Nine Times Preserve

This month we are traveling up to Pickens County in the foothills of the Blue Ridge to Nine Times Preserve and Nine Times Forest. These two natural areas are continuous and might be thought of one area, but they are owned and managed by two different organizations: Nine Times Preserve (south of E Preston McDaniel Rd) is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy (and is a designated SC Wildlife Management Area). Nine Times Forest (north of E Preston McDaniel Rd) is owned and managed by Naturaland Trust. The properties together cover 2200 acres where the Upper Piedmont and Blue Ridge regions meet, and are thus comprised of small, granitic outcroppings (a number of small mountains), seven different forest types, and a few creeks. A large variety of plants, animals, and fungi can be found in the area, and scenic views of the upstate can be viewed from the tops of some of the mountains.

The two areas have a number of trails that network together. Many trail destinations are the tops of the mountains which can involve some strenuous/steep climbing, but there are a couple of shorter trails that follow creeks that do not involve climbing. The climbs on the mountain trails can include scrambles over large boulders or between large outcroppings as well as steep slopes, although hikes just up to the steep portions can be very interesting to naturalists, so climbing would not be necessary to enjoy the mountain trails, although it will be less likely to observe panoramic views. Trails are generally well marked with round disc trail markers or ribbons tied to trees. Some smaller trails branch from the marked trails but can lead to private property, so make sure to stick to marked trails.

Some of the trails:
Big Rock Mountain Trail – 2.2 mile out-and-back (although you can make a loop at the top of the mountain if you want to continue); moderate difficulty but has some steepness and rock scrabbling as it nears the top
Rocky Bald and Cedar Rock Mountain Trail – about 4 miles; the Cedar Rock Trail is out-and-back, but at the end you can join the Rocky Bald Trail which is a large loop. The Rocky Bald Trail can be done separately from the (smaller) Rocky Bald Parking Area. Moderate difficulty; should be nice view from the Bald (trail branches from the Loop)
Appalachian Lumber Trail – easy out-and-back trail, about 2.3 miles. Follows a creek, but also close to the road. There is a small (2-car) parking area at the western end if out-and-back is not your style.
Big Rock Mountain and Pink Mountain via Naturaland – 6.7 miles (two connected trails), partially a loop, and partially out-and-back. Big Rock Mountain Trail is steep and involves boulder-scrabbling; Pink Mountain has some steep portions and is reportedly a bit overgrown.

Online, I have not found a very detailed comprehensive map of the trails, but there are very good maps posted at kiosks at the trailheads. There are a number of parking lots; the biggest lot for access of both the Preserve and the Forest is at the junction of E Preston McDaniel Rd and Nine Times Creek Rd, although that gravel lot probably cannot hold more than 15 vehicles and we will be sharing the area with the general public. For the beginning introductions, we will meet at a slightly bigger parking lot off of the western side of Big Rock Lake Rd, which is accessed from E Preston McDaniel Rd and loops around Big Rock Lake. Since this area is very far upstate and there is still COVID-19 to consider, we will not meet as a group for supper after our wanderings.

*There are no facilities at this site. Also, cell phone signals tend to disappear a couple miles before you reach Nine Times, so plan accordingly. If you wander/soodle/womble up a mountain trail, though, you will probably regain the signal with the altitude.

Directions:
According to my Map App on my iPhone (so take it with a grain of salt), the GPS address for this parking lot is 269 Big Rock Lake Rd, Pickens, SC 29671

The main way to Nine Times (Pickens County in general) in South Carolina is to take I-26 to exit 5 at Campobello. This is Highway 11 (west) which goes to a number of natural areas in Pickens County, including Caesars Head, Table Rock, and Jocassee Gorges. You will need to drive (west) past the entrance to Table Rock State Park to get to Nine Times Preserve and Forest.

From Highway 11 going west (away from Greenville toward Oconee County)
• At the Highway 11 and Highway 178 intersection continue west on Highway 11 for 4.7 miles
• Turn left (south) on Eastatoee Creek Road (note: do not turn at the first Eastatoee Creek Road at 2.7 miles)
• Once on Eastatoee Creek Road you will see Antioch Baptist Church on the right. Go past the church for 0.5 mile to the E Preston McDaniel Road intersection.
• Follow E Preston McDaniel Rd to the intersection with Nine Times Creek Rd. This is where one of the bigger, more central parking lots. *We are not meeting here for the introductions.*
• Continue on E Preston McDaniel Rd for approximately 0.4 miles. Big Rock Lake Rd is on the left. Turn here and continue straight for 0.4 miles.
• The parking lot will be on the left.

A good website for trails:
https://www.sctrails.net/trails/trail/nine-times-preserve