The previous evening, my friend and I hiked 6 miles round trip on snow, to the top of Brasstown Bald 4,784', (the Georgia Highpoint). We stayed in Clemson, South Carolina, and headed for Sassafras the following morning. Due to ice, my friend and I had to hike up most of the road to South Carolina's highest point. We drove out there from Clemson, South Carolina, and got on route 178. A little before you reach the North Carolina state line, you take a right turn and pass a school for the blind. From the road, 'Road 199' it is 5 miles to the summit. We tried to drive up the hill, but ice made it impossible, so we had to hike most of the way up. We tried to get a ride from a small truck driving up that way, but when he stopped for us, his car slid back down the hill. Fortunately neither the car nor he was hurt. We got to the top of the hill, and walked a small paved path to the summit. We put our names in the registry book and walked off to the side a little bit to see a decent view of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains through the trees. The summit is well marked, and there is a nice hiking trail that leads down from the summit. If you are a visitor to the highpoint, and you want some more interesting hikes, the Blue Ridge mountains are no more than 30 miles away, and offer mountains of far greater height, challenge, and views.
Images
|
