Same short drive to reach the mountains, brand new trail!
This morning we dashed out to Paris Mountain State Park for
the grand opening of Sassafras Trail. The 2.3-mile lollipop loop departs from
the back of the Sulphur Springs parking lot, and winds through the 160 acres
that was purchased by Paris Mountain State Park Friends in 2015.
The new trail is thanks to the tireless work by the non-profit Friends organization, who raised money and secured funds from the South Carolina Conservation Bank for the purchase of the tract. Paris Mountain State Park Friends then deeded it to Paris Mountain State Park in 2019, and after a year of trail construction, new kiosk and signage, the trail is finally open to the public! It was fitting that the president of the Friends organization was on hand to cut the ribbon.
The trail is rated moderate, mostly due to the 340 feet of
elevation gain. Interesting trail features include multiple creek crossings and
a quartz outcrop, and the trail is almost entirely shaded. When the Friends of Paris
Mountain acquired the property, it had been extensively clear-cut. Ideally, it
would have had a more pristine forest, but the present conditions offer benefits
as well. The trail proves to be an excellent addition to the trail system at
Paris Mountain, as it allows users to see firsthand the difference between a
mature hardwood forest in comparison to an area that was recently logged. A second
benefit is that as stewards of the land, the SC Park Service will allow it to
return to a healthy state once again. Finally, the considerable addition of
acreage to the park (10% increase in size!) is a boon to wildlife and our
natural spaces in the Greenville area.
Sassafras Trail is multi-use, and was created with the increased usage of recent years in mind. Starting out in the Sulphur Springs parking area (behind shelters 5 & 6), the trail starts from the kiosk at the west end of the lot. Less than a tenth of a mile in it reaches the loop portion, with mountain bikers directed in one direction and hikers the other. The direction will alternate monthly, and ensures a safe, multi-use experience – especially for families with children! We hiked it in a counter-clockwise direction today, beginning with a rocky, rooted, easy-to-follow, blue-blazed climb through a mature forest. Once we had looped around, we entered the former clear-cut; there are several spots in this section that will probably feature views in the winter. Around 1.5 miles in we started the descent, re-entered the mature hardwoods, traversed the 3rd creek crossing, and reached the trailhead where we started. For the Paris Mountain State Park trail map, click here.
From chatting with a couple of trail runners afterwards I understood that this is certainly a welcome addition to the Greenville trail system. While not a long trail (the Paris Mountain trails mostly average around 2 miles, but can be combined to form much longer routes), Sassafras has the challenging topography, as well as the central location that allows it to be added on to the Sulphur Springs loop or Mountain Creek trail for a longer hike/run. A couple of mountain bikers I encountered on the trail highlighted maybe the most significant factor; it will help alleviate congestion on some of the more crowded trails. And for families with school-age children, the short drive to the trailhead accommodates a quick hike in the late afternoon after school lets out.
Only a 15-minute drive from Greenville, Paris Mountain is one of the most popular state parks in SC, providing that escape to the outdoors without the long drive. But as the population and growth have surged in the Upstate in recent years, increased usage has had a considerable impact on the park in terms of effects on vegetation, visitor conflict, trail widening, and erosion. Named a “Leave No Trace Hot Spot” by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, the trail ribbon-cutting is part of a five-day series of workshops, outreach programs and community events, including opportunities for community involvement; check out the website for the full schedule.
For more on Paris Mountain State Park:
- Paris Mountain State Park
- Paris Mountain's Fire Tower
- Brissy Ridge of Paris Mountain
- A Hike to Mountain Lake
- Music in the Woods (Tomorrow's concert is part of the LNT Hot Spot schedule)
- Creek Ranger Hike at Paris Mountain State Park
It's really nice to have a state park, with recreational opportunities, activities, and programs such a short distance from the city! (...a quick hike after school!...💚
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