Sugarloaf Mountain (South Carolina)


Sugarloaf Mountain near Patrick,, known locally as "The Mountain", is an unusual geological phenomenon towering a hundred feet above the surrounding terrain."
Just off US highway 1, near Patrick, South Carolina in the Sandhill Area of the state, is an unusual pile of sand, Sugarloaf Mountain. On of the area, Sugarloaf Mountain is part of the Middendorf Formation, an interlayered sequence of sand, silt and clay, that was deposited in a fluvial environment during the late Cretaceous Period. While much of the mountain is composed of unconsolidated to semi-consolidated layers of quartz sand, silt, and clay, outcrops and boulders of iron-cemented, pebbly sandstone can be found both on the mountain-side and the immediate vicinity. The iron-rich cement holding these sandstones together likely precipitated from groundwater interactions with the unlithified sediments as they were being deposited and subsequently buried.
Wildlife is abundant. Flora/Fauna include whitetail deer, turkeys, quail, ducks, fish as well as rhodadendron, moss, lichen, ferns. Some of these plants are rare for the area. The Red-cockhead woodpecker resides here. You might even see a Pine Barrens Tree Frog. Hunting is allowed in a few areas as it's treated as a Wildlife Management Area of South Carolina.


Camping

There are plenty of . You must reserve them in advance. Call 498-6478 to reserve. They are 15 dollars a night for sheltered sites, 10 dollars for non sheltered sites. There is no electricity or water/sewage. However, there are two small outhouses located at Site 1 and Site 6. There is plenty of acreage at each site to set up multiple tents. Keep fires contained in the provided fire pits. Do not create fires outside of the pits as there are only Pine Trees and straw on the ground which can ignite quickly. There is also plenty of room for to throw football or baseball, play frisbee golf, cornhole, or create a game and play i.e. such as botchi-golf.

Fishing

There is a small lake to fish and it does have a pier. Mostly, there are fish such as bream, redbreast, and crappie to be caught. An occasional small catfish may be caught. No outboards are allowed, but canoes and kayaks are welcome.

Hiking

There are a few marked hiking trails. The woods are wide open with very little underbrush. The sand makes for very easy primitive hikes around the "mountain." Take lots of beverages and water because you can hike forever and ever. Be cautious and alert for wildlife.
Length: 1.7 miles to about 2.1
Type: Loop
Surface: Natural, Sand
Difficulty: Moderate

Horses

"Trails of red clay and patches of white sand through an assorted forest of new and old growth dogwoods, pine, and hardwoods. During your ride you may encounter deer, fox squirrels, turkey, and possibly an elusive red cockaded woodpecker. All of the trails have something special.
The Pine Barrens Wagon Trail is in service. This trail is unique in that it was devoted to horse drawn wagons and buggies. Occasional creeks along the trails provide water for your horse, but even though there are facilities at the trailheads, due to the length of these trails, you might want to carry water for yourself."
Horses do not have to be shod. During warm months, insect repellant is also recommended as there can be mosquitoes and other pesky bugs.