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This adventure will see the Family returning to the mountains for MLK weekend, but in a slightly different way. We'll be sea kayaking on Lake Jocassee, located on the border of NC and SC. Lake Jocassee covers 7,500 acres and has 75 miles of shoreline.
Current Jocassee weather.
Possible Plans
Devil's Fork State Park, located on the south side of the lake, offers one possiblity for camping. This campground features a bathhouse with hot showers and waterfront campsites. Some trip reports found online suggest basecamping here and paddling out for day trips.
The left arms of the lake include the cove where the Whitewater River flows into the lake. It's possible to scramble upriver towards the Lower Whitewater Falls
In the adjacent cove of the lake is the small falls where the Thompson River flows into the lake.
On the point of land jutting into the lake from the north side is Double Springs Campground, a primitive camping site administered by Devil's Fork State Park. Another option is to camp here and base out to explore either end of the lake.
The eastern arms of the lake are where we can find the cove in which Laurel fork Creek empties into the lake, at Laurel Fork Falls. Laurel Fork Falls
Jocassee - "Place of the Lost One"
The Vale of Jocassee was home to the Cherokee Indian Nation. It now lies some 300 feet beneath the surface of Lake Jocassee, near the Toxaway River and Whitewater River confluence, approximately one-half mile north of Jocassee Dam. Jocassee and its meaning are derived from the legend of a Cherokee maiden. Chief Attakulla and his Oconee tribe, known as the "Brown Vipers," lived on the west side of the Whitewater River. The Eastatoees, a rival tribe, lived on the east and were called the "Green Birds." It is likely that the Green Birds received their name from the Carolina parakeet (Conoropsis carolinensis), a species that became extinct in 1904. This was the only endemic parrot of North America. The Eastatoee area was the last site the species was recorded in South Carolina. Legend has it that a young warrior named Nagoochee lived among the Green Birds but was not afraid to enter Brown Viper hunting grounds. One day while hunting in Brown Viper territory (probably the area known as Musterground today), Nagoochee fell and broke his leg. Nagoochee was convinced he would perish in the wilderness, when he heard the singing of Jocassee, Chief Attakulla's daughter. Jocassee took Nagoochee back to her father's lodge and nursed him back to health. They fell in love and Nagoochee stayed with the Oconee tribe. Later during a fight between the tribes, Jocassee's brother, Cheochee, killed Nagoochee. When Cheochee returned from battle with Nagoochee's head dangling from his belt, Jocassee didn't say a word. She slipped into a canoe and onto the water. As Jocassee still gazed at the head of her lover, she stepped into the water. Legend claims that she did not sink but walked across the water to meet the ghost of Nagoochee. The name Jocassee means "Place of the Lost One."
- - (from http://www.jocassee.com/Gorges%20State%20Park.htm)
A good area overview map from the Foothills Trail Conference is here.
A map of NC's Gorges State Park. This is probably too far north on the lake for us to visit on this trip.
Duke Power's lake website and Jocassee map. The site includes a water level reading - currently the lake is only 2 feet lower than full pool.
Stay tuned, more to come!
(posted 12/28/03, 1/6/04)
