I took Friday off work to head up to Caesar’s Head State Park in South Carolina with my buddy, Cooper. I had heard great things and was excited to check it out.

The first views from the park, looking out at Table Rock, certainly did not disappoint. The lighting wasn’t great at the time so the pictures don’t do it justice.

Our plan was to hike the Rim of the Gap Trail. The rangers tried to put a scare in us and informed us it was “extremely difficult” and “the hardest trail they had at the park”. I think my responses of “awesome” and “that’s cool”, combined with looking like a 19 year old kid, made them a slight bit nervous.

Whatever.

We started the hike off pretty easily. But as we progressed we started crossing waterfalls. Coop only had tennis shoes. The third waterfall was about 20 feet across and you literally had to walk through it to the other side. There was no way to skirt it.

So we turned around and decided today wasn’t the right day. We’ll return with the right footwear.

The new destination was South Carolina’s highest point, Mt. Sassafras, which was exciting since it was a chance to bag Peak #3. Sassafras tops out at an elevation of 3,563 feet.

We chose a route that started 5 miles from the summit. In late fall it was very “leafy”. Beautiful though. Most of the hike is in the woods around a mountain, leading up to a ridge that takes you to the Sassafras Peak. Overall it was a very easy 5 mile hike. We completed it in about 1:20.

Peak #3 in the bag

Cooper atop the high point

To celebrate, we hit Blacks Smokehouse in Seneca, SC. FAN-TASTIC BBQ! I had a pork sandwich (w/ pickles) and the mac-n-cheese, plus Sweet Tea.

No celebratory South Carolina beer on this trip.