Greenville, SC: Sassafras Mountain
Tag the two highest peaks in South Carolina on this 17.2-mile out-and-back with overlooks, waterfalls, and a homestead crumbled by weather and time.
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When it comes to Sassafras Mountain, it is indeed all about the journey. The circuitous drive to the so-so peak follows narrow rivers racing down steep, green hills through towns with names like Rocky Bottom and Crow Creek. Stretch out the approach by walking 9.1 miles on the Foothills Trail from Table Rock State Park to the summit. You’ll pass 400-foot cliffs, the highest waterfall drop in the East, and the wild Chattooga River (where Deliverance was filmed).
-Mapped by Shannon Davis
Trail Facts
- Distance: 13.9
Waypoints
SMT001
Location: 35.0321846008301, -82.7003326416016
From Table Rock State Park Nature Center, head W on Pinnacle Trail; listen for waterfall
SMT002
Location: 35.0335006713867, -82.7017364501953
L @ Y on Pinnacle Mtn. Trail; ahead are crossings over Carrick Creek
SMT003
Location: 35.032585144043, -82.7092819213867
L @ Y, following yellow blazes up forested mountainside
SMT004
Location: 35.0303993225098, -82.7287673950195
Cross narrow bridge; go L @ Y. Take photos of 25-ft. Mills Creek Falls
SMT005
Location: 35.0290832519531, -82.7339172363281
Bald Rock Overlook: Rest, grab lunch, or shoot a video snippet of Table Rock Mtn. to the NE. Continue NW
SMT006
Location: 35.0318832397461, -82.7390975952148
L @ T onto white-blazed Foothills Trail. Side trip: Drop big pack and go straight for .25 mi. to quickly tag Pinnacle Mtn., second highest point in SC @ 3,425 ft.
SMT007
Location: 35.0288505554199, -82.7445983886719
Rocky overlook with W views over green foothills
SMT008
Location: 35.0351333618164, -82.754035949707
Trail swings N
SMT009
Location: 35.0514831542969, -82.7691345214844
Camp near old stone farmhouse. Over the years, campers have made elaborate stone furniture out of the crumbling remains. Day 2: Leave gear behind for the 4.4-mi. round-trip to Sassafras Mtn., SC?s highest peak
SMT010
Location: 35.0651664733887, -82.7771682739258
USGS benchmark tags this 3,560-ft. peak (ironically, trees block views here). Return to camp and backtrack to trailhead
