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Tamassee Knob is a ridge line that extends from the
Blue Ridge Escarpment in Oconee County SC.
Geologically it could be considered a Monadnock of sorts
where the hard core of the mountain has resisted
weathering of the surrounding rocks and therefore stands
above the eroded piedmont.
The trail head is located in Oconee State Park which is
located 10.5 miles west of Walhalla SC. From
Walhalla take SC 28 8.1 miles west and then bear right
onto SC 107. The state park is 2 miles further from
this intersection on the right. Upon entering the park,
bear right at the fork after the gate. Then stay on
the main paved road (toward the left) at the mini
golf. Bear right at the next intersection and within
a mile there is a gravel parking lot on the right.
If the lot is full, there is additional parking further up
the road. The trail head is on the left with a large
sign for the Foothills Trail.

Tamassee Knob
Seen From Piedmont
The hike to Tamassee Knob is more of a challenge than
the 2.1 mile distance would suggest. It starts out
relatively level at approximately 1800 feet on top of the
Oconee Mountain (formerely Station Mountain) plateau at
Oconee State Park. After 0.3 miles, the trails
passes through a small opening in
the woods. At 0.4 trail it crosses an old roadbed
which is now the Palmetto Trail.
Shortly after the Tamassee
Knob trail bears right. Soon the trail begins to
descend and thins to a narrow footpath.
After a little more than a mile, the trail drops to the
gap at approximately 1400 feet between Tamassee Knob and
the Oconee Mountain plateau. From here the trail
climbs to the summit at over 1700 feet. You know you
are at the summit by the Trail
Ends Here sign.

Distant View of
Tamassee Knob (faint blue blip) from Chimney Top Mtn (el. 4,618) near Cashiers,
NC
On clear days enjoy a view toward
the North/Northwest into Western North Carolina from a
rock just beyond the sign. Peaks including Satula,
near Highlands NC and Whiteside and Chimney Top near
Cashiers NC are just visible peaking over the horizon of
the Blue Ridge Front. There are also a few open
spots with views toward the east just before you arrive at
the summit.
Now that you have received the reward of the view, turn
around and trudge your way back down to the gap and then
back up the plateau of Oconee Mountain.
Be careful with children along the trail. It is
narrow in several places and a misstep could lead to a
twisted ankle or worse a tumble down slope. Also,
when we last hiked it last in September 2007 the trail was
in good condition except it was getting a little overgrown
toward the last half mile up to the summit.
Other hikes near Oconee State Park include Long
Mountain, Hidden Falls,
and the Oconee Trail.
A bike ride through Mountain
Rest starting at Oconee State Park.

Winter View of Tamassee Knob (on left-distant) and Station
Mtn
From SC 107 Overlook Near Walhalla Fish Hatchery
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