102 Granny Gear Rd, Sunset, SC 29685

Massive timber trusses run the length of the Lodge at Jocassee Gorges great room, anchored by a stone fireplace and framed by expansive glass that opens onto the Eastatoe River below. Built in 2007 by Goodwin-Foust on thirty acres at the dramatic threshold of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Lodge sits just beyond the protected wilderness of Jocassee Gorges, where National Geographic once recognized the surrounding landscape as a Destination of a Lifetime. Beyond a private gated entrance and a long winding drive, the 3,700 square feet lodge reveals itself in stone, cedar shake, and exposed timber, a composition of mountain architecture refined by a contemporary hand. Inside, the great room rises beneath those signature beams, with light shifting throughout the day as it catches the river, reflects off granite, and softens across hand-finished interiors. The kitchen anchors the open plan with custom hickory cabinetry, hand hewn from trees harvested on site, GE Profile appliances, and granite counters that turn the space toward gathering rather than formality. Meals move naturally from the kitchen to the great room, onto the covered deck, and into the screened porch where the sound of water across boulders becomes part of the experience. The primary suite sits on the main level beneath a plank ceiling that introduces warmth and texture. A pebble-floored double shower, a clawfoot soaking tub set within a window-lined alcove, and the constant presence of the river outside give the bath a spa-like sensibility without losing the lodge feel of the home itself. Downstairs, rough-sawn shiplap lines the walls of a broad family room scaled for evenings after time on the water or around a fire. Two guest bedrooms and a full bath open onto a stone terrace that descends toward the riverbank itself. Two outbuildings extend the lifestyle. The detached oversized garage carries a private guest suite or bunk room above, finished in wood walls and ceiling that echo the home's lodge sensibility. A second oversized garage, added in 2020, accommodates boats, four-wheelers, recreational vehicles, or collector storage with lofted space above. The Eastatoe is one of the best known trout streams in the state, dubbed the stream of dreams by anglers and conservationists alike, and it shapes the rhythm of the property as much as the architecture does. The sound carries through every open door, every porch, every quiet hour spent inside the home. Though the setting feels remote, the property remains remarkably connected. Lakes Jocassee and Keowee sit close, with boat slips available for rent. Clemson University, Greenville, and the Highlands-Cashiers plateau are each within an easy drive. From the property itself, ATV and four-wheel-drive trails enter the Jocassee Wildlife management area and reach waterfalls and overlooks above Lake Jocassee. For the ultimate hack, purchase a lot and membership at nearby Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards to unlock all of the world class lake side amenities located at the three Cliffs Communities located along Lake Keowee. Most furnishings included. For buyers searching for a private mountain estate, a sanctuary near Lake Jocassee, or a generational retreat in the Upstate, the Lodge at Jocassee Gorges represents something increasingly uncommon: a residence where architecture and landscape have stopped competing and settled into the same rhythm, and where the natural world remains the defining luxury.

Remarks

Marking the dramatic threshold of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Jocassee Gorges is an escarpment near South Carolina’s northern border where the terrain climbs 2000 feet within just a few miles. National Geographic magazine named Jocassee Gorges one of its 50 “Destinations of a Lifetime,” noting the wilderness location’s “views of spectacular waterfalls and large concentrations of rare plants.” Some 43,000 acres of this unique and diverse land are in a protected management area. 102 Granny Gear Road lies just beyond this preserve. With ~26 acres of varied woodlands, this property is a nature-lover’s utopia. It’s also home to a residence that marries modern elegance with rustic materials, creating the feel of an upscale lodge. But the real headliner is the Eastatoe River, cascading mere feet from the rear of the house. Dubbed the “stream of dreams,” the Eastatoe is one of the state’s best-known trout streams and the sounds of it tumbling over massive granite boulders echo throughout the home’s outdoor spaces. Past a private gated entrance and ambling drive, the home presents a stone and cedar shake facade. The interior opens to a large great room with massive timber gables and beams, stone fireplace, and large expanses of glass overlooking the river. The open kitchen is equipped with GE Profile appliances and custom-made hickory cabinetry. The master suite includes a plank ceiling, and, in the bath, a pebble-floored double shower and clawfoot tub in a window-lined alcove. Main-level rooms open to a rear covered deck and adjoining side screened porch. A turned staircase reaches the lower level, where rough-sawn shiplap lines the walls of the broad family room. Two bedrooms and a full bath welcome guests. Outside, a stone-floored terrace leads to a staircase that descends the short distance to the riverbank. The detached double garage is oversized and reached via a deck walkway. Above is a guest suite with wood walls and ceiling, as well as a comfortably sized bath. Large 2nd garage built in 2020 with 2 oversized doors is perfect for storing your boat, four wheeler, or additional cars with loft and added storage space. Granny Gear Road is wonderfully close to Lakes Jocassee and Keowee (where boat slips are available for rent), convenient to local towns and the city of Greenville, and a short drive from Clemson University.