Lower Overlook

Sassafras Mountain (1-26-14)

Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina's loftiest point, is a place near to home yet a place I hadn't visited in a couple years.  Located on the NC/SC border a few miles south of the North Carolina community of Rosman, Sassafras Mountain is an easy state high point to visit...if you know where to find it.  A paved, albeit steep, road leads up the mountain from the crossroads of Rocky Bottom to within a couple hundred yards of the summit.  This is the route I had taken previously.  On this late afternoon I was looking for a bit longer walk so I decided to park the car alongside the road about a half-mile below the summit and walk the Foothills Trail to the top.  I found a summit that had changed a bit over the previous two years...the 'new' observation deck had undergone a makeover and more clearing had been done near the top, I assume in preparation for the lookout tower that is planned for the near future.  It was a quick late-day hike but an enjoyable one...come on along with me to the top of South Carolina...


Trailhead GPS Coordinates:  35.064558, -82.776282


Route Type:  Out-and-back      Difficulty:  EASY

Hike Length: 1.0 miles                Hike Duration: 1:00

Trailhead Temp: 55'F                 Trail Traffic:  10-25 people

Min. Elevation: 3,300'                  Max. Elevation: 3,553'

Total Vertical Gain: 253'             Avg. Elevation Gain / Mile: 253' 


Trails Used (blaze color):  Foothills Trail (white)


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