A new Master Plan was produced and approved by State Parks Division in 2003. Money has been approved to begin Phase I of the Master Plan, which will involve the design in 2005 and construction of roads, sewer, water and electric lines in 2007-8. [Note: During Phase I construction the Park parking lot on NC281 will be closed at least part of the time. Check with Park staff, as parking on NC281 is forbidden and will lead to fines.] Phase II will see the construction of visitor facilities and campground. Completion is not expected for all facilities before 2010, even assuming money is allocated promptly.
You can express (and are encouraged to do so) your opinions about Park Management by writing to:Gorges State Park
PO Box 100
Sapphire, NC, 28774-0100 email: gorg@citcom.netMeanwhile, interim parking facilities off of Frozen Creek Road where the Auger Hole Road begins are now open. Those camping overnight on Forest Service or State Gameland along the Horsepasture must register with the Park to leave a car in the lot.
Once the Phase I roads have been completed, now expected in winter 2008, access to the Horsepasture will be from a parking lot at the foot of Grassy Ridge, from which a trail will run to Adam Cove, the swale where people can camp below Rainbow Falls.
The Frozen Creek parking lot is open 24 hours per day since it is the primary access for backpacking trips along the Foothills Trail (reached via the Cane Brake Road). Campers must register with the Park.Volunteers Needed! The Park is now using volunteers to help with trail and office work. Call the Park at 828-966-9099 if you are interested, or email at gorg@citcom.net.
Sierra Club has published a "Guide to the Jocassee Gorges - Horsepasture, Bearwallow and Toxaway Region". It includes the best trail map of this area available anywhere, plus pictures and short writeups on history, both natural and cultural. It is sold in local stores in the Brevard and Hendersonville area (Highland Books, Backcountry Outdoors, Sapphire County Store, Diamond Brand, Black Dome). It can be ordered from the Sierra Club, 112 S. Blount St., Raleigh, NC, 27601. Price from Sierra Club is approximately $6.50 including mailing.