PICKENS COUNTY – Sassafras Mountain is known to residents of South Carolina as being the highest point in the state with its summit elevation being 3,564 feet above sea level, but for members of Vision 2025 Sense of Place, it is not living up to its potential.

Ken Dykes, President of the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce said one of the goals of Sense of Place is to preserve natural beauty; protect local mountain vistas, lakes and river watersheds and forest preserves; increase green space areas and protect pristine land. He said he wants to reinvent Sassafras Mountain as something that Pickens County and South Carolina can be proud of.

“I think we’d like to take this on,” Dykes said. “It is a poorly maintained area with no signage. I think this can be turned into something we are all proud of and done fairly inexpensively.”

Dykes said he and the Vision 2025 members would work with the Department of Natural Resources who owns the two acres of land at the top of the vista. The area is currently used for hiking. The mountain is located along the South Carolina and North Carolina border in northern Pickens County. From the top, onlookers can view 6,000 plus mountains in the distance.

Dykes said in the past, a fire tower was at the top and onlookers could see four surrounding states. The fire tower is no longer on the property, but Dykes said a tower could be an idea to bring tourists to the area.

According to Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mike Parrott, currently a geological survey marker is the only way to tell where the top of the mountain is located.

Dykes noted there are some things in the area they would have no control over such as a cell tower and power poles, but he said they could “politely” ask the companies to clean up the area.

“It’s a cool area up there,” Dykes said. “It’s the highest point in the state and it’s located on a continental divide between two states. You step a few paces over, and you’re in North Carolina.”

Dykes said he has spoken with several groups to see if there is any interest in beautifying the area for residents and tourists and several groups have shown interest.

“I think with some enthusiasm we can get the ball rolling,” he said. “I think we can come up with a plan that is inexpensive and phase the plan to keep costs down. It’s something I would like to pursue. Someday I hope to send people not only to Table Rock, but also to Sassafras Mountain because its potential is endless.”