Hiking Trail

Pinnacle Pass (#20)

(Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area)

Description: This spectacular 10-mile trail ambles along one of the highest ridges in the State and is the longest trail in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. The Pinnacle Pass Trail is quite strenuous, but offers one of the best views in the East. From Little Pinnacle Mountain there is a sweeping view, 2,000 feet down, into Jones Gap. Starting from Jones Gap State Park, the eastern trailhead of the Pinnacle Pass Trail can be reached by hiking a short section of the Jones Gap Trail (100 yards) and the Rim of the Gap Trail (.4 mile). Once on the Pinnacle Pass Trail, it’s roughly 1.7 miles uphill to a rock abutment that overlooks Jones Gap. You’ll continue across granite atop Little Pinnacle Mountain and eventually come to a rare “cataract bog” at about the five-mile point. The bog was formed by water flowing over the steep rock like a waterslide. The water’s natural “sheeting” didn’t erode the soil, and thus created favorable conditions for rare plants such as yellow painted cup and Grass-of-Parnassus, here. At 3.1 miles, the 6 and 20 Trail, and at 4.1 miles the John Sloan Trail, provide connections to the Rim of the Gap Trail, which can be used as an optional loop back to Jones Gap State Park. The Pinnacle Pass Trail ends at a junction with the Naturaland Trust Trail not long after you cross US 276. You can return the way you came, or continue for .9 mile on the Naturaland Trust Trail to US 276, then carefully hike .5 mile on US 276 to Caesars Head State Park. Facilities are available at Jones Gap State Park (eastern trailhead), and Caesars Head State Park (western trailhead).

Length: 10.0 miles.

Directions: To the eastern trailhead: From Greenville, drive northwest on US 276 until US 276 joins SC 11. Drive approximately 1.4 miles past the junction, turn right onto River Falls Road (Greenville County S-23-97), and continue to Jones Gap State Park. From the parking area, hike about 100 yards on the Jones Gap Trail (blue blaze), then turn left (south) onto the Rim of the Gap Trail (yellow blaze). Hike .4 mile, then turn left (east) onto the Pinnacle Pass Trail (orange blaze).

To the western trailhead: From Greenville, drive northwest on US 276 to Caesars Head State Park. From the parking area, carefully hike back for .5 mile on US 276 to a brown pipe gate on the right. A pink blaze marks this as an entrance to the Naturaland Trust Trail. Hike for .9 mile on the Naturaland Trust Trail and turn left (east) onto the Pinnacle Pass Trail (orange blaze).

There is also a central access: From River Falls Road (Greenville County S-23-97), drive west on Oil Camp Creek Road (S-23-578). Continue approximately two miles to a brown pipe gate and park. (the gate may be open during hunting season). Oil Camp Creek Road connects with Pinnacle Pass Trail about 0.5 mile from the gate and the junction is very easy to miss. You must register at Jones Gap or Caesars Head State Park before entering this area.

Camping: Trailside primitive camping is allowed on certain trails. Contact Caesars Head or Jones Gap State Parks for details.

Park Information: Mountain Bridge Headquarters (Caesars Head State Park), 8155 Geer Highway, Cleveland, SC 29635, Telephone: 864-836-6115

South Carolina State Trails Program
South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
1205 Pendleton Street :: Columbia, SC 29201 :: 803-734-0173
Webmaster: bswanson@scprt.com
Updated: August 7, 2006
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