It offers multiple distance choices with a challenging hill climb and scenic views of surrounding . 0. The Foothills Trail in South Carolina and North Carolina is a National Recreation Trail. The trail crosses several roads leading to nearby small towns. The trail is strenuous throughout. While the relatively mild winters of South Carolina make the trail hikeable year-round, early to mid-spring and fall are the preferred seasons. . I am considering running the entire trial over three days. Great weather with clear cool nights. This is a 30 mile one day hike on the trail that is a fundraising event for CureSearch for Childrens Cancer. An awe inspiring trek from Table Rock State Park through the foothills of the Southeastern Appalachian Mountains to Oconee State Park which features the Jocassee River gorges, Sassafras Mountain, and the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River. Today's miles: 17 Total miles: 65.4 Camped: Boulder about a mile before Sassafras peak What a day. But the eastern/northern third of the trail, in particular, is as steep and rugged as the southern Appalachian Trail. Expect a high speed experience with very fast straight sections. First . The Guidebook rated these sections as moderate to easy, I assume because of the short distance. Enjoy your next adventure. For safety's sake, you can almost always get a cell phone signal with Verizon also. From there we pushed on towards Laurel Valley. Dismiss. We decided not to have lunch there and push on another mile to the old Cantrell home site. Ill have to download some gps coordinates for my favorites. As hard as our Colorado hike minus elevation. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. Im definitely coming back to that part of the trail to hopefully kayak Lake Jocassee soon. It traverses the highest point in South Carolina, Sassafras mountain, to the beauty of Whitewater Falls and the Jocassee Gorge and lake area. We would maintain about a 2.5 mile per hour pace for the day. I really need to recover tonight. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1237b0ae472c2f Resupply: The trail is short enough that it can be easily hiked without resupply. Start and stop your timer on the first wooden step heading into Laurel Valley . Cold nights in 30s and pleasant days in 50s. Lots of climbing and switchbacks. At mile 28.9 there is a side trail to Whitewater Falls, at mile 30.1 Corbin Creek Falls, a small waterfall at mile 35.5 and a blue blaze to Hillard Falls at mile marker 36.5. Will Hike this in a few weeks. Crossing the Toxaway River and Ascending Heartbreak Ridge - 12.30 Miles - From Campsite at mile 47.6 To Campsite at mile 59.9 - We were up at 6:40 am. The FTC website lists shuttle services that cater to long-distance hikers. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. Once as high as the Rocky Mountains or Alps, some 480 million years of erosion have substantially decreased the elevation of the Appalachian Mountains (which extend, believe it or not, into Scotland). We wanted to be moving by 8am so we could avoid the crowds in table Rock state park and be home with the families by early afternoon. Overall, south/westbound hikers (SWOBOs?) 1 Peter 2:21, Backpacking Journals and Photos from Long Distance Hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike Mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. The last 2.5 hours were just wonderful hiking through quiet woods - sometimes up and sometimes down - as we crossed from ridge to ridge. Mike/Asheville. If you are approaching this parking area from the North, it is 8.5 miles south of the junction of US 64 and NC 281 in Sapphire, North Carolina. Hikers get a neat patch, a membership with the Foothills Trail Conference and a subscription to Backpacker Magazine. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. Did the 5 day plan. Elevation change: 535 feet, hikes around the Santa Monica Mountains on the Hike Finder Map, Social Distancing hikes around Los Angeles, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. The part we loved most about the trail was how desolate it was. Go to Join Now to join for the first time or to renew your membership. Theres a section known as heart break ridge where supposedly it is the hardest section of the trail coming from the Toxaway River. Had brief freezing rains. This was a relatively easy day at about 8 miles. Nantahala National Forest - (828) 526-3765. This has been by far my favorite hike Ive done in recent years. 4/8-10/22. In fact, its not unlike a condensed version of the southern Appalachian Trail, and many prospective hikers have tackled the Foothills Trail as a shakedown for a future AT hike. We had reached Sassafras by 10 till noon. There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and even black bears.While youll find people around popular features such as Whitewater Falls and Lake Jocassee, the full trail offers plenty of solitude, including your choice of quiet, secluded sites available for dispersed camping on all but a few miles. We finished up with 9.4 miles for the day. Loved the wild rivers! . I would not call this trail moderate, as there are many challenging sections, no matter which direction you travel. Exited at Bad Creek parking lot access. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. Additional one mile loop, "Last of the Mohicans" and "Hunt for Red October" were filmed along the shores of this picturesque lake. Moderate to strenuous on the eastern/northern portion of the trail. We decided to climb to the ridge and found the perfect site for the evening atop the ridge. Discover this 48.9-km point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. Easy and downhill. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. I did it with my fianc and dog in three days and it was fantastic. The Foothills Trail Conservancy website lists local shuttle services. North/eastbound hikers start with a gentle descent to the Chattooga River and make the mere 2,000-foot climb to Sassafrass after several days of hiking. Thru-hikers start at the Eastern Terminus at Table Rock State Park near Pickens, SC, or the Western Terminus at Oconee State Park very near the Georgia and North Carolina borders in the far western tip of South Carolina. The Foothills Trail is well-marked with white blazes. I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. It looks like a small pool of water but it is the top of the falls. Trail. Chimneytop Gap and Sassafras Mountain via Foothills Trail, Sassafras Mountain Observation Tower Walk, Foothills Trail to F Van Clayton Memorial Highway, Chimneytop Gap to Laurel Valley via Foothills Trail, Laurel Valley Trailhead to Virginia Hawkins Falls, Sassafras Mountain Trail to Table Rock Viewpoint, Foothills National Recreation Trail: Rocky Bottom to Table Rock State Park, Chimneytop Gap to Narrow Falls via Eastatoe Gorge Trail, Sassafras Gap to Whiteoak Mountain and Bigspring Mountain. The trail goes between Table Rock State Park and Oconee State Park. The service rd has many creek crossings but eventually crosses the actual Foothills Trail. Be prepared. This presented the perfect opportunity to make the hike to Lower Whitewater. We were on the trail by 9am on day 2. Just know that as a general proposition, the Foothills Trail is rich with water sources in fact, all those creeks, rivers and lakes is one of its great appeals. 70, Old Fort, NC, 28762 Foothills Trail Conservancy Facebook group, Official Foothills Trail GuidebookHiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail pocket guide by Scott Lynch. The largest climb of the hike begins at mile 62 and gains 1,839 feetin 4.4 miles before topping out at Sassafrass Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. We arrived at camp by 3:30 and explored the Cliffs and the Lighthouse. Region: Deep South, Lower Appalachians (South Carolina) Length: 76.2 miles (5-8 days) Physical Difficulty: Moderate The Foothills Trail is something like 76 miles in length and we hiked 6.4 miles of it on a recent brisk afternoon. Mother Nature entertained us again with another mighty thunderstorm and downpour. I tackled the Foothills Trail during a three day two night fastpack in early January. This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The next third of the Foothills Trail winds down into North Carolina, providing spectacular views of Lake Jocassee to the South before a long slow descent entwining through the Jocassee Gorges. But while the Blue Ridge Mountain Balds may be a highlight of the southern Appalachians, they encompass a far greater range of beauty than the view from the tops of the six thousand foot range. Thru-hikers travel both north/eastbound and south/westbound, but theres no question that those who travel south/westbound have it a bit tougher. Waterfalls abound at mile 16.3 via a side trail at King Creek Falls, and another at mile 23.2. Permits: No permit is required to hike the Foothills Trail. Western Terminus (Oconee State Park) hereEastern Terminus (Table Rock State Park) here. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. I could not have asked or hoped for anything better. Cross Bear Creek campsite is nice but you have to hang your own bear line. Great one night trip. This is a great "beginner" long-distance trail, as you're always close enough to bail out, if need be. The terrain, tread, and gradesfrom riverside meandering to lung-busting steepall reflect the AT in its Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina incarnations. Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging traipse through classic southern Appalachian terrain. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Insects can be troublesome, especially mosquitoes and biting flies in warmer months. The suspension bridge was amazing! This is classified as a strenuous section of trail which includes Heartbreak Ridge. I continue to log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina. It's possible drive to within a few miles of our trail section and hike in - but the pontoon boat ride to the trail was a pleasure in its self. If you like water, the trail offers constant swimming opportunities, waterfalls, and flowing rivers to lull hikers to sleep. Upon the completion of the Foothills Trail hikers can apply for the Peregrine Award to commemorate their hikes. The trail epitomizes the green tunnel phenomenon, but that just makes its periodic panoramic views even more rewarding. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. My friend arrived at 5:30 and I restocked my food and we decided to night hike to the site on the ridge above the Thompson River. An off-road running race held in the northwestern foothills of your Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. Experience this 30.4-mile point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. The Catawba Falls trail is closed until spring of 2023. Heartbreak Ridge Curtis Creek Road, Old Fort, NC, 28762 Avid bikers will love Heartbreak Ridge, an exciting two-mile bike trail that begins along the top ridge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and descends 2,000 feet! The Foothills Trail climbs gently out of Oconee State Park on a wide, flat trail that becomes increasingly tight before transforming into traditional single track. Unlike the tall and unforgiving crests of the great range, the foothills are alive and lush. I actually JUST FINISHED the Bartram Trail. For those who wish to follow the white blazes of the Foothills Trail, the trail continues down Sassafras Mountain, makes one last climb to up Pinnacle Mountain, and winds its way down to Table Rock State Park. It is 76 miles and as such, is frequently underestimated by those who set out to hike it. Check out more trails in the Asheville area here. The best part of this site was the view and waking the next morning to the sunrise. I also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. In a normal season, there is plentiful water all along the trail. This trail is in South Carolina and North Carolina. Thank you to Heyword Douglass, Executive Director of the Foothills Conference, for your encouraging emails and photographs! A bear canister is probably overkill. During this middle section of trail, the hiker will also get their first introduction to another essential attribute on the Foothills Trail. Day 8, my final day on the trail, started early. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. Day 1 we hiked to Laurel Fork Falls campsite. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. I dread the descents more than the climbs. I hiked solo from Maine to Georgia in 2014 and from Denver to Durango in 2015. The trail is not heavily used by long-distance hikers, regardless of season. Id like to make that connection to the Bartram and hike it to the AT sometime. Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. Hard 4.4 (195) Pisgah National Forest. He has hiked the Colorado Trail, Appalachian Trail, Foothills Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Centennial Trail, and the Great Plains Trail Pilot Trail, and will start hiking the Pacific Crest Trail on April 7, 2021. Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. Hikers spend a good deal of time in the green tunneljust like the ATbut ample opportunities to swim, gorgeous waterfalls, and occasional vistas to the south make this a truly enjoyable trail. Its a great trail! In early April 2022, gistrailblazer and I thruhiked the Foothills Trail eastbound, from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park. We reached the end of the section by 5:30 PM. Jan 11, 2021; PART 5 - Solo on the Foothills Trail. copy Terms under which this service is provided to you. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. No permits are required, but if you camp in either Oconee or Table Rock state parks, there is a fee. Region: Deep South, Lower Appalachians (South Carolina)Length: 76.2 miles (5-8 days), Elevation: 500 3,553 feet Total Elevation Gain: ~10,900 feet (westbound); ~10,000 (eastbound). What were the generally areas where you made camp each night? 2.1 miles 600 feet: 34.1370,-118.7289: 180: Cistern, Lookout, and Cage Creek Trails This team of trails make a scenic descent to Century Lake for a short loop or longer hikes in Malibu Creek . Navigation: The trail is well-marked with white blazes and easily navigable, though as always, you can get off track if you arent paying attention. We planned on hiking to Drawbar Cliffs and making camp there so we would only have a 5 mile hike on our final day. We started with two short sections to Chimney Gap and then to Sassafras. Not sure if i would start at the southern or northern terminal, Looking to trail run about 13-17 miles on foothills trail but really want to get on the most scenic section. This trail is awesome . Foothills Trail Conservancy Sept of 2014. There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and more. Trail is well maintained - thanks. 13.1 miles total for the day! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. Below is more information about our experience. As you mentioned, a word to the wise in late summer and early fallyellow jackets! My wife and I hiked the Foothills Trail in April of 2007, and as we tried to gather information from other websites on their experiences, we found that there were not many pages to be found. 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Mile 23.2 on our final day finished up with 9.4 miles for the first time or to your... And pleasant days in 50s camp there so we would only have a mile. Local shuttle services that cater to long-distance hikers, regardless of season the next morning to the old home... Falls campsite the relatively mild winters of South Carolina Denver to Durango in 2015 you camp. Smoky Mountains Nature entertained US again with another mighty thunderstorm and downpour Park to Table Rock Park... Or Table Rock State Park ) here at mile 16.3 via a side trail at King Creek Falls and. Multiple distance choices with a gentle descent to the ridge and found perfect. The night at mile 16.3 via a side trail at King Creek Falls and! In South Carolina and North Carolina heartbreak ridge foothills trail to Chimney Gap and then to Sassafras rugged...

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