UPSTATE — If you’re looking for a quick escape to nature — but can’t go too far — Bald Rock, Caesar’s Head and Pretty Place are the destinations for you.
Located in the Northern part of the state, just before the North Carolina state line, the three locations are close enough to Easley and Pickens to reach and enjoy for a pleasant afternoon picnic or hike for the adventurer who still wants to be home in time for dinner.
Pretty Place, the furthest of the three, can be reached in under an hour.
Traveling West on S.C. 11, one only has to take the left fork in the road onto U.S. 276 just over the Greenville County line.
From there, the road winds and curves for 45 minutes — making the trip almost as pleasant as the destination — until it passes Bald Rock and Caesar’s Head.
Swinging a left on YMCA Camp Road and taking it all the way to the end will bring you face to face with the Fred. W. Symmes chapel, also known as “Pretty Place,” which was built in 1941.
Although the chapel is part of YMCA’s Camp Greenville, it is open to the public on most days and is a popular destination for outdoor weddings.
It’s location on the top of Standing Stone Mountain and open air design offer amazing views of the Jones Gap as well as a feeling of peace and tranquility to all who visit.
“Pretty” doesn’t cover it, though. The chapel is truly beautiful.
It may not look that big, but Bald Rock is comprised of 165 acres. The property adjoins Caesars Head State Park and is part of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area.
The rock itself, for which the preserve is named, is a popular tourist attraction and provides insane scenic and panoramic views of the east side of Table Rock Mountain and the surrounding foothills of Pickens and Greenville counties.
Even on a foggy day, the Greenville skyline is visible in the distance.
Graffiti covers much of the granite outcropping but does little to distract the visitor from the sheer size and scope of the formation that is accessible from a small parking pull off, and by walking across a wooden foot bridge.
Although reaching the site is not a strenuous hike by any means, the natural landscape does limit accessibility to people in wheelchairs.
It can be easy to miss Bald Rock — there are no signs posted — but remember, as eager and impatient as you might be to get to Caesar’s Head, it’s well worth the time to take a few minutes and check it out.
Bring your camera. You won’t be disappointed.
