windy>stairstep falls. If you get to rainbow try and work your way down to the ledge thats a 1/3 of the way down from top of falls and you can step out on the ledge for a first rate falls experience.

 

[tnkayaker]

It took me about 10 minutes, but I was on my R1200GS.

 

[tgadd]

Going to check out Investor Gap tomorrow. Will go to Jocassee Gorges in September when the other trails open.

 

[elkaholic]

..but I must warn you. It is Mini-Van powered so you have to be careful with the skinny pedal. Lots of power on tap!

View attachment 1123028

I bet @NCFJ can fix that for ya!

 

[forrest5000]

Going to check out Investor Gap tomorrow. Will go to Jocassee Gorges in September when the other trails open.

Brave going by yourself , hikers will yell at you for driving on the road they are hiking on.

 

[NCFJ]

Hippy Hikers
35-40 years ago I WAS that hippy hiker

 

[RedHeadedStepChild]

Brave going by yourself , hikers will yell at you for driving on the road they are hiking on.

Summer of 96 I had some hikers yell at me for taking my Tercel down a stretch of the Catamount X-country ski trail in Northern VT.

 

[NCFJ]

You really want to hear an earfull, get on a trail with horses and not yield to them (which is the right thing to do). Do it in front of Heather and I won't be responsible. I do understand as horses have a mind of their own and our equipment does not. Better to remain still and let them pass you.

 

[the gimpey one]

Brave going by yourself , hikers will yell at you for driving on the road they are hiking on.

Take a gun.