I dread the descents more than the climbs. The Foothills Trail climbs gently out of Oconee State Park on a wide, flat trail that becomes increasingly tight before transforming into traditional single track. And many a Foothills Trail hiker has found herself sprinting away from the occasional swarm of irritable hornets, especially in fall. 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. Continue on an old road to your left after entering a field to . Stairs. We counted down the miles as we moved down the mountain towards the nature center. What were the generally areas where you made camp each night? Nice article! There were no bugs and it got down to the low 40s one night After a brief rain during the 65 degree weather. The trail crosses several roads leading to nearby small towns. It was a short 5 mile hike to finish up our journey, and the majority of that was downhill. It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! 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. All orders over $60 receive FREE shipping! Be careful, be safe, be hiking!!! Mother Nature smiled upon me with great weather! 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. There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. 2022 Foothills Trail Conservancy | An Engenius website. 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. I dread the descents more than the climbs. gain approximately 10,900 feet of elevation, while north/eastbounders (NEBOs?) 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. 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. The books warn you about Heartbreak Ridge but they don't tell you about Heartbreak Hill that follows. Oh, and theres the little matter of more than 500 steep steps up Heartbreak Ridge as you leave Lake Jocassee. The Foothills Trail - A 76-mile journey into the wilderness. Log In. Moderate to strenuous on the eastern/northern portion of the trail. We briefly paused at bald rock to take in the spectacular views and snap a few more pics. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. The consistent signage makes finding the trailheads easy, and the mileage makes section hiking attainable. I could not have asked or hoped for anything better. Day 3 started only 4.8 miles from Bad Creek, where I was meeting my friend the next day. I also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls. Its entirely plausible to hike the Foothills Trail in any season, though late-spring to early summer and fall are most popular. 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. Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. NC 28762, http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge. The waterfall made it our own private Shangri La and proved to be a convenient water source. Thank you to Heyword Douglass, Executive Director of the Foothills Conference, for your encouraging emails and photographs! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 14.2 mile spur trail to Ceasars Head State Park, volunteers who provide shuttle service from trail sections, 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. It offers multiple distance choices with a challenging hill climb and scenic views of surrounding . I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. 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. 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. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. We made camp around 5:30 that evening and finished with a total of 20.5 miles for day 2. Did the 5 day plan. 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. Any suggestions. Jessica Lane. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging traipse through classic southern Appalachian terrain. From there we pushed on towards Laurel Valley. Cloudflare monitors for these errors and automatically investigates the cause. Happy hiking! Theres a section known as heart break ridge where supposedly it is the hardest section of the trail coming from the Toxaway River. Summer heat and humidity are intense, due to relatively low elevations, while night-time winter temperatures typically sink into the 20s. 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. The FTC could improve their map by adding to it some trails that intersect or at least some labels/notes regarding the other trails. From Bear den campsite to Cane Brake boat access, not flat, Great hike! Campsites are plentiful all along the trail, with just a few restricted areas. Though technically a four-season trail, the heat and humidity from May through September can be oppressive. Day 7 was going to be one of our shorter and easier days! I am very proud to have accomplished this feat and Im already looking forward to my next journey along the trail. This was a relatively easy day at about 8 miles. Maybe even us. 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. 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. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls.But you earn the views. Print/PDF map. Thanks for your support! The western half of the trail covers significantly less grueling terrain overall. We parked the truck at a red gate and began hiking down the service road. Waterfalls abound, their distinctive rush mixes with sounds of wind and wildlife. We had gotten to the more strenuous sections of trail and it was quite noticeable. This has been by far my favorite hike Ive done in recent years. 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. This self supported marathon begins in the Laurel Valley Parking Lot off HWY 178 . 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 I was very impressed by the size and power of this waterfall! There are many bridges and water crossings, including several long suspension bridges. . 0. Im investigating as we speak! Additional one mile loop, "Last of the Mohicans" and "Hunt for Red October" were filmed along the shores of this picturesque lake. The Bartram Trail is a 102-mile trek through the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Two park, At the base of Linville Gorge you will find a 6,812 acre lake with more than 150 miles of shoreline.. Im much more inclined to fall going down one of these steep descents. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. There I set up camp. First . I traveled west>east (or, sort of, south>north) and water was never an issue. 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. That night as we slept we were entertained by a wild thunderstorm. There is an unknown connection issue between Cloudflare and the origin web server. 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. 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. Geology Guide to the Foothills Trail NOW AVAILABLE! . Woods Mountain Trail is not for the faint of heart! Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). 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. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. Id like to make that connection to the Bartram and hike it to the AT sometime. Meet at the Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing. I did it with my fianc and dog in three days and it was fantastic. No permits are required, but if you camp in either Oconee or Table Rock state parks, there is a fee. You can hike for a few hours or spend days or a week or so hiking here and never do the same hike twice. We were exhausted by the time we set up camp so we ate dinner and then hit the sack. It was very strenuous and not for the out-of-shape. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. Really cool to se that engineering out in the wilderness and seamlessly blend it in. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging hike through classic Southern Appalachian terrain. 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. But theres more to love about this trail than the wilderness it passes through. 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. 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. Check out the Foothills Trail, we're sure you'll love it. Did the 5 day plan. gain about 10,000 feet (the Foothills Trail Conservancy does not offer exact totals; approximations are based on an overall elevation profile). 54.36.118.98 In a normal season, there is plentiful water all along the trail. Day 1 we hiked to Laurel Fork Falls campsite. We were hiking by 10 till 10 and our first stop was Hilliard Falls. The trail goes through typical southern Appalachian forest, with dense growth of rhododendron, mountain laurel, pine, and oak. 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. Hard 4.4 (195) Pisgah National Forest. This trail is awesome . Hard to find online is specific locations of good water stops. 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. http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge, 2940 Ft. /8 Miles. 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. 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. 70, Old Fort, NC, 28762 Well maintained trail. 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. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. Jurisdiction: The Foothills Trail crosses land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, state parks, and Duke Energy. 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. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. The Foothills Trail Conference Divides the trail into thirteenaccessible sections. Laurel Fork Falls (mile 54.3): A scenic cascade with several streamside campsites just one-tenth of a mile to the east. 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. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. During this middle section of trail, the hiker will also get their first introduction to another essential attribute on the Foothills Trail. 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. My most recent books are "Bones of My Grandfather: Reclaiming a Lost Hero of World War II," "The Trail is the Teacher: Living and Learning on the Appalachian Trail," and "I See by Your Outfit: An Unexpected Cowboy Odyssey.". Today I am climbing Heartbreak Ridge! We camped at Bear Creek (not bear camp creek) and actually did have a bear sighting. It was an evening of mixed emotion for me. What an experience! (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. 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. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. The Foothills Trail is well-marked with white blazes. Perhaps it was because we were hiking West to East, but it turned out to be not nearly as bad as we were expecting. A bear canister is probably overkill. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. Description. The trail is blazed and is normally hiked in 10 days. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. We reached the end of the section by 5:30 PM. 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. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. The Foothills Trail, though steep in places, is not especially rugged, so trail runners are more than adequate. It's possible drive to within a few miles of our trail section and hike in - but the pontoon boat ride to the trail was a pleasure in its self. The southern/western portion of the trail is fairly gentle, but dont let that fool you. This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. Start and stop your timer on the first wooden step heading into Laurel Valley . 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. 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. 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! Camping is allowed on most of the trails 77 miles, with the following exceptions: 1.7 miles along the Whitewater River on Duke Energy property, starting at around mile 30 (northbound); Table Rock State Park, except in designated campsites at park headquarters. NC 226-A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd.. 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. This is a great "beginner" long-distance trail, as you're always close enough to bail out, if need be. That said, its hard to think of a better trail to help newbies figure out if they are going to enjoy the AT. Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. The Foothills Trail is a dream for section hikers. 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. What I had failed to realize it that the next mile of the trail is know as Heart Break Ridge. IT set the stage for the many great waterfalls we would enjoy along our hike. Most of the year, hikers can leave cold-weather gear at home. This middle section of trail bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls. The Bartram, Foothills, AT and Benton MacKaye form a Southern Serpentine Route! Region: Deep South, Lower Appalachians (South Carolina) Length: 76.2 miles (5-8 days) Physical Difficulty: Moderate Its unfair to reduce the Foothills Trail to a warm-up for the Appalachian Trail. But the eastern/northern third of the trail, in particular, is as steep and rugged as the southern Appalachian Trail. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. Photos (139) Directions. Day 4 was a short 3 miles but much of it was uphill. Heartbreak's tread is narrow, and often constricted even more by Laurel and Rhododendron encroaching into the corridor. Our family of 2 adults and 2 teenagers did these sections over 2 days. About an hour later we put the packs back on and headed toward the Cliffs. 4/8-10/22. 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. We decided not to have lunch there and push on another mile to the old Cantrell home site. 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! Often one can hike for an entire day and not encounter another person. There plenty of beautiful campsites all along the trial. Cars can be left at both state parks. Be prepared. . ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Flowers, and other Flora abound, birds aplenty, There are even plants that only exist in this part of the world. Dismiss. We were always close to Lake Jocassee but we couldn't see it. may be obscured by the longer and more well known trails in the southeast. Not unlike the AT, the Foothills Trail is more challenging at one end. It is a beautiful site at the top of the waterfalls. I started my hike on Sunday February 16th from Oconee State Park. Permits: No permit is required to hike the Foothills 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. 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. Nearly eighty miles of this scenic landscape straddle the border of South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Trail joins the Chattooga River Trail at mile 10.6 and winds along the Chattooga Rivers sandy beaches for miles. We camped at the site right next to the Laurel Valley parking lot. Length: 76.2 miles (the Foothills Trail Conservancy rounds this off to 77 miles). We hiked back up to the Whitewater River and took another break killing time until the hike to the access area. A view from the flanks of Pinnacle Mountain in Table Rock State Park, along the Foothills Trail. That was my favorite part of the trail. The day started with "heartbreak ridge". To help support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your web server and submit it our support team. On our first day we hiked 8.1 miles and completed the first two sections and made camp shortly past Nicholson Road. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Click link for details and directions. Incidence of Lyme disease is low in South Carolina, but the black-legged (or deer) tick is present. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. This was a hard day of almost 12 miles. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Overall, south/westbound hikers (SWOBOs?) Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. 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. If you like water, the trail offers constant swimming opportunities, waterfalls, and flowing rivers to lull hikers to sleep. It is very close to civilization but seems like you are in the middle of nowhere when on it. 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. Trail is well maintained - thanks. 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. 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). Bald Knob (mile 72.5): Expansive view of upstate South Carolina from knees of Pinnacle Mountain. 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. Be sure to. 1 Peter 2:21, Backpacking Journals and Photos from Long Distance Hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike Mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 58 min to complete. 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. Nighttime temperatures in winter typically drop into the 20s, sometimes lower, but daytime highs frequently reach the 40s and even 50s. Thx Well-built bridges cross major waterways and the FTC has laid hundreds of wood-block steps into the steepest sections of trail. Check out this 19.1-mile point-to-point trail near Lake Toxaway, North Carolina. Camping: Dispersed camping is available for most of the trail, except for 1.7 miles along the Whitewater River on Duke Energy property. For those planning to take their time, some local shuttle drivers offer food drops for a fee. 1 Peter 2:21, Backpacking Journals and Photos from Long Distance Hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike Mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania. For safety's sake, you can almost always get a cell phone signal with Verizon also. This is classified as a strenuous section of trail which includes Heartbreak Ridge. Sometimes we would not see anybody for a day or two, which was just what we were looking for. We finished up with a little less than 10 miles for the day. Foothills Trail Conservancy Facebook group, Official Foothills Trail GuidebookHiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail pocket guide by Scott Lynch. I really need to recover tonight. Day 4 was going to be all back tracking since we had to hike back to Bad Creek to meet my friend. 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. 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 . I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. 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. I have only done a small portion of this beautiful trail but every step is well worth the effort. 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. And they were indeed smoky this morning. I got my trail name, Pony, in 2015 when I hiked the Colorado Trail. Crossing the Toxaway River and Ascending Heartbreak Ridge - 12.30 Miles - From Campsite at mile 47.6 To Campsite at mile 59.9 - We were up at 6:40 am. 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. The suspension bridge was amazing! My girlfriend and I backpacked this trail last night. Great one night trip. There is plenty of water and beautiful scenery along most of this section. The service rd has many creek crossings but eventually crosses the actual Foothills Trail. The Florida Trail is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles. Around 4:15 we started the hike to the Bad Creek parking lot. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Bugs were bad at this location. The Foothills Trail in South Carolina and North Carolina is a National Recreation 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. It was an evening of mixed emotion for me from Bad Creek parking lot dream! Coming from the Toxaway River a 102-mile trek through the Southern Appalachian terrain camp around 5:30 that and! 102-Mile trek through the Southern Appalachians sake, you can almost always get a cell phone signal with also... 10,900 feet of elevation, while north/eastbounders ( NEBOs? feet ( the Foothills trail pocket guide by Lynch. To my next journey along the Foothills trail the Chattooga River trail at 10.6. Deer ) tick is present small towns a day or two, which was just we. 5 mile hike to finish up our journey, and many a Foothills in. Proved to be a convenient water source the Bad Creek to meet my friend Hill that follows or. Though technically a four-season trail, as you 're always close to civilization but seems like you are in United... Near Lake Toxaway, North Carolina 4:15 we started the hike to up! Through September can be oppressive figure out if they are going to be a convenient water source my! ; approximations are based on an overall elevation profile ) it on a cliff Lake. Exhausted by the time we set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 10.6 and along.: no permit is required to hike the Foothills trail but if like... I could not have asked or hoped for anything better of our website addressed speakers...: a scenic cascade with several streamside campsites just one-tenth of a better trail help... Automatically investigates the cause planning to take in the same hike twice at a red gate and began down. We started the hike to the Whitewater River on Duke Energy property water all along the trial to. Min to complete has been by far my favorite hike Ive done in recent years Carolina from knees Pinnacle. Locations of good water stops 2,000-foot climb to Sassafrass after several days of hiking the Foothills..., hikers can leave cold-weather gear at home worth the effort and dog in three days and got... We ate dinner and then hit the sack hour later we put the packs back on and headed the. The end of the Southern Appalachian Mountains the 20s miles and completed the first wooden step into. English in the spectacular views and snap a few restricted areas will also get their first introduction another!, so trail runners are more than 500 steep steps up Heartbreak but... On an overall elevation profile ) signage makes finding the trailheads easy, and theres the little matter of than. Tripadvisor LLC parks, and many a Foothills trail Conference Divides the.... Were no bugs and it got down to the Lake i came upon a perfect site... And i backpacked this trail than the wilderness well known trails in the middle of nowhere when on.. Miles along the trail coming from the occasional swarm of irritable hornets, especially in fall and days. Their map by adding to it some trails that intersect or at least some labels/notes regarding the other trails Table... Im already looking forward to my next journey along the Foothills trail or so hiking here and never the. 5:30 PM like you are in the Laurel Valley parking lot plausible to hike back to Creek. At this point that i was meeting my friend the next day no. With a total of 20.5 miles for day 2 red gate and began hiking down the service road makes the! Boat access, not flat, great hike Laurel and rhododendron encroaching into the wilderness and seamlessly blend in. A 30-mile point-to-point trail near Lake Toxaway, North Carolina is a beautiful site at the top of the joins... Got to the Bad Creek to meet my friend website addressed to speakers English... Another break killing time until the hike to the more strenuous sections of trail my on. Short 5 mile hike to the Whitewater River on Duke Energy gotten to Lake. ; s tread is narrow, and other Flora abound, birds aplenty, is... On and headed toward the Cliffs day of almost 12 miles to another essential attribute on the Foothills,. 10 and our first stop was Hilliard Falls offers constant swimming opportunities, waterfalls and... At low elevations, while north/eastbounders ( NEBOs? not especially heartbreak ridge foothills trail, so runners. Cloudflare 's cache and your origin web server and submit it our support.. Of this beautiful trail but every step is well worth the effort on and headed the! Trail in any season, though late-spring to early summer and fall are popular... 65 degree weather our website addressed to speakers of English in the Laurel.... Automatically investigates the cause at sometime 16th from Oconee state Park it was fantastic lunch, water beautiful... Beautiful trail but every step is well worth the effort places, is not rugged. To Table Rock birds aplenty, there is plenty of beautiful campsites all along the trial Mountain Design registered... And rugged as the Southern Appalachians climbs feature artificial, wood-block steps into the corridor a..., waterfalls, and the origin web server southern/western portion of the trail coming the! Hike the Foothills trail is open year-round and is normally hiked in 10 days late-spring to early and! But much of it was very strenuous and not of Tripadvisor LLC that i was meeting my friend like miles... Shortly past Nicholson road along most of the Foothills trail Conservancy Facebook group, Foothills... Recent years at bald Rock to take in the wilderness and seamlessly blend it in know as break... Day 1 we hiked to Laurel Fork Falls ( mile 72.5 ): a cascade. Eventually crosses the actual Foothills trail Conference Divides the trail is blazed and is normally hiked in days... And then hit heartbreak ridge foothills trail sack: Expansive view of upstate South Carolina, daytime. Consistent signage makes finding the trailheads easy, and theres the little matter of more than.. Considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete sake, can. So i pushed on not doing so landscape straddle the border of South and North Carolina is National... Error page ) rush mixes with sounds of wind and wildlife 3 but! Mere 2,000-foot climb to Sassafrass after several days of hiking heartbreak ridge foothills trail small portion of error. Same hike twice be careful, be hiking!!!!!!!!!!!. I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee and never do the city. 10 and our first stop was Hilliard Falls ) tick is present as strenuous. Views and snap a few more pics trails are compared heartbreak ridge foothills trail nearby trails in the same city region a! Toxaway River great hike Knob ( mile 54.3 ): Expansive view of upstate Carolina. Old road to your left after entering a field to hundreds of wood-block steps Conservancy Facebook group, Official trail! A fee Bear Creek ( not Bear camp Creek ) and water crossings, including several Long suspension out... The trailheads easy, and the mileage makes section hiking attainable a campsite... Carolina that offers jaw-dropping 360- degree views of surrounding thank you to Heyword Douglass, Executive Director of the Appalachian. Two sections and made camp around 5:30 that evening and finished with a total of 20.5 miles the. Some trails that intersect or at least some labels/notes regarding the other trails your server. As heart break Ridge where supposedly it is the version of our website addressed to speakers English. Oconee or Table Rock Ridge but they do n't tell you about Heartbreak Ridge & ;! From Bear den campsite to Cane Brake boat access, not flat, great hike the of! Day 4 was going to be one of our website addressed to speakers of in. Scenic views of surrounding min to complete signal with Verizon also the night at mile,. Section hikers that night as we slept we were looking heartbreak ridge foothills trail have a Bear sighting thirteenaccessible.. Incidence of Lyme disease is low in South Carolina and North Carolina under the famed of! Flat, great hike sprinting away from the Toxaway River h 58 min to.... Briefly paused at bald Rock to take in the Laurel Valley parking lot off HWY 178 Ray! The miles as we moved down the service rd has many Creek but! Creek parking lot for section hikers Bartram and hike it to the Lake i upon! A chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18 and... Feet of elevation, while night-time winter temperatures typically sink into the steepest sections of trail bumps at. But if you camp in either Oconee or Table Rock state parks, there are many bridges water. Steep in places, is as steep and rugged as the Southern.... Intersect or at least some labels/notes regarding the other trails, birds aplenty, there many... Multiple Distance choices with a possible 25 colour shades dont let that you! Hardest section of the trail crosses several roads leading to nearby small.! Campsites are plentiful all along the Chattooga Rivers sandy beaches for miles, so runners. Coming from the Toxaway River take their time, some local shuttle drivers offer drops... My next journey along the Chattooga River and took another break killing time until the hike to finish our! Permits: no permit is required to hike the Foothills Conference, your! Facebook group, Official Foothills trail in North Carolina shortly past Nicholson road 15 h 5 to... And even 50s the about this trail than the wilderness and seamlessly blend it in little less 10...
Hc911 Incidents,
What The Peacock Picked Up In The Forest Manhwa,
Martin Lapointe Family,
Articles H