Sassafras Mountain (1.0 mile; d=1.51)
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Sassafras Mountain Hike Route Map
The approximate track of my hike on Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina's highest point, as depicted a la Google Earth...
Sassafras Mountain Hike Route Map
The approximate track of my hike on Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina's highest point...
Foothills Trail @ Sassafras Mountain Road
Why drive to the top when you can hike? Actually, calling what I was about to do a 'hike' is a bit generous as I was only going to be walking about a half mile to the top...
A few steps leading up into the woods mark the beginning of the hike...
The late day sun was lighting up the woods nicely...
Typical of these elevations, a thick layer of mountain laurel covers many of the slopes...
The climb never got more than moderate in steepness, allowing me to take it nice and easy and squeeze every bit of enjoyment I could out of this short hike...
A few small rock outcrops poke out from beneath the trees about halfway up...
The trail passes through this open cove just before climbing the last few feet to the top...
This isn't a mountain that sports a whole lot of views...
Nearing the top a flight of wooden steps assists with climbing a steeper rock face...
I spotted some interesting rock faces just off the trail so I took a few minutes to go over and explore...
Its amazing how the thick forest can effectively camouflage cliffs like this from only a short distance away...
The last few steps to the top of the ridge...
Reaching the ridgetop, a short side path took me out to a small outcrop with a very nice view to the north and west into North Carolina. The significance of this peak as a state high point is lost somewhat when looking at much higher peaks so nearby...
From the first overlook I headed up the grassy manway, which coincidentally is the state line (NC is left, SC right), towards the summit...
Near the top a freshly cut opening provided more views of the high peaks of North Carolina to the north. It is interesting to note that here, though atop the summit, I was actually standing in North Carolina since I was on the north half of the summit...
For a legitimate 'climb' of Sassafras, one would have to hike up from Laurel Valley 4.7 miles away. Though pretty up here, I just don't see expending that much energy to see this peak...
The summit of Sassafras Mountain (3,553')...although South Carolina only owns half the summit, it still qualifies as its High Point...
Since the last time I have wandered up here a nice bench has appeared and, if brochures and press releases can be believed, there will soon be a tower up here as well...
Sassafras Mountain is also home to one of the newest, shiniest USGS benchmarks I've seen anywhere...
Rather than head immediately back I decided to wander down to the summit parking area and Sassafras' other overlook...
Foothills Trail @ Sassafras Mountain Parking Lot
Visions of an epic point-to-point dayhike here now began to dance in my head...
Sassafras Mountain Parking Lot
On a chilly evening in January I was actually surprised to find even one vehicle up here...