Table Rock State Park: Carrick Creek Trail (Blog Hike #796)

Trail: Carrick Creek Trail
Hike Location: Table Rock State Park
Geographic Location: north of Pickens, SC (35.03176, -82.69829)
Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: 6/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: May 2020
Overview: A waterside course, moderately steep and rocky, featuring many small waterfalls.
Park Information: https://southcarolinaparks.com/table-rock
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=806494
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From Pickens, drive US 178 north 8.6 miles to SR 11 and turn right on SR 11. Drive SR 11 east 4.1 miles to Table Rock State Park’s west entrance on the left. Turn left to enter the park, and drive the main park road 1.3 miles to the Nature Center on the left and the large trailhead parking area on the right. Park in the trailhead parking lot.

The hike: For my general comments on Table Rock State Park, see my May 2016 hike to Table Rock. For people unable to make the long, rough climb to Table Rock’s famous views, the Carrick Creek Trail described here is a nice consolation prize. Though not without climbing or difficulty, the aptly-named Carrick Creek Trail stays creekside for much of its distance, and it passes more waterfalls per mile than any other trail in the area. The brevity and waterfalls make this trail a great choice for families with kids.

Trail leaving rear of Nature Center

            From the rear of the Nature Center, the wooden boardwalk that is the trail system’s common entrance trail dips to cross rocky Carrick Creek. The aquatic entertainment begins immediately: a ledge-type waterfall that drops less than 10 feet into a large and attractive plunge pool. A wooden observation platform provides a fantastic view of the waterfall and the surrounding cove.

First waterfall and plunge pool

            Past the first waterfall, the trail surface turns to dirt and rock as the creekside climb begins. At 0.2 miles, the green-blazed Carrick Creek Trail splits to form its loop at an intersection with many trail signs. To ascend on the less steep portion of the loop, I chose to turn right here and use the trail going left as my return route, thus hiking the loop counterclockwise. Carrick Creek itself also forks at this intersection with the fork bearing the Carrick Creek name going left. The fork our route climbs beside is called Green Creek.

Mountain laurel-framed waterfall

            More small waterfalls appear in the creek as the trail’s grade intensifies. The mountain laurel was in full bloom when I hiked this trail in mid-May, and it made a beautiful frame for both the trail and the waterfalls. Just after passing the carsonite post that is the 0.5 mile marker, the red-blazed Table Rock Trail exits right. Unless you have the time and energy to make the big climb to Table Rock, angle left to remain on the Carrick Creek Trail.

Near the trail's highest point

            After climbing one more switchback, you reach the Carrick Creek Trail’s highest point, which is almost 400 vertical feet above the Nature Center. For the next 0.6 miles the wide dirt trail undulates gently as it heads south across the side of the hill, which rises to the right and falls to the left. At 1.2 miles, the yellow-blazed Pinnacle Mountain Trail enters from the right at another signed intersection. Turn left to begin the final leg of the Carrick Creek Trail.

Waterslide in Carrick Creek

            The Carrick Creek Trail soon returns to its namesake creek, which features many more waterfalls, waterslides, and cascades. One unusual waterfall appears in a small tributary to the left: the watercourse splits into two parts with the right side’s waterfall higher on the rockface and closer to the trail than the left side’s one. Some wooden boardwalks get you over wet areas, but the creek is still crossed twice via stepping stones. In general, this ravine is narrower and steeper than the one you ascended through.

Unusual two-sided waterfall

            At 1.8 miles, you close the loop. Turn right to head back to the Nature Center and complete the hike. If you want some more easy hiking, try the 1.9 mile Lakeside Trail, which starts at the other side of the Nature Center parking lot. The Lakeside Trail forms a nearly flat loop around Pinnacle Lake, and it offers nice views of Table Rock Mountain across the lake.