The Narrows
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
311 Natural Resources Drive
Clemson, South Carolina 29631
864-654-6738
Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve is a 373-acre wilderness west of Rocky Bottom, S.C. which protects a five-mile stretch of Eastatoe Creek and three of its tributaries. The stream lies in a gorge surrounded by rocky cliff faces that is accessed via an old logging road which descends gradually toward the ravine. The final mile of the hike is a steep descent that passes through an old-growth hardwood forest, and arrives at a self-sustaining rainbow trout stream. It is said that Eastatoe Gorge has rare species of moss that occur nowhere else in the world.
The Eastatoe Creek trail is blazed in yellow and is well marked. When you reach the stream, follow signs to The Narrows for access to a platform that overlooks a waterfall. The creek has cut a narrow path through the surrounding stone and the water drops dramatically in to a small pool then continues over a series of two additional waterfalls which are spectacular after a heavy rain. The lower falls require some off-trail hiking – and are not for the weary.
- click to see trail photos from a backpacking trip to Eastatoe Creek: February 5, 2011
- click to read a trip report from this hike to the Narrows: February 5, 2011 (password required)
- click for a topographical map for the trailhead at Estatoe Creek
- click for a topo & profile map of this hike in the Sumter National Forest (password required)
- click to see a recap of our annual cold weather Klondike Hikes into the wilderness which began in the early 90’s
- click to access the guidebook Best Hikes With Dogs Georgia And South Carolina which has details on other hikes in this area
- click for Foothills Trail hiking and backpacking books
- click for more information on the Foothills Trail
- click for South Carolina hiking and backpacking books