Toe River

TOE RIVER (ESTATOA RIVER)

"Estatoa flowing from the Black Mountains [above Old Fort] has been shortened to 'Toe'....For the angler of adventurous spirit and fond of the picturesque, that prong of the Toe river which flows between the Black mountains and the Blue Ridge, would be the stream for him to explore. With its North fork, this fork unites to form a wide and beautiful river, which flows along the line between Yancy and Mitchell counties, and empties into the Nolichucky. Its course is due north. Along its upper reaches, for mile after mile, not a clearing is to be seen; not a column of smoke curls upward through the trees, unless it be from the open fire before the temporary shelter of a benighted cattle-herder, or a party of bear-hunters; not an echo from the cliffs of dog or man; only the sombre mossy woods, the rocks, the crags and the stream beside the primitive path; the loud roar of rapids and cascades, or the low murmur of impetuous waters sweeping under the rich drapery of vines. One is not only outside the pale of civilized life, but is widely separated from visible connections with humanity...." (1883, Ziegler pp. 24, 114)

"The Toe River, even here, where it bears westward, is a very respectable stream in size, and not to be trifled with after a shower. It gradually turns northward, and joining the Nollechucky [sic] becomes part of the Tennessee system." (1888, Warner p. 63)

(1913, Morley, p.304, 315-318)