Sugarloaf Mountain is an unusual hill located in Patrick, South Carolina. Its elevation is 100 feet higher than the surrounding area. This site is located within the Sand Hills State Forest, adjacent to U.S. Highway 1, in the Carolina Sandhills region of the Atlantic Coastal Plain.
Geology On published geologic maps of the area, Sugarloaf Mountain is mapped as part of the Middendorf Formation, a sequence of sandstone, pebbly sandstone, sand, silt, and clay that are interpreted as fluvial (river) deposits that accumulated during the Cretaceous Period.Swezey, C.S., Fitzwater, B.A., and Whittecar, G.R., 2021, Geologic map of the Middendorf quadrangle, Chesterfield County, South Carolina: South Carolina Geological Survey Geologic Quadrangle Map GQM-56, 1:24:000 scale, 2 sheets. https://www.dnr.sc.gov/geology/publications.htmlSwezey, C.S., Fitzwater, B.A., and Whittecar, G.R., 2016, Geology and geomorphology of the Carolina Sandhills, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, in: Gold, Structures, and Landforms in Central South Carolina (W.R. Doar III, ed.), Geological Society of America Field Guide 42, p. 9-36. While much of the mountain is composed of unconsolidated to semi-consolidated beds of quartz-rich 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.
Biology Wildlife is abundant. Flora/fauna include whitetail deer, turkeys, quail, wood ducks, fish, black squirrels and flying squirrels as well as rhododendron, moss, lichen, ferns. Some of these plants are rare for the area. The Red-cockaded woodpecker resides here. You might even see a Pine Barrens tree frog. Hunting is allowed in a few areas as it is treated as a Wildlife Management Area of South Carolina.
There are timber rattlesnakes, black racers, and water moccasins during the spring, summer, and fall.
Camping
Overnight camping sights are provided for a fee and with reservation.
Hiking There are a few marked hiking trails. The woods are open with little underbrush and sand makes for very easy primitive hikes around the mountain. The base of the mountain, can be accessed via a parking lot behind camp site number 6. Directly across from the main "mountain", there is another peak "Little Sugarloaf."
+Nature Trail DetailsLength: 1.7 miles to about 2.1Type: LoopSurface: Natural, SandDifficulty: Moderate +TemperaturesSeasons and best times to goSummer Avg: 92° / 69°Fall Avg: 85° / 63°Winter Avg: 59° / 33°Spring: 76° / 49°
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 red cockaded woodpeckers.
The Pine Barrens Wagon Trail is in service (though not used often). 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 repellent is recommended.
Fishing Nearby, there is a large pond, (no swimming), that contains fish such as bream, redbreast, and crappie. An occasional small catfish may be caught. No outboards are allowed, but canoes and kayaks are welcome.
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