 |  |  |  |
| Ellicott Rock |
| This hike along the Chattooga River offers cool air, river views and plenty of opportunities for a quick dip |
| Difficulty (1-5): Distance: Elevation change: Trail time: Driving time: |
4 or 5
8 miles
roughly 500 feet
3.5 hours
2.5 hours
8 miles
roughly 500 feet
3.5 hours
2.5 hours
| Ellicott Rock, with N C chiseled by surveyor Andrew Ellicott in 1811. |
This eight-mile hike along the Chattooga
River makes up for its length with its cool
air, its views along the narrow river valley,
and with plenty of opportunities for a quick
dip.
From the trail head, set off along the
canopied trail sloping down the ridge line to
the river. After 30 minutes or so, the trail
begins its descent as the sound of the river
becomes apparent. Bear right at the only
junction, and arrive at the river 3.5 miles
after beginning.
Once you reach the river, Ellicott Rock itself
is just about five minutes downstream. In
1811, the state of Georgia sent the
surveyor Andrew Ellicott to mark the border
with South Carolina at the 35th parallel. Not
satisfied, South Carolina and North Carolina
sent another surveyor two years later who
identified a rock a mere few yards away,
essentially affirming the earlier finding.
River makes up for its length with its cool
air, its views along the narrow river valley,
and with plenty of opportunities for a quick
dip.
From the trail head, set off along the
canopied trail sloping down the ridge line to
the river. After 30 minutes or so, the trail
begins its descent as the sound of the river
becomes apparent. Bear right at the only
junction, and arrive at the river 3.5 miles
after beginning.
Once you reach the river, Ellicott Rock itself
is just about five minutes downstream. In
1811, the state of Georgia sent the
surveyor Andrew Ellicott to mark the border
with South Carolina at the 35th parallel. Not
satisfied, South Carolina and North Carolina
sent another surveyor two years later who
identified a rock a mere few yards away,
essentially affirming the earlier finding.
| | | |
| Copyright 2010 by Tony Austin |
| Ten feet away is Commissioner's Rock, chiseled in 1813. |
Directions to trailhead: From Lake Toxaway Estates, travel west on Highway 64 and south on N.C. Highway
281, which becomes Highway 130 in South Carolina. Turn right onto the Southern Highroads Trail. When you
reach Highway 107, set your odometer and turn left (south). After 2.2 miles, turn right at the sign for the
Walhalla Fish Hatchery. Travel 1.8 miles to the parking area by the fish hatchery.
If you leave a car here, you can shuttle to the trail head up river. When you reach Highway 107 again, travel
4.4 miles north, past the Southern Highroads Trail junction and toward Cashiers. Turn left onto Bull Pen Road.
After 2 miles, the road turns to gravel. After another .3 miles, the trail head is marked by a sign on your left. A
parking area is just ahead and to the right. Don't block the gate.
281, which becomes Highway 130 in South Carolina. Turn right onto the Southern Highroads Trail. When you
reach Highway 107, set your odometer and turn left (south). After 2.2 miles, turn right at the sign for the
Walhalla Fish Hatchery. Travel 1.8 miles to the parking area by the fish hatchery.
If you leave a car here, you can shuttle to the trail head up river. When you reach Highway 107 again, travel
4.4 miles north, past the Southern Highroads Trail junction and toward Cashiers. Turn left onto Bull Pen Road.
After 2 miles, the road turns to gravel. After another .3 miles, the trail head is marked by a sign on your left. A
parking area is just ahead and to the right. Don't block the gate.
| Marley, Jon and Jeff at a picnic spot along the Chattooga River, 2010. |
This rock, known as Commis-
sioner’s Rock, bears the
inscription “LAT 35 1813 NC +
SC.”
sioner’s Rock, bears the
inscription “LAT 35 1813 NC +
SC.”
A sign on the trail indicates
where to scramble down to the
riverside to view Ellicott’s Rock.
From there, Commissioner’s
Rock is downriver and marked
by a pink ribbon tied to an
overhanging tree.
After viewing the rock, follow the
trail down river for another 1.8
miles, reaching a bridge over
one of the river’s tributaries. The
trail in that direction follows the
river downstream to Spoonauger
Falls and the Burrell Ford
parking area.
If you have left a car at the fish
hatchery (see driving directions
below), then branch left and hike
another 2.5 miles to your
vehicle. The fish hatchery itself
is worth a visit; you can take a
self-guided tour and purchase
fish food for a quarter from a
machine.
where to scramble down to the
riverside to view Ellicott’s Rock.
From there, Commissioner’s
Rock is downriver and marked
by a pink ribbon tied to an
overhanging tree.
After viewing the rock, follow the
trail down river for another 1.8
miles, reaching a bridge over
one of the river’s tributaries. The
trail in that direction follows the
river downstream to Spoonauger
Falls and the Burrell Ford
parking area.
If you have left a car at the fish
hatchery (see driving directions
below), then branch left and hike
another 2.5 miles to your
vehicle. The fish hatchery itself
is worth a visit; you can take a
self-guided tour and purchase
fish food for a quarter from a
machine.
The story of Ellicott's Rock is from my
favorite hiking book about this area,
"The Summer Times" by Nancy Turner.
For a better and more interesting
telling of the story, get her book and
read page 245. It's available at local
bookstores and outfitters.
favorite hiking book about this area,
"The Summer Times" by Nancy Turner.
For a better and more interesting
telling of the story, get her book and
read page 245. It's available at local
bookstores and outfitters.