Rockin’ the Upstate
Table Rock is a hike that certainly got my blood pumping but the views along the way and at the top are more than worth the effort.
I took a rather challenging hike, this time around, up in the foothills of upstate South Carolina. I had been to Table Rock State Park before, to go on the Carrick Creek Loop Trail. However, this time, I decided to go for the summit of Table Rock itself. Climbing to the top of Table Rock was worth the work, but it was a more strenuous hike than I had done in while. The hike is just a bit over 3 miles to the actual summit, with another half-mile or so to a fantastic view that is worth it, if you still have the energy.
Just as I got underway, I had a nice surprise, as my father happened to call me. I normally wouldn’t have even thought my phone would ring out there, but there it was. My father was in west Georgia, getting ready to ship out with the National Guard to Kuwait, so I definitely wanted to take the call. So, I got to sit on a flat boulder alongside a running stream and visit with my father for a while before getting seriously to work.
Along the first leg of the trail, it wanders through a field filled with huge boulders, just sitting there amidst the trees. Part of the trail is cut into some of the surrounding rock to get around these massive behemoths. The carved steps in the rock were prominent throughout the trail, as many parts of the trail would have provided very little opportunity for traction. As the trail got steeper, these steps were welcome.
About 1.5 miles along the hike, there is an open air shelter that provides a nice place to rest a bit and take in some lovely views of the mountains. I spent just little time there for a breather and to take some shots, and then kept on going.
The next stop is Governor’s Rock, an expanse of stone that juts out from the mountainside. The trail just goes up and over this rock, but it is clearly a popular spot for taking pictures and relaxing. I couldn’t resist getting a few pictures, especially as the leaves were changing, and the splashes of color were gorgeous. I took my pack off to get set up for the camera, and my water bottle popped out and rolled down the rock. Luckily, the bottle went back the way I came, and not forward off the face of the mountain. So, I got a little extra exercise going back down to get the bottle, and returning. I laughed with some other hikers about it, and then started taking some photos, using the telephoto to get closer to the surrounding hills.
After that, the trail just kept going up and up, until reaching a little sign letting hikers know that they had reached the summit at 3,124 feet. However, I had already decided that I wanted to see what views lay beyond on the rest of the trail, so I kept going. And I’m certainly glad I did.
The trail exited from the wooded area of the main summit out to exposed rock until reaching another rock face, similar to Governor’s rock, with a great view. There were some other travelers there, enjoying the space, but after a few minutes, they bade me farewell and headed back on down. So, I was left to enjoy the area alone for a while. I did some reading, took some pictures, and just relaxed. It certainly made all the work worth it. Finally, reluctantly, I headed back down.
I met the hikers I had talked to at Governor’s Rock, who were just on their way to the last rock face. They asked if it was worth going to. I gave them my review, and they told me of another similar view that was back along the trail. I had kind of glanced at it on my way, but hadn’t given it much though. But, I decided to see what I thought on my way back.
It was another great view, but my favorite part of it was the remains of a dead tree that had a great shape on the top. The final image in this gallery is that tree, and I had to do a little clambering to get that shot. I consider it clambering well spent.
The way back was what really challenged my legs, though, as I made my way down many of those steps that were welcome on the way up, but wreaked havoc on my calves on the way down. I was still feeling that days later, but I just considered it a reminder of a hike that’s definitely on my list of return trips.
