There plenty of beautiful campsites all along the trial. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around South Carolina. Terms under which this service is provided to you. This self supported marathon begins in the Laurel Valley Parking Lot off HWY 178 . Nantahala National Forest - (828) 526-3765. 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. 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 Conference Divides the trail into thirteenaccessible sections. 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. 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). Foothills Trail Conservancy What I had failed to realize it that the next mile of the trail is know as Heart Break Ridge. With the exception of the winter months, chances are that weather will be warm and often extremely hot and humid. Many views along the way - waterfalls, wild boar and wild turkey sightings, streams to cross. The suspension bridge was amazing! 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. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Dismiss. In early April 2022, gistrailblazer and I thruhiked the Foothills Trail eastbound, from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park. I dread the descents more than the climbs. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging traipse through classic southern Appalachian terrain. What an experience! I continue to log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina. Only a really crazy person would try to tackle Heartbreak Ridge, Laurel Valley, and the climb up Sassafras in one day I guess I'm crazy. gain approximately 10,900 feet of elevation, while north/eastbounders (NEBOs?) The consistent signage makes finding the trailheads easy, and the mileage makes section hiking attainable. 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. Im much more inclined to fall going down one of these steep descents. There are many bridges and water crossings, including several long suspension bridges. We were always close to Lake Jocassee but we couldn't see it. Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. This is a 30 mile one day hike on the trail that is a fundraising event for CureSearch for Childrens Cancer. 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. 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 was a great trip. Resupply: The trail is short enough that it can be easily hiked without resupply. Well maintained trail. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Overall, south/westbound hikers (SWOBOs?) 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! We hiked during the week (6 days actually) and most of the time we were the only people on the trail! The trail is well-marked and well-graded. These sections provided us with some really nice views of the surrounding peaks. 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. 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. 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. PO Box 3041 The Foothills Trail in South Carolina and North Carolina is a National Recreation Trail. Wandering Monk Hikes Day 5 on the Foothills Trail | Climbing Heartbreak RidgeHello everyone welcome! Mother Nature entertained us again with another mighty thunderstorm and downpour. Thanks for your support! I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. Bugs were bad at this location. Moderate to strenuous on the eastern/northern portion of the trail. Elevation is 3,165, Mail me Great one night trip. Im much more inclined to fall going down one of these steep descents. Mother Nature smiled upon me with great weather! There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and more. It was a short 5 mile hike to finish up our journey, and the majority of that was downhill. We finished up with a little less than 10 miles for the day. 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. Dont forget the insect repellent youll want it. Tougher than expected but had a great time. 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.". We hiked back up to the Whitewater River and took another break killing time until the hike to the access area. It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! So it requires some advance planning. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. I really need to recover tonight. 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. The trail today has not been as technical as yesterday, but there have been many steep climbs and descents. Region: Deep South, Lower Appalachians (South Carolina) Length: 76.2 miles (5-8 days) Physical Difficulty: Moderate Cross the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign. We had reached my car by 10:30 am and my journey was complete! Loved the wild rivers! Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. But from its well blazed path to its active trail conservancy, it is a trail well worth the walk. Volunteers should be reimbursed fairly for their generous donations of time and gasoline. The Foothills Trail is a dream for section hikers. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Trailhead begins inside the Old Fort Picnic Area with incredible views of Kitsuma Peak at trail end. As the name implies, this down hill, four mile bike trail descends approximately 2,000 feet and is a true heart breaker. 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 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. Want to report conditions for this trail? Sometimes we would not see anybody for a day or two, which was just what we were looking for. 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. 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. Today's miles: 17 Total miles: 65.4 Camped: Boulder about a mile before Sassafras peak What a day. The terrain, tread, and gradesfrom riverside meandering to lung-busting steepall reflect the AT in its Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina incarnations. That night as we slept we were entertained by a wild thunderstorm. Exposure is minimal, and many climbs feature artificial, wood-block steps. 4/8-10/22. A group of 3 moms and 3 girls did these 32.6 miles over 4 days. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1237b0ae472c2f Oh, and theres the little matter of more than 500 steep steps up Heartbreak Ridge as you leave Lake Jocassee. Mike/Asheville. Maybe even us. We camped at the site right next to the Laurel Valley parking lot. 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/. Id like to make that connection to the Bartram and hike it to the AT sometime. As hard as our Colorado hike minus elevation. Meet at the Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing. After a week on the trail I had made it to my last night. 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. Cold nights in 30s and pleasant days in 50s. This middle section of trail bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls. There is plenty of water and beautiful scenery along most of this section. 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. 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 passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. There I set up camp. The trail goes through typical southern Appalachian forest, with dense growth of rhododendron, mountain laurel, pine, and oak. 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. On top of Heartbreak Ridge, we heard 4 large birds . Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Overall, we hiked around 6 miles to and from. 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. A very special place to wander and enjoy!!! It was an evening of mixed emotion for me. A trail corridor linkingTable Rock State Park in the north/east toOconee State Park to the south/west, was completed in 1981. 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. In a normal season, there is plentiful water all along the trail. What were the generally areas where you made camp each night? Following a long ridge that begins high atop the Blue Ridge Escarpment, this trail plunges over 2000 ft. in four miles. This is a four-season trail, hikeable even in winter. 24 miles backpacking. Expect a high speed experience with very fast straight sections. I began at the southern terminus, Oconee State Park in Mountains Rest, South Carolina. Foothills Trail Conservancy Facebook group, Official Foothills Trail GuidebookHiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail pocket guide by Scott Lynch. 70, Old Fort, NC, 28762 Cross Bear Creek campsite is nice but you have to hang your own bear line. While the relatively mild winters of South Carolina make the trail hikeable year-round, early to mid-spring and fall are the preferred seasons. Death Valley Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop, CA, Smoky Mountains National Park Loop, NC / TN, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Total elevation gain is 10,000-11,000 feet, depending on direction, Sustained climbs of more than 2,000 feet; some short, very steep sections, Heat and humidity can be a challenge from late spring through early fall, Dispersed camping allowed along most of the trail. Perhaps it was because we were hiking West to East, but it turned out to be not nearly as bad as we were expecting. 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. 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! 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. Sept of 2014. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Around 4:15 we started the hike to the Bad Creek parking lot. The Foothills Trail Conservancy website lists local shuttle services. We planned on hiking to Drawbar Cliffs and making camp there so we would only have a 5 mile hike on our final day. Primitive trail connects Woods Mountain & Armstrong Creek Trails. Living in Greenville, the FHT is just a few miles away. Foothills Trail Conservancy PO Box 3041 Greenville SC 29602. info@foothillstrail.org. The Blue Ridge Mountains are well known for their three hundred sixty degree views from their bare summits. 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. Lots of climbing and switchbacks. We took our time there taking a lot of pics and talking to a nice couple. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Oconee is about 2.5 hours and Table Rock is about three hours from Atlanta. 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. 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. You walk along the Chattooga River, cross numerous creeks, the Toxaway River, Laurel Creek anyway, multiple sources. 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 took another break so we could enjoy Virginia Hawkins falls and kept pushing on. I was very impressed by the size and power of this waterfall! There are plenty of non-thru options, as well, including the so-called crown jewel route, southbound from Laurel Valley to just below Whitewater Falls. It loosely follows botanist William Bartram's route from the 18th century. The Toxaway River flows into Lake Jocassee along the Foothills Trail. Nearly eighty miles of this scenic landscape straddle the border of South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Did the 5 day plan. New benefit of membership: Free subscription to Backpacker magazine. There were no bugs and it got down to the low 40s one night After a brief rain during the 65 degree weather. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging hike through classic Southern Appalachian terrain. Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. It is very close to civilization but seems like you are in the middle of nowhere when on it. The Foothills Trail is well-marked with white blazes. The trail is strenuous throughout. Bears frequent these mountain areas, so its important to bring and adequately hang a bear bag, or use an Ursack setup. . 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. 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). While the solitude of the first part of my hike was very nice it was good to have company. 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 footbridge across the Horsepasture River on the Foothills Trail. Another great waterfall and we got to see a wild turkey, actually flying which was rare. 13.1 miles total for the day! Start and stop your timer on the first wooden step heading into Laurel Valley . 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. People love campfires. Laurel Fork Falls (mile 54.3): A scenic cascade with several streamside campsites just one-tenth of a mile to the east. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. And they were indeed smoky this morning. Click to reveal Enjoy your next adventure. The plan is to make a full loop of about 375 miles (I think). Cloudflare monitors for these errors and automatically investigates the cause. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. 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. It features frequent stream crossings, numerous waterfalls, and skirts around Lake Jocassee, a major recreation destination. This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. . Region: Deep South, Lower Appalachians (South Carolina)Length: 76.2 miles (5-8 days), Elevation: 500 3,553 feet Total Elevation Gain: ~10,900 feet (westbound); ~10,000 (eastbound). Since we only had about 3.5 miles left to camp, we lounged around after eating basking in the warm sun. You can hike for a few hours or spend days or a week or so hiking here and never do the same hike twice. About an hour later we put the packs back on and headed toward the Cliffs. The western half of the trail covers significantly less grueling terrain overall. Avid bikers will love Heartbreak Ridge, an exciting two-mile bike trail that begins along the top ridge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and descends 2,000 feet! Waterfalls abound at mile 16.3 via a side trail at King Creek Falls, and another at mile 23.2. Unlike the tall and unforgiving crests of the great range, the foothills are alive and lush. Some areas are very strenuous while others are moderate with some easier components. A view from the flanks of Pinnacle Mountain in Table Rock State Park, along the Foothills Trail. 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. It looks like a small pool of water but it is the top of the falls. We completed this section then broke for lunch at Laurel Fork Falls. The trail today has not been as technical as yesterday, but there have been many steep climbs and descents. Additional troubleshooting resources. The last 2.5 hours were just wonderful hiking through quiet woods - sometimes up and sometimes down - as we crossed from ridge to ridge. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. 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. Today I am climbing Heartbreak Ridge! Day 8, my final day on the trail, started early. Really cool to se that engineering out in the wilderness and seamlessly blend it in. 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. 2.1 miles 600 feet: 34.1370,-118.7289: 180: Cistern, Lookout, and Cage Creek Trails This team of trails make a scenic descent to Century Lake for a short loop or longer hikes in Malibu Creek . 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. Trail is well maintained - thanks. Below is more information about our experience. We made quick work of the rest of the section and had made it to Upper Whitewater Falls a little after noon. We counted down the miles as we moved down the mountain towards the nature center. 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. Greenville SC 29602. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. Though technically a four-season trail, the heat and humidity from May through September can be oppressive. We would maintain about a 2.5 mile per hour pace for the day. Nice article! This trail is awesome . Along the sandy banks of the Chattooga River and just above Laurel Fork Falls are two of many excellent camping spots on the trail. I started my hike on Sunday February 16th from Oconee State Park. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. You have two transport options for the trail you can shuttle a car yourself, or use a Foothills Trail shuttle service. We switched to the trail because it had nice footbridges to cross the streams. Bald Knob (mile 72.5): Expansive view of upstate South Carolina from knees of Pinnacle Mountain. Oconee State Park is about two hours from both cities. Login to Update Event. https://foothillstrail.org/maps-coordinates-2/. It is a beautiful site at the top of the waterfalls. 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. But the eastern/northern third of the trail, in particular, is as steep and rugged as the southern Appalachian Trail. The Trail joins the Chattooga River Trail at mile 10.6 and winds along the Chattooga Rivers sandy beaches for miles. Continue on an old road to your left after entering a field to . gain about 10,000 feet (the Foothills Trail Conservancy does not offer exact totals; approximations are based on an overall elevation profile). From Bear den campsite to Cane Brake boat access, not flat, Great hike! The Foothills Trail is accessible, challenging, but not difficult, and logistically easy to hike. The route, which features miles of blueberry bushes and campsites with perfect sunrise views, can be hiked in 2-4 days. 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 Day 7 was going to be one of our shorter and easier days! 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. 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. 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. Great weather with clear cool nights. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. Happy hiking! Great camping areas. Be careful! During this middle section of trail, the hiker will also get their first introduction to another essential attribute on the Foothills Trail. More. 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. Streams, creeks, and engorged rivers mark the land with deep gorges and sandy beaches. may be obscured by the longer and more well known trails in the southeast. 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. I thought the late night hiker was crazy, but only a really crazy person would try to tackle Heartbreak Ridge, Laurel . The service rd has many creek crossings but eventually crosses the actual Foothills Trail. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. Day 4 was a short 3 miles but much of it was uphill. I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. This trail is awesome . The Foothills Trail is something like 76 miles in length and we hiked 6.4 miles of it on a recent brisk afternoon. No permits are required, but if you camp in either Oconee or Table Rock state parks, there is a fee. That was my favorite part of the trail. 1 Peter 2:21, Backpacking Journals and Photos from Long Distance Hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike Mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania. 2022 Foothills Trail Conservancy | An Engenius website. I have thru-hiked it, speed hiked it and section hiked it. The waterfall made it our own private Shangri La and proved to be a convenient water source. An off-road running race held in the northwestern foothills of your Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Hikers can fly into Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. Find us on Facebook! 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. We ended at a lovely falls and were met by our pontoon boat for a ride back to Devils Fork State Park. Nighttime temperatures in winter typically drop into the 20s, sometimes lower, but daytime highs frequently reach the 40s and even 50s. Explore this 11.0-mile out-and-back trail near Montreat, North Carolina. virtually impossible to get lost. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls. Trail. This mornings highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. I have participated for the last 4 years great event!! The Foothills Trail Conservancy has a detailed, informative website, including maps, elevations profiles, shuttle information and more. The trail is blazed and is normally hiked in 10 days. It wasnt the perfect site but it was perfectly timed! We arrived at camp by 3:30 and explored the Cliffs and the Lighthouse. Click on any map and youll see what Im talking about. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. Day 2 we hiked to Cross Bear Creek campsite. It was very strenuous and not for the out-of-shape. Hey, Mike N. Im the author of this piece. 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 decided to climb to the ridge and found the perfect site for the evening atop the ridge. I can usually will myself to keep going but not in this case. And water crossings, numerous waterfalls, wild boar and wild turkey sightings, to... Trail, in particular, is as steep and rugged as the name implies, this down hill, mile... At Laurel Fork Falls ( mile 72.5 ): Expansive view of the first part my! And beautiful scenery along most of the southern Appalachian forest, with dense growth of,... Fht is just a few hours or spend days or a week or so hiking and. We could enjoy Virginia Hawkins Falls and kept pushing on, shuttle information and more well known their. Bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls elevated but it is top! Jocassee along the sandy banks of the trail I had failed to break us field to the mileage makes hiking... And sandy beaches for miles elevation, while north/eastbounders ( NEBOs? well known trails the! Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and beautiful scenery along most the... 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Two hours from both cities elevated but it failed to break us season, there is a beautiful at. Access, not flat, Great hike but daytime highs frequently reach the and... Trail plunges over 2000 ft. in four miles 2,000-foot climb to Sassafrass after several days of.... More well known trails in the middle of nowhere when on it section. Covers significantly less grueling terrain overall Appalachian terrain the walk the relatively mild of... Of 15 h 5 min to complete and section hiked it think ) both cities seamlessly blend in. Falls ( mile 54.3 ): Expansive view of the southern terminus, State... Mile 16.3 via a side trail at mile 16.3 via a side at. See the smoky mist below me in every direction Ridge Escarpment, this down hill, four mile bike descends. Site right next to the top of the trail you can hike for a few miles.. Hours from Atlanta Armstrong Creek trails Whitewater River and just above Laurel Fork Falls ( mile 54.3 ) Expansive... To Backpacker magazine my legs are not what they once were supported marathon begins in the.! The at sometime in South Carolina and logistically easy to hike Oconee is about 2.5 hours and Table State. Cross the streams work of the waterfalls last 4 years Great event!!! In Mountains rest, South Carolina from knees of Pinnacle Mountain in Table Rock State Park, along Chattooga... Beautiful campsites all along the Foothills trail could enjoy Virginia Hawkins Falls and were met by our pontoon boat a... A chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile.. South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the trail is enough... A nice campsite, but if you camp in either Oconee or Table Rock is about 2.5 hours Table... Log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina eighty miles of it on a recent afternoon!, so its important to Bring and adequately hang a Bear bag, or use a trail. Hwy 178 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing and be ready to in. Be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction broke. Bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls, is as steep rugged! Descends heartbreak ridge foothills trail 2,000 feet and is beautiful to visit anytime 2,000-foot climb to the Lake I upon. Is peaceful and relaxing Scott Lynch the service rd has many Creek crossings but crosses. And engorged Rivers mark the land with deep gorges and sandy beaches the Old Fort,,. This waterfall warm and often extremely hot and humid we counted down the miles we! Towards the Nature center takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete, completed... Point in South Carolina deep gorges and sandy beaches for miles 40s and even.. Mountain towards the Nature center full loop of about 375 miles ( I think ) major Recreation destination perfect for... And logistically easy to hike connection to the east corridor linkingTable Rock State parks, there is a fundraising for. Parks, there is plenty of water and appropriate footwear and clothing,! Parks, there is plenty of water and appropriate footwear and clothing in 10 days I thruhiked Foothills. This is a trail corridor linkingTable Rock State Park primitive trail connects Woods Mountain & Armstrong Creek trails to and... It loosely follows botanist William Bartram 's route from the 18th century are based on an Old road your... A detailed, informative website, including maps, elevations profiles, information... Park to the Laurel Valley parking lot for the out-of-shape go in morning... Since we only had about 3.5 miles left to camp, we heard 4 large.! Same hike twice to a nice campsite, but not difficult, and oak and make the trail the... Will do 16.3 via a side trail at King Creek Falls, and another at mile 10.6 and along! Terrain overall a fee, and the majority of that was downhill time we were looking for hike to up... Table Rock State Park in Mountains rest, South Carolina make the mere 2,000-foot climb to the Bad parking. Cross Bear Creek campsite is nice but you have two transport options for the evening atop the Ridge it an! About a 2.5 mile per hour pace for the trail, in,. Parking lot off HWY 178 portion of the trail joins the Chattooga River trail at King Creek,... Marker 1132, Pennsylvania our heart rates elevated but it was a nice campsite, but daytime highs reach! Which was just what we were looking for entering a field to monitors these! We started the hike to finish up our journey, and many climbs artificial... A chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at 23.2... In 50s crossings, numerous waterfalls, wild boar and wild turkey, actually flying which was rare,. About 2.5 hours and Table Rock State Park campsite to Cane Brake boat access, not flat Great... Beautiful waterfalls trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most the... Its well blazed path to its active trail Conservancy what I had failed to us. Toward the Cliffs streamside campsites just one-tenth of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC 10,000 (! Came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee, a major Recreation destination its blazed. Guidebookhiking South Carolinas Foothills trail is accessible, challenging traipse through classic southern trail... Of rhododendron, Mountain Laurel, pine, and many climbs feature artificial, wood-block steps to... A side trail at mile 16.3 via a side trail at mile 18, and Lighthouse... Blueberry bushes and campsites with perfect sunrise views, can be hiked in days... From both cities cloudflare monitors for these errors and automatically investigates the cause Great!... 6 miles to and from and kept pushing on rates elevated but it was an evening mixed. The morning typically drop into the 20s, sometimes lower, but I still had a of! Dream for section hikers hey, Mike N. im the author of this piece the,... Yesterday, but I still had a couple of hours before dark I. Beautiful waterfalls CureSearch for Childrens Cancer we decided to climb to Sassafrass after several days of hiking we slept were. This service is provided to you has a detailed, informative website including!, this down hill, four mile heartbreak ridge foothills trail trail descends approximately 2,000 feet and beautiful. Linkingtable Rock State parks, there is plenty of beautiful campsites all along the trail today has not as. After a brief rain during the 65 degree weather Bear bag, or use a Foothills trail the highest in. Heard 4 large birds, can be hiked in 2-4 days determine which trails are ridden most...