kids encyclopedia robot

List of mountain passes in South Carolina facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

A mountain pass, also called a gap, is a low point or a break in a mountain ridge or range. Think of it like a natural doorway through mountains! These passes are super important because they make it easier for people, animals, and even rivers to travel from one side of a mountain range to the other. Without them, crossing mountains would be much harder and take a lot longer.

In the U.S. state of South Carolina, you'll find many of these passes, especially in the western part of the state where the Blue Ridge Mountains and Saluda Mountains are located. These gaps have been used for centuries by travelers, traders, and explorers. Today, many roads and highways follow these natural pathways, making it easier to drive through the beautiful mountain landscapes of South Carolina.

This list shows some of the mountain passes and gaps you can find in South Carolina. Each one has a name, belongs to a specific mountain range, is located in a certain county, and has a unique elevation (how high it is above sea level).

Name Mountain range County Elevation Primary access route Other access route(s)
Bailey Gap Saluda Mountains Greenville 2,930 feet (890 m)
Beasley Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Pickens 1,886 feet (575 m) US Route 178
Callas Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Oconee 1,949 feet (594 m) SC Highway 28
Chimneytop Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Pickens 2,408 feet (734 m) F. Van Clayton Highway
Cove Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Pickens 1,322 feet (403 m)
Emory Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Pickens 2,762 feet (842 m)
Grunting Spring Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Greenville 2,956 feet (901 m)
Gum Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Greenville 3,061 feet (933 m)
Hi Saw Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Oconee 1,427 feet (435 m) SC Highway 28
Hickory Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Oconee 1,982 feet (604 m)
High Low Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Pickens 1,522 feet (464 m)
Horse Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Pickens 2,342 feet (714 m)
Horse Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Pickens 1,460 feet (450 m)
Jones Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Greenville 2,907 feet (886 m) US Route 276
Laurel Fork Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Pickens 2,087 feet (636 m) Horse Pasture Road
Lays Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Pickens 1,463 feet (446 m)
Line Rock Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Oconee 1,949 feet (594 m)
Lower Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Greenville 1,883 feet (574 m)
Mongold Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Oconee 1,863 feet (568 m)
Mosley Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Pickens 1,201 feet (366 m) US Route 178
Panther Gap Saluda Mountains Greenville 2,385 feet (727 m)
Panther Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Pickens 2,529 feet (771 m)
Reed Mountain Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Oconee 2,142 feet (653 m)
Rocky Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Oconee 1,860 feet (570 m)
Sassafras Gap Blue Ridge Mountains GreenvillePickens 2,864 feet (873 m)
Slicking Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Greenville 2,871 feet (875 m)
The Narrow Passage King Sand Hills Chesterfield 364 feet (111 m) SC Highway 109
Trammel Gap Saluda Mountains Greenville 2,198 feet (670 m)
Upper Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Greenville 2,054 feet (626 m)
Vaughns Gap Blue Ridge Mountains Greenville 2,592 feet (790 m)

See also

kids search engine
List of mountain passes in South Carolina Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.