The Eastatoe Gorge Trail         

   Adjacent to the Foothills Trail, the Eastatoe Trail is a great short hike

The Foothills Trail is an 80 mile trail in South Carolina that travels through one of the more biologically diverse region in the Southeast. The variety of plant life is astounding and is immediately noticeable to any that hike here.  The trail follows the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, known locally as the "Blue Wall", along the North Carolina border. Because the elevation changes 3 to 4000 feet in just a few miles, there are many gorges filled with waterfalls here.  We're looking forward to sharing our favorite hikes in this area.

The following is a short hike to a campsite that is perfect for a winter weekend get-away.

Eastatoe Creek Trail

Eastatoe Creek Trail is a 2.5 mile trail. The trail-head starts at the
parking area of the Laurel Fork Creek section of the foothills trail. Three sets of vertical yellow blazes mark the beginning of the trail. Follow the old logging road slightly uphill around a gate. Follow the yellow blazes along the old logging road for about an eighth of a mile, the trail bears to the left off of the logging road.

The Eastatoe Creek 

                             
The trail is now on an old roadbed which is somewhat level, it has a lot of turns be sure to check the yellow blazes.

At about the half way point the trail starts downhill at the Eastatoe Natural Area.
The rest of the way is downhill. You will cross a few footbridges and go down a few steps. The trail dead ends at a large camping area right on the creek. There are several fire-rings and lots of downed limbs for fire wood. If you proceed past the established trail end, there are some beautiful waterfalls and whitewater.

GETTIN' THERE :

From the intersection with Hwy 11, drive north on US 178 to the bridge over Eastatoe Creek (approximately one mile past the community of Rocky Bottom). Cross the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign. Immediately bear right onto the unpaved fork and continue to the Foothills Trail parking area about 0.3 mile on the left. Park here, and hike another 0.2miles up the unpaved road. The Eastatoe Creek Trail-head will be on your left. 

From Pickens, SC, drive north on US 178 to the bridge over Eastatoe Creek (approximately one mile past the community of Rocky Bottom). Cross the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign. Bear right onto the unpaved fork (The road sign reads Horsepasture Road, but the sign is frequently knocked down.) and continue to the Foothills Trail parking area on the left. Follow the yellow blazes on trees for about 0.1 mile and turn left (south) onto an old logging road marked by a cable gate

SC Highway 178. Rocky Bottom, S.C 

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