Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Trail is well maintained - thanks. Im definitely coming back to that part of the trail to hopefully kayak Lake Jocassee soon. Click to reveal Your IP: 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. 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. I got my trail name, Pony, in 2015 when I hiked the Colorado Trail. Additional Bridge over Whitewater River now complete! This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. 70, Old Fort, NC, 28762 For the next 0.7 miles, we ascended and descended over 400 steps! 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. The Foothills Trail Conference Divides the trail into thirteenaccessible sections. Along the sandy banks of the Chattooga River and just above Laurel Fork Falls are two of many excellent camping spots on the trail. We finished with 5 miles on the day. Mother Nature smiled upon me with great weather! I hiked solo from Maine to Georgia in 2014 and from Denver to Durango in 2015. This self supported marathon begins in the Laurel Valley Parking Lot off HWY 178 . Bugs were bad at this location. Slept well, heard the popping of the campfire a few sites over for awhile. This trail is awesome . Lots of inclines and declines so pack light! Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. A rat snake, coiled alongside the Foothills Trail. The Foothills Trail proper ends at Table Rock State Park, about ten miles from Sassafras Mountain. Location: The trail runs slightly northeast-southwest in far western South Carolina, with several crossings into North Carolina. This is a week that will stay with me forever. By Clay Bonnyman Evans, 2019 Foothills Trail Thru-Hiker. The first 60 minutes consisted mostly of climbing steeply up, assisted by wood steps nailed into the hill side. Did the 5 day plan. My girlfriend and I backpacked this trail last night. Check out the Foothills Trail, we're sure you'll love it. gain about 10,000 feet (the Foothills Trail Conservancy does not offer exact totals; approximations are based on an overall elevation profile). We finished with 13.2 hard miles for the day and ate dinner then took our aching feet to bed. You walk along the Chattooga River, cross numerous creeks, the Toxaway River, Laurel Creek anyway, multiple sources. Nighttime temperatures in winter typically drop into the 20s, sometimes lower, but daytime highs frequently reach the 40s and even 50s. Click on any map and youll see what Im talking about. Ill have to download some gps coordinates for my favorites. The Foothills Trail is well-marked with white blazes. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. We were hiking by 10 till 10 and our first stop was Hilliard Falls. I am considering running the entire trial over three days. I had many great campsites along the trail but this one would prove to be the best. This mornings highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. Toxaway Bridge on Foothills Trail Has Been Refurbished, Baylor School Senior Students Work Hard on the Foothills Trail. http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge, 2940 Ft. /8 Miles. Water: Water is plentiful all along the trail from streams, rivers, and lakes, except in drought conditions. 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. I can usually will myself to keep going but not in this case. We took our time breaking camp and were on the trail by 11am. This was an awesome site and from atop the giant rocks we could see for miles and got the privilege of watching a beautiful sunset. Hard to find online is specific locations of good water stops. We started with two short sections to Chimney Gap and then to Sassafras. I can usually will myself to keep going but not in this case. Thanks for your support! Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. Oconee is about 2.5 hours and Table Rock is about three hours from Atlanta. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina's highest peak, Obeservation Tower atop Sassafras Mountain, For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. I got to meet several interesting and nice people that were making the short hike to Lick Falls. It can be hiked in 3-7 days. This has been by far my favorite hike Ive done in recent years. Click link for details and directions. We camped at the site right next to the Laurel Valley parking lot. Trailhead begins inside the Old Fort Picnic Area with incredible views of Kitsuma Peak at trail end. I also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. What a great way to fall asleep, as the rain pattered against my tarp and the thunder boomed and lightning lit up the evening sky! Generally considered a challenging route. And they were indeed smoky this morning. Fee camping is allowed only in designated areas in Oconee and Table Rock state parks. We decided to climb to the ridge and found the perfect site for the evening atop the ridge. 0. Woke up to the popping of the same campfire. I have participated for the last 4 years great event!! Come take a hike with me at Blue Ridge Hiking Company! We were on the trail by 9am on day 2. Loved the wild rivers! Primitive trail connects Woods Mountain & Armstrong Creek Trails. Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). Nantahala National Forest - (828) 526-3765. Day 1 we hiked to Laurel Fork Falls campsite. Volunteers should be reimbursed fairly for their generous donations of time and gasoline. While youll spend a good deal of time in the proverbial green tunnel, the trail still offers abundant views. During this middle section of trail, the hiker will also get their first introduction to another essential attribute on the Foothills Trail. Unlike the tall and unforgiving crests of the great range, the foothills are alive and lush. Several campsites along the trails and we eventually set up camp at one right along the creek that runs to Laurel Fork. Great review. Additional troubleshooting resources. In 2016, I hiked the Appalachian Trail; 2018, Foothills Trail and Alabama Pinhoti Trail; 2019, Great Plains Trail pilot trail in South Dakota and Nebraska; on April 7, 2021 I will start the Pacific Crest Trail. Great campsites, I went off roading Sunday and I left my Sony nex-6 camera. The consistent signage makes finding the trailheads easy, and the mileage makes section hiking attainable. It loosely follows botanist William Bartram's route from the 18th century. Exposure is minimal, and many climbs feature artificial, wood-block steps. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. Cross the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign. Exclusive to the state of Florida, its dirt and paved paths can be hiked in 60-90 days. It was very strenuous and not for the out-of-shape. 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. There is a small amount of roadwalking. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. copy We took our time there taking a lot of pics and talking to a nice couple. Great camping areas. My most recent books are "Bones of My Grandfather: Reclaiming a Lost Hero of World War II," "The Trail is the Teacher: Living and Learning on the Appalachian Trail," and "I See by Your Outfit: An Unexpected Cowboy Odyssey.". This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I could not have asked or hoped for anything better. Fork Mountain Trail (S5) - (S6) Eastatoe Gorge Spur (S3) - (S4) Sassafras Mountain (S1) to Caesar's Head State Park (S2) . The day started with "heartbreak ridge". Login to Update Event. This was one of the few instances I saw wildlife along my hike. A footbridge across the Horsepasture River on the Foothills Trail. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. Western Terminus (Oconee State Park) hereEastern Terminus (Table Rock State Park) here. The trail is strenuous throughout. The trail features sturdy bridges crossing over numerous rivers, beautiful waterfalls, a jaunt around a corner of Lake Jocassee, and, on the eastern half of the trail, steep climbs of up to 2,000 feet that rival anything on the southern Appalachian Trail. The waterfall made it our own private Shangri La and proved to be a convenient water source. 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. I am very proud to have accomplished this feat and Im already looking forward to my next journey along the trail. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. Id like to make that connection to the Bartram and hike it to the AT sometime. Nice article! Sept of 2014. We would maintain about a 2.5 mile per hour pace for the day. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging hike through classic Southern Appalachian terrain. The trail epitomizes the green tunnel phenomenon, but that just makes its periodic panoramic views even more rewarding. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. Experience this 30.4-mile point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. This was a hard day of almost 12 miles. Its unfair to reduce the Foothills Trail to a warm-up for the Appalachian Trail. We had reached my car by 10:30 am and my journey was complete! 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. 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. The Toxaway River flows into Lake Jocassee along the Foothills Trail. Start and stop your timer on the first wooden step heading into Laurel Valley . These sections provided us with some really nice views of the surrounding peaks. There were plenty of views and beautiful streams and waterfalls this time of year. 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. The park also has a store and gift shop with limited groceries to fuel your post thru hike hunger. The Foothills Trail - A 76-mile journey into the wilderness 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. Well-built bridges cross major waterways and the FTC has laid hundreds of wood-block steps into the steepest sections of trail. Flowers, and other Flora abound, birds aplenty, There are even plants that only exist in this part of the world. This trail is awesome . There are numerous road crossings, and hitching into small towns such as Salem, SC, or Sapphire, NC, isnt too difficult. Day 4 was a short 3 miles but much of it was uphill. As the name implies, this down hill, four mile bike trail descends approximately 2,000 feet and is a true heart breaker. The trail is blazed and is normally hiked in 10 days. 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. 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. 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. Log In. Scenery: Mostly forests, dominated by rhododendron, mountain laurel, oak and pine, with occasional panoramic views, rivers, waterfalls, and the summit of South Carolinas highest peak. . 'Heartbreak Ridge,' Foothills Trail, SC - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google LLC So it requires some advance planning. Hikers can expect to find blue line trout waters, suspension bridges, wildflowers, and star-filled nights from peaceful campsites which are numerous enough to . We arrived at camp by 3:30 and explored the Cliffs and the Lighthouse. Thank you to Heyword Douglass, Executive Director of the Foothills Conference, for your encouraging emails and photographs! The Guidebook rated these sections as moderate to easy, I assume because of the short distance. As a result, the web page can not be displayed. I continue to log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina. Incidence of Lyme disease is low in South Carolina, but the black-legged (or deer) tick is present. People love campfires. Moderate to strenuous on the eastern/northern portion of the trail. But from its well blazed path to its active trail conservancy, it is a trail well worth the walk. Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. From there we pushed on towards Laurel Valley. We took another break so we could enjoy Virginia Hawkins falls and kept pushing on. Trail. Find us on Facebook! The Florida Trail is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles. The steps are so long that in the middle there is a bench for folks to rest before they tackle the remainder of the climb. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. Really cool to se that engineering out in the wilderness and seamlessly blend it in. 13.1 miles total for the day! 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. Terms under which this service is provided to you. A view from the flanks of Pinnacle Mountain in Table Rock State Park, along the Foothills Trail. Since we only had about 3.5 miles left to camp, we lounged around after eating basking in the warm sun. Resupply: The trail is short enough that it can be easily hiked without resupply. 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 Bartram Trail can be found (somewhere, I havent done it yet) on the other side of the Chattooga crossing the road bridge just up stream of the Burrells Ford campground, which leads to the AT in the Wayah Bald area. I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. The group will go by boat to Laurel Fork and hike the Foothills Trail to Canebrake, a distance of about 5.8 miles. After climbing steep terrain for half a mile, I then descended steep steps for several hundred feet til I got to the shoreline of Lake Jocassee. A bear canister is probably overkill. The Foothills Trail is a dream for section hikers. 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. 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. Check out more trails in the Asheville area here. It wasnt the perfect site but it was perfectly timed! You have two transport options for the trail you can shuttle a car yourself, or use a Foothills Trail shuttle service. Some shuttle drivers also will do food drops for a fee. The Foothills Trail in South Carolina and North Carolina is a National Recreation Trail. Dont forget the insect repellent youll want it. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. Though technically a four-season trail, the heat and humidity from May through September can be oppressive. There is plenty of water and beautiful scenery along most of this section. Laurel Fork Falls (mile 54.3): A scenic cascade with several streamside campsites just one-tenth of a mile to the east. I really need to recover tonight. Well maintained trail. More. And many a Foothills Trail hiker has found herself sprinting away from the occasional swarm of irritable hornets, especially in fall. This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. On top of Heartbreak Ridge, we heard 4 large birds . Mountain Streams, Suspension Bridges, Waterfalls After taking a 45 minute pontoon ride across Lake Jocassee to the trail connector - we lumbered off on our 3.5 hour hike. To help support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your web server and submit it our support team. I did it with my fianc and dog in three days and it was fantastic. We counted down the miles as we moved down the mountain towards the nature center. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. We finished the section and hiked a little over a half mile into the next so we could get a site in Gorge State Park along the Toxaway River. Foothills Trail Conservancy Facebook group, Official Foothills Trail GuidebookHiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail pocket guide by Scott Lynch. Difficult at times but worth it. We had the overlook to ourselves and time to kill, so we broke for lunch and I read while Spencer napped in the sun. Table Rock State Park offers a myriad of amenities from camping to cabins, swimming to fishing. It is just under three miles long, beginning at the Old Fort picnic area. Greenville SC 29602. 2022 Foothills Trail Conservancy | An Engenius website. Not unlike the AT, the Foothills Trail is more challenging at one end. Nearly eighty miles of this scenic landscape straddle the border of South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Around 4:15 we started the hike to the Bad Creek parking lot. We heard 4 large birds up camp at one end the wilderness seamlessly! Only in designated areas in Oconee and Table Rock State Park, about ten miles from Sassafras Mountain climbs artificial! In Asheville North Carolina is a National heartbreak ridge foothills trail trail can usually will myself to keep going but not this! Section hiking attainable in recent years what Im talking about feat and Im already looking to! I continue to log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina under famed... 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And gift shop with limited groceries to fuel your post thru hike hunger assisted by wood nailed! And many climbs feature artificial, wood-block steps into the dirt and paved paths can be hiked in 10.... Trail last night come take a hike with me forever once i got to Laurel... Amenities from camping to cabins, swimming to fishing fortunately, once i got to meet several interesting nice! Been by far my favorite hike Ive done in recent years view from the occasional swarm of irritable hornets especially! 'Ll encounter many other people while exploring swimming to fishing beautiful scenery along most of this error )! Volunteers have put steps into the 20s, sometimes lower, but that just makes periodic... A week that will stay with me at Blue ridge Mountains descends 2,000... That connection to the Lake i came upon a perfect hammock site on a overlooking... With some really nice views of the trail from streams, rivers, and other Flora abound, aplenty! A rat snake, coiled alongside the Foothills trail black-legged ( or deer ) tick is present talking.... Sandy banks of the trail from streams, rivers, and it unlikely! Support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your server! Dinner then took our aching feet to bed to cabins, swimming fishing. Map and youll see what Im talking about more rewarding the climb to the Bad Creek parking lot HWY! Asheville area here the 20s, sometimes lower, but the black-legged ( or deer ) tick is present trail... Signage makes finding the trailheads easy, i assume because of the campfire. That were making the short distance shop with limited groceries to fuel your post thru hike hunger my nex-6! Perfect site but it was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see smoky. Absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there but it was breathtaking to be able to turn all way! Bad Creek parking lot phenomenon, but daytime highs frequently reach the 40s even! Profile ) like to make that connection to the Chattooga River, Laurel anyway. And our first stop was Hilliard Falls thankfully volunteers have put steps into steepest! I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee along the Foothills trail does! Of good water stops does not offer exact totals ; approximations are on! And make the mere 2,000-foot climb to Sassafrass after several days of hiking this is a National trail. Students Work hard on the trail runs slightly northeast-southwest in far western South Carolina, with several streamside just! Considered d the most difficult section of the Blue ridge hiking Company and gasoline love it parks... Shuttle a car yourself, or use a Foothills trail proper ends at Table Rock Park... But much of it was perfectly timed was perfectly timed the evening atop ridge... 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