State: South Carolina

Peak Name: Sassafras Mountain

What’s better: A short drive up a mountain or a 20 mile long backpacking trip. When climbing Sassafras Mountain, you have two options to choose between. I choose the 20 mile hike, and began on a Saturday afternoon at Table Rock State Park. A staunch spring storm made for a muddy and humid hike. The location of the park, right along the border of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the foothills of South Carolina make for some of the most spectacular views this side of the Mississippi.

The hike continues outside of the park along the Foothills Trail, a 77 mile long through trail that follows the foothills of South and North Carolina. After camping just a short mile from the summit, I arrived at Sassafras at 8 am. Some of the valleys below were smothered in fog, but yesterday’s storm had finally been cleared out for some more magnificent views the Carolinas. North Carolina is the only state with three state highpoints (NC, SC, and Tennessee). After a short break, I doubled back toward the park, down the mountain, all towards home.