Lakeside Trail in the shadow of Table Rock

Despite the cool temperatures the last few mornings, it is still August in the South – summer is (technically) here for four more weeks, and we are taking full advantage of it!

One of the closest state parks to us here in the Upstate is Table Rock State Park, and although the 7.2 mile round-trip hike to the summit of this Upstate landmark beckoned, the August temperatures and humidity nixed that idea. The beach and Carrick Creek swimming hole were full with swimmers, so we hit the trail in search of a little solitude, opting for the 2 mile Lakeside Trail.

Purple-blazed Lakeside Trail

This easy, well-marked trail offers great views of Pinnacle Lake and the mountains in addition to a little bit of history. Just as portions of Paris Mountain StatePark, Table Rock is partially the legacy of the Civil Conservation Corps (CCC). We parked in the lot near the Nature Center, and skirted the swim area to reach the trailhead behind the boathouse. The CCC constructed a portion of the Lakeside Trail in the mid-1930s, and this first portion best showcases the accomplishments of the Depression-era work relief program: a boat landing with stone steps, the Table Rock lodge, and the dam and spillway.

We circled around the East Bay and soon approached Lodge Cove. There is a little up and down in this section, but just enough to make it interesting; I believe that bridges have been proposed to cross the small creeks flowing into the lake, but the boys preferred to rock-hop across, and stopped to look for stones in the cold mountain water. We found plenty of evidence of beavers, and more than one mushroom that required investigating.

The old boat landing on Pinnacle Lake

Soon we reached the old boat landing. Built to allow visitors to paddle from the beach area over to the lodge to have dinner, stone steps allow easy access to the trail and continue up the hillside all the way up to the lodge. The Table Rock lodge is a prime example of CCC construction: fine craftsmanship, locally sourced materials, and much thought given to orientation. It was built with granite and timber taken from local quarries/forests, and the views over the lake to Table Rock are breathtaking. The lodge can be rented for weddings and other gatherings, and the monthly "Music on the Mountain" bluegrass jam sessions brings in musicians and an audience from all over the Upstate.

Table Rock lodge, as seen from Lakeside Trail

It is on this end of the lake that the views to Table Rock open up, and strategically places benches face some of the most scenic vistas. The kids stopped to cast their lines, and we enjoyed watching a great blue heron criss-crossing the lake in search of lunch. Soon after passing the steps that lead up to the lodge, the trail comes to the south end of the lake and Pinnacle Lake dam.

The dam was built to resemble a waterfall, and there is a small parking area offering additional trail access. The trail drops down below the spillway where hikers can get a good view of the water rushing over - Green Creek and Carrick Creek on their way to Lake Oolenoy. A wide spot in the creek where the water slides over a large stone is an inviting swimming hole, although the water is cold, no matter what time of year.

Table Rock peeking over the Pinnacle Lake spillway

Once you cross the bridge, the trail winds around West Cove and turns north. This portion of the trail was completed in 2011 to make the Lakeside trail into a loop, and is more level than the first ¾ mile built by the CCC. Over the 0.8 miles that lead to the picnic shelter parking area we passed one of the cabins and several places to enjoy the view over the lake. We heard the excited shouts of the swimmers long before the beach came into view, and just like that we emerged from the forest. The walk between the two main trail heads is 0.3 miles and passes through the two parking areas and past the playground. If it’s a hot summer day I can suggest taking a swim to cool off as a finale to the hike.

The Table Rock swimming area

Completing a hiking registration card is not necessary to hike Lakeside Trail, however there is an admission fee to this portion of the Park. All the info on boat rentals, swimming, fishing, trails etc. can be found on the SC State Park website, and a YouTube video about Music on the Mountain is worth a watch. We enjoy the cool air coming down the mountain during the summer, but the spring wildflowers and autumn show of color around Table Rock are not to be missed.

* This is a great hike to take visitors to the area who might not want to attempt the long and steep trails to the summits of Table Rock and Pinnacle Mountain; make sure to stop at the Visitor Center across Highway 11 for maps and a quick briefing on the history of the area, and then relax a spell out on the porch while enjoying a spectacular view of Table Rock over Lake Oolenoy. See my guide to the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway 11 for plenty of other destinations along the Blue Ridge Escarpment, and this post on how to make the most of one day in the mountains with guests!