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. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. We would maintain about a 2.5 mile per hour pace for the day. One of the classic mountain bike descents in Pisgah is one of the most infamous hiking climbs in Pisgah when paired with the Star Gap Trail. Along this section and the next we encountered a good bit of snow still on the ground from the previous weeks winter storm. Start and stop your timer on the first wooden step heading into Laurel Valley . Unlike the tall and unforgiving crests of the great range, the foothills are alive and lush. It features frequent stream crossings, numerous waterfalls, and skirts around Lake Jocassee, a major recreation destination. I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. Check out this page at the Foothills Trail Conservancy. I did it with my fianc and dog in three days and it was fantastic. 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. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. We parked the truck at a red gate and began hiking down the service road. Region: Deep South, Lower Appalachians (South Carolina) Length: 76.2 miles (5-8 days) Physical Difficulty: Moderate I had both time to be alone and reflect and time with great company to share in my experience. Exclusive to the state of Florida, its dirt and paved paths can be hiked in 60-90 days. Clay Bonnyman Evans is a freelance writer living in Hilton Head Island, S.C., and his hometown, Boulder, Colorado. Lots of inclines and declines so pack light! A rat snake, coiled alongside the Foothills Trail. 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. Resupply: The trail is short enough that it can be easily hiked without resupply. I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. Heartbreak Ridge via Star Gap Trail. 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. And many a Foothills Trail hiker has found herself sprinting away from the occasional swarm of irritable hornets, especially in fall. The part we loved most about the trail was how desolate it was. We switched to the trail because it had nice footbridges to cross the streams. The Star Gap Trail is a great short trail for hikers and bikers alike! 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. I got my trail name, Pony, in 2015 when I hiked the Colorado Trail. The Blue Ridge Mountains are well known for their three hundred sixty degree views from their bare summits. may be obscured by the longer and more well known trails in the southeast. Elevation is 3,165, Mail me 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. Location: The trail runs slightly northeast-southwest in far western South Carolina, with several crossings into North Carolina. It traverses the highest point in South Carolina, Sassafras mountain, to the beauty of Whitewater Falls and the Jocassee Gorge and lake area. 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. Day 2 we hiked to Cross Bear Creek campsite. Heartbreak Ridge Curtis Creek Road, Old Fort, NC, 28762 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! I could not have asked or hoped for anything better. I traveled west>east (or, sort of, south>north) and water was never an issue. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. It was a short 5 mile hike to finish up our journey, and the majority of that was downhill. 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. 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. The Guidebook rated these sections as moderate to easy, I assume because of the short distance. Go to Join Now to join for the first time or to renew your membership. If you enjoyed the Foothills Trail you should check out http://www.ultimatehike.org. This is a week that will stay with me forever. This was a relatively easy day at about 8 miles. Did the 5 day plan. Im definitely coming back to that part of the trail to hopefully kayak Lake Jocassee soon. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. It is just under three miles long, beginning at the Old Fort picnic area. 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. This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. Id like to make that connection to the Bartram and hike it to the AT sometime. Trail is well maintained - thanks. And they were indeed smoky this morning. I dread the descents more than the climbs. The Foothills Trail is a dream for section hikers. But theres more to love about this trail than the wilderness it passes through. Meet at the Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing. 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. Jurisdiction: The Foothills Trail crosses land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, state parks, and Duke Energy. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Lake Jocassee (mile 48.5): The rocks beneath the bridge over the Toxaway River make an excellent spot for lunch, rest, or drying out your gear. Thx This was a hard day of almost 12 miles. We took a quick break at the falls to enjoy the view and snap some pics and then pushed on towards bad creek. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. Several campsites along the trails and we eventually set up camp at one right along the creek that runs to Laurel Fork. Additional troubleshooting resources. Any suggestions. 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. Water is plentiful. Mike/Asheville. The Foothills Trail Conservancy store offers a complete guidebook, map, and pocket profile. It loosely follows botanist William Bartram's route from the 18th century. Moderate to strenuous on the eastern/northern portion of the trail. That was my favorite part of the trail. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Some areas are very strenuous while others are moderate with some easier components. Until we meet again. For those planning to take their time, some local shuttle drivers offer food drops for a fee. I have participated for the last 4 years great event!! 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. 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. Exited at Bad Creek parking lot access. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. An off-road running race held in the northwestern foothills of your Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. We had gotten to the more strenuous sections of trail and it was quite noticeable. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. Length: 76.2 miles (the Foothills Trail Conservancy rounds this off to 77 miles). First . You do need to watch for bears and bees, although the bees seem very tame. 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. We took our time there taking a lot of pics and talking to a nice couple. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls. Cloudflare monitors for these errors and automatically investigates the cause. All orders over $60 receive FREE shipping! The day started with "heartbreak ridge". We were on the trail by 9am on day 2. 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. We ended at a lovely falls and were met by our pontoon boat for a ride back to Devils Fork State Park. Sign up for our email newsletter. This has been by far my favorite hike Ive done in recent years. The Foothills Trail Conservancy website lists local shuttle services. I am considering running the entire trial over three days. Mother Nature smiled upon me with great weather! Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans photo. 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). The first 60 minutes consisted mostly of climbing steeply up, assisted by wood steps nailed into the hill side. 54.36.118.98 Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. 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 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. Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). The consistent signage makes finding the trailheads easy, and the mileage makes section hiking attainable. Jan 11, 2021; PART 5 - Solo on the Foothills Trail. The Foothills Trail is well-marked with white blazes. Living in Greenville, the FHT is just a few miles away. Good views at spots along the trail as well. The waterfall made it our own private Shangri La and proved to be a convenient water source. It is a beautiful site at the top of the waterfalls. The Foothills Trail is something like 76 miles in length and we hiked 6.4 miles of it on a recent brisk afternoon. Exposure is minimal, and many climbs feature artificial, wood-block steps. Flowers, and other Flora abound, birds aplenty, There are even plants that only exist in this part of the world. Slept well, heard the popping of the campfire a few sites over for awhile. Tougher than expected but had a great time. From Bear den campsite to Cane Brake boat access, not flat, Great hike! The service rd has many creek crossings but eventually crosses the actual Foothills Trail. 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 are multiple easy access points to the Foothills Trail. This middle section of trail bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls. The route, which features miles of blueberry bushes and campsites with perfect sunrise views, can be hiked in 2-4 days. Click here to find alternative waterfall and hiking trails. People love campfires. 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). gain about 10,000 feet (the Foothills Trail Conservancy does not offer exact totals; approximations are based on an overall elevation profile). A wonderful weekend hike. 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. 0. As always, take care of our trail angels! Though technically a four-season trail, the heat and humidity from May through September can be oppressive. Day 4 was going to be all back tracking since we had to hike back to Bad Creek to meet my friend. This trail is awesome . The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging traipse through classic southern Appalachian terrain. Trailhead begins inside the Old Fort Picnic Area with incredible views of Kitsuma Peak at trail end. Apr 25, 2020 at 8:30 AM . Had brief freezing rains. I am very proud to have accomplished this feat and Im already looking forward to my next journey along the trail. Cloudflare monitors for these errors and automatically investigates the cause. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. What an experience! Terms under which this service is provided to you. 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. NC 28762, http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge. Mountain Streams, Suspension Bridges, Waterfalls This was one of the few instances I saw wildlife along my hike. Hey, Mike N. Im the author of this piece. 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. There are no shelters along the trail, and rain is frequent, so hikers should have a good shelter such as a tent, tarp, or hammock. Our family of 2 adults and 2 teenagers did these sections over 2 days. Water: Water is plentiful all along the trail from streams, rivers, and lakes, except in drought conditions. Really cool to se that engineering out in the wilderness and seamlessly blend it in. I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. And they were indeed smoky this morning. Percent of the course on un-paved trails: 90%. The Toxaway River flows into Lake Jocassee along the Foothills Trail. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Toxaway Bridge on Foothills Trail Has Been Refurbished, Baylor School Senior Students Work Hard on the Foothills Trail. Trail. 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. 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 were no bugs and it got down to the low 40s one night After a brief rain during the 65 degree weather. Nearly eighty miles of this scenic landscape straddle the border of South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Some shuttle drivers also will do food drops for a fee. Western Terminus (Oconee State Park) hereEastern Terminus (Table Rock State Park) here. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. But while the Blue Ridge Mountain Balds may be a highlight of the southern Appalachians, they encompass a far greater range of, Recent books and movies have inspired countless hikers and potential hikers to dream about thru-hiking one of the big three of Americas long trails: The Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or the Continental Divide Trail. Upon the completion of the Foothills Trail hikers can apply for the Peregrine Award to commemorate their hikes. Be careful! Sept of 2014. With the exception of the winter months, chances are that weather will be warm and often extremely hot and humid. Im much more inclined to fall going down one of these steep descents. The Florida Trail is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles. The western half of the trail covers significantly less grueling terrain overall. Today I am climbing Heartbreak Ridge! virtually impossible to get lost. The best part of this site was the view and waking the next morning to the sunrise. To help support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your web server and submit it our support team. Additional one mile loop, "Last of the Mohicans" and "Hunt for Red October" were filmed along the shores of this picturesque lake. Immediately bear right onto the unpaved fork and continue to the Foothills Trail parking area about 0.3 mile on the left. Photos (139) Directions. 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! The park also has a store and gift shop with limited groceries to fuel your post thru hike hunger. Bald Knob (mile 72.5): Expansive view of upstate South Carolina from knees of Pinnacle Mountain. Navigation: The trail is well-marked with white blazes and easily navigable, though as always, you can get off track if you arent paying attention. Nice article! Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. 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