Lower Overlook

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)

Sassafras Mountain (1-26-14)

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...
Sassafras Mountain Hike Route Map
My (approximate) route...look close, it's there...
Foothills Trail
A few steps leading up into the woods mark the beginning of the hike...
Foothills Trail
The late day sun was lighting up the woods nicely...
Foothills Trail
Typical of these elevations, a thick layer of mountain laurel covers many of the slopes...
Foothills Trail
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...
Foothills Trail
A few small rock outcrops poke out from beneath the trees about halfway up...
Foothills Trail
The trail passes through this open cove just before climbing the last few feet to the top...
Foothills Trail
This isn't a mountain that sports a whole lot of views...
Foothills Trail
Nearing the top a flight of wooden steps assists with climbing a steeper rock face...
Off Trail Ledges
I spotted some interesting rock faces just off the trail so I took a few minutes to go over and explore...
Off Trail Ledges
Its amazing how the thick forest can effectively camouflage cliffs like this from only a short distance away...
Foothills Trail
The last few steps to the top of the ridge...
Spur Trail
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...
Foothills Trail
From the first overlook I headed up the grassy manway, which coincidentally is the state line (NC is left, SC right), towards the summit...
Foothills Trail
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...
Sassafras Mountain -- 3,553'
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...
Sassafras Mountain -- 3,553'
The summit of Sassafras Mountain (3,553')...although South Carolina only owns half the summit, it still qualifies as its High Point...
Sassafras Mountain -- 3,553'
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 -- 3,553'
Sassafras Mountain is also home to one of the newest, shiniest USGS benchmarks I've seen anywhere...
Foothills Trail
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...
Lower Overlook
Three short years ago I came here for the first time to find a newly erected, simple wooden overlook...apparently three years was time enough for an extreme makeover as the overlook is now somewhat fancier...
Lower Overlook
Not sure why it needed to be replaced but I like the new overlook...it's quite safe for all ages despite the airy, open feeling out at the edge...
Lower Overlook
The sun sets on another day in the mountains of Upstate South Carolina...
Lower Overlook
With the light quickly fading, picture time was over for the remainder of the hike down. I can't say Sassafras is one of my favorites but for a quickie sunset hike it certainly does the trick...