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OUR BRENNAN MCDAVID TO HAD THERE AND TAKE A LOOK. BRENNAN: AT 3,553 FEET , SASSAFRASS MOUNTAIN IS THE HIGHEST POINT IN SOUTH CAROLINA, AND THE STATE’S NEWEST ATTRACTION. >> THE VIEW IS TO DIE FOR UP .THE VIEW IS TO DIE FOR UP HERE AT THIS POINT. BRENNAN: THIS VIEW WAS ALSO TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING, ACCORDING TO GREG LUCAS WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. >> SOME PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT THIS IS THE HIGHEST POINT IN THE STATE, BUT THERE USED TO BE TREES UP HERE, THERE WAS NO VIEW EXCEPT IN THE WINTER TIME WHEN ALL THE LEAVES CAME OFF. BRENNAN LUCAS SAYS DNR PARTNERED : WITH SEVERAL OTHER AGENCIES TO CLEAR THE WAY AND BUILD A TOWER THAT IS BOTH EYE CATCHING AND HANDICAPP ACCESIBLE. >> PROBABLY ON A DAY LIKE TODAY, YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO SEE 30-50 MILES IN SOME PLACES. READING: -- BRENNAN: THE PROJECT COST $1.1 MILLION, AND TOOK ABOUT A YEAR AND HALF TO BUILD, BUT LUCAS SAYS THE END RESULT WAS WORTH THE WAIT. [CHEERING] BRENNAN: SASSAFRASS MOUNTAIN SITS ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA, NORTH CAROLINA LINE. VISITORS CAN ALSO SEE PARTS OF GEORGIA. >> THE FARTHEST THING YOU CAN SEE ON THE HORIZON IS KERHEE MOUNTAIN IN TOCCOA GEORGIA WHICH -- GEORGIA, WHICH IS PRETTY AMAZING. BRENNAN: AMAZING, EVEN FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN THE AREA. CARL AND LINDA DURHAM SAYS THIS VIEW NEVER GETS OLD. >> HE LIKES TO COME UP HERE. HE SAYS LETS GO TO SASSAFRAS MOUNTAIN EVERY SUNDAY. BRENNAN: TO MARVEL AT GOD’S MASTERPIECE. >> IT USED TO BE QUIET, DOESN’T LOOK LIKE IT’S GOING TO BE QUIET MUCH LONGER. >> IT’S A GREAT SHOWCASE FOR PICKENS COUNTY. A GREAT SHOWCASE FOR THE STATE SOUTH CARO

Advertisement Long-awaited observation platform atop South Carolina’s highest point now open Sassafras Tower opened April 22 Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A long-awaited observation platform atop the highest point in South Carolina has officially opened to the public. Sassafras Tower is in northern Pickens County on top of Sassafras Mountain, 3,553 feet above sea level. The tower on the South Carolina-North Carolina state line opened to the public on Monday -- Earth Day. “The highest point in the state is a geographical landmark that every South Carolinian, young and old, should have the opportunity to see and enjoy,” said Alvin Taylor, director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. “We hope that the observation tower will be a place where residents and visitors can go to marvel at the view of three states and the Blue Ridge Mountains and to appreciate what a beautiful and diverse place South Carolina truly is.”Pickens architect Gil Stewart designed the tower. The 11-foot tall viewing platform, which is 44 feet in diameter at its top, has a natural stone appearance and a trail and ramp for mobility impaired visitors. There is a paved road to a parking lot, with adjacent bathrooms.Officials said that on a clear day from the top of the observation deck, visitors will be able to see 30 to 50 miles into South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.The $1.1 million project was paid for by a variety of sources, including Duke Energy, the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund, Pickens County, the Felburn Foundation, the South Carolina Heritage Trust and hundreds of private supporters through commemorative brick sales.The tower sits on the Eastern Continental Divide and is home to the 77-mile Foothills Trailer between Table Rock and Oconee state parks. To reach the Sassafras Tower from the town of Pickens, go 15.8 miles north on US 178 to Rocky Bottom, turn right on F. Van Clayton Memorial Highway and go 4.7 miles to the end of the road. The gravel parking area is on the left.For more information, visit http://www.visitpickenscounty.com/vendor/124/sassafras-mountain/.