Sassafras Mountain at a elevation of 3,553 feet above sea level, is the highest point in South Carolina. In late 2010, a group of interested organizations began to discuss the construction of a observation tower on the peak. In late 2017, construction of the observation tower began. On Earth Day 2019, the observation tower opened to the public.
Funding for the tower was accomplished through sales of commemorative bricks (placed at the bottom of the stairway), funding also came from numerous organizations including the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Duke Energy, and Pickens County to name a few. The tower sits on the Eastern Continental Divide, and on a clear day, you can see three states, SC, NC, and Ga.
The 77 mile Foothills Trail, that links Oconee and Table Rock State Park crosses here. The South Carolina Palmetto Trail, also flanks the summit.
In September through November, it is not uncommon to see members of local Birding clubs on the peak participating in the annual hawk watch during the fall migration. Volunteers count the number and type of raptors they observe and report it to HawkCount, a raptor migration database.
In order to receive credit for finding this Virtual Cache, you must complete at least TWO of the three activities listed below.
1. Upload a photo of the compass rose on the observation deck or of your view .
2. A weather station is in very close proximity to the tower (see additional waypoint below) a sign on the outside of the fence around the tower encourages visitors to scan the QR code on the sign for up to date weather information at this station, if you have a QR code reader on your phone, scan the code and then upload a screen shot of the conditions during your visit.
3. There is a sitting area at the bottom of the stairs. Email to us, the name of the organization / foundation on the plaque attached to the backrest of the bench located here.
NOTE: Area is closed 1 hour after sunset until 1 hour before sunrise.
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.