Permits: No permit is required to hike the Foothills Trail. Some shuttle drivers also will do food drops for a fee. Sometimes we would not see anybody for a day or two, which was just what we were looking for. 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. Mike/Asheville. 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. I got my trail name, Pony, in 2015 when I hiked the Colorado Trail. Thanks again. Experience this 30.4-mile point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. A wonderful weekend hike. I also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. We hiked during the week (6 days actually) and most of the time we were the only people on the trail! Fork Mountain Trail (S5) - (S6) Eastatoe Gorge Spur (S3) - (S4) Sassafras Mountain (S1) to Caesar's Head State Park (S2) . 2022 Foothills Trail Conservancy | An Engenius website. Oconee State Park is about two hours from both cities. Difficult at times but worth it. Nearly eighty miles of this scenic landscape straddle the border of South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Jessica Lane. The Bartram Trail is a 102-mile trek through the Southern Appalachian Mountains. The FTC website lists shuttle services that cater to long-distance hikers. Come take a hike with me at Blue Ridge Hiking Company! Great weather with clear cool nights. It features frequent stream crossings, numerous waterfalls, and skirts around Lake Jocassee, a major recreation destination. 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. This alleviates the headache of spotting cars or finding rides back to original trailheads after completing sections. The rest of the SALT follows the AT to the MST to Art Loeb Trail, from there south is the part that is still in development. Greenville SC 29602. Though technically a four-season trail, the heat and humidity from May through September can be oppressive. Trail. Waterfalls abound, their distinctive rush mixes with sounds of wind and wildlife. We were on the trail by 9am on day 2. There are also ten other easy access points between the two termini for non-thru-hikers. For safety's sake, you can almost always get a cell phone signal with Verizon also. The Guidebook rated these sections as moderate to easy, I assume because of the short distance. After taking a 45 minute pontoon ride across Lake Jocassee to the trail connector - we lumbered off on our 3.5 hour hike. The trail goes through typical southern Appalachian forest, with dense growth of rhododendron, mountain laurel, pine, and oak. The trail is blazed and is normally hiked in 10 days. This is a great "beginner" long-distance trail, as you're always close enough to bail out, if need be. Check out this page at the Foothills Trail Conservancy. There I set up camp. 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. As always, take care of our trail angels! All orders over $60 receive FREE shipping! copy Terrain: Easy to moderate on the western/southern part of the trail, with occasional short, steep climbs. Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. Foothills Trail Journal Heartbreak Ridge. Cold nights in 30s and pleasant days in 50s. While the relatively mild winters of South Carolina make the trail hikeable year-round, early to mid-spring and fall are the preferred seasons. Dont forget the insect repellent youll want it. We had reached the access area by 2:30 that afternoon so I decided to push on past to the Thompson River and grab one of those sites. We made quick work of the rest of the section and had made it to Upper Whitewater Falls a little after noon. We finished with 5 miles on the day. gain approximately 10,900 feet of elevation, while north/eastbounders (NEBOs?) Until we meet again. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. Mountain Bike Trails Play Young's Ridge Mill Creek Road and Old US Hwy. 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. 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. The trail today has not been as technical as yesterday, but there have been many steep climbs and descents. 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. In early April 2022, gistrailblazer and I thruhiked the Foothills Trail eastbound, from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park. Insects can be troublesome, especially mosquitoes and biting flies in warmer months. Upon the completion of the Foothills Trail hikers can apply for the Peregrine Award to commemorate their hikes. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. Excellent article. It is my favorite trail for many of the reasons you noted. 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. 0. This mornings highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. Hikers who travel westbound from Table Rock State Park face the challenge of 3,553-foot Sassafras Mountain, the high point of South Carolina, right out of the gate, while those who start at Oconee State Park get a much gentler introduction to the trail along the banks of the Chattooga. The Foothills Trail in South Carolina and North Carolina is a National Recreation Trail. The group will go by boat to Laurel Fork and hike the Foothills Trail to Canebrake, a distance of about 5.8 miles. may be obscured by the longer and more well known trails in the southeast. Well-built bridges cross major waterways and the FTC has laid hundreds of wood-block steps into the steepest sections of trail. 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. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. I started my hike on Sunday February 16th from Oconee State Park. Below is more information about our experience. 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 steps are so long that in the middle there is a bench for folks to rest before they tackle the remainder of the climb. 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. Hard 4.4 (195) Pisgah National Forest. Jan 11, 2021; PART 5 - Solo on the Foothills Trail. 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. Wildflowers were just blooming. Be careful! I had many great campsites along the trail but this one would prove to be the best. Click here to find alternative waterfall and hiking trails. The Star Gap Trail is a great short trail for hikers and bikers alike! I did it with my fianc and dog in three days and it was fantastic. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Discover this 48.9-km point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. The Florida Trail is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles. http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge, 2940 Ft. /8 Miles. Whitewater Falls (miles 30-31.7): Six different falls that tumble a total of 800 feet, making it the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. 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. 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. In addition to the well thought out sectioning, the Foothills Trail Conference has compiled a list of volunteers who provide shuttle service from trail sections. Be sure to. What were the generally areas where you made camp each night? Lake Jocassee (mile 48.5): The rocks beneath the bridge over the Toxaway River make an excellent spot for lunch, rest, or drying out your gear. Performance & security by Cloudflare. We actually drove past the designated parking lot on Horsepasture Rd (in a truck) to the intersection of Horsepasture and Laurel Fork Valley Rd (marked by a road sign on a fallen tree. Another great waterfall and we got to see a wild turkey, actually flying which was rare. Heartbreak Hill Trail This hike offers a condensed workout, shooting up a ridge to a panoramic crest above Agoura Hills in the Santa Monica Mountains. First . The trail is clearly marked throughout. 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. Scott Lynchs pocket guide, Hiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail, is another popular option. We camped at Bear Creek (not bear camp creek) and actually did have a bear sighting. The section of the trail from Laurel Fork Creek to the Whitewater River is often referred to as the Gorges Section and was initially built and maintained by Duke Power Company as part of a licensing agreement for the construction of Lake Joccasee. Resupply: The trail is short enough that it can be easily hiked without resupply. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls.But you earn the views. Sign up for our email newsletter. An off-road running race held in the northwestern foothills of your Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. . This trail is awesome . There I set up camp. Head West on The Foothills Trail towards Lake Jocassee. Very well maintained trail. PO Box 3041 Immediately bear right onto the unpaved fork and continue to the Foothills Trail parking area about 0.3 mile on the left. Click to reveal Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. We switched to the trail because it had nice footbridges to cross the streams. A trail corridor linkingTable Rock State Park in the north/east toOconee State Park to the south/west, was completed in 1981. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. Whitewater falls is breathtaking, and the climb out will leave you breathless! Oh, and theres the little matter of more than 500 steep steps up Heartbreak Ridge as you leave Lake Jocassee. Volunteers should be reimbursed fairly for their generous donations of time and gasoline. 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. This has been by far my favorite hike Ive done in recent years. Print/PDF map. 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. 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