Jones Gap State Park sits on the Blue Ridge Escarpment in upstate South Carolina very near the state line with its neighbor to the north. Along with Caesars Head State Park, these two share an area known as Mountain Bridge Wilderness. The Jones Gap Trail follows the Middle Saluda River from the park visitor center along an old roadway built by Solomon Jones in the 1850s. In this cove backcountry the river is quite wild with many waterfalls and rapids that add exciting sights and sounds to a pristine mountain woodland. A couple miles up from the eastern end of Jones Gap Trail is Jones Gap Falls, the destination for this hike. My brother Dave and I visited Jones Gap on February 17, 2020 beginning at 10:15am and finishing at 1:15pm. The plan was to take Jones Gap Trail up the Middle Saluda River to Jones Gap Falls and beyond, then return.

South Carolina State Parks have a voluntary $6 hiking fee, so be sure to register either at the Visitor Center or at the sign box in the parking area. It really helps with trail maintenance, something that has become an issue at Jones Gap because of incessant rain for years now.

It’s about a quarter mile stroll from the parking area at Jones Gap State Park — along the Middle Saluda River, past the Learning Center — to the eastern Jones Gap trailhead. This trail is also known as the Middle Saluda Passage of the Palmetto Trail (learn more about the Palmetto Trail here and here).

This area of Jones Gap is also an Audobon bird sanctuary and you may be fortunate enough to see a few Great Blue Herons. They tend to hang out along the river near the Visitor Center. On our earlier visit we stopped at the Learning Center and spent nearly a half hour with the park ranger talking about the history and geology of the Jones Gap area. Ranger Lee was extremely informative, and a very nice guy to boot.

Beyond the Learning Center, a foot bridge takes you across the river, past a signboard detailing all the trails in Mountain Bridge Wilderness, and onto the Jones Gap Trail. The blue-blazed trail is slightly uphill as it follows the whitewater of the wild river. When we were here a few years ago, this major trail artery up the gap was in excellent condition, perhaps a little rocky, but otherwise well taken care of. That is not the case now. Rain, year after year, has turned this trail into a sub-drainage of the river, and with it all the mud and erosion that would be expected. Unfortunately, it will be very expensive to repair the drainage problem.

There are 4-5 campsites alongside the trail and the river that make excellent vantage points for views upstream. During the green and warmer months, these sites are usually occupied, so you don’t want to infringe on their privacy. But off season, they’re good for photos of the river, and perhaps for a snack break.

An example view from one of the trailside campsites.

A little less than a mile upriver, look for red blazes bearing right onto the Rainbow Falls Trail. The Jones Gap Trail continues to the left at the junction and Rainbow Falls bears to the right. Here is the trail report, if you’re curious. But for this hike, take the left fork, blue blaze.

It is approximately another three-quarters mile from this junction to Jones Gap Falls. The trail gets decidedly steeper, climbing a few hundred feet. When you cross the river to a campground on the north side, you are almost there. Look for several nice cascades along this stretch.

You’re nearly there now. When you reach the trail sign for the falls, head uphill away from the river. It isn’t far, perhaps 70 yards. Once you clear the first rise you will know you’re there. This is a large waterfall — 50 feet in height, probably 15-20 feet wide. Because of heavy winter rain, it was flowing pretty good. Both sides of the falls are surrounded by extremely thick rhododendron. I suspect this area is a chromatic delight during bloom season.

There are some flat rocks at the base of the falls that are perfect for lunch. They are just far enough away from the falls that we didn’t get mist in the face as we put on the feed bag. We stayed for nearly a half hour for pictures, and simply to enjoy this appealing waterfall.

After getting renourished, we still had some energy, so we continued up Jones Gap Trail. You can go another four miles to the western end of Jones Gap. Here’s the trail report. But we weren’t that adventurous. We went up another quarter mile or so, found a nice cascade along the river, and discovered what I call Smiley Rock. See the photos below.

From Jones Gap Falls, the return to the Visitor Center is just a straight shot back down Jones Gap the way you came.

Summarizing, unfortunately the condition of the Jones Gap Trail has really deteriorated since my initial visit in 2012. It’s a shame too. The SC State Parks folks had done a wonderful job building it. It is certainly still passable. Just plan on getting your hiking boots muddy, and be very careful where you step. Very easy to turn an ankle, or worse. The waterfall is quite nice, well worth the effort to get there. This is one the entire family can enjoy, as long as you have appropriate footwear.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

The air is nearly always cool at Caesars Head State Park in upstate South Carolina. It sits right on the edge of the Blue Ridge escarpment where refreshing breezes from the piedmont waft up and over the massive walls of rock. This hike is a casual stroll through hardwood forest on a sand and clay pathway to the Matthews Creek gorge and a suspension bridge over the precipice of Raven Cliff Falls. Expect something different, and enjoyable, in each season. I hiked this route to Matthews Creek on Monday, August 28, 2017 beginning at 9:45AM and ending about 1:15PM. My plan was to take Raven Cliff Falls Trail to Gum Gap Trail, then on to Naturaland Trust Trail and its meeting with Matthews Creek, turning around at the foot bridge over Raven Cliff Falls.

One note about the maps above before I get started on the trail report. I forgot to turn on my GPS tracker when I started the hike, remembering only when I was a good two miles into it. So… the track above is only from the suspension bridge back to the trailhead. In other words, it only tracks one direction. Sorry about that.

This hike is part of a longer loop that drops down into Matthews Creek gorge, then steeply climbs the escarpment to the suspension bridge over the creek. This one takes half the time, and a lot less exertion.

The trails used on this hike in Mountain Bridge Wilderness are also part of the much longer Foothills Trail and Palmetto Trail. You will see trail blaze signs identifying each throughout. The first trail, Raven Cliff Falls, starts out with red blaze tree markings. From the parking area you head down a gravel road to meet the single track trail at a water pump house.

It is 1.6 miles from this point to the junction with Gum Gap Trail. Along the way, the sandy path winds through mixed forest. Evidenced by the freshly fallen acorns, hickory nuts and black walnuts on the ground, this is prime habitat for critters who enjoy the mast of the nut trees in late summer and fall. Look too for the occasional long leaf pine.

From experience, I know in winter you can see through the trees to the cliffs and flats that surround Caesars Head State Park. In summer, it is bright green and makes a whishing sound from the perpetual breeze that blows here. The birds too fill the air with sound.

When you reach a series of wooden steps navigating a rocky hillside, you are about 2/3 of the way to the Gum Gap Trail junction. From there you will walk through laurel and rhododendron tunnels and pass outcrops of car-sized rock that make a great place to sit for a snack. When you reach the junction you have a decision.

You can take the left fork, continuing on Raven Cliff Falls Trail another half mile to the viewing platform on the north side of the gorge. For this hike, though, you want to turn right onto blue blazed Gum Gap Trail. It is a half mile over a small hill to another junction where you will turn left — staying on Gum Gap Trail. This junction meets the Foothills Trail and the two combine for several miles into the wilderness.

This new path is a former roadway. It is wider here, and there is occasional gravel denoting that vehicles traveled here at one time. Otherwise, look for stretches of sandy trail mixed with a red clay common to South Carolina and Georgia.

Gum Gap Trail is a mostly easy walk that seems to invite you to explore.

From the left turn it is 1.2 miles to the next junction, this time with Naturaland Trust Trail, blazed in pink. This is your path to Matthews Creek. Turn left onto Naturaland, otherwise you will end up miles away from anything at Gum Gap on the Foothills Trail. Almost immediately you begin the descent to the creek. It isn’t overly steep, but is decidedly downhill.

For the next 0.4 mile the trail descends through the forest while the sounds of the rushing creek below become ever louder. About half way down you’ll make a hard switchback with the creek sounds now on your right. A few minutes later you reach the creek, and the only somewhat dangerous part of this hike.

You’re now hiking over wet granite, and we all know what that means. SLIPPING HAZARD! And believe me, this is a place you don’t want to slip and fall into the creek, because you won’t stop until you are 400 feet below at the base of Raven Cliff Falls. So make sure each step is well planted.

There is a series of cascades on the creek above the major waterfall that are nice for pictures and to splash your face. Be especially careful during the spring runoff period when the water flow will be considerably higher than it is the rest of the year. A visit here in late June-early July will also highlight the stunning rhododendron bloom that lines both sides of Matthews Creek.

This hike ends at the wooden plank and cable suspension bridge that crosses the creek. I found a seat on the bridge to enjoy lunch and look at the vast vista across the gorge. The bridge even swings a little bit in the breeze, and bounces when you walk. Hold on tight.

You can continue beyond the bridge on Naturaland Trust. It dives all the way to the depths of Matthews Creek gorge and comes back up on the other side, forming a large loop with Raven Cliff Falls Trail.

After renourishing, and getting plenty of photos, it was time for the climb back up Naturaland Trust Trail. If you take your time, you won’t get too tired, and it will be over before you know it. That’s what I told myself. It’s less than half a mile. You can do it.

As I wandered back the way I had come, I started seeing other hikers who got a later start than me. There were four couples and two solo hikers. Also, there were more flowers out along the trail now as the air warmed and the sun tried to peek through the forest canopy.

I saw plenty of Joe Pye weed, wild hydrangea, coneflowers and one that was new to me… the asiatic dayflower. Known as commelina communis, this is interesting because it is edible, and because the blooms only last one day. Hence the name, dayflower. No wonder I’d never seen one before.

When I got back to the trailhead I thought to myself how this hike was just right. The weather was perfect with temps in the high sixties, even in August… a cool breeze, and a nice cloud cover. The trails are not difficult by any means, making this 6.7 mile round trip seem somewhat easy. Still, it’s a great way to get some exercise.

The forest along the way is pleasant, full of sights, birds singing, and aromas. The reward at the end — the cascades along Matthews Creek — are definitely worth the time and effort expended. Consider making this hike one of your regular stops. It’s a good one in every season.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Jones Gap State Park sits on the Blue Ridge Escarpment in upstate South Carolina very near the state line with its neighbor to the north. Along with Caesars Head State Park, these two share an area known as Mountain Bridge Wilderness. The Jones Gap Trail follows the Middle Saluda River along an old roadway built by Solomon Jones in the 1850s. In this cove backcountry the river is quite wild with many waterfalls and rapids that add exciting sights and sounds to a pristine mountain woodland. Near the eastern end of Jones Gap Trail are two remarkable waterfalls. Ken and I visited Jones Gap and Rainbow Falls on January 19, 2012, then again on December 31, 2015. This report combines information and photos from both visits. The plan was to take Jones Gap Trail up the Middle Saluda River to Rainbow Falls Trail, climb to the falls, then return to Jones Gap Trail for the further reach to Jones Gap Falls.

South Carolina State Parks have a voluntary $6 hiking fee, so be sure to register either at the Visitor Center or at the sign box at the parking area. It really helps with trail maintenance, something that has become an issue at Jones Gap because of incessant rain for years now.

It’s about a quarter mile stroll from the parking area at Jones Gap State Park — along the Middle Saluda River, past the Learning Center — to the eastern Jones Gap Trailhead. This trail is also known as the Middle Saluda Passage of the Palmetto Trail (learn more about the Palmetto Trail here and here).

This area of Jones Gap is also an Audobon bird sanctuary and you may be fortunate enough to see a few Great Blue Herons. They tend to hang out along the river near the Visitor Center. On our earlier visit we stopped at the Learning Center and spent nearly a half hour with the park ranger talking about the history and geology of the Jones Gap area. Ranger Lee was extremely informative, and a very nice guy to boot.

Beyond the Learning Center, a foot bridge takes you across the river, past a signboard detailing all the trails in Mountain Bridge Wilderness, and onto the Jones Gap Trail. The blue-blazed trail is slightly uphill as it follows the whitewater of the wild river. When we were here a few years ago, this major trail artery up the gap was in excellent condition, perhaps a little rocky, but otherwise well taken care of. That is not the case now. Rain, year after year, has turned this trail into a sub-drainage of the river, and with it all the mud and erosion that would be expected. Unfortunately, it will be very expensive to repair the drainage problem.

Instead of dwelling on the deterioration of the trail, we focused on the beauty of the Middle Saluda River, including this section where it drops over terrace-like bedrock.

There are 4-5 campsites alongside the trail and the river that make excellent vantage points for views upstream. During the green and warmer months, these sites are usually occupied, so you don’t want to infringe on their privacy. But off season, they’re good for photos of the river like the one above, and perhaps for a snack break.

A little less than a mile upriver, look for red blazes bearing right onto the Rainbow Falls Trail. The Jones Gap Trail continues to the left at the junction and Rainbow Falls bears to the right. Within a couple hundred yards this trail will cross the river on a steel and wood foot bridge and begin the ascent to the north rim of the gorge.

There are two more crossings over Cox Camp Creek, the first across a footlog and the 2nd over a wooden bridge, then the only challenge remaining is the steepness of the terrain. It’s right at about 1,200 feet elevation change from the river to the base of the falls — in only 1.2 miles.

The state park does a great job at routing the trail to minimize overly steep climbing, but it’s still a strenuous endeavor. Hiking in winter, we were able to enjoy views in every direction through the trees that would not be available during leaf season. Across the gap on the south side is the sheer cliff of Little Pinnacle Mountain. Due east is a marvelous view down gap as the Blue Ridge Escarpment ends its long and arduous upheaval. The north rim marks the Continental Divide.

Unfortunately there has been a problem with erosion on this hillside, so there are a few retaining barriers that distract somewhat from the sheer beauty. There was a fire some years ago as well. Keep your eyes open on your left for views of Cox Camp Creek cascading down the steep hillside. It makes quite the descent.

About half way up, the trail takes a turn to the east along a sharp ridge and offers a nice view of the massive stone wall that is Cleveland Cliffs. The trail then passes directly beneath the cliff as it reverses course back to the west. After heavy rain you will notice streams of water hugging the face of Cleveland Cliffs, perhaps a hint that Rainbow Falls would be running fast and furious. We were not disappointed.

Rainbow Falls is spill from Lake Rotary above at the Greenville YMCA camp. It plunges free-fall 100 feet over a precipice, then bounces another few hundred feet over cataract and slide cascades as it drops toward the river below. You can climb directly beneath the falls, but be very, very careful, especially in winter when the surrounding rocks can be quite icy.

The Rainbow Falls amphitheater is surrounded by cliffs, hardwood forest, rhododendron thickets and rugged terrain… all great pleasures for hiking enthusiasts. You do need to watch your step scrambling among the boulders and water. It’s steep terrain and the slightest misstep could land you hundreds of feet below.

This is the splash basin for the major free fall over Rainbow. It then begins more of these lower cataracts, falling precipitously down the drainage to the lower cascades seen from the trail on the way up.

The return to Jones Gap Trail was back the way we came. Since it was still early in the day, we decided to continue in a westerly direction to Jones Gap Falls on our first trip. It seems longer than it looks on the trail map, perhaps 3/4 mile. When you cross the river to a campground on the north side, you are almost there. Jones Gap Falls is a very nice waterfall too, but perhaps just a bit underwhelming after visiting Rainbow Falls.

From this upper falls, the return to the Visitor Center is just a straight shot back down Jones Gap.

On the later trip here, I became ill while climbing the Rainbow Falls Trail. I got to a point just below Cleveland Cliffs and began experiencing vertigo-like symptoms including dizziness and queasy stomach. After spending 20 minutes sitting on a large outcrop trying to hydrate and collect myself, I decided it best to turn around. I knew from previous visits to Rainbow Falls that there was exposure to falling up there, so I thought it in both Ken’s and my best interest to not proceed any further. Why take chances?

As we descended, Ken was a great help keeping an eye on my condition. When we reached river level, it was a big relief for me, and I already felt better. We found one of the campsites for lunch and discussed the experience. Had we never been to Rainbow Falls before, perhaps I would have considered continuing, but after previous visits I knew what to expect. I hated to miss it at this very high flow rate, but safety far outweighs photographs anytime.

Summarizing, the climb up the north face of the gorge to Rainbow Falls is very difficult. You are gaining nearly 1,200 feet in just over a mile. Believe me, that is steep… but it is relatively short. Unfortunately, the condition of the Jones Gap Trail has really deteriorated since my initial visit in 2012. It’s a shame too. The SC State Parks folks had done a wonderful job building it. It is certainly still passable. Just plan on getting your hiking boots muddy. Rainbow Falls is a stunning sight, well worth your effort.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Matthews Creek plunges more than 350 feet over Raven Cliff Falls into the gorge it has carved below Raven Cliff Mountain. One of a myriad of landmarks along the Blue Ridge Escarpment in Caesars Head State Park, the rim of this gorge offers a gentle and rewarding hike. Part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area that also includes Jones Gap State Park, this is the most extensive trail system in South Carolina. More like Western North Carolina than the coastal and central regions, the South Carolina Upcountry is similar in elevation and forest to its northern neighbor. It is less than three hours round trip to a man made platform that peers across the gorge at the magnificent waterfall. Ken an I enjoyed this trail on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 from 10:30AM to 1:00PM. Our plan was to take the Raven Cliff Falls Trail to the falls overlook, then return.

South Carolina State Parks have a voluntary $2 hiking fee, so be sure to register either at the Visitors Center or at the sign box at the parking area. It really helps keep all the trails in great shape, and most of the trails in Mountain Bridge Wilderness are indeed in really great shape.

The Raven Cliff Falls trailhead is across Hwy 276 from the parking area. You may get a little confused at first though, because the trail sign says Foothills Trail, Caesars Head Access. Don’t worry, you’re on the right trail. It is designated trail #11 on the parks map and has a red blaze. It starts out as a downhill gravel road for the first few hundred yards before turning southwest along the ridge.

Oddly enough, every time I’ve hiked this trail (3 times) it has been in the month of December. I need to change that up some so I can see what it looks like in different seasons. In late Fall, with all the leaves down, the forest is highly visible. There is very little ground cover, so you can see all the tree trunks of this mostly cove hardwood forest. You can also see through the trees to the flat lands of Upstate South Carolina.

Most of the time, the view is either to the south or the west. Raven Cliff Mountain blocks the view of the Table Rock massif from this trail, but you can get a stunning view of both Table Rock State Park, and the reservoir there, from the Caesars Head Visitor Center.

The Raven Cliff Falls Trail is wonderfully maintained and easy to navigate. Long stretches of level, root-free track like this one make hiking a cinch for any ability level.

There are stretches of the trail where it really hugs the rim of the escarpment, not a good place to fall because you would probably still be bouncing until you reached Greenville. The trail is plenty wide enough, though, so falling off is extremely unlikely.

About a mile in we encountered three levels of wooden steps that helped with navigating a short steep stretch. Another 1/2 mile later, the Gum Gap/Foothills Trail comes in from the north. This is the Foothills Trail access that was mentioned on the trailhead sign. You can go all the way to Oconee State Park on this trail, 80 miles away.

We continued on the Raven Cliff Falls Trail for another half mile to the junction with Dismal Trail, #12 on the parks map. Dismal Trail will take you deep into the Matthews Creek Gorge, then up the other side to Raven Cliff Falls. Unfortunately, Dismal Trail has been closed for a couple years.

At this junction you want to turn right onto the spur trail to the Raven Cliff Falls Overlook. It’s a very short little up and over of perhaps 300 yards to a nice treated-lumber shelter. There we found an excellent view across the gorge at the full 350 foot drop of Matthews Creek over Raven Cliff Falls.

This overlook shelter is very well done. It’s a good resting spot for the casual hiker who may not be in the best shape, and just wants to view the falls. It’s a great place to get protection from quick moving bad weather. Oh, and did I mention it has an excellent view across the gorge at the full 350 foot drop of Matthews Creek over Raven Cliff Falls? The return trip is just back the same way you came.

I’ve been nursing a minor knee injury for the past few weeks, so this short hike to the Raven Cliff Falls Overlook and back is just what the doctor ordered to test my recovery. I’m happy to report that all went well and I should be able to resume normal hiking by Christmas.

To summarize, if you want to see a really tall, magnificent waterfall in all its glory, you would be hard-pressed to find a more spectacular view than this one of Raven Cliff Falls. This is an all-season and all-family trail. The 4.6-mile length will stretch your legs a bit, but there’s nothing so strenuous that you can’t bring grandma along too. Pack a lunch and enjoy a family picnic at the overlook shelter while being amazed by the incredible view.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Falls Creek Falls is a double cascade in the northeast corner of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness in upstate South Carolina that free falls more than a hundred feet. In winter there is a distant view of the top of the falls from 800 feet below at the trailhead on Falls Creek Rd. From the falls, Hospital Rock Trail climbs Standingstone Mountain along Falls Creek for ridge top views of the surrounding wilderness area. This very difficult and strenuous trail continues along the ridge and over several streams to the small cave in Hospital Rock, eventually ending at the headquarters for Jones Gap State Park. This hike occurred on Thursday, February 23, 2012 from 9:40am to 3:25pm. The plan was to take the Falls Creek Trail to Falls Creek Falls, then continue up and over the ridge on the Hospital Rock Trail. We would then decide whether to turn back the way we came, or continue the loop to Hospital Rock and on to the Jones Gap State Park Headquarters.

This is a hard hike. I wanted to get that out there right up front so there won’t be any confusion. This is a hard hike. There. I said it again. I spent a good part of the day gasping for air — and when I wasn’t doing that my hips and knees were screaming at me.

Having said that, this is also a very scenic hike. My hiking partners and I have been spending quite a bit of time in Mountain Bridge Wilderness in upstate South Carolina in recent weeks and we’ve yet to be disappointed. It is a beautiful, albeit rugged area. Even the roads to the trailheads are picturesque.

The purple blazed Falls Creek Trail starts a steep ascent right from the git-go. The trail is wide and well-groomed as it winds its way through hardwood forest. It’s 1.3 miles and 800 feet up to the falls. That distance is traversed in two very steep climbs with a short break in the middle through a boulder field. There’s a mansion that sits atop a nearby hill that we used as a status landmark to determine how quickly we were climbing. It didn’t take long for us to reach the same elevation and go beyond. Once we were looking down on the house we could see a large parking area. Perhaps this is a bed and breakfast.

Some of the boulders along the trail are nearly as big as that house. Most likely left from glacial activity many moons ago, they fill the forest, and make for pleasant spots for nourishment breaks. One can only imagine the bears and other hibernating creatures who may inhabit the cave-like cutouts beneath the rock. As we passed the boulder field and began the 2nd climb, the trail got a little rockier and began a series of switchbacks through the steep terrain. Some of our steps required hands and feet to navigate the steepness.

We could hear the rushing of water as we climbed the mountain — first from Falls Creek tumbling downhill — getting louder and louder as we approached the falls. Then finally Falls Creek Falls came into view. A spur trail goes part way up beside the falls so you can get a view looking down at the lower cascade, but I suspect this view is blocked by trees in seasons when the leaves are out. The main trail is craggy as it scrambles downhill to the base of the falls.

Falls Creek Falls is a double free-fall cascade that drops a total of more than 100 feet. The upper cascade is the tallest. When you reach the base of the lower cascade you are literally right at the falls. There is a persistent, and refreshing, mist that surrounds you. Be sure to check your camera lens for spots after capturing the beauty of this merger of rock and water.

The creek crossing across the base of the falls is extremely treacherous. There are many, many uneven and unstable rocks that are covered with moss and always wet. This is an accident just waiting to happen. Trekking poles or some other means of balance assist are highly recommended. In warm weather months when the water isn’t ice cold, I would even suggest removing your shoes and crossing through the water to avoid the very slippery rocks.

On the other side of the falls the blaze markings change to orange as the Hospital Rock Trail begins, or ends, depending on the direction you take this loop. You might want to rest for a bit at the falls because once you hit Hospital Rock Trail it’s climb again, and climb some more. The trail goes steeply up to the level of the waterfall and beyond as it follows the path of Falls Creek northward. Occasionally there are views through the trees to the west of the Caesar’s Head ridge and the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Near the creek there are canopies of rhododendron and the creek itself has several slide falls as it spills along the granite.

There are also various decision points along the way. We stopped a few times to admire the view into the distance while we decided if we had enough energy to continue forward and go all the way around the loop, or if we wanted to turn back and cross that dangerous creek again. Despite our growing fatigue we continued to press ever forward.

About 3/4 mile past the falls the trail makes a hard cut to the west as it follows the ridge that climbs Standingstone Mountain. There’s no relief for the weary as it continues its relentless climb eventually reaching the ridge summit 2.3 miles and 900 feet above the falls. There is a trail marker, but it doesn’t say where the weak, blind northward trail goes. Presumably it is on to Standingstone, but we wanted to continue west on the Hospital Rock Trail.

For the next half mile the trail parallels a creek that is not named on the Mountain Bridge Wilderness map you can get from the state park. The trail goes back and forth across the creek several times — even follows in the creek at one point for a hundred feet or so — as it gradually marches downhill. Then, just when you think all the hard stuff is over, another ridge appears and it’s quickly and steeply back uphill all the elevation that was lost along the unnamed creek. Pant. Pant. Wheeze. This is hard.

By now I was becoming acutely fatigued and falling behind my companions. It was definitely time for some energy. So I plopped down in the middle of the trail and ate a granola bar, then 1/4 mile later I did the same thing again. The trail here was quite wide as it appeared to be a former logging road. Finally the trail reached the ridgeline summit again at the 5 mile mark. Then, just when I thought I would get a break, it started steeply downhill. No more gradual descent like along unnamed creek, the trail was now going steeply in a downward direction. Wobbly legs.

In a few minutes I caught up with my buddies waiting at the trail junction for the Cleveland Connector to the Greenville YMCA Camp. I said I was sorry for not keeping up, but I needed more food, and I strongly suggested we stop and eat our lunch right there rather than waiting until Hospital Rock. I don’t know if it was the refreshment or the rest, probably some of both, but when we put the packs back on I had 10 more horsepower.

And I sure needed it because the trail continued very steeply down for the next mile… very hard on the legs. We wondered up top if maybe this hike is a little easier if you start at the Hospital Rock end. Perhaps it wouldn’t be quite as steep going up in a clockwise direction instead of starting at the falls end. Well, this side of the loop is every bit as steep as the Falls Creek Trail. As I said at the beginning, this hike is hard, no matter how you slice it. Much of the trail was still covered with dried leaves, so that made footing even more difficult on the steep downward passage. In many areas the trail edge was very soft and the dirt would collapse beneath our feet if we stepped too close to the edge.

We reached another waterfall, this one again not mentioned on our trail map. Probably 50 feet in height, it sits back a hundred feet from the crossing. We took a break to wash the sweat from our faces in the cold, crisp mountain stream. Then back at it. On this side of the ridge there are a number of cliffs of gneiss as they call it on the escarpment. The trail would skirt the cliffs, but still have to negotiate the same elevation drop.

The next landmark was a house-sized series of boulders with an overhang and a small cave. We couldn’t decide if this was Hospital Rock or if one of the gneiss was passed was Hospital Rock. Regardless, we stopped again to rest our weary legs before making the final push.

It’s perhaps one final mile from Hospital Rock to the trailhead. We knew we were approaching the end because there was a series of primitive campsites along the trail. Then the trail spilled out at the entrance to Jones Gap State Park. That’s the photo at the top of this post. There was the familiar Saluda River we had hiked just a few short weeks before. We were all relieved to reach this point, but…

To get back to the Falls Creek trailhead parking on Falls Creek Rd. we now had to walk 3.2 miles on paved road. First, we hoofed it on Jones Gap Road, then took a left on Duckworth and another left on Falls Creek, finally getting back to the car about 55 minutes later. Some people will take two cars when they do this loop hike, leaving one at Jones Gap and the other at Falls Creek. Then you don’t have to do the road walk. It’s up to you. If you don’t live far away and don’t mind the extra gas, two cars would save some wear and tear at the end of a very hard hike.

Depending on your stamina and fitness, you may want to only visit portions of this hike. It was definitely right at the limit of my fitness. Falls Creek Falls is very nice and can been enjoyed with a 2.6 mile round trip. Hospital Rock and the unnamed falls on the other end aren’t as remarkable, but the climb through the forest to get there would be enjoyable as well. However, if you are fit and hearty and want to test your endurance, the Falls Creek/Hospital Rock loop hike may be just what you’re looking for.

Update: July 28, 2014: It needs to be noted that the Hospital Rock Trail is presently closed because of a landslide that occurred in the area. South Carolina State Park rangers have closed this trail for safety reasons. When further updates are available, I will post here.

Update: June 9, 2015: Word about town is that the Hospital Rock Trail has now reopened.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Jones Gap State Park sits on the Blue Ridge Escarpment in northwestern South Carolina very near the state line with its neighbor to the north. Along with Caesars Head State Park, these two share an area known as Mountain Bridge Wilderness. The Jones Gap Trail follows the Saluda River along an old interstate road built by Solomon Jones in the 1850s. In this backcountry the river is quite wild with many waterfalls and rapids that add exciting sights and sounds to a dense hardwood and laurel forest. Near the eastern terminus of Jones Gap Trail are two remarkable waterfalls, named Jones Gap and Rainbow. The wilderness area contains more than 50 miles of diverse trails offering a variety of challenges and options. This hike occurred on Thursday, January 12, 2012 from 11:15am to 3:35pm. The plan was to start at the Raven Cliff parking along Hwy 276, take the Tom Miller connector trail to Jones Gap Trail and proceed to Jones Gap Falls. We would make a loop of the return by climbing up Coldspring Branch Trail.

South Carolina State Parks have a voluntary $6 hiking fee, so be sure to register either at the Visitors Center or at the sign box at the parking area. It really helps keep all the trails in great shape.

The Tom Miller Trail is a short 3/4 mile connector from the Raven Cliff parking area to the Jones Gap Trail. I was surprised when it began climbing uphill, thinking it was supposed to go significantly downward. Well, it does, but not before it crosses a little rise that provides a fabulous view of the gorge that is Jones Gap. In fact, all of us kinda looked at each other upon reaching the top, “Well, there’s Jones Gap.” It’s that obvious. The down part on the backside of the mountain is very steep, so watch your step. It was a bit slick for us from the heavy rain the day before. That rain would end up making this hike even more exceptional, and dangerous, than usual.

The Middle Saluda River headwaters are in Jones Gap and it flows through, or more appropriately plunges, through the gap. The Jones Gap Trail follows the river. The day after a major rainstorm (more than 2″ in 24 hours) the river was roaring. That is what we were treated to. The rapids made great visuals, but also made crossing difficult and treacherous. Fortunately some of the crossings have bridges — some permanent, some logs — but others were dicey boulder jumps. In summer I would take off my shoes and socks and wade through. On a cold winter day though, not my idea of fun hiking. So we jumped… and stumbled, and stretched and leaned, but never panicked. There are also any number of feeder streams and brooks running down the escarpment that must be negotiated as well.

The trail itself is beautiful. The state has done a yeoman’s job maintaining it. It is quite wide, and smooth, with few loose rocks and few exposed roots to snag your toes. The blaze color is blue. I know there is debate about leaving the woods the way we found them, but the SC State Park system deploys a feature I find quite helpful and useful. At every trail junction they put a trail map of the area so you know where you are, and the options available for exploration. It would be hard to get lost.

About a mile down Jones Gap Trail you begin to see the trail below you. Then, shortly after you enter a series of switchbacks known as “The Winds.” This is a particularly scenic area with imposing cliffs high above on each side of the gorge, and the rushing sounds of the Saluda down below. At the bottom of “The Winds” is a series of small slide falls in the river known as Dargans Cascade. I suspect this is a popular area for summer water fun.

For the next three miles the trail is either right on the river bank, or just 10-20 feet above. The river is one long continuous series of rapids as it drops into the gap. The trail is a steady decline, though not harshly steep at all.
Another mile and a half past Dargans Cascade we came to the junction with the Coldspring Branch Trail. That would be our return ticket to the top of the gorge.

But first we wanted to see Jones Gap Falls. Along the way we passed rapids in the river with names like Toll Road Falls and Ben’s Sluice. The river truly is wild through the gorge, and on this day following the large rainstorm we were treated to whitewater at its best. You can’t hear much else. There are campsites along the river every 1/2 mile or so. We were thinking if you like to sleep with white noise, you surely wouldn’t have any problem sleeping by the river. It would probably be a good idea to put out some cowbells attached to trip wire in case you’re visited by a black bear at night.

Jones Gap Falls is 4.2 miles from the western end of Jones Gap Trail and 1.5 miles from the eastern end. When you reach the trail sign for the falls, head uphill away from the river. It isn’t far, perhaps 70 yards. Once you clear the first rise you will know you’re there. This is a large waterfall — 50 feet in height, probably 20 feet wide. Because of the previous day rainstorm, it was flowing pretty good. Both sides of the falls are surrounded by extremely thick rhododendron. I suspect this area is a chromatic delight during bloom season.

There are some flat rocks at the base of the falls that are perfect for lunch. They were just far enough away from the falls that we didn’t get mist in the face as we put on the feed bags. When I’m hiking my lunch usually consists of a turkey sandwich for protein, some pretzels and wheat crackers for salt, and some kind of fruit. Apples are my favorite, but occasionally I’ll bring craisins and dried cherries. One of my hiking buddies likes apricots. Those work well too. We usually pass around some of what we brought so we all can get a taste of everything. We spent about half an hour sitting, munching, taking pictures and enjoying a beautiful waterfall.

Following lunch, we turned around and headed back west up Jones Gap. It’s about 1.7 miles to the junction with Coldspring Branch that we passed on the way down. It was fun getting another look at all the rapids in the river, now to our left and in front of us.

The Coldspring Branch Trail is one of a few alternatives to get back to the hike origin at Raven Cliff parking. The trail is marked with orange blaze, crosses Coldspring Branch 10 times, and climbs nearly 1400 fatiguing feet. But first you have to get to the south side of Saluda River. Not long past the trailhead they’ve built a very nice wooden and steel foot bridge over the river. Remember how nice this bridge is… because it will be the last one you will see.

Just past the bridge is a trail junction. The pink blazed Bill Kimball Trail goes to the right and the Coldspring Branch Trail bears left. Either will get you to the same place, and both combined would make a nice loop hike. We chose to stick with Coldspring Branch. At first the Coldspring Branch creek is nice to look at. That was about to change.

See above where I just kind of casually mentioned that the trail crosses Coldspring Branch 10 times? That’s probably not a problem in summer when you can put on your water shoes and wade through. That’s probably not a problem under normal circumstances when the water level is customary. Notice how I keep mentioning it rained two inches the day before? Well, that rain was seemingly all running off the escarpment in Coldspring Branch. The crossings were dicey at best, treacherous and downright dangerous is more like it. I have taken two falls in creeks over the years on past hikes. It isn’t fun. So I am quite leery now in conditions like we had. Poles were a must… for stabilization. The rocks were moss covered and extremely slippery.

Just when you think there can’t be anymore, the trail crosses the creek again. Whoever designed this trail is laughing from on high. I just know it. Back and forth, forth and back, with each crossing the tension and nerves mounting even more. And in between? Climbing, then climbing some more. This was a very hard trail for me. My companions didn’t seem to have as much trouble as I did, but some days our bodies just aren’t working as well as other days. Perhaps my biorhythms were down. Perhaps I’m just an old, whiney Meanderthal. Regardless, this trail wore me out. The hike we did last week was higher and steeper and I did just fine.

By the time we got near the top of the elevation gain my lungs were burning and my hips were complaining. I stopped more frequently that usual for 30 second breathers. Once I even plopped down on a log to catch my breath. Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do. In the end, I made it back safe and sound.

As the Coldspring Branch Trail approaches Hwy 276, it reaches the road about .2 mile above the Raven Cliff parking area. You have two options. You can either take the road down to the parking, or continue on the orange blazed trail that cuts through the woods to reach the parking. Problem is, the trail goes down about 100 feet and then climbs back up. If you’re tired like I was I recommend simply going back to the parking on the road. I’ll know next time.

We were extremely lucky. It started raining about 30 seconds before we got back to the car. If I had taken one less rest stop we wouldn’t have gotten rained on at all. Our timing was impeccable. Despite my fatigue, this was a very nice hike that I would do again. There are several options in Jones Gap and the Mountain Bridge Wilderness for covering this territory on different trails. I definitely recommend stopping at the Caesars Head Visitor Center and picking up a trail map of the wilderness. I’m already planning many future hikes there, and I know you will too.

Part II

Update We liked this hike so much that a week later, on January 19, 2012 we went back to Jones Gap to check out the eastern end of the gorge. We wanted to visit the state park Learning Center and take a hike up the escarpment to Rainbow Falls.

It’s about a quarter mile stroll from the parking area at Jones Gap State Park — along the Middle Saluda River, past the Learning Center — to the eastern Jones Gap Trailhead. This is also an Audobon bird sanctuary and we were fortunate enough to see a few Great Blue Herons. The blue-blazed trail is slightly uphill as it continues to follow the whitewater of the wild river. Less than a mile upriver, look for red blazes bearing right onto the Rainbow Falls Trail. Within a hundred yards this trail will cross the river and begin the ascent to the north rim.

There are two more crossings over Cox Camp Creek, these across logs, then the only challenge remaining is the steepness of the terrain. It’s right at about 1200 feet elevation change from the river to the base of the falls. The state park does a great job at routing the trail to minimize overly steep climbing, but it’s still a strenuous endeavor. Hiking in winter, we were able to enjoy views in every direction through the trees that would not be available during leaf season.

Across the gap on the south side is the sheer cliff of Little Pinnacle Mountain. Due east is a marvelous view down gap as the Blue Ridge Escarpment ends its long and arduous upheaval. The north rim marks the Continental Divide. Unfortunately there has been a problem with erosion on this hillside, so there are a few retaining barriers that distract somewhat from the sheer beauty. There was a fire some years ago.

About half way up, the trail takes a turn to the east along a sharp ridge and offers a nice view of the massive stone wall that is Cleveland Cliffs. The trail then passes directly beneath the cliff as it reverses course back to the west. This area kinda reminded me of the China Wall at Panthertown.

We passed a spot where there was a steady stream of water running down the Cleveland Cliffs, perhaps a hint that Rainbow Falls would be running fast and furious. We were not disappointed. Rainbow Falls is spill from Lake Rotary above at the Greenville YMCA camp. It plunges free-fall 100 feet over a precipice, then bounces another few hundred feet over cataract and slide cascades as it drops toward the river below. You can climb directly beneath the falls, but it was still a cold morning, and we encountered ice on the rocks that we thought it best not to mess with. We are Meanderthals, but not totally daft. The picture at the top of this post is what we saw.

Instead, we dropped our packs, found some flat boulders, and took a break for a snack and pictures. The area is surrounded by cliffs, hardwood forest, rhododendron thickets and rugged terrain… all great pleasures for hiking enthusiasts. You do need to watch your step scrambling among the boulders and water. It’s steep terrain and the slightest misstep could land you hundreds of feet below.

The return to Jones Gap Trail was back the way we came. Since it was still early in the day, we decided to continue in a westerly direction back to Jones Gap Falls where we ended our hike the previous week. It seemed longer than it looks on the trail map, perhaps 3/4 mile. When you cross the river to a campground on the north side, you are almost there. Jones Gap Falls was just as nice as the previous week.

Best Hike At the end of our hike we stopped at the Learning Center and spent nearly a half hour with the park ranger talking about the history and geology of the area. Ranger Lee was extremely informative, and a very nice guy to boot. It was a great finish to a delightful day. This was another very enjoyable hike in Jones Gap State Park. With the one last week and other hikes we’ve done in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness, for me this area qualifies as having some of the best hiking in the region. There are still miles and miles of other trails yet to explore. I can’t wait. I’ve added a few more photos from this update to the end of the gallery below. Enjoy!

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.

Matthews Creek plunges more than 1,000 feet over Raven Cliff Falls into the gorge it has carved below Raven Cliff Mountain. One of a myriad of landmarks along the Blue Ridge Escarpment in Caesars Head State Park, this gorge offers a very challenging yet rewarding hike. Part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area that also includes Jones Gap State Park, this is the most extensive trail system in South Carolina. More like western North Carolina than the coastal and central regions, the South Carolina Upcountry has similar elevation and forest as its neighbor to the north. There’s a bit of something for everyone on this hike with mountain vistas, aromatic hardwood forest, a creek and waterfalls, plus the massive cliffs that form the edge of the escarpment. This hike occurred on Friday, December 2, 2011 from 9:20am to 3:05pm. The plan was to take the Raven Cliff Falls Trail to the falls overlook, then drop down into the gorge on the Dismal trail. We would follow Matthews Creek on the Naturaland Trust Trail back up out of the gorge and across the suspension bridge over the falls where we would join the Gum Gap/Foothills Trail to complete the loop.

View Raven Cliff Falls Trail, Caesars Head State Park, South Carolina in a larger map

I had the pleasure of hiking with two new companions on this day. I had never met either until the morning of the hike. They turned out to be two of the friendliest trail buddies, and we all hit it off right away. I will definitely be hiking with them again.

This is one of those great hikes where you can see where you are going from where you are, and then look back and see where you were once you get there. Wait, what? Well, the hike spans both sides of Matthews Creek Gorge, so when you are on the north ridge overlooking Raven Cliff Falls, you can see the ridge on the south side of the gorge where you will be later. Then, once you traverse the gorge there is a suspension bridge over Raven Cliff Falls, so you can look back to the north rim and see where you started. Especially with the leaves off the trees, we could pretty much follow our exact path from the top to the bottom and then back up again. Hikes like that are rare.

South Carolina State Parks have a voluntary $2 hiking fee, so be sure to register either at the Visitors Center or at the sign box at the parking area. It really helps keep all the trails in great shape.

The Raven Cliff Falls trailhead is across Hwy 276 from the parking area. You may get a little confused at first though, because the trail sign says Foothills Trail, Caesars Head Access. Don’t worry, you’re on the right trail. It is designated trail #11 on the parks map and has a red blaze. It starts out as a downhill gravel road for the first few hundred yards before turning west along the ridge. About a mile in we encountered a couple levels of wooden steps that helped with navigating a small steep stretch. Another 1/2 mile later, the Gum Gap/Foothills Trail comes in from the north. This is where our loop would return us later, and this is also the Foothills Trail access that was mentioned on the trailhead sign.

We continued on the Raven Cliff Falls Trail for another half mile to the junction with Dismal Trail, #12 on the parks map. More about that later, but first we took the spur trail to the Raven Cliff Falls Overlook. It’s a very short little up and over of perhaps 300 yards to a nice treated lumber shelter. There we found an excellent view across the gorge at the full 420 foot drop of Matthews Creek over Raven Cliff Falls. I am generally a firm believer in the tenets of ‘Leave No Trace’ but this overlook shelter is well done. It’s a good resting spot for the casual hiker who may not be in the best shape, and just wants to view the falls. It’s a great place to get protection from quick moving bad weather. Oh, and did I mention it has an excellent view across the gorge at the full 420 foot drop of Matthews Creek over Raven Cliff Falls. We could even see the suspension bridge across the falls that we would be crossing later in the day.

Back to the junction with Dismal Trail, we headed down, down, down about 1500 feet in 1.5 miles into the Matthews Creek Gorge on this trail with a blaze color I’ve never seen before: purple. Lots of people do this loop counterclockwise and end up climbing Dismal Trail. My new hiking friend (who had been here before) suggested we might like it better going down Dismal. After seeing the steep, rocky terrain I agreed wholeheartedly. There’s nothing subtle about Dismal Trail. There are very few switchbacks. The trail is really in pretty good shape for the rugged contour it has to cover — perhaps unfairly named in my mind.

There’s an oddity in several places along this trail. There are short stalks of bamboo in small groves scattered here and there. Maybe they know something we don’t. Hey! Are the SC State Parks getting a panda? Otherwise, the forest is typical oak and hickory that are so common to this region. It was our good fortune to catch this trail in late autumn when the leaves were all off the trees. Heading east now, we had a clear view of Caesars Head and other cliffs of the Blue Ridge Escarpment directly in front of us. All the while we could hear the rush of Matthews Creek getting closer and closer. We could also feel the air beginning to chill — perhaps an 8-10 degree drop since we left the overlook — usually a good indicator that you’re approaching a creek.

Very near the creek the Dismal Trail meets trail #14, the Naturaland Trust Trail, named for a land conservancy operating in North and South Carolina. This pink blazed (yes, I said pink) trail heads back west right along the creek bank. Not long after entering this trail we came to a creek crossing. This is not just any ol’ creek crossing mind you, but a parallel pair of cables suspended from trees on either side that would be our bridge. But first, a spot of lunch. We made a table out of a huge boulder, took off our packs, and nourished ourselves for the climb back out of the gorge.

It is a rocky area along the creek that was chosen for the cable bridge. Being my first visit to the trail, I can’t judge location. Perhaps it was the easiest place to stretch cables over the rushing water. Despite a few decades of hiking, I actually had never crossed a parallel cable bridge before. So I pulled out the camera to take some shots of the other guys as they showed me how. When it was my turn, it proved to be great fun, and was even easier than I had imagined. I thought it might be difficult to keep the cables from swaying, but they are quite taut. It’s never too late to teach an old Meanderthal new tricks.

Once on the other side of Matthews Creek, the climbing began. The trail follows the creek up the gorge for about half a mile. As the two started to separate, we could see multiple slide-type waterfalls in the creek. Another thing we noticed was very odd trail markers. The South Carolina State Park Service embeds spike-like steel markers (see photo below) in trees. It’s a different concept, but not as different as the pink ‘Hello Kitty’ trail markers that jumped out at us. Every couple hundred yards or so, there was another one. I have no idea if someone was just playing games, or if these were intended to be real markers for the “pink trail.” Live and learn.

As we continued to climb out of the gorge we had changing views of Caesars Head. First we saw it from below, then as we got higher, the sunlight and shadows would change. Around every corner was a new perspective. About half way up we encountered a massive cliff on our side of the gorge. This is Cathedral Rock. It’s about 150 feet straight up, with a constant drizzle of water coming down from above. It would be a nice cool mist in the summer. It was frigid on this December day. The cliff wall is darkened nearly black from the perpetual wetness. There is a bed of thriving ground foliage beneath, galax and fern, slurping up the ever present drink.

The final climb to Raven Cliff Falls is the steepest section on the south side of the gorge. There are a few strategically placed ladders to aid with the climbing, but there are also a few steep downward cuts as well. On one we had to slide on our butts, the only safe way. Fortunately this stretch of the Naturaland Trust Trail makes liberal use of switchbacks, unlike the Dismal Trail on the other side of the gorge. Again, I think my hiking partner was correct. This was a more manageable climb than Dismal Trail would have been.

We rounded a corner and there it was, the suspension bridge. It’s perhaps 70-80 feet long and about 15 feet above Matthews Creek as it plummets over Raven Cliff Falls. The center of the bridge offers quite the view of the falls, and the north side of the gorge. The picture at the top of this post was taken from the bridge. We could easily pick out the overlook shelter where we had been hours before. I don’t know that it would be so visible in the summer when the leaves are out. On the west side of the bridge, there is a very short trail to the rocks beneath the bridge where we had a nice view of the creek in both directions.

From the bridge, the trail continues to follow Matthews Creek — now in a northerly direction — and climbs about another 400 feet at a thankfully more gradual pace. Less than 1/2 mile and we reached the junction with the Gum Gap/Foothills Trail, #13 on the parks map. This blue blazed trail is wide and flat, following the ridge above the throat of the gorge. Gum Gap used to be an old road, so it’s a very easy stroll of about 1.5 miles through the forest. We paused several times to admire the views of the gorge, and the interesting rocks and trees along the way. A pileated woodpecker kept us aware of his business above.

The Gum Gap Trail loops around the northwestern end of the gorge and joins back up with the Raven Cliff Falls Trail at the point I mentioned near the beginning of this post. One feature of the South Carolina State Parks trails that I like is the trail junctions. They are well marked on approach with double blaze dots, and each junction has a sign post with the parks map displayed. It makes it very easy to know where you are and where you might like to go. The final 1.5 miles is back out on the same trail we started on.

This was a very enjoyable hike. Thanks to my new friends for taking me there. No doubt the forest is a lot less stark in spring and summer, but I’m not so sure you could see very much from the overlook and along the trails. That’s what makes seasonal hiking so interesting. Any trail is never the same. The Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area has more than 100 miles of trails in Caesars Head and Jones Gap State Parks. Just across the reservoir from Caesars Head is Table Rock State Park. I’ve written a trail report about our experiences there. There is a wealth of hiking just a short drive from the South Carolina Upstate and from western North Carolina. Take advantage. Take a hike.

Update On February 17, 2012 we did a repeat of this fabulous hike. We remain thoroughly impressed with the South Carolina State Parks trail system. I updated this trail report to post the GPS track map of the hike taken with the Trimble Outdoors smartphone app. See below. I’ve also added some more photos to my South Carolina Parks Flickr set.

This post was created by Jeff Clark. Please feel free to use the sharing icons below, or add your thoughts to the comments. Pack it in, pack it out. Preserve the past. Respect other hikers. Let nature prevail. Leave no trace.