Geologic Escarpment Peak SC
Tamassee Knob is a ridge line that
extends from the Blue Ridge Escarpment
in Oconee County SC. Geologically
it could be considered a Monadnock where
the hard core of the mountain has
resisted weathering of the surrounding
rocks and therefore stands above the
eroded piedmont.
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Tamassee
Knob Seen From Piedmont
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Winter View of Tamassee Knob
(distant left-ridge) from SC 107 Overlook
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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 (
Approximate GPS Coordinates 34º51'47.28"N
83º05'53.56"W ).
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 & Foothills Trail Head
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.
Initial
Level Portion in Woods ~ 0.1 miles
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.
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Sign
at 0.4 miles
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Tamassee
Knob Trail Turn Off - 0.4+ mile
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Shortly after the Tamassee
Knob trail bears right. The trail then descends and thins to a
narrow footpath.
Example
of narrow trail - about half way
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. The trail
dead-ends at the "Trail
Ends Here" sign.
Summit
of Tamassee Knob
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.
Rock with
View at Summit
To return, 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.
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