Chimney Top Gap Access Traditional Cache
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This cache is located near a spot where the ChimneyTop Gap Trail of the Foothills Trail system crosses the road on the way up to Sassafrass Mountain, which, at 3,560 feet (1085m) in elevation, is the highest point in South Carolina. I highly recommend going to the summit.
This cache is located not far off the road, but on steep terrain.
You can PARK at the pulloff about 50 feet from the cache if you wish, although BETTER, parking is located just up the road about 500ft. Bear in mind, however, you must then walk along the road to the trail access - watch for (occasional) traffic.
You are looking for a 1-pound ointment jar (about 5" x 4") which is large enough for Geocoins, small TBs and other swagg. BRING YOUR OWN PEN.
The cache is actually only about 20 to 25 (STEEP, but clear - no bushwhacking necessary) steps off the trail, but it is uphill.
TO GET THERE: Take SC Highway 11 (The Cherokee Foothills Scenic Hwy) and turn on Route 178. (You can also get to 178 from the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC).
Drive to the town of Rocky Bottom, a little before you reach the North Carolina state line. (If you see a welcome to North Carolina sign on route 178, you have gone too far). From the South Carolina side, you take a right turn where you see a sign for a school for the blind. You drive for almost 3 miles up a long, windy, STEEP hill (Make sure your brakes are in good shape). to the cache location.
FOR HIKERS: For a moderate length approach(AND A TERRAIN RATING OF 3), you can go about a mile past the turn off to the school for the deaf and blind (i.e. the road to the Sassafras summit. Keep going on hwy 178, and you will see the road cross a small bridge over the Eastatoe river. There is a trail on the right. It is approximately 4.7 miles and 1900 vertical feet to the summit. The trail crosses the mountain road at Chimneytop Gap and again near the summit(near the cache).
An even longer hike, you can take Highway 11 to Table Rock State Park and take a long hike on the Pinnacle Mountain/Foothills Trails, which go through several miles of mountains and eventually lead to Sassafras Mountain, then go down the ChimneyTop Gap trail.
There are several good caches in this area, with the closest being 0.14 miles away.
HAPPY CACHING AND ENJOY YOUR TIME IN THE FOREST.
FTF HONORS GO TO...jamesgang1
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Byq Tenl Fghzc
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