Sumter National Forest: Tamassee Knob Trail (Blog Hike #252)

Trail: Tamassee Knob Trail

Hike Location: Oconee State Park/Sumter National Forest

Geographic Location: north of Walhalla, SC (34.86307, -83.09821)

Length: 4.2 miles

Difficulty: 6/10 (Moderate)

Dates Hiked: October 2008, May 2014

Overview: A mostly moderate out-and-back, with a couple of steep sections, leading to excellent views from Tamassee Knob.

Trail Information: https://southcarolinaparks.com/oconee
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=943073
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: Although this trail is officially a national forest trail, the easiest access is from a trailhead in Oconee State Park.  To reach the park, take SR 28 west out of Walhalla.  Follow SR 28 for 8 miles to its intersection with SR 107.  Take a soft right on SR 107.  Follow SR 107 for 2.3 miles to the state park entrance.  Turn right to enter the park, and pay the nominal entrance fee.  Bear right at the first intersection, heading for Foothills Trail trailhead.  After driving 0.6 miles past the campground, park in the blacktop Foothills Trail parking lot on the right.

The hike: The large, mature hardwood trees you pass as you enter Oconee State Park give away this land’s long history as parkland.  Indeed, development of this park dates all the way back to the 1930’s Civilian Conservation Corps, making Oconee State Park one of the oldest state parks in South Carolina.  Take a tour of this park when the leaves are changing colors and you will be glad our predecessors had the foresight to set aside this land as parkland.

            The name Oconee comes from the fact that the land was donated to the state by Oconee County in 1935.  Today the developed areas of the 1165 acre park include a popular campground, two lakes for fishing, several cabins, and several picnic areas with lake views.  To hikers, the park is famous for being the western terminus of the 80 mile Foothills Trail, which provides fabulous hiking and backpacking across the South Carolina uplands.  The cross-state Palmetto Trail also runs through the park.

            In addition to the two long trails, 8.5 miles of trails suitable for dayhiking originate from the park.  Many of these trails lie within the park, but two of them, the 2.5 mile Hidden Falls Trail and the 2 mile Tamassee Knob Trail conclude on adjacent Sumter National Forest land.  Of all the trails in the park, the Tamassee Knob Trail provides the best views of the Piedmont to the east, and that trail is described here.

Western trailhead for Foothills Trail

            Start by hiking 200 feet back up the park road to a large wooden sign that marks the western trailhead of the Foothills Trail.  Angle right to begin the combined Foothills, Tamassee Knob, and Hidden Falls Trails.  The wide trail heads gradually uphill, passing over a series of wooden waterbars.  Obstructed views open up to the right, but there are much better views to be had later in the hike.

            At 0.4 miles, the trail crosses dirt Oconee Station Road, the route used by the Palmetto Trail.  In another 100 feet, you reach a trail intersection.  The Foothills and Hidden Falls Trails angle left, but the Tamasee Knob Trail leaves the other two by turning right.  This section of trail has recently been rerouted off of the dirt road.

Tamassee Knob Trail near Foothills Trail intersection

            After 0.3 miles of slight elevation changes, the trail curves left to begin following an old woods road.  This turn would be easy to miss coming back except that a round metal marker bearing the words “Tamassee Knob Trail” in red highlights the turn for you.  You will see this type of blaze throughout the early portion of this trail, reassuring you that you are on the right route.

            The trail heads moderately downhill, then curves sweepingly left to tread along a steep area heavily encumbered with mountain laurel.   This is one of the few areas along this trail that gives you that “cling to the side of the hill” feeling.  At 1.4 miles, the trail reaches a narrow ridge, and nice views begin to open up on either side.  In particular, a gap through the trees offers your first clear view of Walhalla and points south and east.

Tamassee Knob Trail near the knob

            After passing over a small unnamed knob, the trail descends steeply while staying near the ridge crest to arrive at a small gap.  This section of trail features a large number of trillium which had attracted a large number of bees on my visit.  I left the bees alone, and they didn’t bother me.  The trailside forest also features a large amount of poison ivy and stinging nettles.  At 1.7 miles, drop down a steep bank to intersect an old road.

View north from Tamassee Knob

            The last 0.4 miles of trail gain a total of 200 feet in elevation to arrive at the summit of Tamassee Knob, marked by a rock.  From the rock, views open up in almost all directions, including a nice view of the Bad Creek Watershed to the northwest and the Piedmont to the south and east.  Since the trail ends at the knob, after you have taken in the views you will need to retrace your steps 2.1 miles to your car to complete the hike.