CHEROKEE LAKE PICNIC AREA

On Friday, March 31, 2006, Jon and Clyde explored the Cherokee Lake Picnic Area, 12 miles from Five Forks on NC 294. This is a small area used mainly for fishing and picnicing.

From the parking area, where there are restrooms and picnic tables and a fishing pier (see photo), there is a short trail that leads to Persimmons Dam where the waters of Persimmons Creek flow into Hiwassee Lake. Cherokee Lake is a fixed level dam and does not "go dry" like the other TVA lakes around us.


The trail from the parking area is only 0.4 mile, however by crossing the dam, you can follow the road on the west side back to 294 and using the entrance road make your hike a 2 mile loop.

The Picnic Area, part of the Nantahala NF opened "officially" on April 1st. The area is closed during the winter season. One week prior to our walk they had a "controled burn" to clear out underbrush.