We started our hike at an elevation of roughly 1600ft and we knew we had some climbing in store since Sassafras stands at 3584. There are numerous road crossings, and hitching into small towns such as Salem, SC, or Sapphire, NC, isnt too difficult. Maybe even us. The heat and humidity can be intense from mid-May through September. 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. This middle section of trail bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls. We decided to climb to the ridge and found the perfect site for the evening atop the ridge. Immediately bear right onto the unpaved fork and continue to the Foothills Trail parking area about 0.3 mile on the left. Generally considered a challenging route. This self supported marathon begins in the Laurel Valley Parking Lot off HWY 178 . Resupply: The trail is short enough that it can be easily hiked without resupply. Discover this 48.9-km point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. Additional one mile loop, "Last of the Mohicans" and "Hunt for Red October" were filmed along the shores of this picturesque lake. You can hike for a few hours or spend days or a week or so hiking here and never do the same hike twice. From Bear den campsite to Cane Brake boat access, not flat, Great hike! . It can be hiked in 3-7 days. This vlog is from mid-May. So beautiful! We really enjoyed the short hike to Hidden Falls. It wasnt that bad going east to west but it definitely doesnt look fun the opposite direction. After a week on the trail I had made it to my last night. To help support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your web server and submit it our support team. 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. Cold nights in 30s and pleasant days in 50s. The southern/western portion of the trail is fairly gentle, but dont let that fool you. We planned on hiking to Drawbar Cliffs and making camp there so we would only have a 5 mile hike on our final day. Mother Nature entertained us again with another mighty thunderstorm and downpour. This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The 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. Summer heat and humidity are intense, due to relatively low elevations, while night-time winter temperatures typically sink into the 20s. I tackled the Foothills Trail during a three day two night fastpack in early January. 6.6 - 13.6 miles 2,350 feet: 34.266172,-117.62684: 740 Oconee State Park is about two hours from both cities. Often one can hike for an entire day and not encounter another person. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. The Foothills Trail Conservancy has a detailed, informative website, including maps, elevations profiles, shuttle information and more. Heartbreak's tread is narrow, and often constricted even more by Laurel and Rhododendron encroaching into the corridor. Waterfalls abound, their distinctive rush mixes with sounds of wind and wildlife. Put in at Frozen Creek Access then hiked to Canebrake. I suppose the guidebooks will have that and will purchase soon It wasnt the perfect site but it was perfectly timed! Be prepared. http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge, 2940 Ft. /8 Miles. If you enjoyed the Foothills Trail you should check out http://www.ultimatehike.org. 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. Apr 25, 2020 at 8:30 AM . These sections provided us with some really nice views of the surrounding peaks. Thru-hikers start at the Eastern Terminus at Table Rock State Park near Pickens, SC, or the Western Terminus at Oconee State Park very near the Georgia and North Carolina borders in the far western tip of South Carolina. 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. A very special place to wander and enjoy!!! Another great waterfall and we got to see a wild turkey, actually flying which was rare. Thanks again. Easy and downhill. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. The Florida Trail is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles. I was very impressed by the size and power of this waterfall! It was an evening of mixed emotion for me. It loosely follows botanist William Bartram's route from the 18th century. The tread on most of the trail is largely free of rocks and roots, except for a few limited areas, making for pleasant hiking. New benefit of membership: Free subscription to Backpacker magazine. I hiked solo from Maine to Georgia in 2014 and from Denver to Durango in 2015. Day 3 we hiked approximately 10 miles and camped at Whitewater campsite. We took a quick break at the falls to enjoy the view and snap some pics and then pushed on towards bad creek. There I set up camp. The Bartram Trail is a 102-mile trek through the Southern Appalachian Mountains. may be obscured by the longer and more well known trails in the southeast. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. Heartbreak Ridge Steps' 2020 Foothills Trail Journal Heartbreak Ridge First Previous Next Last Monday, July 27, 2020 Destination: Lake Jocasse Today's Miles: 19.10 Start Location: Cantrell Campsite Trip Miles: 27.10 Evening view This morning's highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. 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. All orders over $60 receive FREE shipping! Your IP: This trail is awesome . More. For the next 0.7 miles, we ascended and descended over 400 steps! Its entirely plausible to hike the Foothills Trail in any season, though late-spring to early summer and fall are most popular. We switched to the trail because it had nice footbridges to cross the streams. Click on any map and youll see what Im talking about. To help support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your web server and submit it our support team. Click to reveal Very well maintained trail. 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. Come take a hike with me at Blue Ridge Hiking Company! Check out more trails in the Asheville area here. 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. Meet at the Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing. 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. I actually JUST FINISHED the Bartram Trail. Laurel Fork Falls (mile 54.3): A scenic cascade with several streamside campsites just one-tenth of a mile to the east. The group will go by boat to Laurel Fork and hike the Foothills Trail to Canebrake, a distance of about 5.8 miles. https://foothillstrail.org/maps-coordinates-2/. Sign up for our email newsletter. Its a great trail! I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. The Trail joins the Chattooga River Trail at mile 10.6 and winds along the Chattooga Rivers sandy beaches for miles. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. 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. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Check out this page at the Foothills Trail Conservancy. This mornings highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. As a result, the web page can not be displayed. Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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. Did the 5 day plan. Foothills Trail Conservancy Facebook group, Official Foothills Trail GuidebookHiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail pocket guide by Scott Lynch. We hiked back up to the Whitewater River and took another break killing time until the hike to the access area. Greenville SC 29602. Check out the Foothills Trail, we're sure you'll love it. The park also has a store and gift shop with limited groceries to fuel your post thru hike hunger. Elevation is 3,165, Mail me The suspension bridge was amazing! Wandering Monk Hikes Day 5 on the Foothills Trail | Climbing Heartbreak RidgeHello everyone welcome! 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. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. Dont forget the insect repellent youll want it. 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). We had reached Sassafras by 10 till noon. 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. Upon the completion of the Foothills Trail hikers can apply for the Peregrine Award to commemorate their hikes. Check out this 19.1-mile point-to-point trail near Lake Toxaway, North Carolina. Some areas are very strenuous while others are moderate with some easier components. I can usually will myself to keep going but not in this case. This was a hard day of almost 12 miles. Cross Bear Creek campsite is nice but you have to hang your own bear line. The western half of the trail covers significantly less grueling terrain overall. 24 miles backpacking. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. 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). This trail is in South Carolina and North Carolina. But the eastern/northern third of the trail, in particular, is as steep and rugged as the southern Appalachian Trail. We were exhausted by the time we set up camp so we ate dinner and then hit the sack. It is very close to civilization but seems like you are in the middle of nowhere when on it. Im much more inclined to fall going down one of these steep descents. . 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. This is a great "beginner" long-distance trail, as you're always close enough to bail out, if need be. 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. This alleviates the headache of spotting cars or finding rides back to original trailheads after completing sections. 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. The Foothills Trail is something like 76 miles in length and we hiked 6.4 miles of it on a recent brisk afternoon. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. 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. There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. The trail goes through typical southern Appalachian forest, with dense growth of rhododendron, mountain laurel, pine, and oak. 13.1 miles total for the day! 1 Peter 2:21, Backpacking Journals and Photos from Long Distance Hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike Mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania. Mike/Asheville. instead, 91 South Catawba Avenue, Old Fort, We counted down the miles as we moved down the mountain towards the nature center. Primitive trail connects Woods Mountain & Armstrong Creek Trails. People love campfires. Hikers get a neat patch, a membership with the Foothills Trail Conference and a subscription to Backpacker Magazine. Difficult at times but worth it. 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. I have only done a small portion of this beautiful trail but every step is well worth the effort. Good views at spots along the trail as well. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Head West on The Foothills Trail towards Lake Jocassee. There were plenty of views and beautiful streams and waterfalls this time of year. As hard as our Colorado hike minus elevation. 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. Experience this 30.4-mile point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. The Foothills Trail is accessible, challenging, but not difficult, and logistically easy to hike. Dont take it for granted.The shuttle service ( Taz) is the best.Went from Oconne to Table Rock. I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. Mountain Bike Trails Play Young's Ridge Mill Creek Road and Old US Hwy. This was a relatively easy day at about 8 miles. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep 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. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. Be sure to. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. If you like water, the trail offers constant swimming opportunities, waterfalls, and flowing rivers to lull hikers to sleep. The Blue Ridge Mountains are well known for their three hundred sixty degree views from their bare summits. Terms under which this service is provided to you. We made camp around 5:30 that evening and finished with a total of 20.5 miles for day 2. NC 28762, http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge. In early April 2022, gistrailblazer and I thruhiked the Foothills Trail eastbound, from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park. The Foothills Trail is well-marked with white blazes. Day 1 we hiked to Laurel Fork Falls campsite. Turn right into the parking area and pay your nominal parking fee. We finished up with a little less than 10 miles for the day. It offers multiple distance choices with a challenging hill climb and scenic views of surrounding . This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 58 min to complete. This has been by far my favorite hike Ive done in recent years. There is an unknown connection issue between Cloudflare and the origin web server. The part we loved most about the trail was how desolate it was. Day 8, my final day on the trail, started early. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. I started my hike on Sunday February 16th from Oconee State Park. 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. An awe inspiring trek from Table Rock State Park through the foothills of the Southeastern Appalachian Mountains to Oconee State Park which features the Jocassee River gorges, Sassafras Mountain, and the Wild and Scenic Chattooga River. It looks like a small pool of water but it is the top of the falls. We were always close to Lake Jocassee but we couldn't see it. Table Rock State Park offers a myriad of amenities from camping to cabins, swimming to fishing. Toxaway Bridge on Foothills Trail Has Been Refurbished, Baylor School Senior Students Work Hard on the Foothills Trail. Following a long ridge that begins high atop the Blue Ridge Escarpment, this trail plunges over 2000 ft. in four miles. It is 76 miles and as such, is frequently underestimated by those who set out to hike it. The trail crosses several roads leading to nearby small towns. 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. Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. Length: 76.2 miles (the Foothills Trail Conservancy rounds this off to 77 miles). I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. Around 4:15 we started the hike to the Bad Creek parking lot. We completed this section then broke for lunch at Laurel Fork Falls. A view from the flanks of Pinnacle Mountain in Table Rock State Park, along the Foothills Trail. We had the overlook to ourselves and time to kill, so we broke for lunch and I read while Spencer napped in the sun. Great campsites, I went off roading Sunday and I left my Sony nex-6 camera. Along the sandy banks of the Chattooga River and just above Laurel Fork Falls are two of many excellent camping spots on the trail. Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. The Catawba Falls trail is closed until spring of 2023. It's Day 5 on the . The route, which features miles of blueberry bushes and campsites with perfect sunrise views, can be hiked in 2-4 days. Woods Mountain Trail is not for the faint of heart! Photos (139) Directions. No permits are required, but if you camp in either Oconee or Table Rock state parks, there is a fee. Insects can be bothersome in warmer months. Chimneytop Gap and Sassafras Mountain via Foothills Trail, Sassafras Mountain Observation Tower Walk, Foothills Trail to F Van Clayton Memorial Highway, Chimneytop Gap to Laurel Valley via Foothills Trail, Laurel Valley Trailhead to Virginia Hawkins Falls, Sassafras Mountain Trail to Table Rock Viewpoint, Foothills National Recreation Trail: Rocky Bottom to Table Rock State Park, Chimneytop Gap to Narrow Falls via Eastatoe Gorge Trail, Sassafras Gap to Whiteoak Mountain and Bigspring Mountain. Bugs were bad at this location. I got my trail name, Pony, in 2015 when I hiked the Colorado 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). I had both time to be alone and reflect and time with great company to share in my experience. This route was very challenging, but worth it in the end, when you are back home with your feet up :), Laurel Fork Falls to Canebrake Point-to-point using boat shuttle. 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. 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. It was very strenuous and not for the out-of-shape. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. I traveled west>east (or, sort of, south>north) and water was never an issue. 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. 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. 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. 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. We were on the trail by 9am on day 2. While there are often more people around features such as Whitewater Falls and Lake Jocassee, hikers will find plenty of solitude on most of the trail, including quiet, secluded campsites. Its unfair to reduce the Foothills Trail to a warm-up for the Appalachian Trail. Go to Join Now to join for the first time or to renew your membership. Will Hike this in a few weeks. The trail epitomizes the green tunnel phenomenon, but that just makes its periodic panoramic views even more rewarding. 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/. To bail out, if need be eastbound, from Oconee State Park to Table.... The corridor the corresponding error log from your web server mornings highlight was the climb the... 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