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Table Rock and Pinnacle, SC




The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Table Rock State Park, SC
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Jun 27 2009  10:15 am >> N/A  (Carpool Departure: 7:45 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Sat, Jan 17 2009 12:00 am
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Jun 26 2009 11:55 pm
Event Duration:11 hours total, including drive time, 6 hours hiking
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult
Trip Leader(s):
John Weatherman
Kathy Malone
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:20
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 12 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: Yes

Itinerary:
This is difficult eleven-mile loop hike in Table Rock State Park, SC.

Some say Table Rock offers the best views in the East. I don't know if that's true or not, but I can say it's up there. Come see what you think. Table Rock Mountain is on the front of the Blue Ridge escarpment in SC, and offers an unimpeded view out across the SC piedmont.

We will begin our hike at the Nature Center in the park at 1160 feet and go to the top of Pinnacle Mountain for a climb of 2265 feet over 3.4 miles. At 3425 feet, Pinnacle Mountain is the highest mountain totally within South Carolina. Please be aware that much of this climb is brutally steep :-), going straight up the side of the mountain, with no switchbacks.

Near the top we will pass Mill Creek Falls, which is a beautiful falls in a little gorge. Still farther up we will have lunch at Bald Rock Overlook. This will be our first excellent view of the day. Then it's on to the summit itself, which will be a let down after the overlook, because there is nothing to see there. But still, we have to go to the top to say we did it.

From there it's 1.9 miles of easy trail down to Panther Gap, then 1.7 miles back up to the top of the park's eponymous mountain at 3124 feet for two more breathtaking views, one out over the piedmont and the Table Rock Reservoir and another of mountains in North Carolina 'behind' the park. This will include a falls in the far distance.

Then is 3.5 miles back down to the Nature Center via the Table Rock Trail. This trail consists of stairs kindly carved into the rock for us by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Thus, our descent should not be too hard on the knees.

Though we will go at a moderate pace in order to fully take in the scenery, this hike is difficult no matter what the speed. Please be considerate of your fellow hikers and don't sign up for this unless you are sure you can do it. People will expect to be back in Atlanta by around 7 pm.

Required Items to Bring:
-lunch
-high fuel trail snacks
-plenty of water or sport drink
-outer layer should cut wind
-poncho or other rain gear if potential for rain
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
- binoculars if you have them
- some people like hiking poles
- a camera if you are into that

How to Get There:
Event Directions:Get on I-85 North and stay on it for 99 miles till Exit 21 in SC. Go West on US 178 for 32 miles. Turn right on SC 11 and go 4.3 miles to Table Rock State Park on left. Follow signs to Nature Center.
Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):273Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:45 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $109.20 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.


Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.