Sassafras Mountain
Robin Carter
Directions
From the intersection of SC 11 and US 178 in northern Pickens County go north, up the mountain, on US 178 for 7.5 miles, to the Rocky Bottom community. Here turn right (east) onto Road 199, F. Van Clayton Memorial Highway. Follow Road 199 up the mountain for 4.8 miles to a parking area at the top of the mountain. At the saddle at about 3 miles from US 178 you will see a gravel road, Glady Fork Road, leading straight ahead into North Carolina. Keep on Road 199 (a hard right), which follow the state line for a while before reentering South Carolina on the southwest side of Sassafras Mountain.
Birds to look for
Broad-winged Hawk (s), Ruffed Grouse, Blue-headed Vireo (s), Common Raven, Cedar Waxwing, Golden-winged Warbler (s), Northern Parula (s), Chestnut-sided Warbler (s), Black-throated Blue Warbler (s), Black-throated Green Warbler (s), Black-and-white Warbler (s), American Redstart (s), Worm-eating Warbler (s), Swainson's Warbler (s), Ovenbird (s), Louisiana Waterthrush (s), Hooded Warbler (s), Scarlet Tanager (s), Dark-eyed Junco
Description
Sassafras Mountain is the highest point in South Carolina. The Foothills Trail passes here and provides easy access to a good mid-elevation Southern Appalachian forest. It is the best area in the state for finding Ruffed Grouse. Golden-winged Warblers have been found breeding a mile into North Carolina, down the Glady Fork Road, and should be looked for in South Carolina. Other species typical of 4000 foot elevations in North Carolina might well occur, including Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Blackburnian Warbler, and Canada Warbler.
Sassafras Mountain can be very good during spring and fall migrations, as well as during the nesting season. Birding is slow during the winter.