Day 7 was going to be one of our shorter and easier days! Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. It is just under three miles long, beginning at the Old Fort picnic area. I am very proud to have accomplished this feat and Im already looking forward to my next journey along the trail. Insects can be bothersome in warmer months. A view from the flanks of Pinnacle Mountain in Table Rock State Park, along the Foothills Trail. No permits are required, but if you camp in either Oconee or Table Rock state parks, there is a fee. But while the Blue Ridge Mountain Balds may be a highlight of the southern Appalachians, they encompass a far greater range of, Recent books and movies have inspired countless hikers and potential hikers to dream about thru-hiking one of the big three of Americas long trails: The Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or the Continental Divide Trail. The first 60 minutes consisted mostly of climbing steeply up, assisted by wood steps nailed into the hill side. And they were indeed smoky this morning. Print/PDF map. This is a lovely hiking area with lots of camping spots and scenic views. A group of 3 moms and 3 girls did these 32.6 miles over 4 days. Thanks for your support! We were on the trail by 9am on day 2. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans photo. 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. It looks like a small pool of water but it is the top of the falls. Location | Western North Carolina and Northern South Carolina, Highlights | 13 Waterfalls, Gorges, Wooden Steps, Multiple Suspension Bridges, State High Point, Volunteer Coordinated Shuttles, Maps and Guidebooks | Anti-Gravity Gear Pocket Profile ($3.95), Foothills Trail Conference Trail Map ($15.00), Foothills Trail Conference Guidebook ($16.00). more. Good views at spots along the trail as well. What I had failed to realize it that the next mile of the trail is know as Heart Break Ridge. Elevation is 3,165, Mail me So beautiful! Percent of the course on un-paved trails: 90%. These wooden stairs make appearances at many points on the Foothills Trail most notably on Heartbreak Ridge, where 302 stairs ascend the ridge and 294 stairs descend the ridge. I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. The Foothills Trail - A 76-mile journey into the wilderness. People love campfires. Cloudflare monitors for these errors and automatically investigates the cause. Enjoy your next adventure. Cold nights in 30s and pleasant days in 50s. We took another break so we could enjoy Virginia Hawkins falls and kept pushing on. Foothills Trail Journal Heartbreak Ridge. Check out the Foothills Trail, we're sure you'll love it. New benefit of membership: Free subscription to Backpacker magazine. We would maintain about a 2.5 mile per hour pace for the day. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. I also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. 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. I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. Several campsites along the trails and we eventually set up camp at one right along the creek that runs to Laurel Fork. Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. Greenville SC 29602. Dont take it for granted.The shuttle service ( Taz) is the best.Went from Oconne to Table Rock. I got to meet several interesting and nice people that were making the short hike to Lick Falls. . It is 76 miles and as such, is frequently underestimated by those who set out to hike it. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. Hard 4.4 (195) Pisgah National Forest. There is an unknown connection issue between Cloudflare and the origin web server. 1 Peter 2:21, Backpacking Journals and Photos from Long Distance Hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike Mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania. I dread the descents more than the climbs. 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. Additional troubleshooting resources. 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. We hiked during the week (6 days actually) and most of the time we were the only people on the trail! The part we loved most about the trail was how desolate it was. may be obscured by the longer and more well known trails in the southeast. I really need to recover tonight. Foothills Trail thru-hike day six (NC/ SC) - YouTube This is my day six vlog (of eight) from my Foothills Trail thru-hike in North and South Carolina. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. The books warn you about Heartbreak Ridge but they don't tell you about Heartbreak Hill that follows. Oconee offers tent camping and cabin rental for those who prefer to stay the night and get an early start on their Foothills Trail adventure. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Apr 25, 2020 at 8:30 AM . The FTC could improve their map by adding to it some trails that intersect or at least some labels/notes regarding the other trails. For the next 0.7 miles, we ascended and descended over 400 steps! Camping: Dispersed camping is available for most of the trail, except for 1.7 miles along the Whitewater River on Duke Energy property. Jessica Lane. There were plenty of views and beautiful streams and waterfalls this time of year. I am considering running the entire trial over three days. Hikers should plan ahead for shuttle transport. Check out more trails in the Asheville area here. Very well maintained trail. Additional Bridge over Whitewater River now complete! Sign up for our email newsletter. Login to Update Event. 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. Dismiss. As hard as our Colorado hike minus elevation. Scott Lynchs pocket guide, Hiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail, is another popular option. 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. The Foothills Trail proper ends at Table Rock State Park, about ten miles from Sassafras Mountain. 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. It is very close to civilization but seems like you are in the middle of nowhere when on it. Maybe even us. NC 226-A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd.. Id like to make that connection to the Bartram and hike it to the AT sometime. Lots of climbing and switchbacks. Exclusive to the state of Florida, its dirt and paved paths can be hiked in 60-90 days. Steep Steps (Heart Break Ridge) Longest Suspension Bridge on the Foothills Trail Crosses the Toxaway River Hiking along Lake Jocassee Shoreline Trail Head: Cane Brake Trail to Frozen Creek Access All orders over $60 receive FREE shipping! 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. I started my hike on Sunday February 16th from Oconee State Park. We finished up with a little less than 10 miles for the day. We decided to climb to the ridge and found the perfect site for the evening atop the ridge. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. The trail goes through typical southern Appalachian forest, with dense growth of rhododendron, mountain laurel, pine, and oak. The heat and humidity can be intense from mid-May through September. Generally considered a challenging route. Day 3 we hiked approximately 10 miles and camped at Whitewater campsite. That said, its hard to think of a better trail to help newbies figure out if they are going to enjoy the AT. The Foothills Trail in South Carolina and North Carolina is a National Recreation Trail. Jurisdiction: The Foothills Trail crosses land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, state parks, and Duke Energy. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. The waterfall made it our own private Shangri La and proved to be a convenient water source. There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. This was a hard day of almost 12 miles. This was really the only section that had a few technical parts. Be prepared. 'Heartbreak Ridge,' Foothills Trail, SC - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google LLC But the eastern/northern third of the trail, in particular, is as steep and rugged as the southern Appalachian Trail. 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. 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. Below is more information about our experience. I would not call this trail moderate, as there are many challenging sections, no matter which direction you travel. I hiked solo from Maine to Georgia in 2014 and from Denver to Durango in 2015. The Foothills Trail Conservancy has a detailed, informative website, including maps, elevations profiles, shuttle information and more. 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. First . It was a short 5 mile hike to finish up our journey, and the majority of that was downhill. Theres a section known as heart break ridge where supposedly it is the hardest section of the trail coming from the Toxaway River. 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. Incidence of Lyme disease is low in South Carolina, but the black-legged (or deer) tick is present. The suspension bridge was amazing! This is a great "beginner" long-distance trail, as you're always close enough to bail out, if need be. Terrain: Easy to moderate on the western/southern part of the trail, with occasional short, steep climbs. 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. Heartbreak Ridge - 19.10 Miles - From Cantrell Campsite To Lake Jocasse - This morning's highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging traipse through classic southern Appalachian terrain. The Foothills Trail is a remarkably well blazed path, has easy section hiking access, and the unrivaled support of the conference that supports it even providing volunteer coordinated shuttles. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. 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. This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. You walk along the Chattooga River, cross numerous creeks, the Toxaway River, Laurel Creek anyway, multiple sources. The trail is strenuous throughout. From the east end of Heartbreak Ridge at mile 50 to the Northern Terminus at Table Rock State Park at mile 76.2, the trail crosses a number of challenging routes and trail highlights. There are numerous road crossings, and hitching into small towns such as Salem, SC, or Sapphire, NC, isnt too difficult. We finished up with 9.4 miles for the day. We briefly paused at bald rock to take in the spectacular views and snap a few more pics. The Toxaway River flows into Lake Jocassee along the Foothills Trail. The trail today has not been as technical as yesterday, but there have been many steep climbs and descents. 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. The Foothills Trail, though steep in places, is not especially rugged, so trail runners are more than adequate. We reached the end of the section by 5:30 PM. This alleviates the headache of spotting cars or finding rides back to original trailheads after completing sections. To help support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your web server and submit it our support team. The climate is mild due to lower elevations, which usually means oppressive heat and humidity in late spring, summer, and early fallgood training for the ATs mid-Atlantic in July. However, for many people the, A Thru-Hike for Everyone: 5 Trails Under 200 Miles, Outdoor Research Aspire Super Stretch Jacket Review, Backpacker Radio #189 | Christine Reed on POTS, Hiking with Grief, and Her Book: Alone in Wonderland, Getting to Campo: PCT Southern Terminus Shuttle To Run for Second Year, 10 Trek Bloggers You Should Be Following This Winter, The Best Backpacking Stoves for Thru-Hiking of 2023, Top Stoves, Filters, and Power Banks on the Appalachian Trail: 2022 Thru-Hiker Survey, Sierra On Track for Record Snowfall This YearHere's What It Means for PCT Hikers, 8 Classic Pieces of Backpacking Gear Hikers Love (And Why), The Best Headlamps for Thru-Hiking of 2023, https://foothillstrail.org/maps-coordinates-2/. 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. It wasnt the perfect site but it was perfectly timed! We camped at Bear Creek (not bear camp creek) and actually did have a bear sighting. Any suggestions. It offers multiple distance choices with a challenging hill climb and scenic views of surrounding . 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. Some shuttle drivers also will do food drops for a fee. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Far below the Blue Ridge, the foothills undulate with as much unforgiving elevation change as the high peaks themselves. So it requires some advance planning. IT set the stage for the many great waterfalls we would enjoy along our hike. There is a small amount of roadwalking. 2022 Foothills Trail Conservancy | An Engenius website. It is my favorite trail for many of the reasons you noted. I began at the southern terminus, Oconee State Park in Mountains Rest, South Carolina. Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Although mostly well-built and -maintained, as of October 2018 there were quite a few blowdowns, including a couple that force hikers into significant bushwhacking and route-finding back to the trail. Its a great trail! What were the generally areas where you made camp each night? Description. Exposure is minimal, and many climbs feature artificial, wood-block steps. Meet at the Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing. The Art Loeb Trail is a 30-mile point-to-point trail in North Carolina that offers jaw-dropping 360- degree views of the Southern Appalachians. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1237b0ae472c2f This trail is in South Carolina and North Carolina. There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. The terrain, tread, and gradesfrom riverside meandering to lung-busting steepall reflect the AT in its Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina incarnations. Exited at Bad Creek parking lot access. In a normal season, there is plentiful water all along the trail. Thanks again. Hey, Mike N. Im the author of this piece. Perhaps it was because we were hiking West to East, but it turned out to be not nearly as bad as we were expecting. An off-road running race held in the northwestern foothills of your Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The hiker is treated to their first of many waterfalls at mile 8.2 at Lick Log Creek. Insects can be troublesome, especially mosquitoes and biting flies in warmer months. A wonderful weekend hike. I dread the descents more than the climbs. This is a four-season trail, hikeable even in winter. 1 Peter 2:21, Backpacking Journals and Photos from Long Distance Hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike Mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania. Cross the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign. But theres more to love about this trail than the wilderness it passes through. Sassafrass Mountain (mile 66.4):At 3,553 feet, the highest point in South Carolina, with 360-degree views from the fire tower on top (note: the tower was closed for construction in late 2018). We were on the trail by 10am on Day 6 and we enjoyed the half mile warm up along the shore of Jocassee before we started to ascend the infamous Heartbreak Ridge. Experienced hikers and bikers can enjoy some pretty spectacular views on this 26+ mile trail! Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors. 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. There I set up camp. We really enjoyed the short hike to Hidden Falls. A trail corridor linkingTable Rock State Park in the north/east toOconee State Park to the south/west, was completed in 1981. I continue to log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina. Start and stop your timer on the first wooden step heading into Laurel Valley . Turn right into the parking area and pay your nominal parking fee. The day started with "heartbreak ridge". Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. Really cool to se that engineering out in the wilderness and seamlessly blend it in. The Foothills Trail is a point-to-point hike, and it's on the longer side, especially if you're not used to big-mile days with a pack. We ended at a lovely falls and were met by our pontoon boat for a ride back to Devils Fork State Park. 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