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. The trail goes between Table Rock State Park and Oconee State Park. The Guidebook rated these sections as moderate to easy, I assume because of the short distance. Hard to find online is specific locations of good water stops. The tread on most of the trail is largely free of rocks and roots, except for a few limited areas, making for pleasant hiking. 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. First . 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.". Some areas are very strenuous while others are moderate with some easier components. Want to report conditions for this trail? I also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. . Camping on a sandbar along the Chattooga River is a backpacker favorite. Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. Once as high as the Rocky Mountains or Alps, some 480 million years of erosion have substantially decreased the elevation of the Appalachian Mountains (which extend, believe it or not, into Scotland). The suspension bridge was amazing! But theres more to love about this trail than the wilderness it passes through. Happy hiking! The Foothills Trail, though steep in places, is not especially rugged, so trail runners are more than adequate. Tougher than expected but had a great time. Start and stop your timer on the first wooden step heading into Laurel Valley . I got to meet several interesting and nice people that were making the short hike to Lick Falls. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. 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. Cross Bear Creek campsite is nice but you have to hang your own bear line. Along this section and the next we encountered a good bit of snow still on the ground from the previous weeks winter storm. This mornings highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. This was a hard day of almost 12 miles. There is an unknown connection issue between Cloudflare and the origin web server. 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. Terrain: Easy to moderate on the western/southern part of the trail, with occasional short, steep climbs. We finished with 5 miles on the day. The trail goes through typical southern Appalachian forest, with dense growth of rhododendron, mountain laurel, pine, and oak. The FTC could improve their map by adding to it some trails that intersect or at least some labels/notes regarding the other trails. PO Box 3041 Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. Description. Day 1 we hiked to Laurel Fork Falls campsite. Hes the author of several books, including the Amazon bestseller, Bones of My Grandfather: Reclaiming a Lost Hero of World War II, and his most recent, The Trail Is the Teacher: Living and Learning on the Appalachian Trail. Turn right into the parking area and pay your nominal parking fee. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. 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. Oconee State Park is about two hours from both cities. 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. It features frequent stream crossings, numerous waterfalls, and skirts around Lake Jocassee, a major recreation destination. There plenty of beautiful campsites all along the trial. Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. It is a beautiful site at the top of the waterfalls. Terms under which this service is provided to you. I am very proud to have accomplished this feat and Im already looking forward to my next journey along the trail. It can be hiked in 3-7 days. We completed this section then broke for lunch at Laurel Fork Falls. Had brief freezing rains. We took a quick break at the falls to enjoy the view and snap some pics and then pushed on towards bad creek. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. Additional troubleshooting resources. Our family of 2 adults and 2 teenagers did these sections over 2 days. Table Rock State Park is about an hours drive from both Asheville, North Carolina and Spartanburg, SC. I began at the southern terminus, Oconee State Park in Mountains Rest, South Carolina. Today I am climbing Heartbreak Ridge! The Catawba Falls trail is closed until spring of 2023. I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls. Day 5s goal was to get to Canebrake and finish the section. 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. 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. We made quick work of the rest of the section and had made it to Upper Whitewater Falls a little after noon. We finished up with 9.4 miles for the day. We were on the trail by 8:05, not bad! Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. While the relatively mild winters of South Carolina make the trail hikeable year-round, early to mid-spring and fall are the preferred seasons. NC 28762, http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge. Along this extended spur lies views of the East Fork of the French Broad River, as well as the sheer rock faces of Raven Cliff Falls. There I set up camp. 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. 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). The trail is clearly marked throughout. a More. Easy and downhill. Cross the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign. Print/PDF map. Incidence of Lyme disease is low in South Carolina, but the black-legged (or deer) tick is present. Resupply: The trail is short enough that it can be easily hiked without resupply. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. 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. The hiker is treated to their first of many waterfalls at mile 8.2 at Lick Log Creek. After a week on the trail I had made it to my last night. 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. I dread the descents more than the climbs. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). Living in Greenville, the FHT is just a few miles away. Apr 25, 2020 at 8:30 AM . Click to reveal The trail crosses several roads leading to nearby small towns. We would maintain about a 2.5 mile per hour pace for the day. 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. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. more. Region: Deep South, Lower Appalachians (South Carolina) Length: 76.2 miles (5-8 days) Physical Difficulty: Moderate 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. 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. So it requires some advance planning. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. Day 8, my final day on the trail, started early. Will Hike this in a few weeks. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is strenuous 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. 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. Click on any map and youll see what Im talking about. Login to Update Event. 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. Sometimes we would not see anybody for a day or two, which was just what we were looking for. 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. It offers multiple distance choices with a challenging hill climb and scenic views of surrounding . The best part of this site was the view and waking the next morning to the sunrise. 1 Peter 2:21, Backpacking Journals and Photos from Long Distance Hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike Mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania. 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. Hikers should fill up before ascending Sassafrass Mountain, particularly northbound; the climb is long and steep, and there are no water sources for 4.5 miles. 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