Sassafras Mountain - South Carolina's Highpoint

The subtitle for this post is, "It's a hike in South Carolina, how steep can it be?"  
The short answer is, "STEEP, in places!"

The Wednesday hike with the Carolina Mountain Club  was a 9-mile hike to Sassafras Mountain on the Foothills Trail in South Carolina.  The term foothills is a bit deceiving.  While the 76-mile Foothills Trail in North and South Carolina does thread along the foothills, it also climbs up and down the Blue Ridge Escarpment, meaning steep climbs and descents.  Over the 9 miles (4.5 miles in/out) we had an elevation gain of over 2,500 feet, as well as an equal elevation loss.  Like most trails, some of the elevation gain came in steep stretches over a short distance.

The temperature as already in the low 60s when we started the hike at 10:00 and under the bright sun,  and it warmed from there.  Layers came off quickly as we hiked, and soon we were in T-shirts and some in shorts - how unusual for January 18!  After several damp, overcast days, it was good to see the sun.

Blue sky at the trailhead.

4.5 miles to the SC highpoint.

A short way into the hike and the steps began.

Climbing began almost immediately.  The Foothills Trail was in very good shape.  There were no blowdowns to climb over, very little brush along the trail, and the tread was good.  In several places steps aided the steep sections.  The Foothills Trail Conference does a very good job maintaining the trail.

At one point, we climbed a particularly steep section. The picture below was taken from the trail just after a sharp switchback, well above the heads of the hikers below.

Steps on the trail below.

As we climbed, the views began to open up.  Winter hiking allows for views through the trees, and we were treated along the way.

View along the trail.

Boulders off the trail.

After 4.5 miles, we reached the summit of Sassafras Mountain.  At 3,353 feet, it is not as imposing as other state highpoints, but it does provide panoramic views spanning 270 degrees.  The summit had been logged, and there were still logging debris around, and a communication tower gave the area a utilitarian look.  Several rocks provided great seating for lunch and the views to the North, East, and West.

The marker at the summit. We were surprised to see that the NC/SC state line crosses the peak.

View northeast. Can you pick out Mt. Pisgah?  (Sharpest peak just right of center)

View north. Mt. Hardy is tall, rounded peak on left.

 To west we could see large lakes: Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee, and in the distance, Lake Hartwell.

We returned by the same trail, carefully negotiating all the steep descents and steps.  It was beautiful day to hike in the woods and the clear weather gave us spectacular views from Sassafras Mountain.