Izzyandsue
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- Joined
- Jun 8, 2012
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For those interested in off roading in the Western NC/NWestern SC area, I found the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges. It is about 20-30 minutes north of Clemson (were I was visiting my middle son). A couple of links describing it and map:
https://www.dnr.sc.gov/ml_images/docs/jocasseemap.pdf
https://www.dnr.sc.gov/mlands/managedland?p_id=53
Duke Power maintains the roads and trails. We went on SC 11 and found the gate closed, it is opened from 9/14 to mid January, then again in the Spring. However we drove to Horse Pasture Road, a narrow and very cool pseudo gravel 4 miler, with great dropoffs and tight turns. I would say any entry level offroader can do this, and there are hiking trails off the road. This is the green marked road on the top of the map. At the end of that road, there are more gated (yellow marked roads) seasonal roads, one was open and we drove down a bit, challenging but easy to do for the LR4. These are dirt and undulating trails, narrow, but very passable.
To get a large detail map, the pdf map on the link above but 2ft by 3ft print, you can go to the Holly Springs Country Store (google map it) on corner of 178 and SC 11. You can get provisions and gas there too, and map is free just need to ask at counter.
Will come back after all gates open and go for the long drives, hike to the waterfalls, we did the some of those and they are worth it.
There is primitive camping accessible by either foot or your LR4 in some of the mountain ridges, camping is open year round, but roads only during the season I mentioned above.
Anyone interested in doing this, let me know, I will go back in the fall, will be cooler and dryer too. Distance was about 2.5 hours (148 miles) from SE Charlotte.
https://www.dnr.sc.gov/ml_images/docs/jocasseemap.pdf
https://www.dnr.sc.gov/mlands/managedland?p_id=53
Duke Power maintains the roads and trails. We went on SC 11 and found the gate closed, it is opened from 9/14 to mid January, then again in the Spring. However we drove to Horse Pasture Road, a narrow and very cool pseudo gravel 4 miler, with great dropoffs and tight turns. I would say any entry level offroader can do this, and there are hiking trails off the road. This is the green marked road on the top of the map. At the end of that road, there are more gated (yellow marked roads) seasonal roads, one was open and we drove down a bit, challenging but easy to do for the LR4. These are dirt and undulating trails, narrow, but very passable.
To get a large detail map, the pdf map on the link above but 2ft by 3ft print, you can go to the Holly Springs Country Store (google map it) on corner of 178 and SC 11. You can get provisions and gas there too, and map is free just need to ask at counter.
Will come back after all gates open and go for the long drives, hike to the waterfalls, we did the some of those and they are worth it.
There is primitive camping accessible by either foot or your LR4 in some of the mountain ridges, camping is open year round, but roads only during the season I mentioned above.
Anyone interested in doing this, let me know, I will go back in the fall, will be cooler and dryer too. Distance was about 2.5 hours (148 miles) from SE Charlotte.
