Sassafras Mtn to Caesar's Head

Hike Name: Sassafras Mtn to Caesar's Head Location: northwest SC Length: 14.2 Submitted by: Edwin Turnage Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more South Carolina trail reviews South Carolina national parks South Carolina state parks
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Description
My thirteen year old daughter, Emily, and her cousin Kelsey (13) hiked this trail over two days on 7/31/03 - 8/1/03. We used the Foothills Trail Conference Guide to the Foothills Trail (3d ed. 1998). The guide was very accurate and helpful.

We began the hike at Sassafras Mountain, the highest peak in SC, around 2 p.m. the first day. The trail roughly followed the boundary between South Carolina and North Carolina. I found it humorous when Kelsey jumped back and forth over the boundary and said, "North Carolina--South Carolina." We had a good laugh at that.

The initial part of this hike was very strenuous for our group, none of whom are experienced backpackers. (Emily and I have been backpacking three times, and this was Kelsey's first trip.) There were several long, steep ascents and descents which taxed our endurance.

Around 5-6 p.m., we made it to a bend in a logging road, 4.3 miles from our ingress point, which was a good spot for camping. As of August 2003, there was an abandoned trailer and tarp, which was a useful shelter. I startled a water moccasin near the trailer, and it slithered away into the woods.

A rather heavy thundershower began just before our arrival, and we made supper under the tarp, rain splashing around us. There is a nice stream near the site. Later, when the shower subsided, we pitched our tent and slept very soundly, interrupted only infrequently during the night by light showers and frogs singing. At about first light, I heard an owl hooting in the stillness of the morning.

We ate breakfast, broke camp and continued our hike the net morning. From the campsite, the trail continues mostly on a logging road. At 5.3 miles, after a long ascent, we stopped at an overlook across the Tennessee Valley Divide.

The trail is very strenuous, with more steep ascents and descents, until about 8.4 miles. At that point, the trail levels and passes through several deciduous forests. In a few areas, the trail curls beneath magnolia canopies, which were pretty as flowers were blooming. In most areas, maples and oaks predominate. We saw many variations and colorful mushrooms along the trail.

As for fauna, we heard it but saw only the water moccasin and a salamander near our camp. We did hear crows, and saw tracks of deer. At one point, we spotted a massive turkcy print. It was exciting to imagine the granddaddy wild turkey evading hunters in the forests.

Near the trails' end, the terrain again became challenging, with additional steep ascents and descents. The views toward the end of the trail were beautiful, especially out over the Matthews Creek valley.

Although the trail was only 14.2 miles, it was a tough hike for beginners like us. However, though exausted at the end, we all enjoyed the experience and recommend this spur trail for anyone who likes hiking the region of SC near the foothills trail.

By the way, until we reached the Ceasars Head/Raven Cliffs Falls park, we did not see any other people on the trail.

Directions to Hike
Park one car at the Ravens Cliff Falls Parking area. To reach this parking lot, take highway 276 from Travelers Rest to Ceasars Head. Continue about four miles beyond and watch for the parking lot on the right.

Enter the access point, at the Sassafras Mtn Trail Access point. To get there, take Highway 178 from Pickens past Highway 11. Keep going until reach Rocky Bottom. There, turn right on F. Van Clayton Hwy. The road takes you to the parking area on the left. The trail ingress point is across the road.

Contact Information
Contact Table Rock State Park for more information about the hike.

Table Rock State Park
158 East Ellison
Pickens, SC 29671
phone: (864) 878-9813

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