From Alabama to South Carolina.

S

squirrel

Joined
Dec 22, 2007
Messages
118
Hey guys just moved from good ole Alabama to South Carolina...and lovin the mountains:-) Dont know my way around that well but have been on two hikes so far and have to say I feel right at home:-) Just wondering if anyone has advice on good places to hike, camp, and kayak? Thanks!
 
squirrel said:
Hey guys just moved from good ole Alabama to South Carolina...and lovin the mountains:-) Dont know my way around that well but have been on two hikes so far and have to say I feel right at home:-) Just wondering if anyone has advice on good places to hike, camp, and kayak? Thanks!
Click to expand...

Where are you Cesars Head?
 
Hmmmm, I usually just head up into North Carolina when I go out hiking.
Francis Marion is pretty nice as well for camping. If you are looking to do
some kayaking, go down to Charleston. Maybe check out the Edisto River,
there is a nice day trip you can take on it. If you want to do something a
little longer, launch your kayak at the Sullivans Island Marina, then I would
suggest heading over to a nice little island called Capers Island. The island is
about five miles long, it is a decent hike from the bottom to the top. It has a
neat preserve in the middle. There are alligators in there that must be 15 feet long.
By the way, you need a permit for Capers.
Honestly, you will find good camping and kayaking in most of South Carolina.
Especially when it comes to Charleston.
Hiking on the other hand, well we are not known for it, sucks I know.
 
for canoeing/kayaking u mite try the Nantahala River in western NC..it's also good country for hiking, backpacking/fishing/hunting/camping...
 
squirrel said:
Im in Greenville, but went to Ceasars head yesterday.
Click to expand...

Dupont State Forest is just north of there - lots of great hiking, biking, waterfalls

Or take 25N up to Hendersonville exit and take 64 to Brevard where you can head up into Pisgah Forest for more remote areas

Mills River area is nice too

Send me an email if you need additional info
 
You can head up to the stumphouse mountain area above Walhalla and hike the Issaquena falls trails, yellow branch falls trail and a few others. Just take sc28 out of Walhalla and you will see the signs. And welcome to the Carolinas.Travis
 
Where bouts in Greenville, that's where I am at.

There are some nice short hiking trails at Paris Mtn, and just past Cesar's Head is Raven-cliff Falls there are several miles of hiking there as well as a Foothills Trails Junction.

There are a lot of good spots on the Foothills Trail stretching from Table Rock through Walhalla into Georgia.

You can Kayak in the Natahalia River but its in NC, you can hit the Chatooga River, also the Green River is close.

There is a lot of camping in the Brevard NC area

Check out this site its pretty helpful
http://www.sctrails.net/trails/maps/scmap.html
 
That link mtngoat posted is good for SC. There's also one for NC. As close as you are to NC, you'll find more to do up that way than you will driving an hour West to get to the SC Foothills. Dupont is pretty nice but it isn't very rugged. Personally, I like the waterfall trails up in Oconee Co., but like I said, that's pretty far West of you. Check out the stuff up around Brevard and even getting in to the SMNP. Tons of trails up that way too. Have fun!
 
Since you're nearby, you should also check out the Congaree National Park. It's south of Greenville a bit.
 
Dude there are enough trials in the Pisgah to keep you hiking til you need a new pairs of boots. Then when you get them come back up and we can wear those out too and never hit the same trail. But pick up one of these before you come up, http://www.thefind.com/search?query=national+geographic+maps+pisgah+ranger+, you can pick one up on the way at Sundrift Outfitters or at the Mast Gernral Store downtown. I dont want to have to come out looking for you later! :D. Welcome to Gods country my friend. Best place on earth IMO.
 
To echo Travis-welcome to the Carolinas!

I 85N and Highway 25N make getting to Western NC pretty easy.

The area I'm in is near Linville Gorge Wilderness Area and Wilson's Creek (Proposed) Wilderness Area as well as parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway (which also would include Grandfather Mountain.)

I'm about 90 minutes from Greenville and Linville Gorge/Wilson's Creek is about 30 minutes north of me, so you are 2 hours (+/-) from those areas. HIGHLY reccomended!

If you go a different way, and don't mind a longer drive, I'd also HIGHLY reccomend Shining Rock Wilderness Area in Pisgah NF.

One reason I like these areas is they are the first reaches of what has been called the Canadian Vegetation Zone. Terrain, flora, and fauna (sp?) at Shining Rock, and also the areas around Grandfather/Boone/Banner Elk/etc start to look and feel like alpine regions in the western US or parts of Europe even.

(BTW: Boone/Banner Elk/Beech Mountain/Blowing Rock-also called the "North Carolina High County" would make a GREAT general purpose "day trip" or "weekend trip" with a significant other just for beauty, dining, and tons and TONS of cool shops and shopping.)

If I can be of further help, email or PM me.

BTW-where in Alabama are you from? My wife-although she lived in Georgia most of her life and considers herself a Georgia girl-was born in Sylacauga and we've been to Alexander City several times visiting relatives.
 
Last edited:
David From NC said:
To echo Travis-welcome to the Carolinas!

I 85N and Highway 25N make getting to Western NC pretty easy.

The area I'm in is near Linville Gorge Wilderness Area and Wilson's Creek (Proposed) Wilderness Area as well as parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway (which also would include Grandfather Mountain.)

I'm about 90 minutes from Greenville and Linville Gorge/Wilson's Creek is about 30 minutes north of me, so you are 2 hours (+/-) from those areas. HIGHLY reccomended!

If you go a different way, and don't mind a longer drive, I'd also HIGHLY reccomend Shining Rock Wilderness Area in Pisgah NF.

One reason I like these areas is they are the first reaches of what has been called the Canadian Vegetation Zone. Terrain, flora, and fauna (sp?) at Shining Rock, and also the areas around Grandfather/Boone/Banner Elk/etc start to look and feel like alpine regions in the western US or parts of Europe even.

(BTW: Boone/Banner Elk/Beech Mountain/Blowing Rock-also called the "North Carolina High County" would make a GREAT general purpose "day trip" or "weekend trip" with a significant other just for beauty, dining, and tons and TONS of cool shops and shopping.)

If I can be of further help, email or PM me.

BTW-where in Alabama are you from? My wife-although she lived in Georgia most of her life and considers herself a Georgia girl-was born in Sylacauga and we've been to Alexander City several times visiting relatives.
Click to expand...

David, can you give me the directions up to Boone/Banner Elk/ Beech Mountain/ Blowing Rock area? I'd like to take the family up that way one weekend. I'm in Abbeville SC which is south east of Greenville. Thanks in advance,Travis
 
David, can you give me the directions up to Boone/Banner Elk/ Beech Mountain/ Blowing Rock area? I'd like to take the family up that way one weekend. I'm in Abbeville SC which is south east of Greenville. Thanks in advance,Travis
Click to expand...

Email or PM and I'll give any help I can but basically (and just enough info that *might* apply to the OP and the topic):

Get to I 85 North and get off at Exit 78 (Chesnee) and go north.

*HEADS UP-Once you get to Chesnee city limits, do not exceed the speed limit by 1 MPH! Chesnee PD SLAYS folks through there. I am a LEO so I hate the term "speedtrap" but the main "drag" through there is known far and wide for speed enforcement. It IS clearly marked so it would be inaccurate to say it was a "trap" anyway but people today just can't drive that slow! :p You will be at 55 for many miles, then it drops to 45 (?) the 35 (?) and then to 20 or 25 so pay attention.


Continue on 221 N into NC, and stay on 221 N through Rutherfordton NC (old locals call it "Rulff-ton" or "Releford" :confused: ???) and continue north.

North of Rutherfordton BTW-you'll pass close by Terrill Hoffman's property where PWYP is going to be held. :thumbup:

Continue north bypassing Marion NC ("Murrion") :D . North of Marion is really where 221 North get's "pretty" INMHO.

A few scenes for Last of The Mohicans were filmed in a valley off of 221 North (the scene where the English / whites / Mohicans were leaving the Fort and ambushed by Magua and the Huron Indians) but you can't see the "valley" from the highway... :( The rest of the movie was filmed at Lake James (about 30 minutes from Marion) and at Chimney Rock (about and hour from Marion).

You'll start seeing fast flowing creeks and rivers strewn with large rocks and boulders exposed over many years (especially in 3 major floods 1916-1956).

You'll see a mountain range to your right that makes up the western edge of the Linville Gorge.

Further up, you'll see Linville Caverns on the left. If you have time, this is a very interesting sight to see, and they have a cool (literally COOL) 30 minute tour that is worth the money. Also they have a nice gift shop, and "decent" bathrooms.

North of Linville Caverns, 221 intersects with the Blue Ridge Parkway, and NC 183. In this area, I highly reccomend a quick trip out to Linville Falls (the actual falls from Old NC 105 or the Blue Ridge Parkway-not the Town of Linville Falls which is slightly north of here).

From there, you can travel out 105 to Banner Elk/Beech Mountain/Sugar Mountain OR, take 221 or the Parkway over to Grandfather Mountain and/or Blowing Rock.

This is my favorite area in the world! Email or PM for for anything you need. Be GLAD to help with any trip planning up here... :thumbup:
 
Sounds like you got plenty of options covered David!! COOL :)
 
David From NC said:
Email or PM and I'll give any help I can but basically (and just enough info that *might* apply to the OP and the topic):

Get to I 85 North and get off at Exit 78 (Chesnee) and go north.

*HEADS UP-Once you get to Chesnee city limits, do not exceed the speed limit by 1 MPH! Chesnee PD SLAYS folks through there. I am a LEO so I hate the term "speedtrap" but the main "drag" through there is known far and wide for speed enforcement. It IS clearly marked so it would be inaccurate to say it was a "trap" anyway but people today just can't drive that slow! :p You will be at 55 for many miles, then it drops to 45 (?) the 35 (?) and then to 20 or 25 so pay attention.


Continue on 221 N into NC, and stay on 221 N through Rutherfordton NC (old locals call it "Rulff-ton" or "Releford" :confused: ???) and continue north.

North of Rutherfordton BTW-you'll pass close by Terrill Hoffman's property where PWYP is going to be held. :thumbup:

Continue north bypassing Marion NC ("Murrion") :D . North of Marion is really where 221 North get's "pretty" INMHO.

A few scenes for Last of The Mohicans were filmed in a valley off of 221 North (the scene where the English / whites / Mohicans were leaving the Fort and ambushed by Magua and the Huron Indians) but you can't see the "valley" from the highway... :( The rest of the movie was filmed at Lake James (about 30 minutes from Marion) and at Chimney Rock (about and hour from Marion).

You'll start seeing fast flowing creeks and rivers strewn with large rocks and boulders exposed over many years (especially in 3 major floods 1916-1956).

You'll see a mountain range to your right that makes up the western edge of the Linville Gorge.

Further up, you'll see Linville Caverns on the left. If you have time, this is a very interesting sight to see, and they have a cool (literally COOL) 30 minute tour that is worth the money. Also they have a nice gift shop, and "decent" bathrooms.

North of Linville Caverns, 221 intersects with the Blue Ridge Parkway, and NC 183. In this area, I highly reccomend a quick trip out to Linville Falls (the actual falls from Old NC 105 or the Blue Ridge Parkway-not the Town of Linville Falls which is slightly north of here).

From there, you can travel out 105 to Banner Elk/Beech Mountain/Sugar Mountain OR, take 221 or the Parkway over to Grandfather Mountain and/or Blowing Rock.

This is my favorite area in the world! Email or PM for for anything you need. Be GLAD to help with any trip planning up here... :thumbup:
Click to expand...

Last of the Mohicans,, There were also scenes filmed at Hooker Falls in Dupont State Forest. I can show you the back way into Chimney Rock along with the real Bat Caves in Bat Cave :D Score some Sourwood honey, the best apples, and one heck of a Church Supper. Then there's the cave the first settler stayed in that started a colony in Henderson County, the Appalachian Trail, Mother Earth News, etc.
 
Last edited:
Im originally from Florence, Al. thats in the NW corner. There's some good hiking in Bankhead National Forest like Sipsey river. I've got to say the few hikes Ive been on so far up in Brevard,NC at Dupont State Forest were amazing...Ive definately found my new home in the Carolinas:-) Thanx for all the help guys...maybe we can meet up for a hike sometime:-)
Thanks! Wally
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top