South Carolina Trip – Table Rock Hike

While we were in South Carolina, I wanted to hike to the top of Table Rock.  We pass this nice park on the way to and from each trip, so ever since I had seen it, I wanted to climb to the top.

The trail details:

http://www.sctrails.net/Trails/ALLTRAILS/NRT/TableRock.html

Description: The 3.4-mile Table Rock Trail is a highly strenuous, out-and-back hike within the scenic and popular Table Rock State Park in the northwest corner of South Carolina. There are 10 miles of trails in the park system, but only the Table Rock National Recreation Trail ascends 2,000 feet to the summit of the imposing granite dome, Table Rock Mountain (3,157 feet). The red-blazed hike begins at the Carrick Creek Interpretive Center and ascends steeply through an open forest strewn with boulders. Along the way, you will see vegetation typical of the Southern Appalachians: dominant oak and hickory trees with scattered pines and hemlock. As you might guess, the strenuous hike offers the reward of spectacular views from the summit.

Length: 3.6 miles one way

I asked Zion if he wanted to come.  After I told him it was going to be almost 8 miles, he promptly said “no, I don’t want to”.  Azariah for some reason, decided he wanted to.  I informed him I would accept no whining of his feet hurting and he said he could handle that.  I told him it would be the longest hike he’s ever been on; his previous record being a 5 mile round trip, with me carrying him up 1 of the 3 hills.  AnnaMay opted out as well with Glorianna because she had hurt her ankle a few days ago, and was worried about that a bit.

The Group:

A nice cascading waterfall accompanied us on the way up for the first half mile or so.

 

 

 This section really reminded me of the landscape on the movie “Last of the Mohicans”.

 

 When we reached the rock that is actually known as “Table Rock” we hung out for awhile.

Yeah, so that’s a few hundred feet drop straight down about 10 feet behind her. It was fun for a bit, but after awhile, adventurous just become dangerous. We had too many adults, kids, and one photographer just getting too close to the edge. It was HIGH time to move on to finish the trail.  When we reached the end of the trail, we were met with a pretty view.

 

It was a pretty intense hike, but I really enjoyed myself.  I could tell I had done some physical exercise the day before, but I wasn’t really sore the next day.

A great day with perfect weather for the occasion.  I’d do it again!! 

For More on the South Carolina Trip, Click Here