♪ soft piano ♪ <birds chirping> <water rushing> Formed nearly 250 million years ago, the Appalachian Mountain range could have easily been as tall as the modern Himalayas.

Time slowly weathered down these goliaths into the rounded mountains we have today, but their beauty has lost none of its potency.

Luckily, these aged peaks stretch down far enough to encompass a small region of our state known as the Blue Ridge Mountains.

One distinctly shaped mountain has caught the eye of natives and travelers throughout time.

This is Table Rock Mountain... From The Sky!

♪ soaring music ♪ ♪ drums beating ♪ Prior to European settlement, this area was home to part of the lower Cherokee Nation.

The Cherokee called the region "Sah-ka-na-ga" or Great Blue Hills of God."

Table Rock is said to have acquired its name from a Cherokee story in which the flat top summit was used as a table for the Great Spirit to eat his meals.

Standing at 3,124 feet the granite dome peak of Table Rock is surrounded by two other named mountains.

Stool Mountain also received it's name from the Cherokee legend as it was necessary for the Great Spirit to have a seat while enjoying his meal.

Directly west, Pinnacle Mountain's peak juts out above the surrounding range.

It is the second tallest mountain in South Carolina, falling short of Sassafras Mountain by just 139 feet.

♪ ♪ ambient music ♪ Within Table Rock state park, there are two bodies of water located at the base of the mountain offering spectacular views, the closest of which is Pinnacle Lake.

At the right angle, the mountain range is brilliantly reflected off of the lake, making it one of the most breathtaking views in South Carolina.

Directly behind Pinnacle, Lake Oolenoy's 67 acres of pristine water provide a multitude of outdoor recreations.

<water rushing> <birds chirping> There are also a total of six hiking trails within the park of varying difficulty.

Luckily, you don't have to travel far to feel like an outdoorsman within the oak-hickory forest.

<water rushing> <birds chirping> Carrick Creek Falls is found less than 100 yards from the starting point of the Nature Center, an easy trip for your nature fix.

For the more experienced hikers, you can reach the summits of both Pinnacle and Table Rock Mountain for an amazing view of the 3000 acre preserve and beyond.

Whether it's the woods with ancient memory or the bluish haze of the crimson peaks, there's something magical about Table Rock Mountain.

A "great spirit" indeed lies within.

Feast your eyes on it... From the Sky!

♪ soaring music ♪