Great review. I started my hike on Sunday February 16th from Oconee State Park. Bears frequent these mountain areas, so its important to bring and adequately hang a bear bag, or use an Ursack setup. The Bartram Trail is a 102-mile trek through the Southern Appalachian Mountains. 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. There is a small amount of roadwalking. I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Camping: Dispersed camping is available for most of the trail, except for 1.7 miles along the Whitewater River on Duke Energy property. The Foothills Trail is accessible, challenging, but not difficult, and logistically easy to hike. Click link for details and directions. We counted down the miles as we moved down the mountain towards the nature center. Click to reveal The trail goes through typical southern Appalachian forest, with dense growth of rhododendron, mountain laurel, pine, and oak. This alleviates the headache of spotting cars or finding rides back to original trailheads after completing sections. There is an unknown connection issue between Cloudflare and the origin web server. We finished with 13.2 hard miles for the day and ate dinner then took our aching feet to bed. A footbridge across the Horsepasture River on the Foothills Trail. Go to Join Now to join for the first time or to renew your membership. There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. Photos (139) Directions. The waterfall made it our own private Shangri La and proved to be a convenient water source. 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. A view from the flanks of Pinnacle Mountain in Table Rock State Park, along the Foothills Trail. 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. 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. Difficult at times but worth it. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Fork Mountain Trail (S5) - (S6) Eastatoe Gorge Spur (S3) - (S4) Sassafras Mountain (S1) to Caesar's Head State Park (S2) . 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. 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. 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! Exclusive to the state of Florida, its dirt and paved paths can be hiked in 60-90 days. We hiked back up to the Whitewater River and took another break killing time until the hike to the access area. Scott Lynchs pocket guide, Hiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail, is another popular option. While the solitude of the first part of my hike was very nice it was good to have company. We reached the end of the section by 5:30 PM. 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. Really cool to se that engineering out in the wilderness and seamlessly blend it in. And many a Foothills Trail hiker has found herself sprinting away from the occasional swarm of irritable hornets, especially in fall. 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. 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. After a week on the trail I had made it to my last night. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Will Hike this in a few weeks. Description. The incidence of Lyme disease is very low in South and North Carolina (less than .5 confirmed cases per 100,000 residents), but the black-legged (or deer tick) is present, so be diligent about tick checks. But the eastern/northern third of the trail, in particular, is as steep and rugged as the southern Appalachian Trail. Resupply: The trail is short enough that it can be easily hiked without resupply. Nearly eighty miles of this scenic landscape straddle the border of South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 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. Greenville SC 29602. 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. Cross Bear Creek campsite is nice but you have to hang your own bear line. We had gotten to the more strenuous sections of trail and it was quite noticeable. 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. Heartbreak's tread is narrow, and often constricted even more by Laurel and Rhododendron encroaching into the corridor. Hikers should plan ahead for shuttle transport. There are numerous road crossings, and hitching into small towns such as Salem, SC, or Sapphire, NC, isnt too difficult. To help support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your web server and submit it our support team. 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. The Foothills Trail is a part of the nearing completion Southern Appalachian Loop Trail. 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. Well-built bridges cross major waterways and the FTC has laid hundreds of wood-block steps into the steepest sections of trail. It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! We had reached my car by 10:30 am and my journey was complete! There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and more. 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 planned on hiking to Drawbar Cliffs and making camp there so we would only have a 5 mile hike on our final day. Until we meet again. Head West on The Foothills Trail towards Lake Jocassee. By Clay Bonnyman Evans, 2019 Foothills Trail Thru-Hiker. Thanks for your support! Heartbreak Hill Trail This hike offers a condensed workout, shooting up a ridge to a panoramic crest above Agoura Hills in the Santa Monica Mountains. Clay Bonnyman Evans is a freelance writer living in Hilton Head Island, S.C., and his hometown, Boulder, Colorado. 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). 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. 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. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. First . We decided to climb to the ridge and found the perfect site for the evening atop the ridge. NC 28762, http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge. Be careful! I continue to log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina. The trail is strenuous throughout. There were plenty of views and beautiful streams and waterfalls this time of year. Did the 5 day plan. Click here to find alternative waterfall and hiking trails. It is my favorite trail for many of the reasons you noted. So it requires some advance planning. Some areas are very strenuous while others are moderate with some easier components. Some shuttle drivers also will do food drops for a fee. The Bartram Trail can be found (somewhere, I havent done it yet) on the other side of the Chattooga crossing the road bridge just up stream of the Burrells Ford campground, which leads to the AT in the Wayah Bald area. 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 . Hikers can fly into Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. Region: Deep South, Lower Appalachians (South Carolina) Length: 76.2 miles (5-8 days) Physical Difficulty: Moderate Additional one mile loop, "Last of the Mohicans" and "Hunt for Red October" were filmed along the shores of this picturesque lake. I got my trail name, Pony, in 2015 when I hiked the Colorado Trail. The heat and humidity can be intense from mid-May through September. I had many great campsites along the trail but this one would prove to be the best. This vlog is from mid-May. We logged over 32 miles. 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. It was very strenuous and not for the out-of-shape. Volunteers should be reimbursed fairly for their generous donations of time and gasoline. This was really the only section that had a few technical parts. Excellent article. 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. 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. Terms under which this service is provided to you. This middle section of trail bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls. 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. This is a week that will stay with me forever. Apr 25, 2020 at 8:30 AM . Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. That night as we slept we were entertained by a wild thunderstorm. 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. The route, which features miles of blueberry bushes and campsites with perfect sunrise views, can be hiked in 2-4 days. To help support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your web server and submit it our support team. All orders over $60 receive FREE shipping! copy Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. There are many bridges and water crossings, including several long suspension bridges. The suspension bridge was amazing! This is a great "beginner" long-distance trail, as you're always close enough to bail out, if need be. It was a short 5 mile hike to finish up our journey, and the majority of that was downhill. Oh, and theres the little matter of more than 500 steep steps up Heartbreak Ridge as you leave Lake Jocassee. Insects can be troublesome, especially mosquitoes and biting flies in warmer months. There are also ten other easy access points between the two termini for non-thru-hikers. I really need to recover tonight. Percent of the course on un-paved trails: 90%. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. Tougher than expected but had a great time. Mother Nature entertained us again with another mighty thunderstorm and downpour. I suppose the guidebooks will have that and will purchase soon 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. I could not have asked or hoped for anything better. For the next 0.7 miles, we ascended and descended over 400 steps! Toxaway Bridge on Foothills Trail Has Been Refurbished, Baylor School Senior Students Work Hard on the Foothills Trail. The Foothills Trail proper ends at Table Rock State Park, about ten miles from Sassafras Mountain. I also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. The Toxaway River flows into Lake Jocassee along the Foothills Trail. With the exception of the winter months, chances are that weather will be warm and often extremely hot and humid. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. 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). It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! Thru-hikers travel both north/eastbound and south/westbound, but theres no question that those who travel south/westbound have it a bit tougher. Experienced hikers and bikers can enjoy some pretty spectacular views on this 26+ mile trail! Id like to make that connection to the Bartram and hike it to the AT sometime. I really need to recover tonight. Great weather with clear cool nights. Exited at Bad Creek parking lot access. Additional Bridge over Whitewater River now complete! We finished with 5 miles on the day. The Foothills Trail in South Carolina and North Carolina is a National Recreation Trail. Hikers can expect to find blue line trout waters, suspension bridges, wildflowers, and star-filled nights from peaceful campsites which are numerous enough to . 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. 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. Lots of inclines and declines so pack light! We were hiking by 10 till 10 and our first stop was Hilliard Falls. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls.But you earn the views. Waterfalls abound, their distinctive rush mixes with sounds of wind and wildlife. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. . Day 4 was going to be all back tracking since we had to hike back to Bad Creek to meet my friend. Log In. Length 11.0 miElevation gain 3,188 ftRoute type Out & back. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors. Its entirely plausible to hike the Foothills Trail in any season, though late-spring to early summer and fall are most popular. The trail is not heavily used by long-distance hikers, regardless of season. 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. Lots of climbing and switchbacks. Check out more trails in the Asheville area here. Permits: No permit is required to hike the Foothills Trail. Below is more information about our experience. 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. 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