Panther Mountain, South Carolina, USA
South Carolina Geological Survey image (fair use policy)
Panther Mountain is not the highest of South Carolina's peaks, but it has a definite presence. Panther Mountain is part of the Blue Ridge range, exposing some of the oldest rocks in the eastern United States. Peaks of this region bear glacial grooves and plant species that are normally found far to the north, remnants of the ice ages.
In his touching poem "Directive," Robert Frost referred to this geologic legacy: "Besides the wear of iron wagon wheels / The ledges show lines ruled southeast-northwest, / The chisel work of an enormous Glacier / That braced his feet against the Arctic Pole. / You must not mind a certain coolness from him / Still said to haunt this side of Panther Mountain."
