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| S.C. state logo atop the Observation Tower looking towards the Blue Ridge Parkway |
The highest point in South Carolina can be found in Pickens
County, just north of Greenville. The peak at Sassafras Mountain is 3,553-feet
above sea level, and offers a spectacular view of three states, but that
viewing opportunity was limited to winter when the leaves were off the trees.
Now a brand new observation tower sits atop that same peak offering year-round
viewing, and the grand opening on April 22 (Earth Day) included conservationists,
politicians and the public masses it will welcome in the future.
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| SCDNR's Emily Cope welcomes the public on Earth Day |
The weather
during the 11 a.m. ceremony was nothing short of spectacular, and the event
organizers gushed about the great viewing conditions. Rain in the area two days
prior, kept the normal haze that hangs over the mountains to a minimum and the
high temperature of 63-degrees kept the air crisp. Barns swallows circling
overhead in the clear blue skies hint that the bird life found at this peak
should be comprehensive and impressive. Watching hawks float by on updrafts
reveal why this is a Hawk Watch Site for the Hawk Migration Association of
North America.
The
observation tower actually sits right along the border of South Carolina and
North Carolina, with the only mountain access road located in Pickens County. Hiking
access to this place is available via the 76-mile Foothills Trail, and now the
S.C. Heritage Trail connects here too. Sassafras Mountain is a part of the
Appalachian Mountains and when looking towards North Carolina, the Blue Ridge
Parkway summits are visible. Mountain peaks in Toccoa, Georgia are also
visible, and when peering back into S.C. one can see Lake Jocassee, Lake Keowee
and Lake Hartwell.
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| U.S. Congressman Jeff Duncan and SCDNR Executive Director Alvin Taylor |
Architect
Gil Stewart designed the observation tower, but it is God’s creation that is on
display here. Locals in Pickens County have long cherished this summit as a
special place to visit, and recount stories about their first visits here and
the grand impressions it left on them. Now the observation tower will be listed
as one of the premiere tourist attractions in South Carolina, and U.S. Congressman
Jeff Duncan remarked that Pickens County will welcome visitors from neighboring
states and anyone else that appreciates a unique mountain vista.
To view the feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.
To view past blog entries about S.C. State Parks click Cheraw State Park - Hickory Knob State Park - Edisto Beach - Huntington Beach - Myrtle Beach - Hampton Plantation - Barnwell / Tornado - Hunting Island
To view past blog entries about managed properties click on Congaree National Park - Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Botany Bay WMA / Coastal Geology - Donnelly WMA / Night Sounds - Belfast WMA / Benefit - Bear Island WMA / Birding
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| Standing with Mark Hall, Jocassee Gorges Project Manager |
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