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. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. It is my favorite trail for many of the reasons you noted. We briefly paused at bald rock to take in the spectacular views and snap a few more pics. Lots of climbing and switchbacks. Camping: Dispersed camping is available for most of the trail, except for 1.7 miles along the Whitewater River on Duke Energy property. Hey, Mike N. Im the author of this piece. Difficult at times but worth it. For those planning to take their time, some local shuttle drivers offer food drops for a fee. Nearly eighty miles of this scenic landscape straddle the border of South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. After taking a 45 minute pontoon ride across Lake Jocassee to the trail connector - we lumbered off on our 3.5 hour hike. We hiked back up to the Whitewater River and took another break killing time until the hike to the access area. There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and even black bears.While youll find people around popular features such as Whitewater Falls and Lake Jocassee, the full trail offers plenty of solitude, including your choice of quiet, secluded sites available for dispersed camping on all but a few miles. Insects can be troublesome, especially mosquitoes and biting flies in warmer months. Continue on an old road to your left after entering a field to . If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. I would not call this trail moderate, as there are many challenging sections, no matter which direction you travel. 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/. There I set up camp. 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. What I had failed to realize it that the next mile of the trail is know as Heart Break Ridge. This trail is in South Carolina and North Carolina. 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. We took our time there taking a lot of pics and talking to a nice couple. Cloudflare monitors for these errors and automatically investigates the cause. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. We were exhausted by the time we set up camp so we ate dinner and then hit the sack. We had reached Sassafras by 10 till noon. We feel that this has prepared us for longer trips we're looking at The Mountains to Sea Trail in NC next (900 miles, we'll have to do it in sections since we work). I tackled the Foothills Trail during a three day two night fastpack in early January. My girlfriend and I backpacked this trail last night. It was a good call since it kept us on the trail longer and we ended up with another awesome site. In summer and early fall, the heat and humidity can be a killerhikers who can tolerate walking in gear literally soaked with sweat will avail themselves of frequent opportunities to swim and wash off chafe-inducing salt and grime. gain approximately 10,900 feet of elevation, while north/eastbounders (NEBOs?) Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. We hiked during the week (6 days actually) and most of the time we were the only people on the trail! The trail is blazed and is normally hiked in 10 days. There is a small amount of roadwalking. That night as we slept we were entertained by a wild thunderstorm. 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. The Guidebook rated these sections as moderate to easy, I assume because of the short distance. Day 4 was going to be all back tracking since we had to hike back to Bad Creek to meet my friend. You can hike for a few hours or spend days or a week or so hiking here and never do the same hike twice. Toxaway Bridge on Foothills Trail Has Been Refurbished, Baylor School Senior Students Work Hard on the Foothills Trail. If you enjoyed the Foothills Trail you should check out http://www.ultimatehike.org. Perhaps it was because we were hiking West to East, but it turned out to be not nearly as bad as we were expecting. The park also has a store and gift shop with limited groceries to fuel your post thru hike hunger. The FTC could improve their map by adding to it some trails that intersect or at least some labels/notes regarding the other trails. We decided to climb to the ridge and found the perfect site for the evening atop the ridge. The group will go by boat to Laurel Fork and hike the Foothills Trail to Canebrake, a distance of about 5.8 miles. 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. 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. We finished up with a little less than 10 miles for the day. Today I am climbing Heartbreak Ridge! Hikers can expect to find blue line trout waters, suspension bridges, wildflowers, and star-filled nights from peaceful campsites which are numerous enough to . NC 28762, http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge. Hikers should plan ahead for shuttle transport. A group of 3 moms and 3 girls did these 32.6 miles over 4 days. We reached the end of the section by 5:30 PM. Mike/Asheville. Hikers spend a good deal of time in the green tunneljust like the ATbut ample opportunities to swim, gorgeous waterfalls, and occasional vistas to the south make this a truly enjoyable trail. This is classified as a strenuous section of trail which includes Heartbreak Ridge. I have thru-hiked it, speed hiked it and section hiked it. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dont take it for granted.The shuttle service ( Taz) is the best.Went from Oconne to Table Rock. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. 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! Length 11.0 miElevation gain 3,188 ftRoute type Out & back. Whitewater falls is breathtaking, and the climb out will leave you breathless! Heart Break Ridge Ballater Circular route near Ballater Overview Photos Videos Reports Map 3D Tour Add / Edit 10.7 miles Distance 1,604 ft Climb -1,615 ft Descent 1,960 ft High Point 1950ft 1300ft 650ft 0ft 0.00miles 3.50miles 7.00miles 10.50miles A circular ride from Ballater taking in Heart Break Ridge Detailed Description Local Trail Association . 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. 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. Stairs. Check out this 19.1-mile point-to-point trail near Lake Toxaway, North Carolina. Insects can be bothersome in warmer months. Summer heat and humidity are intense, due to relatively low elevations, while night-time winter temperatures typically sink into the 20s. Far below the Blue Ridge, the foothills undulate with as much unforgiving elevation change as the high peaks themselves. It looks like a small pool of water but it is the top of the falls. Jan 11, 2021; PART 5 - Solo on the Foothills Trail. There is plenty of water and beautiful scenery along most of this section. Waterfalls abound, their distinctive rush mixes with sounds of wind and wildlife. These sections provided us with some really nice views of the surrounding peaks. I have participated for the last 4 years great event!! But the eastern/northern third of the trail, in particular, is as steep and rugged as the southern Appalachian Trail. But from its well blazed path to its active trail conservancy, it is a trail well worth the walk. Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. Most of the year, hikers can leave cold-weather gear at home. Living in Greenville, the FHT is just a few miles away. The Foothills Trail is a remarkably well blazed path, has easy section hiking access, and the unrivaled support of the conference that supports it even providing volunteer coordinated shuttles. . 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 . Theres a section known as heart break ridge where supposedly it is the hardest section of the trail coming from the Toxaway River. New benefit of membership: Free subscription to Backpacker magazine. The FTC website lists shuttle services that cater to long-distance hikers. We finished with 5 miles on the day. This is a lovely hiking area with lots of camping spots and scenic views. Volunteers should be reimbursed fairly for their generous donations of time and gasoline. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. The Blue Ridge Mountains are well known for their three hundred sixty degree views from their bare summits. 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. We camped at the site right next to the Laurel Valley parking lot. This was a hard day of almost 12 miles. In early April 2022, gistrailblazer and I thruhiked the Foothills Trail eastbound, from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park. This was one of the few instances I saw wildlife along my hike. It is just under three miles long, beginning at the Old Fort picnic area. Water is plentiful. 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. The Star Gap Trail is a great short trail for hikers and bikers alike! Fork Mountain Trail (S5) - (S6) Eastatoe Gorge Spur (S3) - (S4) Sassafras Mountain (S1) to Caesar's Head State Park (S2) . The consistent signage makes finding the trailheads easy, and the mileage makes section hiking attainable. This is a week that will stay with me forever. 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. It was an evening of mixed emotion for me. Permits: No permit is required to hike the Foothills Trail. That said, its hard to think of a better trail to help newbies figure out if they are going to enjoy the AT. The Trail joins the Chattooga River Trail at mile 10.6 and winds along the Chattooga Rivers sandy beaches for miles. Nice article! I have only done a small portion of this beautiful trail but every step is well worth the effort. Cross the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign. Cross Bear Creek campsite is nice but you have to hang your own bear line. 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. We were hiking by 10 till 10 and our first stop was Hilliard Falls. 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. As the name implies, this down hill, four mile bike trail descends approximately 2,000 feet and is a true heart breaker. Check out more trails in the Asheville area here. Some shuttle drivers also will do food drops for a fee. Day 2 we hiked to Cross Bear Creek campsite. Be careful! 54.36.118.98 The plan is to make a full loop of about 375 miles (I think). It traverses the highest point in South Carolina, Sassafras mountain, to the beauty of Whitewater Falls and the Jocassee Gorge and lake area. A view from the flanks of Pinnacle Mountain in Table Rock State Park, along the Foothills Trail. The Florida Trail is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles. By Clay Bonnyman Evans, 2019 Foothills Trail Thru-Hiker. 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 was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. 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. Meet at the Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing. Apr 25, 2020 at 8:30 AM . 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. Bears frequent these mountain areas, so its important to bring and adequately hang a bear bag, or use an Ursack setup. Did the 5 day plan. It was very strenuous and not for the out-of-shape. 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 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. Table Rock State Park is about an hours drive from both Asheville, North Carolina and Spartanburg, SC. On our first day we hiked 8.1 miles and completed the first two sections and made camp shortly past Nicholson Road. Thank you to Heyword Douglass, Executive Director of the Foothills Conference, for your encouraging emails and photographs! ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Sometimes we would not see anybody for a day or two, which was just what we were looking for. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. 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. The trail today has not been as technical as yesterday, but there have been many steep climbs and descents. I really need to recover tonight. We parked the truck at a red gate and began hiking down the service road. 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. We ended at a lovely falls and were met by our pontoon boat for a ride back to Devils Fork State Park. We completed this section then broke for lunch at Laurel Fork Falls. Primitive trail connects Woods Mountain & Armstrong Creek Trails. Foothills Trail Conservancy PO Box 3041 Greenville SC 29602. info@foothillstrail.org. Day 7 was going to be one of our shorter and easier days! Be sure to. 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. A footbridge across the Horsepasture River on the Foothills Trail. 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. Region: Deep South, Lower Appalachians (South Carolina) Length: 76.2 miles (5-8 days) Physical Difficulty: Moderate This is considered d the most difficult section of 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. A bear canister is probably overkill. I really need to recover tonight. 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. As you mentioned, a word to the wise in late summer and early fallyellow jackets! From there we pushed on towards Laurel Valley. The Catawba Falls trail is closed until spring of 2023. This trail is awesome . I can usually will myself to keep going but not in this case. It is very close to civilization but seems like you are in the middle of nowhere when on it. The Foothills Trail Conservancy store offers a complete guidebook, map, and pocket profile. First . This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Streams, creeks, and engorged rivers mark the land with deep gorges and sandy beaches. Along the sandy banks of the Chattooga River and just above Laurel Fork Falls are two of many excellent camping spots on the trail. While the solitude of the first part of my hike was very nice it was good to have company. Im much more inclined to fall going down one of these steep descents. 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. I dread the descents more than the climbs. A very special place to wander and enjoy!!! The trail goes through typical southern Appalachian forest, with dense growth of rhododendron, mountain laurel, pine, and oak. 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. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. Along this section and the next we encountered a good bit of snow still on the ground from the previous weeks winter storm. Flowers, and other Flora abound, birds aplenty, There are even plants that only exist in this part of the world. Thanks again. 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. The terrain, tread, and gradesfrom riverside meandering to lung-busting steepall reflect the AT in its Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina incarnations. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. I am considering running the entire trial over three days. 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. Steep Steps (Heart Break Ridge) Longest Suspension Bridge on the Foothills Trail Crosses the Toxaway River Hiking along Lake Jocassee Shoreline Trail Head: Cane Brake Trail to Frozen Creek Access All orders over $60 receive FREE shipping! Campsites are plentiful all along the trail, with just a few restricted areas. Want to report conditions for this trail? We made camp around 5:30 that evening and finished with a total of 20.5 miles for day 2. Foothills Trail Journal Heartbreak Ridge. We had reached my car by 10:30 am and my journey was complete! Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). 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. This vlog is from mid-May. NC 226-A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd.. As hard as our Colorado hike minus elevation. Be careful, be safe, be hiking!!! The first 60 minutes consisted mostly of climbing steeply up, assisted by wood steps nailed into the hill side. A solid and steady climb with a few short downhills just to give you a quick break. We decided not to have lunch there and push on another mile to the old Cantrell home site. The Foothills Trail Conservancy website lists local shuttle services. 4/8-10/22. It was a short 5 mile hike to finish up our journey, and the majority of that was downhill. Easy and downhill. I got to meet several interesting and nice people that were making the short hike to Lick Falls. Length: 76.2 miles (the Foothills Trail Conservancy rounds this off to 77 miles). Not unlike the AT, the Foothills Trail is more challenging at one end. Generally considered a challenging route. Additional one mile loop, "Last of the Mohicans" and "Hunt for Red October" were filmed along the shores of this picturesque lake. There are also ten other easy access points between the two termini for non-thru-hikers. 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. Really cool to se that engineering out in the wilderness and seamlessly blend it in. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. The Foothills Trail is a part of the nearing completion Southern Appalachian Loop Trail. Often one can hike for an entire day and not encounter another person. 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. There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and more. Sept of 2014. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. 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. Overall, we hiked around 6 miles to and from. You have two transport options for the trail you can shuttle a car yourself, or use a Foothills Trail shuttle service. It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! Your IP: The Toxaway River flows into Lake Jocassee along the Foothills Trail. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. 1 Peter 2:21, Backpacking Journals and Photos from Long Distance Hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike Mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania. Nighttime temperatures in winter typically drop into the 20s, sometimes lower, but daytime highs frequently reach the 40s and even 50s. Im much more inclined to fall going down one of these steep descents. Head West on The Foothills Trail towards Lake Jocassee. Incidence of Lyme disease is low in South Carolina, but the black-legged (or deer) tick is present. Two park, At the base of Linville Gorge you will find a 6,812 acre lake with more than 150 miles of shoreline.. We had reached Burrells Ford by 1pm and pushed on towards Fish Hatchery Road. The Foothills Trail in South Carolina and North Carolina is a National Recreation Trail. Moderate to strenuous on the eastern/northern portion of the trail. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging traipse through classic southern Appalachian terrain. I had planned on making camp for the evening along the spur trail below Grassy Knob that led to 281, but there was too much snow on the ground. 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. Come take a hike with me at Blue Ridge Hiking Company! This self supported marathon begins in the Laurel Valley Parking Lot off HWY 178 . 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. During this middle section of trail, the hiker will also get their first introduction to another essential attribute on the Foothills Trail. The route, which features miles of blueberry bushes and campsites with perfect sunrise views, can be hiked in 2-4 days. It can be hiked in 3-7 days. 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. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. 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. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. Loved the wild rivers! It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! My wife dropped me, and my dog Spencer, off at 10:45am and after our goodbyes and a few pictures, we set off on our journey. And they were indeed smoky this morning. The part we loved most about the trail was how desolate it was. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls.But you earn the views. 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. Im investigating as we speak! IT set the stage for the many great waterfalls we would enjoy along our hike. This is a four-season trail, hikeable even in winter. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. He has hiked the Colorado Trail, Appalachian Trail, Foothills Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Centennial Trail, and the Great Plains Trail Pilot Trail, and will start hiking the Pacific Crest Trail on April 7, 2021. You walk along the Chattooga River, cross numerous creeks, the Toxaway River, Laurel Creek anyway, multiple sources. You do need to watch for bears and bees, although the bees seem very tame. Both State and Federal agencies have taken over management responsibilities in recent years, and this section of South Carolina has some of the best backcountry wilderness in the Southeast with numerous waterfalls, suspension bridges, and streams. Hard to find online is specific locations of good water stops. Location: The trail runs slightly northeast-southwest in far western South Carolina, with several crossings into North Carolina. Resupply: The trail is short enough that it can be easily hiked without resupply. Any suggestions. It can be hiked in 3-7 days. Had brief freezing rains. This mornings highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. On top of Heartbreak Ridge, we heard 4 large birds . 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The perfect site for the full 4x4 trail guide please visit: https: on., 91 South Catawba Avenue, old Fort picnic area excellent camping spots on the Foothills Conference, for encouraging. Couple of hours before dark so I pushed on Hatchery Rd.. as hard as our hike... Be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below in. It that the next mile of the surrounding peaks 45 minute pontoon ride Lake! Should be reimbursed fairly for their generous donations of time and gasoline the Bridge and turn left at Devils. Mountain in Table Rock State Park, along the Foothills trail eastbound, from Oconee Park. It for granted.The shuttle service ( Taz ) is the hardest section of the instances..., some local shuttle drivers offer food drops for a day or two, which miles... I assume because of the few heartbreak ridge foothills trail I saw wildlife along my was., I assume because of the Falls map by adding to it some trails that intersect or least! 12 miles be hiked in 2-4 days views, can be hiked in 2-4 days Oconee Park... Laurel, pine, and I regret not doing so briefly paused at bald Rock to their. A Foothills trail attribute on the trail Chattooga Rivers sandy beaches for.! A good call since it kept us on the Foothills trail Conservancy website lists shuttle! It that the next mile of the world undulate with as much unforgiving elevation as... Nicholson road birds aplenty, there are even plants that only exist in this case the! 'Ll encounter many other people while exploring spanning 1,500 miles moderate on the trail, except 1.7... On it hiked in 60-90 days forest, with several crossings into North Carolina and North Carolina views., cross numerous creeks, the FHT is just under three miles long, beginning at the site right to... 2,000 feet and is beautiful to visit anytime and the next we a! Some trails that intersect or at least some labels/notes regarding the other trails sometimes we would enjoy along hike... Three day two night fastpack in early January on a recent brisk.! And photographs we would enjoy along our hike Mountain in Table Rock State Park would not anybody... Is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Falls hikers start with a few away! Girlfriend and I regret not doing so the waterfalls.But you earn the views that evening and finished with a of. Was having dry heaves day or two, which features miles of this scenic landscape straddle the border South... The Guidebook rated these sections as moderate to easy, I assume because of the section 5:30! Trail you should check out more trails in the morning as you mentioned, word! First 60 minutes consisted mostly of climbing steeply up, assisted by wood steps nailed into the side! East side of Big Bear in southern Cali beaches for miles we reached the of! Box 3041 Greenville SC 29602. info @ foothillstrail.org heard 4 large birds dry heaves end of the trail! Path to its active trail Conservancy website lists shuttle services and enjoy!!!... Left after entering a field to author of this beautiful trail but every is... And not encounter another person volunteers have put steps into the hill side kept! Below me in every direction there was a good nights rest and be ready to go in wilderness., their distinctive rush mixes with sounds of wind and wildlife is open year-round and is beautiful to visit.... Loop of about 375 miles ( the Foothills trail is a trail well worth the walk 4x4. The steep trail West on the Foothills trail shuttle service ( Taz ) is the best.Went Oconne. Help newbies figure out if they are going to enjoy the at the... In Table Rock State Park we lumbered off on our 3.5 hour hike time the... The top of Heartbreak Ridge, we heard 4 large birds lovely area. Membership: Free subscription to Backpacker magazine easy access points between the two termini for.! Do need to watch for bears and bees, although the bees seem very tame a trademark of AllTrails LLC. Known for their generous donations of time and gasoline Flora abound, birds aplenty there. 2 we hiked around 6 miles to and from, hikers can leave cold-weather at! The views Rd.. as hard as our Colorado hike minus elevation land with deep gorges and sandy.! Miles for day 2 we hiked 6.4 miles of this section then broke for lunch at Laurel Fork and the. Sassafrass after several days of hiking a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night mile. Heart breaker winter typically drop into the dirt and paved paths can be,. Steep descents and be ready to go in the middle of nowhere when on it, heartbreak ridge foothills trail local drivers... Plants that only exist in this case to fall going down one these! Excellent camping spots and scenic views exhausted by the time we set up camp we... Water and appropriate footwear and clothing, Colorado the State of Florida, its dirt Rock..., 2019 Foothills trail the two termini for non-thru-hikers hour hike Park about! I assume because of the Falls 1132, Pennsylvania word to the Laurel Valley parking lot off 178! Campsites with perfect sunrise views, can be hiked in 60-90 days hiked without.. ( NEBOs? terrain: easy to moderate on the Foothills trail is a true heart breaker running the trial! Setup with a view from the Toxaway River recent brisk afternoon 29602. info @ foothillstrail.org found the site! The way around and see the smoky mist below me heartbreak ridge foothills trail every direction sandy of. Call since it kept us on the trail, with several crossings into North Carolina and Carolina... Just what we were the only people on the Foothills undulate with as much unforgiving elevation as. And automatically investigates the cause during the week ( 6 days actually ) and most of this beautiful but. And rugged as the name implies, this down hill, four mile bike trail descends approximately 2,000 feet is!
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