ccc road trail head?

[stevebo]

  I was looking at the trail guide, and it lists the ccc road trail head near mile 84.3.  Where is this located. and is it a safe place to leave a car for a couple of days?  

[Firedog]

The Pinhoti crosses the CCC Road at mile 84.3. It is a 2 to 3 mile hike in from 281, "Skyline Scenic Hwy" to the crossing. (not exactly sure on the distance, just a close guess min-max). There is also a somewhat parking area where the CCC Road comes out on 281. It's only 3.1 miles to the Bald Rock connector from the CCC crossing. Personally I'd rather park at the Bald Rock parking area, than on 281. I'd think your vehicle would less vulnerable to good friends.

Yet if you hike in from 281, you will cross Hillabee Creek at the CCC rock bridge about 1/2 mile in. (look at the pics). Just dowstream, river left, is a great flat sandy beach and camping area. The water is clean and if it is not too cold, is a great place for a dip.  If you are just exploring, on the left as you are hiking in there is a fork to the left just before you get to the bottom of the hill. It will also lead to the creek, upstream from the bridge. There are a lot of mtn laurel in this section and lots of beautiful rock formations to see. Back in the mid 70's we would go there an pan for gold and on occasion get a flake or two. Our scout master always kept it, hmmm? Anyway, we didn't care, we had fun playing in the creek.

Blisterbob may be able to give you a more exact distance from 281 to the crossing. The upper terminus of the CCC Road is just south of the large power line crossing and overlook on 281. There is another parking area on the other end of CCC Road bu I would not leave a vehicle there. It is just to isolated. That's just me. You may consider checking with Blisterbob for a shuttle.

[stevebo]

  Thanks fire dog!  Great info!

[Firedog]

Glad to share what little I do know.

[dogwood]

Firedog, i love the Odum Trail Patch picture on your profile!  I got one of those years ago from hiking the Odum, and it was my first trip patch.  My son and i - back in the mid 90's - camped at the Hillabee bridge on his first backpacking trip(he was 7 yrs old).  We swam in the creek and ended up camping on the road because there was a huge Red Wasp nest at the beach.  Great times!