PICKENS COUNTY — As the summer begins to wind its way down and August prepares Pickens County for football, visitors and locals alike should remember many of the things the unique geographical region has to offer.

A short drive for residents located just off scenic S.C. 11, is the Piedmont region’s gateway to the Appalachian Mountains and one of the best views in the state, a refreshing dip in a mountain pool, or a taste of Americana entrenched in Pickens County, also known as bluegrass music.

The entire area is alive with clean air and the quiet only afforded with stepping outside.

Sassafras Mountain is South Carolina’s point of highest elevation and is located in Pickens County. The peak of the mountain serves as the Foothills Trail trailhead, giving hikers the opportunity to journey for a day, or multiple days with distances up to 66 miles.

The view is the largest in the state with its overlook allowing visitors to see for literally miles and spot local lakes such as Jocassee and Keowee in the distance, a fraction of their actual size. The location offers a peaceful tranquility not often found in one’s backyard.

Table Rock, only minutes from Sassafras, is a lover of the outdoors dream with a public beach, trails, and mountain streams and pools. It’s not unusual to hike a short distance from the trailhead to find a gathering of others enjoying a waterfall and cooling pool on a hot Saturday afternoon. The water is clear and cool and easily accessible for just about anyone.

Table Rock Lodge hosted a special day of bluegrass on Aug. 8 with musicians gathering and playing together, all at no cost to visitors. A picking circle was formed and the music flowed as 20-plus strummed, hummed and sawed away at their fiddles.

Pickens County often forgets what it has to offer, being so close. Sometimes a short drive will reintroduce you to what was there all along.

The view from Sassafras Mountain’s overlook is surprisingly breathtaking, offering a view across the Piedmont of the Appalachian Mountains.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_8770.jpgThe view from Sassafras Mountain’s overlook is surprisingly breathtaking, offering a view across the Piedmont of the Appalachian Mountains. D. C. Moody | The Pickens Sentinel

The Foothills Trail trailhead is located on Sassafras Mountain, offering an excursion to dayhikers and more the more experienced rough it types.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_8807.jpgThe Foothills Trail trailhead is located on Sassafras Mountain, offering an excursion to dayhikers and more the more experienced rough it types. D. C. Moody | The Pickens Sentinel

South Carolina’s highest elevation is located in Pickens County and offers visitors a view for literally miles around.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_8839.jpgSouth Carolina’s highest elevation is located in Pickens County and offers visitors a view for literally miles around. D. C. Moody | The Pickens Sentinel

Table Rock’s streams and pools are open for visitors to enjoy and on a hot summer afternoon the mountain streams are quite refreshing.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_8840.jpgTable Rock’s streams and pools are open for visitors to enjoy and on a hot summer afternoon the mountain streams are quite refreshing. D. C. Moody | The Pickens Sentinel

Bluegrass music was free for the taking Aug. 8 in the Table Rock Lodge and a hefty crowd gathered to play, sing or just tap a foot to the music.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/web1_IMG_8846.jpgBluegrass music was free for the taking Aug. 8 in the Table Rock Lodge and a hefty crowd gathered to play, sing or just tap a foot to the music. D. C. Moody | The Pickens Sentinel

By D. C. Moody

dmoody@civitasmedia.com

Reach D. C. Moody at 864-855-0355.