Sassafras Mountain

Sassafras Mountain
The highest peak in South Carolina
Pickens County, SC
Regional Director: Rita Zollinger

Come to the coolness of Sassafras Mountain located in northern Pickens County, in the Jim Timmerman Natural Resource Area, part of the Jocassee Gorges and the Franklin  Gravely Wildlife Management Area, managed by SCDNR, Blue Ridge and Appalachians straddling the SC/NC border.

Elevation 3,553’. This new recording is shorter due to grading of the summit. The new observation tower and viewing platforms offers us the opportunity to see TN, GA, NC and SC, the Lakes of Jocassee, Hartwell and Keowee, the continental divide and 6,000’ plus highlands.

Hopefully the new tower, a 1.1 million dollar project will be completed. It will be 40-foot diameter circular tower 16 feet high.

We will meet in the gravel parking lot on the left at the end of the road. SCAN will claim the summit and walk along the Foothills Trail. The trail heads east towards White Oak Mountain, South Carolina’s 6th highest peak.

Directions:
From the intersection of Hwy 11 and 178, proceed north on Hwy178.
There is a convenience store at this intersection for your last pit stop. Your next 11.7 miles will be curvy. From intersection, go 7 miles to Rocky Bottom. Turn right onto F Van Clayton Hwy, following signs to Sassafras. Go 4.7 miles to parking lot on top.

Address: 1399 F. Van Clayton Hwy Sunset, SC 29685

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/34.9894674,-82.7571219/1399+F+Van+Clayton+Memorial+Highway,+Sunset,+SC/@35.0295977,-82.8194783,13z/data=!4m9!4m8!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x8859ac4ac4d5a665:0xe9f6f26f71421ff7!2m2!1d-82.7780666!2d35.0638531!3e0

Dinner:
Pumpkintown General Store
3837 Pumpkintown Hwy
Pickens, South Carolina 29671

This location is only 1 mile longer for those traveling East via Hwy 11.