Adventure Outdoors Magazine Spring 2018 | Page 125

A standout is the Chattooga, famous
among whitewater rafters, adventure
seekers, and fly fishermen. It is a desig-
nated Wild and Scenic River, which are
few and far between in the U.S. It is
completely surrounded by thousands of
acres of National Forest, so there is no
settlement, no housing, no human struc-
tures anywhere. Just free flowing
mountain water, with some of the best
rapids in the Eastern U.S. Wildwater will
take you down it in a raft, and you will
have the time of your life. Or just choose
a quiet spot on the upper section of the
river, near Mountain Rest (whose name
suits it perfectly), and float, fish, or both.
Lake Hartwell Country is a hidden gem,
the mountain lakes with the beauty to
match any in the southern Blue Ridge,
without the crowds, without the condos
and high-rises. Just pure mountain
water covering thousands of acres, sur-
rounded by thousands of acres of forest.
Hiking trails dot the region, from Yellow
Branch Falls Trail and Stumphouse Tun-
nel in Walhalla, to the Foothills trail of
Oconee and Pickens mountains, there
are miles and miles of hiking and biking
trails to enjoy. Stroll through downtown
Anderson and have some of Summa
Joe’s homemade pimento cheese, or
stop in at the Steak House Cafeteria in
Walhalla and have some of Abed’s ‘Ara-
bian Rooster’ fried chicken. Nothing
better. Then head up to Oconee State
Park, or Whitewater Falls (the tallest falls
in the Eastern US), or Lake Jocassee, or
sit a spell on the porch of one of our fab-
ulous B&B’s, like Sunrise Farm Bed and
Breakfast in Salem. If you’re adventur-
ous, journey into the Jocassee Gorges
in search of the rare Oconee Bell
(shortia galacifolia), found only here, the
only place on Earth. Take a heart
pumping ride down the Chattooga, or
Sunset Lake Jocassee tour courtesy
of Brooks and Kay Wade. Walk the
rim of the Blue Ridge Escarpment on
the Foothills Trail, or enjoy an orchard
fresh meal at Chatooga Belle Farm.
Or do both.
Antique stores in Walhalla, the Ap-
palachian Ale House in Pickens, and
farm to table dining in Anderson.
There is so much to do, you could
spend a lifetime. Pack your fishing
gear, your kayak, your bass boat or
just a cooler full of Upstate SC beer,
and come see what it’s like to live
among South Carolina’s mountain
lakes, in Lake Hartwell Country.
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