Pinnacle Pass Trail
Mountain Bridge Wilderness
Greenville County, SC
Saturday, May 12th, 2012
Andy and I got a tip from Brenda and Darrin, a couple of
friends from the Carolinas Adventures group, about the location of some Pitcher
Plants. This is a relatively rare
wildflower that I have never seen before.
So for the days hike, our main goal would be to find and photograph this
rare flower which would hopefully still be in bloom.
According to Darrin and Brenda, the Pitcher Plants on the
Pinnacle Pass Trail in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness of SC, a little over 5
miles in from the Jones Gap Trailhead.
Andy, his two dogs (Boone and Kona), and I hit the trail
shortly after the 9:00am park opening time.
The trail starts with a few minor up and downs before beginning the
serious climb up the mountain.
The trail climbs about 1,200 feet in elevation over about
the next two miles. At the lower
elevations, the Mountain Laurel was a bit past peak, but as we gained elevation
we hit one of the most spectacular displays of mountain laurel that I have ever
seen!
Boone hiking through the Mountain Laurel
Shortly before the end of the climb, the trail descends
slightly to a nice viewpoint of the valley down below.
View from the Pinnacle Pass Trail
We stopped for a short break here before continuing on.
Kona taking a break
Soon the trail levels out making for some very pleasant
hiking and a welcome relief after the tough climb. Much of this section of trail follows along
old roadbeds making for some of the easiest hiking in the Mountain Bridge
Wilderness.
About a half mile past the intersection with the John Sloan
Trail, the Pinnacle Pass Trail leaves the old roadbed and descends steeply on a
more traditional trail. Soon a small
creek can be heard off to the right.
The trail crosses over the creek and takes you onto an open
rock face. I had hiked this section of
trail once before and for some reason I don't remember the impressive views!
View from the open rock face along the Pinnacle Pass Trail
I also didn't know at the time that this the best area where
to find some rare wildflowers including the Pitcher Plants. We were told to just explore a short distance
up or downstream and we should find them.
I started out upstream, but apparently I picked the wrong
side of the creek, because I didn't find any rare plants. I did find an unexpected waterfall! Nothing overly spectacular or photogenic, but
sill a nice surprise.
Waterfall a short distance upstream from the trail
Andy had much better luck finding the Pitcher Plants
downstream. We I met back up with him,
he stated that he had found a goldmine!
A couple of other hikers overheard and thought that Andy had found an
actual goldmine! They eventually
scurried on their way after Andy clarified what he had meant.
As stated earlier, I had never seen Pitcher Plants before
and they are a very unique looking plant and flower.
Pitcher Plant Bloom
Also growing in the same area as the Pitcher Plants was
another interesting looking wildflower.
Andy and I guessed it to be some type of Orchid! Our buddy KT identified it as Calopogon, a
fairly uncommon type of Orchid.
Calopogon Orchids
The third relatively uncommon wildflower that Andy spotted
was Indian Paintbrush, another one that I had never seen.
Indian Paintbrush
For the hike back, we backtracked a bit on the Pinnacle Pass
before forming a loop with the John Sloan Trail and the Eastern Half of the Rim
of the Gap Trail.
The Western Half of the Rim of the Gap is one of my
favorites, but the part we hiked was very uneventful. It is a grueling climb going in the opposite
direction, but for us it was all downhill back to the trailhead.
Overall, it was an excellent hike! With the rare wildflowers and the spectacular
mountain laurel displays being the highlights!
The weather was just about perfect as well!
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