Jocassee Gorges area

[the gimpey one]

All jokes aside it is perfectly legal to drive on when the green gate opens up. I asked a hiker who was yelling at me one time "who" he was? Informed me he was not anyone of interest. "Do you know how to read?" Yes was his reply. "Then go back to the entrance and read the sign posted that states this is a 4x4 only forest service road." I won't include the particular wordage I used.

 

[tgadd]

There were tons of hikers and not a single one yelled at me. All of them stepped off the trail, let us pass, and waved. Really surprised with the way they all reacted. I assumed there would be lots of mean looks and/or comments.

 

[izzyandsue]

That's my recollection, everyone got out of the way and waved. One little girl was running behind Scott's, that was my only concern I had every time I looked on my mirrors. One group started a conversation when I stopped to let them pass too, seem like nice folks. When we stopped to air up by the entrance, people came by asking if we needed help. It must be my good natured looks (I look like Barney the friendly dinosaur) that created the happy rainbow atmosphere.

 

[RedHeadedStepChild]

... It must be my good natured looks (I look like Barney the friendly dinosaur) that created the happy rainbow atmosphere.

That must be why all those butterflies followed you down the trail in the Martha Sundquist SF.

 

[izzyandsue]

Well guys, I woke up at 430 this morning, after getting home late from spending the evening in Greensboro which a good bunch of military retired and otherwise folks. Couldn't get back to sleep no matter what. So packed some coffee and food and headed out to this area again. It opened yesterday, all the roads, so I drove them all. Here's the map

Light blue (13.6 miles) is the northern loop, creek crossing and campsites marked, easy trail. Dark blue (11 miles) and purple (3.5 miles) is horse pasture, easy one too and nice camps. Black (10 miles) is the inner road with campsites, easy trail too. Red (14.3 miles) and green (1.75 miles) is Musterground, that had some challenges and first time I used 4Low, camps not as nice but great views from road. 30 minute drive from end end of the black trail to the start of the red one.

Will post pics later. Drove until 3 pm, back in CLT by 6. Did drive rally stage style, only came across 4 other tucks all day.

 

[izzyandsue]

Most of the roads are gravel or dirt, north loop has a creek crossing as part of the road, then a nice campsite right after

 

[izzyandsue]

Driving down to the lake, obstacles where trees on the road, rescued one tree.

 

[izzyandsue]

Another creek crossing and pretty amazing views, even thought it was dark and rainy

 

[izzyandsue]

Musterground had challenging spots and obstacles, great views. Hunt camps varied from nice to sheet. Not a lot of space, 2/3 trucks or tents max. Some nice hill climbs too.

 

[tgadd]

Awesome. When is this open to?

 

[jamesurq]

One of those "glad I brought this chainsaw" type trails...

 

[izzyandsue]

It is pretty much open April. Closes early, May 10th. After that only the dark blue portion of Horse Pasture is open. Lots of walking!