Sassafras mountain can be hiked on the foothills trail from hwy 178 , 1 mile past the deaf and blind school. As the road crosses a small bridge over the Eastatoe river you will see the 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. If you want to really hike it this is the way to go.
First of all, it's listed once as Chimneytown which isn't correct. Also, it says 4.7 miles to the summit. It's 4.7 miles round trip. I think people may opt to drive to the top instead of hike if they think they have a 9.4 hike ahead of them rather than 4.7.
I believe you are wrong, cll41059. The trail from Hwy 178, at the bridge is the one I took. I think it is marked as 4.7 miles to the summit, but it is a bit less than that, about 4 miles one way. My GPS showed 9.1 miles RT from the parking lot up the gravel road about 1/2 mile mile up from the highway. It may be about 4.7 miles RT from Chimneytop Gap to the summit, I didn't check that. Anyway, it is a beautiful trail and I highly recommend hiking from Hwy 178. There is 2671' of gain RT to the summit from the parking lot above the Hwy.
I agree with you, Vic; your stats make sense. I just hiked the Foothills Trail up from Chimneytop Gap; 4.7 miles RT and 1400 ft of gain (includes extra 150 ft each way). But now the body of the page says 4.7 miles RT from Hwy 178.
You can access the Foothills Trail to Sassafras summit from either Highway 178 for the 9 mile out and back- or from F Van Clayton Memorial Highway for a 5 mile out and back. To get to trailhead for the shorter 5-mile roundtrip.... from Highway 178 through Rocky Bottom, just past the turnoff onto Rocky Bottom Rd on the right, take the very next RT onto F Van Clayton Memorial Highway. Go past the sign on right for Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center for the Blind. Continue up the road and drive through the only true switchback the road does a bit further up. Just as you're coming out of the switchback- see the trail crossing the road and the trailhead sign to Chimneytop. There's a parking area on the left about 75 yards further up. Park and walk back down the road to the trail junction. Proceed up the trail the opposite way from the sign to Chimneytop. Enjoy this beautiful approximate 2.5 mile stroll to the summit!
Thank you. I can update. However, any suggestions for what language to take from what you wrote to replace on Sassafras Mountain? Happy to make you co-author of the page if you'd like?
jeff mabry - Feb 12, 2006 4:58 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentSassafras mountain can be hiked on the foothills trail from hwy 178 , 1 mile past the deaf and blind school. As the road crosses a small bridge over the Eastatoe river you will see the 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. If you want to really hike it this is the way to go.
hgrapid - Feb 12, 2006 9:17 pm - Hasn't voted
Untitled CommentThank you. Added.
cll41059 - Feb 17, 2013 8:26 am - Hasn't voted
Chimneytop Gap TrailFirst of all, it's listed once as Chimneytown which isn't correct. Also, it says 4.7 miles to the summit. It's 4.7 miles round trip. I think people may opt to drive to the top instead of hike if they think they have a 9.4 hike ahead of them rather than 4.7.
Vic Hanson - Oct 31, 2013 8:48 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Chimneytop Gap TrailI believe you are wrong, cll41059. The trail from Hwy 178, at the bridge is the one I took. I think it is marked as 4.7 miles to the summit, but it is a bit less than that, about 4 miles one way. My GPS showed 9.1 miles RT from the parking lot up the gravel road about 1/2 mile mile up from the highway. It may be about 4.7 miles RT from Chimneytop Gap to the summit, I didn't check that. Anyway, it is a beautiful trail and I highly recommend hiking from Hwy 178. There is 2671' of gain RT to the summit from the parking lot above the Hwy.
richh - Nov 1, 2017 1:46 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Chimneytop Gap TrailI agree with you, Vic; your stats make sense. I just hiked the Foothills Trail up from Chimneytop Gap; 4.7 miles RT and 1400 ft of gain (includes extra 150 ft each way). But now the body of the page says 4.7 miles RT from Hwy 178.
captain.ron - Sep 10, 2018 8:08 pm - Hasn't voted
Summit area is currently closed due to construction of a new summit towerThe summit marker has been temporarily moved to right outside the fenced construction area
HikerHel - Apr 27, 2019 10:49 am - Hasn't voted
The New Summit Tower is OpenSummit tower opened on 4/22/19
vanman798 - Oct 9, 2019 10:40 am - Hasn't voted
Re: The New Summit Tower is OpenI was there October 3, 2019, and I took a photo of the New Summit Tower (aka Lookout Platform). See https://www.summitpost.org/lookout-platform-on-sassafras-mtn-sc-open-in-2019/1044919/c-152371 and https://www.summitpost.org/lookout-platform-on-sassafras-mtn-sc-open-in-2019/1044921/c-152371
hgrapid - Oct 9, 2019 12:28 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: The New Summit Tower is OpenThanks, did you add those photos to the page?
vanman798 - Oct 9, 2019 1:01 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: The New Summit Tower is OpenYes I did.
hgrapid - Oct 9, 2019 2:53 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: The New Summit Tower is OpenGreat, thanks!
ColoradoMtnHiker - Apr 14, 2024 8:10 am - Hasn't voted
Just to clarify..You can access the Foothills Trail to Sassafras summit from either Highway 178 for the 9 mile out and back- or from F Van Clayton Memorial Highway for a 5 mile out and back. To get to trailhead for the shorter 5-mile roundtrip.... from Highway 178 through Rocky Bottom, just past the turnoff onto Rocky Bottom Rd on the right, take the very next RT onto F Van Clayton Memorial Highway. Go past the sign on right for Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center for the Blind. Continue up the road and drive through the only true switchback the road does a bit further up. Just as you're coming out of the switchback- see the trail crossing the road and the trailhead sign to Chimneytop. There's a parking area on the left about 75 yards further up. Park and walk back down the road to the trail junction. Proceed up the trail the opposite way from the sign to Chimneytop. Enjoy this beautiful approximate 2.5 mile stroll to the summit!
hgrapid - Apr 14, 2024 8:08 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Just to clarify..Thank you. I can update. However, any suggestions for what language to take from what you wrote to replace on Sassafras Mountain? Happy to make you co-author of the page if you'd like?