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Sassafras Mountain is named for the Sassafras tree which is apparently located abundantly throughout the region, although without a tree guide of some sort I couldn't have differentiated one tree from another. After attending a wedding in Asheville, NC we took advantage of our proximity and the good weather to find Sassafras Mountain. The summit is owned by the Duke Energy Company--not the state of South Carolina--so there is very little signage leading the way. However, the summit is open without restriction.
Here are our directions: from Asheville follow U.S. 64 to Brevard; continue on to Rosman and turn Left off of U.S. 64 to U.S. 178; drive South on U.S. 178 (a.k.a. Pickens Hwy) you'll see signs for the NC/SC State Line at 2,694 feet; look for the sign for the hamlet of Rocky Bottom (check out Bob's Bar along the way) and turn Left on State Road 199 (a.k.a. F. Van Clayton Memorial Hwy); turn left at a sign for The Camp of the Blind (also on your left) here you'll find a sandstone memorial to F. Van Clayton; drive along the well paved, but steep-hairpin-road; at 5 miles there is a sign indicating that it is 0.3 miles to the South parking lot. You'll see a wooden sign on the Left side of the road that identifies the Foothills Trail, and Sassafras Mountain Trail Access -- the parking lot is to the Left. Walk approx. 50 yards to the summit (past the locked gate) where a USGS marker sits in the middle of a cleared grassy area.
After finding the marker be sure to follow one of the Foothills Trails a short distance to afford yourself a view, and if you have time check out Whitewater Falls, directly off of the Foothills Trail and just a short distance from the summit. The Falls are the highest vertical falls in the the eastern U.S.
| 100 yards Round Trip | Drive-up | USGS Marker at Summit |
Copyright © 2000 Mel and Melinda's Highpoints. All Rights Reserved. This page was last updated on 02/15/12.
