This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Trail is well maintained - thanks. Continue on an old road to your left after entering a field to . Especially in warm weather, the slog out of Laurel Valley, up Sassafrass, over Pinnacle Mountain, and down, down into Table Rock will tax many a hikers glutes and quads. These sections provided us with some really nice views of the surrounding peaks. 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. 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. Water is plentiful. . Mother Nature smiled upon me with great weather! Hikers can expect to find blue line trout waters, suspension bridges, wildflowers, and star-filled nights from peaceful campsites which are numerous enough to . This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. A wonderful weekend hike. Cloudflare monitors for these errors and automatically investigates the cause. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. But theres more to love about this trail than the wilderness it passes through. If anyone finds it please message me 8644096466. Foothills Trail Conservancy Facebook group, Official Foothills Trail GuidebookHiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail pocket guide by Scott Lynch. Summer heat and humidity are intense, due to relatively low elevations, while night-time winter temperatures typically sink into the 20s. We had reached my car by 10:30 am and my journey was complete! virtually impossible to get lost. That was my favorite part of the trail. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. Nearly eighty miles of this scenic landscape straddle the border of South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Devil's Backbone This ridge-top trail between Baldy Notch and the summit of Mount Baldy is probably LA's greatest ridge hike, with incredible views over the San Gabriel Mountains and the Mojave Desert. Wandering Monk Hikes Day 5 on the Foothills Trail | Climbing Heartbreak RidgeHello everyone welcome! Click here to find alternative waterfall and hiking trails. As always, take care of our trail angels! Thanks for your support! The Catawba Falls trail is closed until spring of 2023. Hikers can fly into Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. As on the AT, south/westbound Foothills Trail hikers walk straight into a buzzsaw, tackling the highest, most challenging terrain immediately and gaining some 3,000 feet in the first 9.8 miles to the summit of Sassafrass Mountain on day one. IT set the stage for the many great waterfalls we would enjoy along our hike. While the solitude of the first part of my hike was very nice it was good to have company. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. The trail epitomizes the green tunnel phenomenon, but that just makes its periodic panoramic views even more rewarding. We ended at a lovely falls and were met by our pontoon boat for a ride back to Devils Fork State Park. No permits are required, but if you camp in either Oconee or Table Rock state parks, there is a fee. I also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. I really need to recover tonight. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. The group will go by boat to Laurel Fork and hike the Foothills Trail to Canebrake, a distance of about 5.8 miles. Had brief freezing rains. We finished with 5 miles on the day. Your IP: It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. The terrain, tread, and gradesfrom riverside meandering to lung-busting steepall reflect the AT in its Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina incarnations. Turn right into the parking area and pay your nominal parking fee. We were always close to Lake Jocassee but we couldn't see it. Region: Deep South, Lower Appalachians (South Carolina) Length: 76.2 miles (5-8 days) Physical Difficulty: Moderate Some areas are very strenuous while others are moderate with some easier components. Click link for details and directions. I suppose the guidebooks will have that and will purchase soon It's Day 5 on the . That said, its hard to think of a better trail to help newbies figure out if they are going to enjoy the AT. However from Sassafras Mountain there is a 14.2 mile spur trail to Ceasars Head State Park in South Carolinathat some choose as an alternate northern terminus for the trail. This is classified as a strenuous section of trail which includes Heartbreak Ridge. Fitness Trail consists of 7 stations, two exercises per station on a 1/4 mile jogging path. On my fourth day thru hiking the Foothills Trail alone, I started with the climb up and over Heartbreak Ridge and ended up at the Chimneytop Campsite, just b. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Around 13 miles into the run touch the bench on top of Heart Break Ridge at Lake Jocassee and return back to the parking lot. Happy hiking! Today's miles: 17 Total miles: 65.4 Camped: Boulder about a mile before Sassafras peak What a day. We ended up creating a website (www.thefoothillstrail.com) with the hopes of informing others of the difficulty of the trail, the terrain type, how to read the guidebook (published by The Foothills Trail Conference), and other insider tips. What I had failed to realize it that the next mile of the trail is know as Heart Break Ridge. What were the generally areas where you made camp each night? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Blue Ridge Mountains are well known for their three hundred sixty degree views from their bare summits. There were no bugs and it got down to the low 40s one night After a brief rain during the 65 degree weather. It can be hiked in 3-7 days. Very well maintained trail. Heartbreak Ridge via Star Gap Trail. Along this extended spur lies views of the East Fork of the French Broad River, as well as the sheer rock faces of Raven Cliff Falls. Expect a high speed experience with very fast straight sections. I have thru-hiked it, speed hiked it and section hiked it. Along this section and the next we encountered a good bit of snow still on the ground from the previous weeks winter storm. This is a four-season trail, hikeable even in winter. Mother Nature entertained us again with another mighty thunderstorm and downpour. Day 2 we hiked to Cross Bear Creek campsite. Length: 80.0 miles Type: One Way Surface: Various Difficulty: Difficult Trail Features: t Parking Trail Head Scenic Observation Waterfall Camping Point of Interest Water Launch Pets Fee Camping Summary: Whether you're looking for a day hike or planning a multi-day through-hike, the Foothills Trail offers adventures of every length and difficulty. instead, 91 South Catawba Avenue, Old Fort, 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. Want to report conditions for this trail? The Guidebook rated these sections as moderate to easy, I assume because of the short distance. This has been by far my favorite hike Ive done in recent years. I had both time to be alone and reflect and time with great company to share in my experience. Description. There is a small amount of roadwalking. I dread the descents more than the climbs. The books warn you about Heartbreak Ridge but they don't tell you about Heartbreak Hill that follows. Print/PDF map. This is a week that will stay with me forever. Excellent article. The trail is strenuous throughout. Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls. Hikers should plan ahead for shuttle transport. Foothills Trail Conservancy Many views along the way - waterfalls, wild boar and wild turkey sightings, streams to cross. My wife dropped me, and my dog Spencer, off at 10:45am and after our goodbyes and a few pictures, we set off on our journey. Its unfair to reduce the Foothills Trail to a warm-up for the Appalachian Trail. Hard 4.4 (195) Pisgah National Forest. The eastern end of the trail includes some strenuous climbing, including the infamous 500 steps up Heartbreak Ridge and the summit of Sassafras Mountain, but there are also long stretches of easy strolling. Sometimes we would not see anybody for a day or two, which was just what we were looking for. Additional Bridge over Whitewater River now complete! Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. I can usually will myself to keep going but not in this case. Unlike the tall and unforgiving crests of the great range, the foothills are alive and lush. For the full 4x4 trail guide please visit:https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/812-2n61y-heartbreak-ridgeHidden on the east side of Big Bear in Southern Cali. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. I had many great campsites along the trail but this one would prove to be the best. 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. The Toxaway River flows into Lake Jocassee along the Foothills Trail. We were on the trail by 9am on day 2. This is a 30 mile one day hike on the trail that is a fundraising event for CureSearch for Childrens Cancer. 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. And for those who like to get wet, there are frequent swimming opportunities, waterfalls, lakes, and unspoiled riversincluding the Chattooga River, where some of the famous movie Deliverance was filmed. We camped at Bear Creek (not bear camp creek) and actually did have a bear sighting. Cross the NC/SC state line into North Carolina and continue for about a mile to the Whitewater Falls parking area which is marked with a large U.S. Forest Service sign. Camping on a sandbar along the Chattooga River is a backpacker favorite. I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Dismiss. This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. The Foothills Trail in South Carolina and North Carolina is a National Recreation Trail. I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. Oconee State Park is about an hour and a half drive from Greenville, while Table Rock State Park is about 45 minutes away. It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! Thanks for your support! Resupply: The trail is short enough that it can be easily hiked without resupply. There I set up camp. It was a great trip. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Check out this 19.1-mile point-to-point trail near Lake Toxaway, North Carolina. While there are often more people around features such as Whitewater Falls and Lake Jocassee, hikers will find plenty of solitude on most of the trail, including quiet, secluded campsites. The incidence of Lyme disease is very low in South and North Carolina (less than .5 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents), but the black-legged (or deer tick) is present, so be diligent about tick checks. Waterfalls abound at mile 16.3 via a side trail at King Creek Falls, and another at mile 23.2. a Woods Mountain Trail is not for the faint of heart! 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. Apr 25, 2020 at 8:30 AM . Table Rock State Park is about an hours drive from both Asheville, North Carolina and Spartanburg, SC. 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. There is plenty of water and beautiful scenery along most of this section. The Foothills Trail: A 77-Mile Taste of the Southern Appalachians The idea for the Foothills Trail, a National Recreation Trail located in far western South Carolina, began in the 1960s as an effort to preserve and protect the beauty of the Appalachian Foothills. 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. I was sad to see the simple existence I had while in the woods coming to an end but at the same time I was excited to be accomplishing this thru-hike and going home to see my wife. We counted down the miles as we moved down the mountain towards the nature center. Cars can be left at both state parks. I have participated for the last 4 years great event!! Water: Water is plentiful all along the trail from streams, rivers, and lakes, except in drought conditions. The day started with "heartbreak ridge". Did the 5 day plan. We would maintain about a 2.5 mile per hour pace for the day. If you like water, the trail offers constant swimming opportunities, waterfalls, and flowing rivers to lull hikers to sleep. It offers multiple distance choices with a challenging hill climb and scenic views of surrounding . Exited at Bad Creek parking lot access. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1237b0ae472c2f I had planned on making camp for the evening along the spur trail below Grassy Knob that led to 281, but there was too much snow on the ground. copy 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. If you enjoyed the Foothills Trail you should check out http://www.ultimatehike.org. The Bartram, Foothills, AT and Benton MacKaye form a Southern Serpentine Route! I continue to log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina. We were exhausted by the time we set up camp so we ate dinner and then hit the sack. We finished with 13.2 hard miles for the day and ate dinner then took our aching feet to bed. There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and more. Volunteers should be reimbursed fairly for their generous donations of time and gasoline. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. We reached the end of the section by 5:30 PM. The trail is clearly marked throughout. Any suggestions. Meet at the Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing. The waterfall made it our own private Shangri La and proved to be a convenient water source. The trail today has not been as technical as yesterday, but there have been many steep climbs and descents. Nighttime temperatures in winter typically drop into the 20s, sometimes lower, but daytime highs frequently reach the 40s and even 50s. So beautiful! There I set up camp. This self supported marathon begins in the Laurel Valley Parking Lot off HWY 178 . Jurisdiction: The Foothills Trail crosses land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, state parks, and Duke Energy. The FTC website lists shuttle services that cater to long-distance hikers. What I had failed to realize it that the next mile of the trail is know as Heart Break Ridge. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Hes the author of several books, including the Amazon bestseller, Bones of My Grandfather: Reclaiming a Lost Hero of World War II, and his most recent, The Trail Is the Teacher: Living and Learning on the Appalachian Trail. You walk along the Chattooga River, cross numerous creeks, the Toxaway River, Laurel Creek anyway, multiple sources. Chattooga River Valley (miles 10.6-15.5): Many excellent places to swim and camp along the river, which was one of the locations for the movie Deliverance (but dont worry; there dont appear to be any crazed hillbillies in the area). The trail crosses several roads leading to nearby small towns. People love campfires. Overall, we hiked around 6 miles to and from. While the relatively mild winters of South Carolina make the trail hikeable year-round, early to mid-spring and fall are the preferred seasons. This route was very challenging, but worth it in the end, when you are back home with your feet up :), Laurel Fork Falls to Canebrake Point-to-point using boat shuttle. Performance & security by Cloudflare. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. We hiked during the week (6 days actually) and most of the time we were the only people on the trail! Cross the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. The Foothills Trail is a 76 mile long collection of trails that run through 3 state parks, through North and South Carolina, and within view of the Georgia border. Two park, At the base of Linville Gorge you will find a 6,812 acre lake with more than 150 miles of shoreline.. About an hour later we put the packs back on and headed toward the Cliffs. You can hike for a few hours or spend days or a week or so hiking here and never do the same hike twice. Camping is allowed on most of the trails 77 miles, with the following exceptions: 1.7 miles along the Whitewater River on Duke Energy property, starting at around mile 30 (northbound); Table Rock State Park, except in designated campsites at park headquarters. Upon the completion of the Foothills Trail hikers can apply for the Peregrine Award to commemorate their hikes. The Foothills Trail Conservancy website lists local shuttle services. Im investigating as we speak! The trail is blazed and is normally hiked in 10 days. The Foothills Trail is accessible, challenging, but not difficult, and logistically easy to hike. Immediately bear right onto the unpaved fork and continue to the Foothills Trail parking area about 0.3 mile on the left. The Foothills Trail is a 76-mile point-to-point hike in the Appalachian Mountains of western South Carolina best hiked in fall, winter, or spring. Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. Opportunities, waterfalls, and flowing rivers to lull hikers to negotiate steep... A challenging Hill climb and scenic views of the first part of my was. 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