Autumn in Perspective: A Hike Through Stool Mountain Trail

Autumn in South Carolina doesn’t always arrive with the crisp air and fiery foliage I remember from my childhood in Virginia. Back then, fall meant chilly mornings, apple cider, and leaves crunching underfoot by mid-September. It was a season that announced itself boldly. Here, it’s a slower unfolding—more subtle, more patient. But that doesn’t make it any less meaningful. In fact, it reminds me that change—whether in nature or in life—often happens gradually, and sometimes imperceptibly, until one day we look around and realize our environment has been transformed. 

On a recent hike along the newly opened Stool Mountain Trail at Table Rock State Park, I was reminded of that contrast. Though the calendar said “October,” the sun was high, the air was warm, and by the end of the hike, I was sweating through my t-shirt. It wasn’t the crisp fall day I had imagined, but it was rich with its own kind of beauty. 

If you’ve ever hiked the iconic Table Rock Trail, you might remember the unrelenting stone steps on the steep climbs (if your mind doesn’t remember, your legs surely do). You swing by the massive stone outcropping at Governor’s Rock, but the grand finale is hidden from view until the very end, when the trail opens up to the breathtaking expanse of the Greenville Watershed. 

Stool Mountain offers a different kind of reward. The trail winds through hardwoods just beginning to show hints of gold and rust, offering a quieter, more contemplative experience. Like on most steep hikes, I spent a good deal of time making sure my feet were on solid ground. The experienced rangers hiking with me kept reminding me to “look up,” pointing out features above me that I surely would have missed. Their gentle nudges were more than trail tips—they were metaphors for life. 

By lunchtime, the trail revealed a stunning view of the exposed faces of Table Rock Mountain—the old man was magnificent! Perhaps less majestic, but just as striking, were the visible scars of massive landslides from Hurricane Helene that forever changed the landscape. Perspective—a new view. 

Even more meaningful than the scenery were the conversations I shared along the way with rangers who help build, manage, and maintain these trails. Their stories gave me a deeper appreciation for the sweat equity behind every step I took—the grit it takes to shape these spaces and create lasting experiences for visitors. Their work is a quiet kind of stewardship, and it reminded me that transformation often requires effort that goes unseen. 

The Stool Mountain Trail may not have delivered the classic “fall hike” I had in mind, but it gave me something better: a moment to reflect on the beauty of transition, and how our memories shape our expectations. Autumn in South Carolina may arrive on its own schedule, but it brings with it its own kind of magic if we’re willing to see it. 

JER

“While you’re on the hike, don’t forget to look up. You’ll see some breathtaking views of Table Rock.” 
—Adin Fell, Mountain Region Chief 

Technical Notes:  

Elevation 2,615 feet 

The trail is approximately 2.7 miles in length (5.4 miles total hiking to the summit and back).