Toccoa Means Beautiful
Nestled among the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northeast
Georgia is Toccoa, the County seat of Stephens County. When the
Cherokee Indians discovered it, they called it "Toccoah" meaning
beautiful, and gave it special significance and reverence. Today,
"beautiful" is still evident when experiencing the magnificent natural
wonders, historic attractions, recreational activities, and the way of
life found throughout Toccoa-Stephens County. Situated just 90 miles
north of Atlanta and 65 miles northwest of Greenville, South Carolina,
Toccoa-Stephens County is the perfect retreat to get away from it all.
Hiking and Bicycle Trails in Toccoa - Stephens County Area
Currahee Mountain is the last mountain in the Blue Ridge chain of
mountains. Currahee is a Cherokee Indian name that translates to
"Stands alone." From almost any road leading into Stephens County, the
mountain can be seen as it "stands alone" above the horizon. Currahee
rises in a conical form to a height of 900 feet and has a total
elevation of 1740 feet. In the east, it sinks to the level of the
valley, but on the western side it blends with a ridge that unites it
with the Allegheny chain of mountains. The mountain is located within
the Chattahoochee National Forest and Lake Russell Wildlife Management
Area where wild game roam through the forest protected by the State
and Federal Game Commissions. There are numerous mines dug by Indians
and early settlers where rubies, garnets, silver, and some gold were
found. Many of the caves were used as a refuge by Cherokee Indians who
didn’t want to follow the Trail of Tears and later by people who
didn’t want to be recruited to fight during the Civil War. The two
most famous caves are "The Ron’s Den" on the west side and "The Silver
Mine" on the east side of Currahee.
There is a trail up the front of the mountain that is not designated
in the U.S. Forest Trail System, which means it is not maintained by
the U.S. Forest Service and is not marked. Eagle Scouts have adopted
this trail as a project and have cleared the path. To get there, take
123 West from Toccoa. Turn left onto Hwy. 184 South (Homer Road) past
the State Patrol Station. Go 9/10 mile and park at the voting station
on the right. (It’s a small white cinderblock building with two front
doors and a porch. A sign on the front gable says "Currahee GMD 402".)
The moderate hike starts gently across a power line clearing and makes
a steep ascent up the mountain. The forest types are shortleaf pines
and mixed hardwoods, such as oak, hickory and sweet gum. As you reach
midway, the number of large rock formations increases and trees wrap
their roots picturesquely around them. Close to the top is a giant
rock overhang that provides a panoramic view of rolling hills and the
beginning of the mountain range. Adventurous souls rappel and hang
glide from this perch. Birds fly by at eye level. If you carry a
daypack, this is a great place to spread out a blanket, have a picnic
and relax. Following the trail further up takes you to the fence
surrounding the communications towers next to the maintenance
building. On the very peak of the mountain is where the old ranger
tower used to be. If you follow the dirt/gravel road a few yards down
the other side of the mountain, there is a graffiti covered rock that
also provides a nice view, but it doesn’t compare with the one at the
rock overhang.
If you’d rather not hike that far and your car (and driver) can handle
rough terrain, drive to the top and hike down to the jutting rock
overlook. The dirt/gravel Currahee Mountain Road is passable, but
travel is slow and dicey near the top. You need to be especially
careful choosing your path if your car has a low chassis. Take Hwy.
123 North from Toccoa, turn left onto National Forest Road #62
directly before Ayersville Road at the Milliken plant. Look for a
large brown sign that says "Lake Russell Wildlife Management Area,
Chattahoochee National Forest".
Broad River Trail – This trail is located in the Lake Russell Wildlife
Management Area and is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service because
it is in the National Forest System of Trails. Don’t hike any trail or
road that will take you on Wildlife Management Areas or privately
owned land during deer hunting season. You may call the Department of
Natural Resources at 770-535-5700 to verify hunting seasons in these
areas. Broad River Trail is a camping, hiking, and fishing paradise
with an abundance of wildlife. This is a relatively easy hike and is
excellent for novice hikers and family groups. The trail follows
streams, waterfalls, lush mountain foliage and runs 3.8 miles from
Farmers Bottom to where Dicks Creek intersects with Forest Service
Road #87.
To get there: Take Highway 123 North from Toccoa and turn left onto
Ayersville Road at the Milliken Humphrey Plant. Go .8 mi. to Forest
Service Road #87 and turn left onto the dirt/gravel road. This service
road is rough and rocky in some spots so you need to be careful if you
are in a low-chassis car. As you travel 2.1 miles, you’ll pass the
Ranger’s checking station on the left. Bear to the left at the fork in
the road and drive until you see the brown and beige sign on the right
that says "Hiker Trail." Follow the blue blazes.
Panther Creek Trail – This trail is in Habersham and Stephens Counties
and is under the jurisdiction of the Chattooga Ranger District in
Habersham County. It is part of the National Forest System of Trails
and is maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. It is a six-mile hike,
one way, and is for the sure-footed and those unafraid of heights. For
the experienced hiker, the scenery is well worth the effort: cliffs,
huge boulders and waterfalls make this stream one of the most scenic
areas in Georgia. The starting point in Stephens County is near Yonah
Dam. To get there: Follow Prather Bridge Road (Highway 184) until it
becomes Yonah Dam Road. After you cross the bridge where Panther Creek
meets the Tugalo River before you get to the dam, bear left and take
the first dirt road to the left, which is Panther Creek Road. Follow
this road until it dead ends. Cross the metal footbridge and take the
trail up the hill to the right. To the left is a large grove of walnut
trees, growing in rows. The symmetry is an odd juxtaposition to the
natural setting.
This trail is considered easy to moderate and is 6.0 miles, one way.
Most of the typical mountain streamside plants abound along Panther
Creek. Rhododendron, mountain laurel, large white pine, hemlock and
beech grow beside the stream. The first 2.0 miles is difficult because
it is less defined and more dangerous than the rest of the trail.
You’ll come upon a large, enticing pool at the base of a series of
waterfalls that has a splashing slide in the middle. Not knowing what
to expect, most people are astounded by the beauty, size and power of
the waterfall, especially during the high water levels of winter and
spring. The steep path goes up the side of the falls to the next
protruding vantage point, then goes upward to the outer edge of an
immense outcropping and winds along the upper falls. Path-narrowing
outcrops past the falls lead to the high shoals near the logged area.
For approximately one mile, the path rises and dips, conforming to the
creekside topography. The stream becomes calm and the trail is
sidewalk flat for a while, then you have to negotiate guy wires, rocks
and fallen trees as you walk under the Highway 441 Bridge. Across the
road is the Panther Creek Recreation Area, which has restrooms and
picnic areas – perfect for a break before you start back to your
vehicle.
Yonah Dam, completed in 1925, is the lowest step in the staircase of
six power developments down which the waters of the Tallulah,
Chattooga, and Tugalo rivers are led in their plunge from the Blue
Ridge Mountain heights toward the Atlantic Coastal plain. Yonah’s
storage lake (approximately 320 acres of surface area and 150,000,000
cubic feet capacity) is impounded by a cyclopean dam 900 feet long and
75 feet high with a direct plunge from surface to waterwheel of 75
feet. It has three 12,500 horsepower waterwheels. Power is developed
at a voltage of 6,600 and is stepped up to 110,000 volts for
transmission to the 81 cities and towns in the company’s territory.
To get there: Follow Prather Bridge Road (Highway 184) until it
becomes Yonah Dam Road and follow it out to the dam.
Yonah Dam Road is a great place to ride a bicycle. The road is
relatively flat and it’s an easy ride next to the Tugalo River. The
temperature drops 10 degrees because of the proximity to the flowing
river that is fed by Lake Yonah, which in turn is fed by colder
mountain lakes and streams. Riding from the picnic area near the dam
to Prather Bridge Road, you pass several historic houses. Up the hill
on the right is Trembly Bald Resort and Mountain, providing a 30+ mile
panoramic view overlooking the Tugalo River Valley. Trembly Bald
contains 1, 2, 4 and 8 bedroom original log cabins, including an
original Stagecoach Inn and a new 5000 square foot Lodge. The cabins
were moved and restored by local craftsmen using cedar and chestnut
interior designs to create their special beauty and authenticity. The
Johns House is a charming Victorian cottage on the right before you
get to Prather Bridge Road. Built in 1898, it shows the influence of
the era. The trim on the front gable and porch is outstanding. The
front door has a fanlight with sidelights. Slender posts with
banisters and trim support the porch roof. The present structure was
built around a log cabin. Further down on the right, on a hill
overlooking the valley of the upper Tugalo River is Riverside. This
beautiful twelve columned, Greek revival antebellum home was built in
1850 by James D. Prather with the labor of his slaves and the timber
from his plantation. As was usual in those days, the kitchen was
separate from the house. The smoke house still stands and is now used
as a garage. Ice caves still exist. The Prather family cemetery is at
the right of the house, about fifteen yards from the porch. During the
Civil War, General Robert Tombs, a close friend of Mr. Prather, used
the house as a refuge from northern troops. The soldiers pursued him
to Riverside, where he was able to hide in a double closet and escape
capture. At Riverside, turn to the left, ride down the hill to the
concrete bridge and to the right you can see the remains of Prather’s
Bridge. The first Prather’s Bridge was a swinging bridge built in 1804
by James Jeremiah Prather. Until then, travelers crossed the Tugalo
River at fords and later by ferries. The first bridge was washed away
during a freshet (an overflow caused by heavy rain). A more
substantial bridge was built in 1850, but was burned in 1863 during
the Civil War to keep the enemy from crossing. James Jeremiah and his
son, James Devereaux rebuilt the bridge in 1868. This bridge was also
washed away in 1918 and was rebuilt in 1920 by James D. Prather. It
was replaced by a concrete bridge, but was kept as a landmark until
burned by vandals in 1978. The pillars still stand, made from rock
quarried by Mr. Prather from a nearby hillside.
Toccoa Stephens County Recreation
The recreational opportunities center on the mountains and lakes. The
mountains offer hiking for a few hours or many days duration on trails
through forests of indescribable beauty. Stephens County is blessed
with the Panther Creek, Currahee Mountain and Middle Broad River
Trails. Trophy trout fishing is nearby for enthusiasts in waters with
limited access. Wildlife such as deer and wild turkey is limitless and
hunting productive. There are many state and federal parks and
campgrounds offering mountain camping and accommodations. There are
numerous well-known private facilities in the immediate vicinity for
groups of all sizes wishing to experience the mountains. The man-made
lakes in the area, both large and small, offer a variety of water
sports. From fly fishing below Lake Yonah to skiing, boating and
championship bass fishing on Lake Hartwell to canoeing and kayaking to
camping on one of the smaller lakes, almost every water sport is
awaiting you.
Organized recreational activities are offered by the Stephens County
Recreation Department, the YMCA and the Northeast Georgia Boys and
Girls Clubs. There are team sports, instructional activities, exercise
programs and a variety of special events. Henderson Falls Park is a
focal point for tennis and picnicking in addition to enjoying
productions in the amphitheater and walking the nature trail. Roselane
Park will house the senior center with therapeutic pool, community
center, tennis courts, walking trails and softball/baseball fields.
The City of Toccoa operates the nine-hole course at The Pines that
features challenging holes of golf and beautiful mountain views.
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