Nine Times Preserve

Nine Times Preserve is a 560-acre nature preserve in Pickens County owned by the Nature Conservancy.  Located at the intersection of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Piedmont region, Nine Times Preserve is home to a tremendous diversity of wildlife and is known as one of the best areas for spring wildflowers in the Upstate.  Nine Times Creek, which runs along the northern boundary of the property, is so named as there were nine crossings of the creek along the path between settlements. In 2007, Upstate Forever purchased the land to protect it from development and transferred to the Nature Conservancy, with trails added in 2012 to provide public access.

Directions:

From Pickens, head north on US-178 for about 3 miles and turn left on Hagood Mill Road.  Go 1.7 miles and turn left on Preston McDaniel Road.  Drive 4.3 miles and pull off on the left at the small parking area.

Map:

Trails:

Rocky Bald Loop Trail:

Rocky Bald Loop Trail makes a 1.5-mile loop through the center of the preserve.

Points of Interest:

Nine Times Falls:

Nine Times Falls is an ephemeral waterfall along Rocky Bald Loop Trail.

Blog Entries:

17-Jan-2024: Stumphouse Tunnel

External Links:

Nature Conservancy website: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/nine-times-preserve/