Table Rock State Park

Date: Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Map: Link
Trails: Table Rock, Carrick Creek, Pinnacle Mountain, Mill Creek Falls Spur
Distance: 6.0 miles
Time: 3 hours
Rating: 4 out of 5

My original plan was to hike the entire Jones Gap trail. I left the house at 9:30am. However, when I arrived at the entrance to Jones Gap State Park at 10:40am, I found the gate was closed. There were two other cars in front of me; one of the drivers said he had just seen the park ranger, who said the park was closed due to ice. I was disappointed, but not surprised, as about 4-6 inches of snow fell up here 3-4 days earlier. The last 2 miles of the road leading up to the park entrance was covered in ice. Oh well....

As I headed back down River Falls Road toward Hwy 11, I decided to go to Table Rock State Park instead. I could have tried Caesar's Head State Park, which also has access to the Jones Gap Trail. But as it is even further up into the mountains, I thought it might be closed due to ice as well. And, I would really prefer to hike the 5.3-mile trail starting from the Jones Gap trailhead, which allows for climbing on the way out, and descending on the way back.

It took me another 30 minutes to drive to Table Rock, turning right (south) onto Hwy 11. I arrived at 11:10am. By 11:20am I was on the trail. I decided I would go to Mill Creeks Falls, via the Pinnacle Mountain Trail. Basically, from the trailhead, I followed the Table Rock Trail to the first junction after the bridge, then turned left onto the Carrick Creek Trail, and stayed left onto the Pinnacle Mountain Trail. All trails are clearly blazed, and every half-mile is marked.

There was snow still on the ground, as evident in the photos. It was obviously thicker at higher elevations and in the more shady areas. Some parts of the trail were completely clear of ice and snow. But in many others, I had to walk through snow. There were other footprints already there, making it very easy to follow. In places where I had to cross streams on rocks or footbridges, the footing was a little treacherous, but otherwise I did not have too much trouble.

The Pinnacle Mountain trail weaves along hillsides as it gains elevation. Eventually, you'll see large boulders, followed by some large rocky overhangs. Beyond that, there are some stream-crossings over rocks. Finally, at about 2.6 miles, you'll come to a junction. Turning right lets you continue on the Pinnacle Mountain trail. I stayed left onto the Mill Creek Falls Spur trail, which is another 0.4 miles to the falls. This was probably the most "rugged" part of the hike. It really feels like you need to use both arms in addition to your legs, as there is a lot of scrambling over rocks and downed trees, and constant steep ups-and-downs. The snow/ice certainly added to the level of difficulty. Again, though, my hiking pole helped a lot.

At 1:00pm, I reached the falls and took photos. It was quite a sight seeing the waterfall frosted around the edges. In fact, I think this was the first time I've ever hiked in accumulated snow. There is a bridge that crosses in front of the waterfall, which allows a good view, but the trail no longer continues on the other side. On warmer days, I have sat on the bridge here and had a snack. But today there were about 4 inches of snow on the bridge. So I just stood there for awhile before turning around.

The return trip was much easier due to it being mostly downhill, and a little quicker. Upon joining up with the Carrick Creek Trail again, I turned left so that I could complete the full clockwise loop. I finally arrived back at the parking lot at 2:20pm and headed home. It was a little cold (in the 40's) but not bad, and a very enjoyable hike with all the snow!

Station Cove Falls

Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Map: Link
Trails: Station Cove Falls, Oconee Connector
Distance: 4.5 miles
Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Rating: 3 out of 5

Once Kerri returned from running, I went up to Oconee Station State Historic Site for a hike. It was about 2:20pm when I left, and I arrived at 3:00pm. I just headed up Highway 28 from Seneca, then took Highway 11 north. At the brown park sign I turned left, and the entrance to the SHS is a few miles ahead on the right. Unfortunately the gate was closed. I'm not sure why, unless it is just closed for the winter. There was no sign posted to explain the reason. Anyway, no big deal in this case. I just continued a couple hundred yards further down the road and parked at the trailhead for Station Cove Falls and the Oconee Connector of the Palmetto Trail.

There were no other cars in the lot. It was cold and overcast. I started on the Station Cove Falls trail, which runs concurrent with the Oconee Connector. There are yellow blazes on the trees...very easy to follow. I followed the path over a couple of bridges to a hiker gate after about a half mile. I went through the gate, and in another quarter mile or so, there is a stream crossing and the falls are in view. I reached the falls in about 17 minutes without stopping. Not much water in the falls today, but then it hasn't rained much lately.

I stayed here for a few minutes, took some pictures and had a snack before turning around and heading back to the hiker gate. Here, I decided to turn left where the Oconee Connector leaves the Station Cove Falls trail, and heads uphill toward its other terminus at Oconee State Park.

This is really a very nice trail, better than I had expected. It moves steeply and relentlessly uphill with switchbacks, to a ridgeline. Once on the ridgeline, the terrain looks very much like Oconee State Park (mountain laurel everywhere). There are some views through the trees on both sides of the trail, with the best ones off to the right. As I approached the ridge, it started to rain lightly, but I had come prepared with a rain jacket. I also had my hiking pole, which helped a lot with the uphill climb over wet leaves.

At each mile along the trail, there are signposts, with a mile number representing how far you've come from the trailhead you left. I passed Mile 1, and then I came to another marker that had Mile 2 showing on the opposite side, meaning that I was still two miles from the other trailhead. I stopped at this marker, and returned back the way I had come, in the interest of time. By my estimate, I hiked about a mile and half on the Oconee Connector after leaving the Station Cove Falls trail, although I can't really line that up with the posted mile markers.

I returned to the car at about 4:40pm. A very enjoyable hike, and I really had a good time on the Oconee Connector. I would be interested in doing the whole trail at some point in the future, if I'll allow more time for it. Even though it is a slightly longer drive, I decided to head home by continuing north on Hwy 11 and turning right onto Hwy 133 to Clemson. This was a more relaxing drive than going through Seneca at 5pm on a weekday before Christmas.

Oconee State Park

Date: Sunday, December 12, 2010
Map: Link
Trails: Foothills, Tamassee Knob
Distance: 4.2 miles
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Rating: 4 out of 5

With the forecast calling for temperatures in the 30's and 20mph winds (but no precipitation), I went to Oconee State Park for a hike. It took about 45 minutes to get there from my house. From Seneca, I took Hwy 28 north through Walhalla, and stayed right onto Hwy 107 to the park entrance. As I got to Walhalla, the snow flurries started, and I noticed that cars coming down out of the mountains had 2-3 inches of snow on them. I watched my car's thermometer drop from 43F to 33F over the course of the trip.

The flurries were still falling as I started on the Foothills trail from the parking lot. In fact, there was actually snow accumulated on the ground. In many places the trail was completely covered, although it was never difficult to make out the path. I got started about 2:10pm. The skies were overcast. Not the best conditions for hiking, but I had on a really warm fleece pullover, and hat/gloves, so I was really comfortable the whole time.

After maybe 10 minutes the path crosses over the Palmetto Trail and then hits the junction with the Tamassee Knob trail (i.e., turn right). The terrain is mostly gentle ups and downs, with the path sometimes winding around hillsides on narrow paths. There was one spot that was a little treacherous due to the snow, and I was glad to have a hiking pole with me. Beyond this point, it seemed that either not as much snow had fallen, or it had mostly melted.

At around 25-30 minutes, I reached the "saddle" between two mountains, with great views on both sides. There was almost no snow on the ground here. In the distance, I could see the valley floor being lit up in places by the sun breaking through the clouds. This was really an incredible sight; the snow made it look like parts of the valley were glowing. I don't think my pictures really do it justice, and it is difficult to describe.

Beyond the "saddle", there is a pretty steep climb up to Tamassee Knob. I reached the overlook (and the end of the trail) in about 45 minutes. After a 10 minute break to take some photos and eat some snacks, I headed back. While I was up there, though, the skies really started clearing, and the wind was really blowing hard. The whole scene was spectacular.

I headed back the way I had come, and returned to the car about 3:55pm. Amazingly, despite the sunshine at Tamassee Knob, the conditions at my car were exactly the same as when I had left: overcast with snow flurries.

I think that normally this trail would get a "3-star" rating. However, the combination of unique weather conditions and great scenery absolutely made this a 4-star hike!

Yellow Branch Falls

Date: Saturday, December 4, 2010
Map: Link
Trails: Yellow Branch Nature, Yellow Branch Falls
Distance: 3.0 miles
Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Rating: 3 out of 5

On Saturday morning I headed to the Yellow Branch picnic area north of Walhalla on Hwy 28. It only took me 35 minutes to get there from my house. This is one of my most favorite places to hike. The weather was overcast and cold, in the lower 40's. More "gloomy" weather. When I arrived, mine was the only car in the parking lot, but a couple more cars arrived after me.

I started on the Nature trail from the parking lot. There are 3 stream crossings, then a turnoff onto the Falls trail. There is a bridge, and then another stream crossing. After this, the trail leaves the stream. There are two more footbridges, and you will comes to the Falls about 15 minutes after crossing that second bridge.

The water volume in the falls was pretty low, but really it is never a disappointment when you get here. I crossed in front of the cascade to a well-worn bench and took a rest there for a few minutes. Very relaxing.

I headed back to the parking lot the way I came, except I turned right at the junction with the Nature trail to finish out that loop. I was moving a little slowly today; I had started at 10:30am, and returned at 12:00 noon.

Yellow Branch Falls is always a good option for a hike in this area!

Devils Fork State Park

Date: Friday, November 26, 2010
Map: Link
Trails: Bear Cove, Oconee Bells
Distance: 3.0 miles
Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Rating: 3 out of 5

The Friday after Thanksgiving, I headed out to Devils Fork State Park. The weather was cool and overcast ("gloomy"). At least it had stopped raining. I went up Hwy 133 and turned left onto Hwy 11, then followed the brown park signs to the entrance. I paid the $2 fee and parked at the trailhead for Bear Cove. It took about 45 minutes to get here from the house.

I started hiking around 2:30. I soon realized it would be difficult to stay on the trail, as the path was entirely obscured by newly fallen leaves. Luckily there are blazes frequently marked on trees along the trails. Personally I think white is a poor color choice for a blaze, since many trees have white marks on them naturally. At least they were marked, though, and the trails appear to be very well-maintained.

After moving through mostly oak, hickory, and pine forest, as the trail reaches a peninsula jutting out into Lake Jocassee, the forest becomes dense with mountain laurel. Really, this is my favorite feature of this trail. There are a couple of spots where you can easily access sand beaches, which is very nice in the summer.

Completing the loop and returning back to the car, I decided to drive over to the other trail, the Oconee Bells Nature trail. It is a 1-mile loop, and I got started at 3:30. Although short, this is a really great trail. There is so much to see in a short distance: bridges, streams, narrow twisting trails, a bog/pond, a small waterfall, rocky overhangs, and the namesake Oconee Bells themselves.

If you look at the photo above, the green groundcover along the banks of the stream is the Oconee Bells plant. Up close, the leaves look like a kind of ivy with jagged edges. In early spring, it blooms. It is very rare, and this is one of the few places it grows.

I returned to the car at 4:00pm. Despite the gloomy weather, an enjoyable hike.

Table Rock State Park

Date: Sunday, November 21, 2010
Map: Link
Trails: Table Rock, Carrick Creek, Pinnacle Mountain
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Rating: 3 out of 5

Another Sunday-after-church hike. The weather was nice, and I decided to head up to Table Rock State Park. I drove up Hwy 133 and turned right onto Hwy 11. It takes about 50 minutes from my house.

Because the weather was so nice (sunny, low 70's), it was pretty busy at the park. I saw a lot of people in the parking area, and around the visitors center. There is a new viewing platform along the paved portion of the Table Rock trail, so people can get a look at one of the waterfalls.

I started on the Table Rock trail about 1:50pm. I turned left onto the Carrick Creek trail. At the next junction, I stayed left onto the Pinnacle Mountain trail. My original thought was to go all the way to Mill Creek Falls, but I decided I didn't have enough time for that. So I just decided to hike out as far as I could before having to turn around, so I could make it home by 4pm.

There are some (new?) mileage markers on the Pinnacle Mountain trail. Just after leaving the Carrick Creek trail, I saw the 1.0 marker. Then I came to a series of low bridges, and soon saw the 1.5 marker. This is where I took some photos and turned around. I finished out the Carrick Creek loop and returned to the parking lot about 2:05pm. A great hike on a beautiful fall day.

Keowee-Toxaway State Park

Date: Sunday, November 14, 2010
Map: Link
Trails: Natural Bridge, Raven Rock
Distance: 4.0 miles
Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Rating: 3 out of 5

After church, I headed up Hwy 133 for a hike at Keowee-Toxaway State Park. It is only a 30 minute drive from our house. I started on the trail about 1:30pm. It was cool, but I decided to wear shorts.

I took both the Natural Bridge and Raven Rock trails in a counter-clockwise direction. This is the way the trail signs seem to direct you, although the last stretch up the Natural Bridge trail returning to the parking lot is very steep. I did skip the short north loop that goes down to the lake, as it is ridiculously steep.

It was a nice hike. I just saw a few people on the Natural Bridge trail, no one at all on the Raven Rock trail. Some leaves were still on the trees, and there was some nice color here and there. I got back to the car around 3:00pm. A very enjoyable hike!