Day Hike: Chattooga River Trail to Ellicott Rock and Spoonauger Falls

Andrew Ellicott, a noted surveyor, was commissioned by North Carolina and Georgia to determine the boundary between the states. He completed his survey in 1811 by chiseling an inconspicuous mark on a rock on the east bank of the Chattooga River. This is Ellicott Rock. Two years later commissioners representing South Carolina and North Carolina marked a large rock along the Chattooga River bank with the inscription "Lat 35 AD 1813 NC + S.C." as the juncture where the South Carolina and North Carolina state lines joined. This is commonly accepted as the point where the boundary lines of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia join.

Our hike will take us along the winding Chattooga River to the border of GA and NC which is marked by Ellicott Rock.  Along the hike we will pass through some woods, cross a few streams that empty into the river, take a side trail to a waterfall, and stop for lunch and a swim for those interested. After hopefully locating both Ellicott Rock and Commissioners Rock, we will turn around and hike out the way we came in.

This will be approximately 10 miles of hiking but with very little elevation change. We will go at a moderate pace and will take a couple of short breaks and one long break for lunch and an optional swim in the river. 

We should be able to rock hop across the streams but wet feet are a possibility.

We prefer for everyone to meet at the carpool and not at the trailhead. We will stop at McDonald's in Clayton to coordinate with anyone who chooses the "Meet at Event" option. 

We will bring a water filter for any emergencies or anyone who runs out of water on the trail.