Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009
Location / Map
Trails: Table Rock, Ridge, Pinnacle Mountain, Carrick Creek
Distance: 10 miles
Time: 6 hours, 45 minutes
Rating: &&&& (out of 5)
One of my Father's Day presents this year was an "all-day" hike, while Kerri watched the kids. Maybe I took it too literally....
I have a South Carolina trail guide that suggests a great way to see all that Table Rock State Park has to offer. I'd say this is my all-time favorite place to hike, so I thought I'd give it a try. It involves making a 10-mile loop, taking you to Governor's Rock, Table Rock / Stool Mountain, Pinnacle Mountain, Bald Knob, Mill Creek Falls, and lots of cool stuff in between. The guide book rates this as "Highly Strenuous"...yeah, I'd say that's about right!
The high temperature for the day was about 98 degrees, but it was cloudy in the morning with a nice breeze along the Ridge. I carried a gallon of ice water with me and I drank nearly all of it. The toughest parts of the hike are the initial ascent from from the Nature Center to Panther Pass on the Table Rock Trail, and then the ascent to Pinnacle Mountain. Everything else is either "managable" or just plain downhill.
So I got to the park at about 8am and started on the Table Rock trail. In about an hour I was at the CCC shelter and 10 minutes after that I was finally on the ridge at Panther Pass. Here you can either turn right to go to Table Rock, which I did, or you can turn left to go to Pinnacle Mountain. Maybe an hour later I was at the overlook on the East Face of Table Rock. But before that is Governor's Rock (see photo) which I think is an even better view.
Heading back down to Panther Pass, I continued on the Ridge Trail. This one isn't used very much, but I did see one guy trail running (hard core). After some steep ups & downs, you reach the well-marked turn-off for Mill Creek Pass. Then comes the "butt-kicking" climb up to Pinnacle Mountain. Despite what you would assume, there is no view here; it is completely wooded. But just a little while after you start heading downhill, there are some GREAT views from Bald Knob, a large exposed rock face, and that is where I ate lunch. Seriously, there are some spots where the trail is only a few yards from the edge of the cliff.
Leaving Bald Knob, this is one of the coolest (not literally) sections of trail in the park. It winds downhill, and the path is very narrow. There is a stream (Mill Creek) that can be heard, and soon you are right beside it. After crossing the Creek, follow the signs for the Pinnacle Mountain trail. There is a turnoff on the right for the Mill Creek Falls Spur trail, but I totally missed it I was so tired. I wouldn't have taken it anyway. Beyond this, there are some large rock overhangs and small "waterfalls" (really just water seeping out of the rocks). The trail winds along the mountainside, gently descending for 2 or 3 miles, before reaching the Carrick Creek trail. Lots and lots of kids here playing in the creek, on such a hot day. It is just about 20 minutes from here back to the parking lot.
A great hike overall, just a little hot. Spring or Fall would be a better time to do this. Worth it though. I couldn't believe how many small scrapes and cuts I got, from all the rocks and briars along the way!
