Having a coffee shop is almost like being a bartender. You get to meet and chat with great people and learn so much about what is going on. Turns out I have the scoop from both sides. I met the ladies who own the strip of land (the rocks) on the river. They were really nice and alot of fun and they told us why they put up the signs. A few years ago their mother offered the land to the county in return for reduced taxes. THE COUNTY SAID NO and turned down their offer. The women are constantly having to clean up some very nasty messes. It only takes a few inconsiderate people to ruin it for everyone. People break beer bottles there, use it as a toilet, etc. and the ladies are the ones to clean it up. There is also a liability issue. The other side is that it is such a shame that so many people who enjoy it without making a mess can no longer use it legally. I am a neutral party and consider the Kayak rental folks my friends as well as the women who own the rocks. It would be great if the county would buy it or at least open a line of communication so that the issue can be resolved. The reason the signs keep coming and going is because people have been removing them and the ladies keep putting them back.

Thanks for the insight Lillypad. I had heard something to that effect, but it was a distorted rumor by the time it got to me. Putting myself in their shoes, I can see their point and they sound like very fair people. Picking up broken bottles and watching people urinate in your view is not exactly a fun time in the mountains.

Perhaps the rafting companies and a few volunteers could commit to keeping it clean for them until the county wakes up and sees this as an important "landmark" they could get for a steal. I wonder if the county's footing the bill for the gravel maintenance there anyway?

A poster on the Blue Ridge blog has heard that the big boulders in the river have been spray painted with "no trespassing", etc. Has anyone seen this?

added: drove by there Tuesday & didn't see anything from the road but couldn't stop...

I just don't see the owners of the property doing that.Keep us posted Kip.

Hello everyone and Happy Independence Day!
I was with the family today at the “Aska Road Take Out” or what we call “The Big Rapids” for a short river run down to our cabin. The signs are back and the rocks have been marked with orange spray paint, “private property” and a long line across the rocks marking a boundary line. It really does deface the beauty of the rocks.
I did meet one of the owners or the owner “Sidney” and let me say first, she is a very nice lady. She starts off with a hug and “I am sorry”. She explained in more words then I will write that basically she is tired of cleaning up this area every day and that she is responsibly for anyone who gets hurt on this property.
I can really sympathize with her dilemma being a home owner on our beautiful river.
I have had a few trespasser come on my property and let me say it’s a little disturbing watching someone just fish on your property let alone start drinking and doing all sorts of things, some legal and some not, and multiply that person by 20 every day and well, I would be upset also.
You can still get access to some of the rocks, but not in the area where the first rapid is or the nice sun tanning rocks . You have to park and walk down under the tree at the base of the rocks.
Some people are allowed access with her permission ie: the tubing co. at the bridge, and personal friends, but for everyone else it looks like we are SOL. Its private property and that’s it.
This is just the start my friends, so take lots pictures so you can show your grand kids what the river looked like back in the good old days, when we were responsible for our own actions.
Independence Day, makes you think about what we are loosing every day.
Take care,
Guy (the x-trespasser )

Thanks for the update Guy.I'm a little shocked that the owner would paint the rocks but I can understand her point.

I went by there today and didn't see any paint,I turned around and came back and got out to take a closer look and that's when I saw the paint(Private Property).I wish I would have remembered to bring my camera because the rock that was covered with paint,was covered with people.I didn't notice any other painted rocks and you can't see that this one is painted unless you pull off the road and walk over to see it.

All property bordering the Toccoa River is either private property, or owned by Georgia Forestry Service. The "rocks at the rapids," is private property and has been since the beginning of government. The upper portion of the rocks at the rapids, (also seems to be known by some as the party rocks) has been owned by one family since the early 60's, and before Aska Road was even paved.
At the present time the family is experiencing extreme difficulty with certain commercial entities endeavoring to do business, renting canoes, rafts, and tubes for use on the Toccoa River. Some of these business men do not respect the law or a persons property rights. Some demand the right to use private property as if it was their own. Specifically in this case I speak of the "rocks at the rapids." I think it is also appropriate to mention that one of these business men has his property on the Toccoa River posted for use by his customers only. I would also add that the property I speak of is property he has owned for less than two years and can also be discribed as property that was used by the public for weddings, baptisims, teen camping, entrance to the Toccoa River etc. for many years, very definitly since my childhood in the fifties. Why would one think he has property rights and others do not? This very pompous individual is the one spoiling the use of the rocks at the rapids for every one. He has said he will use the property whether given permission or not and he will not pay anything for its use. He also states his ace in the hole is a local attorney and that he/she will take the property in some easement form. It should also be known that the owners would fight that all the way to the supreme court and if it cost every penny they have.
They are the ones that have paid the property taxes since the sixties, and are the ones that have shared the property (Gods creation) all along till now, they are the ones that ultimately will have the final say about who will use their property.
Those of you who thought you were using public property were wrong and you can thank the greedy commercial companies for bringing your past experiences to an end. One last thing, the family agrees with you, ITS A SHAME!

Property Owner

The spray paint on the rocks is the ugliest thing I have ever seen, and we put it there. I have said this to many, and I will put it in writing here----When this is over, that paint will be sanded off, if I have to remove it with my bare knuckles. It is so sad that some have no respect for other's property rights. The signs on the rocks are a necessary, temporary evil to get a point across to those who think that they are above the law, and want to illegially destroy whatever they can't control.

property owner, thanks for taking the time to explain your side of the story. I hope that you will keep us updated on what's going on from your perspective. If you have any suggestions as to how any of us could help to resolve this, please let us know.

Nonetheless, I strongly disagree with even temporarily defacing the rocks no matter who "owns" them, but that's my opinion. I understand that it was probably done out of frustration, but instead of stealing your signs, someone else might decide to wield a vengeful spray paint can, and we're all left to admire "graffiti rocks".