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Monday, October 29, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
ELLICOTT'S ROCK: THE NC/GA/SC CORNER
Or, tri-pointing is not for wusses...
This one was a hoot and some sense of history came into play, considering what surveyors of old had to endure reaching/designating state lines and where they met. High-tech garb, computer-designed footwear, and the GPS weren't invented yet, nor were Mountain House, just add water, packaged meals.
Looking at available maps describing several trails leading to the spot, we decided to approach from the south, following the river north, or upstream, on the Ellicott Rock Wilderness Chattooga Trail. As we went, the eerie notes of "Dueling Banjos" twanged in our ears, recalling
this river's role in the movie Deliverance. Pre-trip research convinced us that this trail would be the shortest and least demanding of the lot. Indeed, it clocked at about 3.2 miles one way, undulated moderately, and led us over a combo of rocks, roots, and flat, easy trekking, too.
To access the Chattooga Trail from the east, go south into SC on Rt107 from Cashiers (Rt64) for 13mi to FS708 on the right. Follow this stony, dirt road 2.6mi to just short of the river bridge at Burrell's Ford parking area. From the west, head 12mi south from Highlands into GA via Rt28 to dirt road FS646 on left, then 7mi to trailhead and parking near the bridge.
On reaching the hiking trail's "short wooden bridge," you're .1 mi
downstream from the 3Pt. Some thoughtful faction placed a helpful yellow sign on the trail w/arrow; otherwise, w/o it a GPS might be useful since this rock is about 15ft below the trail and not easily identifiable, the engravings unobservable.
You'll need to climb down to river level to spy the markings and, even then, look closely, this isn't like mall shopping. Plan to soil your hi-tech, hike-wear and get some SC dirt under your fingernails as you make the descent (and ascent) glomming onto slippery rocks and roots, perhaps a branch by chance. In fact, 25ft of rope might prove handy (maybe just leave it behind?).
Note: At the time of this visit, the SE U.S. was experiencing a formidable drought and the Chattooga was lower and tamer than usual. Under "normal" river behavior, exercise extreme caution when dropping down to search for the rocks' inscriptions, 2 actually: Ellicott's and Commissioner's, their I.D.s tending to get juxtaposed. See history here: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/sc/oconee/history/FCH-04.txt
For additional related info, click this link for an exceptional tri-pointer site: http://www.public.asu.edu/~redsall/triplepoints/obsessionTour/ellicott1.htm
An excellent guide for this area by Tim Homan, HIKING TRAILS of the Ellicott Rock Wilderness (etc.), is available at: http://search.half.ebay.com/tim-homan_W0QQmZbooks or http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/102-7132664-2141737?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Tim+Homan&Go.x=9&Go.y=7
Or, tri-pointing is not for wusses...
This one was a hoot and some sense of history came into play, considering what surveyors of old had to endure reaching/designating state lines and where they met. High-tech garb, computer-designed footwear, and the GPS weren't invented yet, nor were Mountain House, just add water, packaged meals.Looking at available maps describing several trails leading to the spot, we decided to approach from the south, following the river north, or upstream, on the Ellicott Rock Wilderness Chattooga Trail. As we went, the eerie notes of "Dueling Banjos" twanged in our ears, recalling
this river's role in the movie Deliverance. Pre-trip research convinced us that this trail would be the shortest and least demanding of the lot. Indeed, it clocked at about 3.2 miles one way, undulated moderately, and led us over a combo of rocks, roots, and flat, easy trekking, too.To access the Chattooga Trail from the east, go south into SC on Rt107 from Cashiers (Rt64) for 13mi to FS708 on the right. Follow this stony, dirt road 2.6mi to just short of the river bridge at Burrell's Ford parking area. From the west, head 12mi south from Highlands into GA via Rt28 to dirt road FS646 on left, then 7mi to trailhead and parking near the bridge.
On reaching the hiking trail's "short wooden bridge," you're .1 mi
downstream from the 3Pt. Some thoughtful faction placed a helpful yellow sign on the trail w/arrow; otherwise, w/o it a GPS might be useful since this rock is about 15ft below the trail and not easily identifiable, the engravings unobservable.You'll need to climb down to river level to spy the markings and, even then, look closely, this isn't like mall shopping. Plan to soil your hi-tech, hike-wear and get some SC dirt under your fingernails as you make the descent (and ascent) glomming onto slippery rocks and roots, perhaps a branch by chance. In fact, 25ft of rope might prove handy (maybe just leave it behind?).
Note: At the time of this visit, the SE U.S. was experiencing a formidable drought and the Chattooga was lower and tamer than usual. Under "normal" river behavior, exercise extreme caution when dropping down to search for the rocks' inscriptions, 2 actually: Ellicott's and Commissioner's, their I.D.s tending to get juxtaposed. See history here: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/sc/oconee/history/FCH-04.txt
For additional related info, click this link for an exceptional tri-pointer site: http://www.public.asu.edu/~redsall/triplepoints/obsessionTour/ellicott1.htm
An excellent guide for this area by Tim Homan, HIKING TRAILS of the Ellicott Rock Wilderness (etc.), is available at: http://search.half.ebay.com/tim-homan_W0QQmZbooks or http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_b/102-7132664-2141737?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Tim+Homan&Go.x=9&Go.y=7
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Monday, October 01, 2007
THE HIGH POINT OF CAPRI, INADVERTANTLY
Another island and no-count flyby stuff...
We recently returned from a 19-day group tour of 8 European countries (including The State of t
he City of the Vatican) from London to Athens. High-pointing, tri-pointing, and hiking were not part of this Globus trip itinerary, but we did, by chance, manage to bag the high point of the Isle of Capri, west of Naples in the Tyrrhenian Sea (try saying that 10 times after 6 Italian beers). 
We broke from the group island tour when we learned there was an on-route chair lift to Mt. Solara (1932ft), Capri's high point - 12 minutes up, 12 minutes on top for pics, and 12 minutes back - and we weren't missed uno iota on our 7 Euro, island-summit escapade. Of course, the chair ride was a hoot with great views, our legs dangling over vineyards, gardens, and generally very expensive real estate. (The tour guide constantly reminded us that we can't afford to live "here" as we bussed along the entire European gig).
Missed on this organized trip was the opportunity to stand on the Greenwich Meridian, the highpoint of Liechtenstein (Grauspitz), the Switzerland/Austria/Liechtenstein tri-corner, and the crater rim of Vesuvius. Oh well, close only counts in horseshoes. Don't try faking all else represented on this blog!
Oh, the empty chair in the photo? That's for you!
Another island and no-count flyby stuff...
We recently returned from a 19-day group tour of 8 European countries (including The State of t
he City of the Vatican) from London to Athens. High-pointing, tri-pointing, and hiking were not part of this Globus trip itinerary, but we did, by chance, manage to bag the high point of the Isle of Capri, west of Naples in the Tyrrhenian Sea (try saying that 10 times after 6 Italian beers). 
We broke from the group island tour when we learned there was an on-route chair lift to Mt. Solara (1932ft), Capri's high point - 12 minutes up, 12 minutes on top for pics, and 12 minutes back - and we weren't missed uno iota on our 7 Euro, island-summit escapade. Of course, the chair ride was a hoot with great views, our legs dangling over vineyards, gardens, and generally very expensive real estate. (The tour guide constantly reminded us that we can't afford to live "here" as we bussed along the entire European gig).
Missed on this organized trip was the opportunity to stand on the Greenwich Meridian, the highpoint of Liechtenstein (Grauspitz), the Switzerland/Austria/Liechtenstein tri-corner, and the crater rim of Vesuvius. Oh well, close only counts in horseshoes. Don't try faking all else represented on this blog!
Oh, the empty chair in the photo? That's for you!
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