Notes: The Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area is 40,000 acres of wilderness containing over 50 miles of the best hiking trails in the State of South Carolina. There is also access to the 80-mile Foothills Trail. The trails can be accessed via either Jones Gap State Park or Caesars Head State Park. A rough trail map of the area can be found on www.sctrails.net, but I would recommend stopping by the Caesars Head Park Store and purchasing a trail map for $2.10. You can also purchase the same map at Jones Gap, but the Jones Gap park office is rarely open. As of October 2003, there is now a $2.00/person fee to acess the trails, and as always, you MUST fill out a hiker registration form before hitting the trails.
Start out at the Jones Gap Trailhead, just past the park office.
Remember to fill out a hiker registration form and place the designated
copy in the box at the trailhead. The Jones Gap Trail follows along
the Middle Saluda River full of rocks The Rim of the Gap Trail climbs steeply on a narrow trail over tree roots and rocks with some nice views of Cleveland Cliffs across Jones Gap. After 0.4 miles you will turn left on the Pinnacle Pass Trail. Another option is to stay on the Rim of the Gap Trail and skip the Pinnacle Pass. This will cut about 1.5 miles off the hike, but you will miss the awesome views from the Pinnacle Pass. The Pinnacle Pass trail will take you on a climb of about 1200 ft, climbing over rocks, crossing countless small streams, and hugging the base of some huge granite cliffs. At times the trail becomes part of the stream making the rocks a little slippery. After about 1.5 miles, the steepest part of the climb is over and the trail opens up a bit. This is where you will see some of the most spectacular views in the area, even when the trees are full. There is one particular overlook with a small wooden guardrail, which I consider the best view in the area. This is a good spot to take a break and pull out the camera.
At this point the Rim of the Gap Trail starts out fairly level and easy, but that will soon change. After about a half-mile, you pass the John Sloan Trail Junction. Stay on the Rim of the Gap and begin a short, but steep decent. A few switchbacks make the decent a little easier. Here are some excellent wintertime views across Jones Gap where you can see Rainbow Falls on the opposite cliff. For the next two miles the Rim of the Gap trail will hug the base of the rocky south rim of Jones Gap. This two-mile stretch is my favorite section of trail in the area. After a short distance you will arrive at Weight Watchers Rock, a stack of huge boulders with a small rectangular opening for you to pass through. You will probably have to remove your pack in order to squeeze through. This trail is very rugged with lots of rocks, boulders, ladders, and tree roots to climb over. Numbers waterfalls will be spilling over the side of the cliffs and across the trail. Be careful, because some of these waterfall crossings can be slippery and dangerous. Towards the end of the trail you will be at the base off Cliff Falls, another one of the many photo opportunities along the trail. The last section climbs steeply to the top of the falls where the Rim of the Gap ends. At the junction of the Frank Coggins, Naturaland Trust, and Rim of the Gap Trail, turn right and follow the Frank Coggins Trail across the top of Cliff Falls and take the Coldspring Connector
after about 0.3 miles. The Coldspring Connector trails crosses a small stream, and then a short but steep climb before it descends to your first crossing of Coldspring branch. After another short climb you will meet up with the Coldspring Branch Trail where you will turn right to head back down to the Jones Gap Trail. The Coldspring Branch Trails heads downhill most of the way following Coldspring Branch Creek, and crossing it a total of six different times. Some of these crossings can be a little tricky especially after a good rain. In addition, there are several smaller tributary crossings. There are numerous nice cascades to see along the creek. After 1.6 miles you will arrive back at the Middle Saluda River and the Jones Gap Trail, which you will turn right on to take back to the park.
Camping: Camping is allowed at 24 designated trail
sites. Almost all of these are located close to Jones Gap State
Park, or along the Jones Gap Trail. Fee/person is $4/night. Group
sites can be reserved for 10 - 20 people. Registration is required.
A heated restroom facility with hot showers is available for campers
at Jones Gap Park. There are additional campsites along the Foothills
Trail, which can be accessed via some of the Mountain Bridge Trails.
Gettin' There: Near Greenville, South
Carolina. To Caesars Head State Park: From Greenville, drive northwest on US 276, about 2 miles before the SC/NC state line.
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ver the past year
I have hiked every mile of trail in the area. Here, I will describe
what I consider The Ultimate South Carolina Day Hike Loop. This
loop contains some of my favorite sections of trail in the area
and should have everything you would want in a hike. Note: This
is a very strenuous hike and only recommended for the experienced
hiker.
