Mafic Geology and Plant Communities of Oconee County

Please! Add your name to the waitlist if you would like to attend! We will reserve a 2nd van for transportation if at least 6 more participants register! This trip is family friendly, free to the public, and best for children 8yrs old and up. 

In northern Oconee County, the Brevard fault zone is a prominent geologic feature between the communities of Long Creek and Mountain Rest. The southern side of this fault zone contains pine/oak savannas with vastly different rock types within close distance of each other. This field trip will focus on mafic communities within that area, often characterized by the presence of amphibolite, a rock that can be rich in calcium, magnesium, and iron. Starting in Mountain Rest, we will examine several unique plant communities that have formed in these mafic savannas. At some sites, we will see rare mountain species within a few meters of disjunct piedmont species, usually found in the Sandhills. We will be making multiple stops along our journey toward Long Creek, with no stops having more than 1 mile of moderate walking. If time allows, which it should, we can end the day at Woodall Shoals. The shoals are famous for their massive exposed outcroppings of rock, so another great opportunity to compare rock types and see the diversity that grows in the river scour.

Transportation is provided for this day-long, guided field trip in a 14-passenger van. The group will meet at 9:00am in the large parking lot in front of the Oconee History Museum where the group will begin the tour in a large passenger van. Please bring a bag lunch, water, comfortable clothing, sun protection, tall socks and sturdy walking shoes. If you would like to carpool from Easley to the History Museum, please let Cory your tour guide know! 

Space for this trip is VERY limited!! Please consider your schedule before RSVPing to avoid any last minute cancellations. 

Questions: Call/Text Cory Dodgens (864) 979-0824