Hiking Trails and Trips
Trips
This hike is along a section of the Foothills Trail, specifically, the A11 - A10 marked section on a FT map or guidebook. Jocassee and I saw several Foothills Trail through hikers and a lot of birds and wildlife. We were just a tad bit early for wildflowers and blooming plants. Winter views are still good and there is several points along the way where water is accessible.
This was an out and back hike from the Raven Cliff Falls parking area and trekking half way to Sassafras Mtn. I recorded the sister hike to this one, Sassafras/Caesars Head Spur Trail, so that when they're placed back to back you have the entire hike between Sassafras Mtn and the Raven Cliff Falls parking area. My GPS goofed so that I don't have the second half of this trip in the...
I wouldn't recommend this hike beyond about 2.5 - 3 miles out. That's when the trail moves to and follows a road for much of the rest of the hike. There are also very few views of the piedmont and mountains except in winter. The pictures posted show snow clouds in the distance and in fact, a light intermittent snow fell on us while we hiked. We did see three large wild...
The hike originates from the Nicholson Ford access point for the Foothills Trail. Hike north ~ 0.6 miles to Pigpen Falls (note that there is a small accessible pool at the base of these falls that serves as a cooling off spot). Continue on Foothills Trail to the north at the intersection with the Chattooga Trail. The trail follows the Chattooga River for a while then winds upwards to a gap between...
While the stats only show the decent from Caesar's Head Overlook to Hwy 276 approximately half-way down the mountain, Jocassee and I did this hike as an out and back, beginning with the "End" showing on the stats/map section. Superb winter views along this route. So sorry that I didn't take more pics. This is especially true of the unique view of Table Rock Mtn. And the overlook at Caesar's Head is...
A nice downhill hike from my sister & brother-in-law's home at Montanas de Caldera to the little town of Caldera and lunch at Melissa's Cafe. Locals have built a makeshift "pool" below the bridge over the Caldera River. Susan pointed out a cashew tree (see picture of the fruit/nut), banana trees galore, and many other interesting plants and flowers. The orchids and bromeliads grow wild on many of the trees. As for...
For spectacular Sound of Music mountain and valley views plus the magnificence of waterfalls, this is a splendid trek! The hike begins by crossing a suspension bridge and then a steep set of switchbacks and steps to the fee station. A $5/person fee is collected at the top of this first set of climbs. I think (?) that you can also request a guide to go along with you at this fee...
This is a cool little walk or hike up to the top of a well recognized geographical feature in Panama City: Ancon Hill. The views of the city, the canal, the canal administration building, and the Bridge of the Americas is spectacular! The walk up from La Estancia Bed and Breakfast is about a mile, and obviously, it's all uphill. But the views really are splendid. You'll need to be in good...
So, if you like a lot of ups and downs with great views, this is the hike for you. On the other hand, if you hate giving up elevation gained only to have to climb it again, you might want to rethink this one. Utilizing a hiking rating scale, this one is classified as Strenuous/Very Difficult with right at 10 miles round trip and lots of elevation gain (~3,400 ft). My puppy,...
I chose this route to test my 4 month old boxer puppy on a 10 miler, 5 miles out and back. Perfect choice with plenty of elevation gain/loss, two beautiful rivers: Whitewater and Thompson, along with numerous quaint creeks and abundant wildlife (two deer, one turkey hen and scads of birds). We did this hike in the winter so the views were great. As expected, my puppy Jocassee, had plenty left in...
If you haven't seen the overlook on top of Sassafras Mtn, then it's worth the hike or drive up. Great panorama of SC, NC & GA!! My lovely bride and I did an out and back from the top of Sassafras over to Hickorynut Mtn. Great winter-time views of Table Rock, Pinnacle, and the Piedmont. The old Cantrell homesite is also pretty cool with access to water close by. Total vertical feet...
This is a nice loop hike with beautiful winter views of Lake Jocassee, Bad Creek and Upper Whitewater falls. We saw abundant wildlife and spring/summer yields flowering plants galore. My dog and I started from Hwy 281/130 above Upper Whitewater Falls and headed out to the SW, but I've also done the hike from the Foothills Trail access point right at the SC/NC state line. Either way is fine. Trail blazes are...
This is the new (as of Summer/Fall 2012) trail loop for Raven Rock Trail done in conjunction with Natural Bridge Trail.
With the exception of the ~1,300 ft elevation gain, this is a relatively easy to moderate up and down hike with an easily accessible trailhead. Overlooks are scant except during the winter. At 3,560 ft., this is the highest point in SC (since the mountain originates in NC, it's not considered SC's highest mountain). I did this hike with my good friend David Myers.
A great loop hike that we would label as strenuous. The highlights of this hike are the Cathedral, an amphitheater of 120 ft. high semicircular rock-face cliffs on the Naturaland Trail, and then the splendid Raven Cliff Falls with suspension bridge. Crossing Matthews Creek in the valley is a close third highlight as well. We did the hike in a clockwise fashion utilizing the following sequence of trails: Raven Cliff Falls, Dismal,...
This is a nice little loop hike on the Chattooga Trail with beautiful views of the Chattooga River on the SC side. While the hiking trail parallels the river, it also climbs away from the river to bypass one of the small mountains directly next to the river. I returned via a route that is adjacent to the river's bank and is used by trout fisherman to access fishing areas. This "lower"...
This is a hike copied from EveryTrail user holly1254. An out and back of ~ 9 miles (4.5 miles one way). The trailhead is accessed as you cross the Chattooga River on foot from the SC to GA side. Simply follow the light green blaze strips until you intersect with the Chattooga River. There is great parking off of Hwy 76 on the SC side. Simply climb down the steps and then...
Pinnacle and Table Rock Mountain Loop
Pumpkintown, South Carolina, United States
Hiking | 11.4 miles
Hiking | 11.4 miles
This is a very strenuous loop hike taking in Pinnacle Mountain, Table Rock Mountain, and Mill Creek Falls. It's an easy trailhead location since you begin at the info center in Table Rock State Park. I did the loop clockwise based upon the recommendation from a fellow Everytrail user, nc_hiker. I utilized the following trails: Pinnacle/Foothills, Mill Creek spur, Ridge, and Table Rock trails.Be prepared for inclimate weather. A huge thunderstorm blew...
This is a nice out and back that takes in the petroglyphs on the SW flank of Pinnacle Mtn (above Camp Adger) in the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area and just outside Table Rock State Park. (Note the WARNING in the "Tips" section) It would be helpful to secure a map from the SC DNR of the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges prior to your hike. The roads into...
This is a very strenuous loop hike taking in Sloan Bridge, the Chattooga River, and the Walhalla Fish Hatchery utilizing the following existing trails: Fork Mountain T., Chattooga T., East Fork T., & the Foothills T. The only downside was having to use about a mile of the Fish Hatchery pavement getting to the Foothills Trail from the Hatchery. Very scenic views of the Chattooga River, the Piedmont plus the historic fixtures...
