Terms under which this service is provided to you. This middle section of trail bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls. 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. 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. Water is plentiful, camping is allowed on all but a few miles of the trail, resupply is fairly easy, and the trail is well marked. With the exception of the winter months, chances are that weather will be warm and often extremely hot and humid. 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. Tougher than expected but had a great time. The Foothills Trail is a dream for section hikers. Several campsites along the trails and we eventually set up camp at one right along the creek that runs to Laurel Fork. There I set up camp. Hard 4.4 (195) Pisgah National Forest. It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! Trailhead begins inside the Old Fort Picnic Area with incredible views of Kitsuma Peak at trail end. . Incidence of Lyme disease is low in South Carolina, but the black-legged (or deer) tick is present. Enjoy your next adventure. Sign up for our email newsletter. The western half of the trail covers significantly less grueling terrain overall. We parked the truck at a red gate and began hiking down the service road. 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. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. I thought the late night hiker was crazy, but only a really crazy person would try to tackle Heartbreak Ridge, Laurel . This is a worthy trail in its own right, but many hikers use the Foothills Trail as a kind of shakedown, warm-up, or training-wheel expedition for an AT thru-hike. Dont forget the insect repellent youll want it. Geology Guide to the Foothills Trail NOW AVAILABLE! Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. Far below the Blue Ridge, the foothills undulate with as much unforgiving elevation change as the high peaks themselves. Be careful! 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). Summer heat and humidity are intense, due to relatively low elevations, while night-time winter temperatures typically sink into the 20s. 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. 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 in South Carolina and North Carolina. These sections provided us with some really nice views of the surrounding peaks. We camped at Bear Creek (not bear camp creek) and actually did have a bear sighting. Greenville SC 29602. Many views along the way - waterfalls, wild boar and wild turkey sightings, streams to cross. The trail is clearly marked throughout. I was very impressed by the size and power of this waterfall! 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. Expect a high speed experience with very fast straight sections. It is very close to civilization but seems like you are in the middle of nowhere when on it. 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. 24 miles backpacking. 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. We arrived at camp by 3:30 and explored the Cliffs and the Lighthouse. The park also has a store and gift shop with limited groceries to fuel your post thru hike hunger. 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. Volunteers should be reimbursed fairly for their generous donations of time and gasoline. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Id like to make that connection to the Bartram and hike it to the AT sometime. 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. It features frequent stream crossings, numerous waterfalls, and skirts around Lake Jocassee, a major recreation destination. It offers multiple distance choices with a challenging hill climb and scenic views of surrounding . (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. Did the 5 day plan. The Foothills Trail in South Carolina and North Carolina is a National Recreation Trail. Go to Join Now to join for the first time or to renew your membership. I dread the descents more than the climbs. There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. I am considering running the entire trial over three days. Bald Knob (mile 72.5): Expansive view of upstate South Carolina from knees of Pinnacle Mountain. The FTC could improve their map by adding to it some trails that intersect or at least some labels/notes regarding the other trails. Upon the completion of the Foothills Trail hikers can apply for the Peregrine Award to commemorate their hikes. I have thru-hiked it, speed hiked it and section hiked it. 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 suppose the guidebooks will have that and will purchase soon The last 2.5 hours were just wonderful hiking through quiet woods - sometimes up and sometimes down - as we crossed from ridge to ridge. 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. The Foothills Trail, though steep in places, is not especially rugged, so trail runners are more than adequate. 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. If anyone finds it please message me 8644096466. Streams, creeks, and engorged rivers mark the land with deep gorges and sandy beaches. 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. 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. Additional Bridge over Whitewater River now complete! The trail epitomizes the green tunnel phenomenon, but that just makes its periodic panoramic views even more rewarding. 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. Until we meet again. Im investigating as we speak! Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. The Foothills Trail Conservancy website lists local shuttle services. Foothills Trail Journal Heartbreak Ridge. We logged over 32 miles. Start and stop your timer on the first wooden step heading into Laurel Valley . 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. While the relatively mild winters of South Carolina make the trail hikeable year-round, early to mid-spring and fall are the preferred seasons. 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. What I had failed to realize it that the next mile of the trail is know as Heart Break Ridge. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. I really need to recover tonight. The hiker is treated to their first of many waterfalls at mile 8.2 at Lick Log Creek. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. A bear canister is probably overkill. Today I am climbing Heartbreak Ridge! Elevation change: 535 feet, hikes around the Santa Monica Mountains on the Hike Finder Map, Social Distancing hikes around Los Angeles, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. Thanks for your support! 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. Maybe even us. Thru-hikers travel both north/eastbound and south/westbound, but theres no question that those who travel south/westbound have it a bit tougher. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. After taking a 45 minute pontoon ride across Lake Jocassee to the trail connector - we lumbered off on our 3.5 hour hike. 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. This was one of the few instances I saw wildlife along my hike. Fee camping is allowed only in designated areas in Oconee and Table Rock state parks. The standard guidebooks for the Foothills Trail provide detailed information about plentiful camping spots, and there are numerous spots to camp along the way that arent listed in either book. Click to reveal The terrain, tread, and gradesfrom riverside meandering to lung-busting steepall reflect the AT in its Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina incarnations. I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. Explore this 11.0-mile out-and-back trail near Montreat, North Carolina. 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! Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). Put in at Frozen Creek Access then hiked to Canebrake. Thx Day 3 started only 4.8 miles from Bad Creek, where I was meeting my friend the next day. Primitive trail connects Woods Mountain & Armstrong Creek Trails. Hikers can expect to find blue line trout waters, suspension bridges, wildflowers, and star-filled nights from peaceful campsites which are numerous enough to . 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. For those planning to take their time, some local shuttle drivers offer food drops for a fee. While the solitude of the first part of my hike was very nice it was good to have company. Be sure to. Water: Water is plentiful all along the trail from streams, rivers, and lakes, except in drought conditions. 'Heartbreak Ridge,' Foothills Trail, SC - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google LLC The first 60 minutes consisted mostly of climbing steeply up, assisted by wood steps nailed into the hill side. Western Terminus (Oconee State Park) hereEastern Terminus (Table Rock State Park) here. 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. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. The Bartram Trail can be found (somewhere, I havent done it yet) on the other side of the Chattooga crossing the road bridge just up stream of the Burrells Ford campground, which leads to the AT in the Wayah Bald area. Excellent article. 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. The trail goes between Table Rock State Park and Oconee State Park. Easy and downhill. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. The incidence of Lyme disease is very low in South and North Carolina (less than .5 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents), but the black-legged (or deer tick) is present, so be diligent about tick checks. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 58 min to complete. I could not have asked or hoped for anything better. 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. I also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. We took our time there taking a lot of pics and talking to a nice couple. 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. This is a 30 mile one day hike on the trail that is a fundraising event for CureSearch for Childrens Cancer. 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. It looks like a small pool of water but it is the top of the falls. Jessica Lane. We took a quick break at the falls to enjoy the view and snap some pics and then pushed on towards bad creek. As the name implies, this down hill, four mile bike trail descends approximately 2,000 feet and is a true heart breaker. There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and more. 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). Terrain: Easy to moderate on the western/southern part of the trail, with occasional short, steep climbs. Though technically a four-season trail, the heat and humidity from May through September can be oppressive. 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. The trail goes between Table Rock State Park and Oconee State Park. Dont take it for granted.The shuttle service ( Taz) is the best.Went from Oconne to Table Rock. Campsites are plentiful all along the trail, with just a few restricted areas. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. Click here to find alternative waterfall and hiking trails. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. NC 226-A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd.. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. Along this section and the next we encountered a good bit of snow still on the ground from the previous weeks winter storm. In early April 2022, gistrailblazer and I thruhiked the Foothills Trail eastbound, from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park. New benefit of membership: Free subscription to Backpacker magazine. I traveled west>east (or, sort of, south>north) and water was never an issue. We camped at the site right next to the Laurel Valley parking lot. Stairs. Terms under which this service is provided to you. There were no bugs and it got down to the low 40s one night After a brief rain during the 65 degree weather. We completed this section then broke for lunch at Laurel Fork Falls. Check out this page at the Foothills Trail Conservancy. It was an evening of mixed emotion for me. instead, 91 South Catawba Avenue, Old Fort, Slept well, heard the popping of the campfire a few sites over for awhile. I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. It was a short 5 mile hike to finish up our journey, and the majority of that was downhill. Wandering Monk Hikes Day 5 on the Foothills Trail | Climbing Heartbreak RidgeHello everyone welcome! Performance & security by Cloudflare. We finished with 5 miles on the day. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. Length: 80.0 miles Type: One Way Surface: Various Difficulty: Difficult Trail Features: t Parking Trail Head Scenic Observation Waterfall Camping Point of Interest Water Launch Pets Fee Camping Summary: Whether you're looking for a day hike or planning a multi-day through-hike, the Foothills Trail offers adventures of every length and difficulty. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Thank you to Heyword Douglass, Executive Director of the Foothills Conference, for your encouraging emails and photographs! Overall, south/westbound hikers (SWOBOs?) We finished with 13.2 hard miles for the day and ate dinner then took our aching feet to bed. Overall Id say its moderate to difficult, but I was cruising at 2.5 miles per hour each day to get it down before work on the third evening. It's Day 5 on the . Jurisdiction: The Foothills Trail crosses land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, state parks, and Duke Energy. It can be hiked in 3-7 days. Meet at the Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing. Fork Mountain Trail (S5) - (S6) Eastatoe Gorge Spur (S3) - (S4) Sassafras Mountain (S1) to Caesar's Head State Park (S2) . It wasnt the perfect site but it was perfectly timed! 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. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1237b0ae472c2f Ill have to download some gps coordinates for my favorites. This is classified as a strenuous section of trail which includes Heartbreak Ridge. 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. Scott Lynchs pocket guide, Hiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail, is another popular option. . Print/PDF map. In a normal season, there is plentiful water all along the trail. Log In. Foothills Trail Conservancy Facebook group, Official Foothills Trail GuidebookHiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail pocket guide by Scott Lynch. We counted down the miles as we moved down the mountain towards the nature center. What an experience! Great camping areas. We had reached Burrells Ford by 1pm and pushed on towards Fish Hatchery Road. Not unlike the AT, the Foothills Trail is more challenging at one end. 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. 0. Discover this 48.9-km point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. The group will go by boat to Laurel Fork and hike the Foothills Trail to Canebrake, a distance of about 5.8 miles. 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. 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. Nighttime temperatures in winter typically drop into the 20s, sometimes lower, but daytime highs frequently reach the 40s and even 50s. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. 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 . 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. 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). 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. I got my trail name, Pony, in 2015 when I hiked the Colorado Trail. We were hiking by 10 till 10 and our first stop was Hilliard Falls. It is a beautiful site at the top of the waterfalls. 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. There plenty of beautiful campsites all along the trial. More. I got to meet several interesting and nice people that were making the short hike to Lick Falls. The heat and humidity can be intense from mid-May through September. Head West on The Foothills Trail towards Lake Jocassee. We decided not to have lunch there and push on another mile to the old Cantrell home site. Cold nights in 30s and pleasant days in 50s. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. Thanks again. We finished up with a little less than 10 miles for the day. This trail is awesome . 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 Foothills Trail Conference Divides the trail into thirteenaccessible sections. Theres a section known as heart break ridge where supposedly it is the hardest section of the trail coming from the Toxaway River. 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. 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. A footbridge across the Horsepasture River on the Foothills Trail. Continue on an old road to your left after entering a field to . 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! Table Rock State Park offers a myriad of amenities from camping to cabins, swimming to fishing. Great weather with clear cool nights. 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. Heartbreak Ridge via Star Gap Trail. But from its well blazed path to its active trail conservancy, it is a trail well worth the walk. We were on the trail by 8:05, not bad! It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. 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. 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