| Table Rock State Park Table Rock Trail |
Table Rock State Park is one of the state's most popular parks. They have alot to offer for the visitor at this park. There is a nice campsite, a great lake for swimming or paddle boats, and some of the best hiking in the upstate. There is a small fee of $2 per person for entering the park. This area of South Carolina was at one time heavily populated with the Cherokee Indians and this park is rich with their history. The Indians believed that the Great Spirit used the mountain as a dining table and the shorter mountain as a seat, thus giving them the english names of Table Rock and The Stool. |
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There are several trails that start at Table Rock State Park, and all of them are worth hiking. The trails all interconnect and make a set of loops. Make sure when hiking here that you know exactly what trails you want to hike before starting. Most of the trails are very strenuous, and you wont want to make a
wrong turn and get lost.
One of the trails that begins here at the Table Rock State Park leads to the top of Pinnacle mountain. This trail is the official trailhead of the Foothills Trail, which leads west to Oconee State Park. Our hike took us to the top of Table Rock, on the Table Rock trail, which is a 3.4 mile, out and back trail. This can be combined with other trails to make a longer loop, but it is very strenuous and you would have to be in great shape to hike that loop. |
| The hike to the summit of Table rock is very strenuous, but extremely rewarding once you reach the top. Do not under estimate the amount of energy it will take to hike to the top of this mountain, and please, remember to take plenty of water, especially if you are hiking on a hot, summer day. We drank almost 3 liters of water on the way to the top, and ran dry on the way back down. There are a few small streams along the way, but you should plan to carry all of the water that you will need. This hike is NOT for the beginner, or for the faint of heart! Don't let anyone tell you, this is an easy or moderate hike... it changes elevation 2000 feet in about 3 miles. |  |
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The ultimate reward at the end of this hike is the fantastic view from Table Rock. The view is really breath-taking and you will soon forget the strenuous hike to the top, and the knee-pounding hike back down. There are some overlooks along the way that are better than most overlooks you will find on other trails, and some will leave you wondering if you have reached the top. Don't stop until you have come to the far eastern edge of the rock, and can overlook The Stool and a large lake to the east. To see our pictures, Click Here |