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. 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. 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. No permits are required, but if you camp in either Oconee or Table Rock state parks, there is a fee. Its a great trail! 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). Jurisdiction: The Foothills Trail crosses land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, state parks, and Duke Energy. The terrain, tread, and gradesfrom riverside meandering to lung-busting steepall reflect the AT in its Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina incarnations. Today's miles: 17 Total miles: 65.4 Camped: Boulder about a mile before Sassafras peak What a day. Not unlike the AT, the Foothills Trail is more challenging at one end. Mountain Bike Trails Play Young's Ridge Mill Creek Road and Old US Hwy. Discover this 48.9-km point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. 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. Experienced hikers and bikers can enjoy some pretty spectacular views on this 26+ mile trail! The Foothills Trail Conference Divides the trail into thirteenaccessible sections. Wildflowers were just blooming. I did it with my fianc and dog in three days and it was fantastic. Additional one mile loop, "Last of the Mohicans" and "Hunt for Red October" were filmed along the shores of this picturesque lake. We were exhausted by the time we set up camp so we ate dinner and then hit the sack. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Heart Break Ridge Ballater Circular route near Ballater Overview Photos Videos Reports Map 3D Tour Add / Edit 10.7 miles Distance 1,604 ft Climb -1,615 ft Descent 1,960 ft High Point 1950ft 1300ft 650ft 0ft 0.00miles 3.50miles 7.00miles 10.50miles A circular ride from Ballater taking in Heart Break Ridge Detailed Description Local Trail Association Turn right into the parking area and pay your nominal parking fee. Insects can be bothersome in warmer months. The group will go by boat to Laurel Fork and hike the Foothills Trail to Canebrake, a distance of about 5.8 miles. With the exception of the winter months, chances are that weather will be warm and often extremely hot and humid. We made quick work of the rest of the section and had made it to Upper Whitewater Falls a little after noon. Be careful, be safe, be hiking!!! We were on the trail by 8:05, not bad! 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. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. 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/. Cold nights in 30s and pleasant days in 50s. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Check out more trails in the Asheville area here. An off-road running race held in the northwestern foothills of your Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Great campsites, I went off roading Sunday and I left my Sony nex-6 camera. The tread on most of the trail is largely free of rocks and roots, except for a few limited areas, making for pleasant hiking. Streams, creeks, and engorged rivers mark the land with deep gorges and sandy beaches. For safety's sake, you can almost always get a cell phone signal with Verizon also. Far below the Blue Ridge, the foothills undulate with as much unforgiving elevation change as the high peaks themselves. Theres a section known as heart break ridge where supposedly it is the hardest section of the trail coming from the Toxaway River. The trail begins along the top ridge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, accessed from either Curtis Creek Road or from the Old Toll Road, outside the Ridgecrest Conference center. The plan is to make a full loop of about 375 miles (I think). Along the sandy banks of the Chattooga River and just above Laurel Fork Falls are two of many excellent camping spots on the trail. Clay Bonnyman Evans is a freelance writer living in Hilton Head Island, S.C., and his hometown, Boulder, Colorado. 70, Old Fort, NC, 28762 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. 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. We had reached Sassafras by 10 till noon. gain about 10,000 feet (the Foothills Trail Conservancy does not offer exact totals; approximations are based on an overall elevation profile). Hey, Mike N. Im the author of this piece. The Florida Trail is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. We counted down the miles as we moved down the mountain towards the nature center. 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. The trail is blazed and is normally hiked in 10 days. We were on the trail by 9am on day 2. There are no shelters along the trail, and rain is frequent, so hikers should have a good shelter such as a tent, tarp, or hammock. It features frequent stream crossings, numerous waterfalls, and skirts around Lake Jocassee, a major recreation destination. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans photo. It wasnt the perfect site but it was perfectly timed! Day 8, my final day on the trail, started early. Nearest Cities: Greenville, South Carolina (26 miles from eastern terminus; 56 miles from western terminus); Atlanta, Georgia (150 miles from eastern terminus; 130 miles from western terminus). Woods Mountain Trail is not for the faint of heart! From there we pushed on towards Laurel Valley. a It's Day 5 on the . Your IP: Click to reveal 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. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. You can hike for a few hours or spend days or a week or so hiking here and never do the same hike twice. Most of the year, hikers can leave cold-weather gear at home. The Bartram, Foothills, AT and Benton MacKaye form a Southern Serpentine Route! The trail goes between Table Rock State Park and Oconee State Park. As the name implies, this down hill, four mile bike trail descends approximately 2,000 feet and is a true heart breaker. I suppose the guidebooks will have that and will purchase soon Table Rock State Park is about an hours drive from both Asheville, North Carolina and Spartanburg, SC. 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. Hard 4.4 (195) Pisgah National Forest. Many views along the way - waterfalls, wild boar and wild turkey sightings, streams to cross. 4/8-10/22. 6.6 - 13.6 miles 2,350 feet: 34.266172,-117.62684: 740 What I had failed to realize it that the next mile of the trail is know as Heart Break Ridge. 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. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. Exited at Bad Creek parking lot access. Thru-hikers travel both north/eastbound and south/westbound, but theres no question that those who travel south/westbound have it a bit tougher. Foothills Trail Conservancy I tackled the Foothills Trail during a three day two night fastpack in early January. People love campfires. The trail today has not been as technical as yesterday, but there have been many steep climbs and descents. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. We started with two short sections to Chimney Gap and then to Sassafras. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. If you like water, the trail offers constant swimming opportunities, waterfalls, and flowing rivers to lull hikers to sleep. Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 14.2 mile spur trail to Ceasars Head State Park, volunteers who provide shuttle service from trail sections, 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. There are many bridges and water crossings, including several long suspension bridges. Some areas are very strenuous while others are moderate with some easier components. Upon the completion of the Foothills Trail hikers can apply for the Peregrine Award to commemorate their hikes. Great weather with clear cool nights. This self supported marathon begins in the Laurel Valley Parking Lot off HWY 178 . 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. Day 7 was going to be one of our shorter and easier days! 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. And they were indeed smoky this morning. I was meeting a friend Wednesday evening at the Bad Creek access area so we had planned to take our time hiking those 33 miles so we would arrive there on Wednesday. We camped at Bear Creek (not bear camp creek) and actually did have a bear sighting. There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. 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. Lots of inclines and declines so pack light! 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. Heartbreak Ridge via Star Gap Trail. Exclusive to the state of Florida, its dirt and paved paths can be hiked in 60-90 days. 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. Will Hike this in a few weeks. 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. Woke up to the popping of the same campfire. 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. 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. We would maintain about a 2.5 mile per hour pace for the day. (Upper Whitewater Falls Parking Area) - From the South near Salem, SC on SC 11, turn north onto SC Highway 130 (which is also called Whitewater Road) and travel about ten miles. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. Put in at Frozen Creek Access then hiked to Canebrake. This middle section of trail bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls. We finished up with a little less than 10 miles for the day. Resupply: The trail is short enough that it can be easily hiked without resupply. Im much more inclined to fall going down one of these steep descents. So beautiful! Below is more information about our experience. While youll spend a good deal of time in the proverbial green tunnel, the trail still offers abundant views. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Additional Bridge over Whitewater River now complete! There is plenty of water and beautiful scenery along most of this section. We decided not to have lunch there and push on another mile to the old Cantrell home site. 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 entirely plausible to hike the Foothills Trail in any season, though late-spring to early summer and fall are most popular. Region: Deep South, Lower Appalachians (South Carolina) Length: 76.2 miles (5-8 days) Physical Difficulty: Moderate Continue on an old road to your left after entering a field to . I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. The trail goes between Table Rock State Park and Oconee State Park. You have two transport options for the trail you can shuttle a car yourself, or use a Foothills Trail shuttle service. 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. Description. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. More. This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. Laurel Fork Falls (mile 54.3): A scenic cascade with several streamside campsites just one-tenth of a mile to the east. The Blue Ridge Mountains are well known for their three hundred sixty degree views from their bare summits. I got to meet several interesting and nice people that were making the short hike to Lick Falls. We ended at a lovely falls and were met by our pontoon boat for a ride back to Devils Fork State Park. We parked the truck at a red gate and began hiking down the service road. The route, which features miles of blueberry bushes and campsites with perfect sunrise views, can be hiked in 2-4 days. 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. We made camp around 5:30 that evening and finished with a total of 20.5 miles for day 2. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. I actually JUST FINISHED the Bartram Trail. Table Rock State Park offers a myriad of amenities from camping to cabins, swimming to fishing. This was one of the few instances I saw wildlife along my hike. I dread the descents more than the climbs. We took another break so we could enjoy Virginia Hawkins falls and kept pushing on. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Day 4 was going to be all back tracking since we had to hike back to Bad Creek to meet my friend. Easy and downhill. I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 58 min to complete. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. Its unfair to reduce the Foothills Trail to a warm-up for the Appalachian Trail. I have thru-hiked it, speed hiked it and section hiked it. The Trail joins the Chattooga River Trail at mile 10.6 and winds along the Chattooga Rivers sandy beaches for miles. gain approximately 10,900 feet of elevation, while north/eastbounders (NEBOs?) Really cool to se that engineering out in the wilderness and seamlessly blend it in. PARKING (Laurel Valley Parking Area) - From the intersection of US 178 and SC 11, drive north on US 178 to the bridge over Eastatoe Creek (approximately one mile past the community of Rocky Bottom). Cross Bear Creek campsite is nice but you have to hang your own bear line. Dont forget the insect repellent youll want it. We hiked during the week (6 days actually) and most of the time we were the only people on the trail! Day 5s goal was to get to Canebrake and finish the section. Water: Water is plentiful all along the trail from streams, rivers, and lakes, except in drought conditions. I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. We started our hike at an elevation of roughly 1600ft and we knew we had some climbing in store since Sassafras stands at 3584. The trail crosses several roads leading to nearby small towns. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. Hikers can expect to find blue line trout waters, suspension bridges, wildflowers, and star-filled nights from peaceful campsites which are numerous enough to . 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. We were always close to Lake Jocassee but we couldn't see it. Overall, we hiked around 6 miles to and from. So it requires some advance planning. Be careful! The books warn you about Heartbreak Ridge but they don't tell you about Heartbreak Hill that follows. Stairs. Cloudflare monitors for these errors and automatically investigates the cause. This trail is awesome . 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. Foothills Trail Conservancy PO Box 3041 Greenville SC 29602. info@foothillstrail.org. 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. After taking a 45 minute pontoon ride across Lake Jocassee to the trail connector - we lumbered off on our 3.5 hour hike. Loved the wild rivers! A solid and steady climb with a few short downhills just to give you a quick break. Unlike the tall and unforgiving crests of the great range, the foothills are alive and lush. The Foothills Trail - A 76-mile journey into the wilderness. Those hiking east-west will encounter the most challenging parts of the trail immediately, while those going from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park get a much easier introduction to the trail. The part we loved most about the trail was how desolate it was. Performance & security by Cloudflare. We completed this section then broke for lunch at Laurel Fork Falls. 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. Experience this 30.4-mile point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. Did the 5 day plan. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! . It was a great trip. This is a lovely hiking area with lots of camping spots and scenic views. 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. I also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. . Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. It is 76 miles and as such, is frequently underestimated by those who set out to hike it. Until we meet again. 54.36.118.98 http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge, 2940 Ft. /8 Miles. Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. This was a relatively easy day at about 8 miles. 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. Happy hiking! 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. Perhaps it was because we were hiking West to East, but it turned out to be not nearly as bad as we were expecting. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. 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 hiking by 10 till 10 and our first stop was Hilliard Falls. Waterfalls abound, their distinctive rush mixes with sounds of wind and wildlife. A rat snake, coiled alongside the Foothills Trail. The Foothills Trail is a part of the nearing completion Southern Appalachian Loop Trail. One of the classic mountain bike descents in Pisgah is one of the most infamous hiking climbs in Pisgah when paired with the Star Gap Trail. Sign up for our email newsletter. It can be hiked in 3-7 days. Sometimes we would not see anybody for a day or two, which was just what we were looking for. Nice article! If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. Go to Join Now to join for the first time or to renew your membership. 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. 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