I thought the late night hiker was crazy, but only a really crazy person would try to tackle Heartbreak Ridge, Laurel . Some shuttle drivers also will do food drops for a fee. Description. For those planning to take their time, some local shuttle drivers offer food drops for a fee. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. By Clay Bonnyman Evans, 2019 Foothills Trail Thru-Hiker. Volunteers should be reimbursed fairly for their generous donations of time and gasoline. We took a quick break at the falls to enjoy the view and snap some pics and then pushed on towards bad creek. 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. We camped at Bear Creek (not bear camp creek) and actually did have a bear sighting. The Foothills Trail Conservancy has a detailed, informative website, including maps, elevations profiles, shuttle information and more. 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. We were always close to Lake Jocassee but we couldn't see it. Thanks for your support! 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. 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. A rat snake, coiled alongside the Foothills Trail. I was very impressed by the size and power of this waterfall! Day 5s goal was to get to Canebrake and finish the section. Mike/Asheville. Want to report conditions for this trail? Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. The Catawba Falls trail is closed until spring of 2023. The trail is blazed and is normally hiked in 10 days. gain approximately 10,900 feet of elevation, while north/eastbounders (NEBOs?) (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. It looks like a small pool of water but it is the top of the falls. I had both time to be alone and reflect and time with great company to share in my experience. Cars can be left at both state parks. The southern/western portion of the trail is fairly gentle, but dont let that fool you. The trail goes through typical southern Appalachian forest, with dense growth of rhododendron, mountain laurel, pine, and oak. 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. 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. The park also has a store and gift shop with limited groceries to fuel your post thru hike hunger. 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. We had reached my car by 10:30 am and my journey was complete! A footbridge across the Horsepasture River on the Foothills Trail. Laurel Fork Falls (mile 54.3): A scenic cascade with several streamside campsites just one-tenth of a mile to the east. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Fork Mountain Trail (S5) - (S6) Eastatoe Gorge Spur (S3) - (S4) Sassafras Mountain (S1) to Caesar's Head State Park (S2) . If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. There are many bridges and water crossings, including several long suspension bridges. 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. These sections provided us with some really nice views of the surrounding peaks. From Bear den campsite to Cane Brake boat access, not flat, Great hike! The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 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. Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). Additional troubleshooting resources. There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. 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. 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 Guidebook rated these sections as moderate to easy, I assume because of the short distance. A group of 3 moms and 3 girls did these 32.6 miles over 4 days. Bald Knob (mile 72.5): Expansive view of upstate South Carolina from knees of Pinnacle Mountain. 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. Click link for details and directions. The trail crosses several roads leading to nearby small towns. Day 3 started only 4.8 miles from Bad Creek, where I was meeting my friend the next day. 54.36.118.98 I started my hike on Sunday February 16th from Oconee State Park. Excellent article. A wonderful weekend hike. In a normal season, there is plentiful water all along the 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). 13.1 miles total for the day! Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. A bear canister is probably overkill. A solid and steady climb with a few short downhills just to give you a quick break. Today's miles: 17 Total miles: 65.4 Camped: Boulder about a mile before Sassafras peak What a day. Terrain: Easy to moderate on the western/southern part of the trail, with occasional short, steep climbs. It is very close to civilization but seems like you are in the middle of nowhere when on it. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. 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. This has been by far my favorite hike Ive done in recent years. Wildflowers were just blooming. gain about 10,000 feet (the Foothills Trail Conservancy does not offer exact totals; approximations are based on an overall elevation profile). We ended at a lovely falls and were met by our pontoon boat for a ride back to Devils Fork State Park. Perhaps it was because we were hiking West to East, but it turned out to be not nearly as bad as we were expecting. 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. With the exception of the winter months, chances are that weather will be warm and often extremely hot and humid. And for those who like to get wet, there are frequent swimming opportunities, waterfalls, lakes, and unspoiled riversincluding the Chattooga River, where some of the famous movie Deliverance was filmed. Nearly eighty miles of this scenic landscape straddle the border of South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Any suggestions. Waterfalls abound at mile 16.3 via a side trail at King Creek Falls, and another at mile 23.2. Check out the Foothills Trail, we're sure you'll love it. It is my favorite trail for many of the reasons you noted. I had many great campsites along the trail but this one would prove to be the best. The tread on most of the trail is largely free of rocks and roots, except for a few limited areas, making for pleasant hiking. The Blue Ridge Mountains are well known for their three hundred sixty degree views from their bare summits. Oconee is about 2.5 hours and Table Rock is about three hours from Atlanta. It offers multiple distance choices with a challenging hill climb and scenic views of surrounding . Jan 11, 2021; PART 5 - Solo on the Foothills Trail. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls. 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). 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. The Foothills Trail is a 76-mile point-to-point hike in the Appalachian Mountains of western South Carolina best hiked in fall, winter, or spring. I tackled the Foothills Trail during a three day two night fastpack in early January. We briefly paused at bald rock to take in the spectacular views and snap a few more pics. Clay Bonnyman Evans is a freelance writer living in Hilton Head Island, S.C., and his hometown, Boulder, Colorado. Another great waterfall and we got to see a wild turkey, actually flying which was rare. I continue to log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina. It was an evening of mixed emotion for me. 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. Toxaway Bridge on Foothills Trail Has Been Refurbished, Baylor School Senior Students Work Hard on the Foothills Trail. Well maintained trail. It is just under three miles long, beginning at the Old Fort picnic area. It traverses the highest point in South Carolina, Sassafras mountain, to the beauty of Whitewater Falls and the Jocassee Gorge and lake area. This was a hard day of almost 12 miles. The hiker is treated to their first of many waterfalls at mile 8.2 at Lick Log Creek. If you enjoyed the Foothills Trail you should check out http://www.ultimatehike.org. Go to Join Now to join for the first time or to renew your membership. That night as we slept we were entertained by a wild thunderstorm. The day started with "heartbreak ridge". More. Great campsites, I went off roading Sunday and I left my Sony nex-6 camera. But from its well blazed path to its active trail conservancy, it is a trail well worth the walk. The consistent signage makes finding the trailheads easy, and the mileage makes section hiking attainable. All orders over $60 receive FREE shipping! About an hour later we put the packs back on and headed toward the Cliffs. 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). Click on any map and youll see what Im talking about. We parked the truck at a red gate and began hiking down the service road. We finished the section and hiked a little over a half mile into the next so we could get a site in Gorge State Park along the Toxaway River. 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. This was a relatively easy day at about 8 miles. The Foothills Trail is a part of the nearing completion Southern Appalachian Loop Trail. 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. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. 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. Mountain Streams, Suspension Bridges, Waterfalls Oh, and theres the little matter of more than 500 steep steps up Heartbreak Ridge as you leave Lake Jocassee. 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. A very special place to wander and enjoy!!! We started with two short sections to Chimney Gap and then to Sassafras. 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. While the solitude of the first part of my hike was very nice it was good to have company. 'Heartbreak Ridge,' Foothills Trail, SC - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google LLC Sassafras Mountain, South Carolina's highest peak, Obeservation Tower atop Sassafras Mountain, For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. Discover this 48.9-km point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. Id like to make that connection to the Bartram and hike it to the AT sometime. Length 11.0 miElevation gain 3,188 ftRoute type Out & back. 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. 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. Heartbreak's tread is narrow, and often constricted even more by Laurel and Rhododendron encroaching into the corridor. Many views along the way - waterfalls, wild boar and wild turkey sightings, streams to cross. Living in Greenville, the FHT is just a few miles away. My girlfriend and I backpacked this trail last night. This is classified as a strenuous section of trail which includes Heartbreak Ridge. Check out this page at the Foothills Trail Conservancy. The trail is clearly marked throughout. Put in at Frozen Creek Access then hiked to Canebrake. Oconee State Park is about an hour and a half drive from Greenville, while Table Rock State Park is about 45 minutes away. Im much more inclined to fall going down one of these steep descents. Day 7 was going to be one of our shorter and easier days! 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. There plenty of beautiful campsites all along the trial. Thx Thank you to Heyword Douglass, Executive Director of the Foothills Conference, for your encouraging emails and photographs! The last 2.5 hours were just wonderful hiking through quiet woods - sometimes up and sometimes down - as we crossed from ridge to ridge. 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. I dread the descents more than the climbs. Not unlike the AT, the Foothills Trail is more challenging at one end. Nantahala National Forest - (828) 526-3765. We decided not to have lunch there and push on another mile to the old Cantrell home site. Login to Update Event. Did the 5 day plan. I did it with my fianc and dog in three days and it was fantastic. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. At Lick log Creek trail Conservancy, it is my favorite trail for many of the falls body me! 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