Scott Lynchs pocket guide, Hiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail, is another popular option. The Foothills Trail, though steep in places, is not especially rugged, so trail runners are more than adequate. Cold nights in 30s and pleasant days in 50s. (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. Woke up to the popping of the same campfire. gain about 10,000 feet (the Foothills Trail Conservancy does not offer exact totals; approximations are based on an overall elevation profile). It was very strenuous and not for the out-of-shape. 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 solid and steady climb with a few short downhills just to give you a quick break. Chattooga River Valley (miles 10.6-15.5): Many excellent places to swim and camp along the river, which was one of the locations for the movie Deliverance (but dont worry; there dont appear to be any crazed hillbillies in the area). gain approximately 10,900 feet of elevation, while north/eastbounders (NEBOs?) 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 . After a week on the trail I had made it to my last night. We would maintain about a 2.5 mile per hour pace for the day. 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. Click to reveal Check out this 19.1-mile point-to-point trail near Lake Toxaway, North Carolina. It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! 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. 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). 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. Ill have to download some gps coordinates for my favorites. Tougher than expected but had a great time. The trail epitomizes the green tunnel phenomenon, but that just makes its periodic panoramic views even more rewarding. Jurisdiction: The Foothills Trail crosses land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, state parks, and Duke Energy. Cars can be left at both state parks. I really need to recover tonight. A trail corridor linkingTable Rock State Park in the north/east toOconee State Park to the south/west, was completed in 1981. Expect a high speed experience with very fast straight sections. Loved the wild rivers! Today I am climbing Heartbreak Ridge! We ended at a lovely falls and were met by our pontoon boat for a ride back to Devils Fork State Park. Great one night trip. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. If you enjoyed the Foothills Trail you should check out http://www.ultimatehike.org. 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. 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 trail is not heavily used by long-distance hikers, regardless of season. Additional troubleshooting resources. This is a 30 mile one day hike on the trail that is a fundraising event for CureSearch for Childrens Cancer. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. instead, 91 South Catawba Avenue, Old Fort, We were exhausted by the time we set up camp so we ate dinner and then hit the sack. 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! 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.". We planned on hiking to Drawbar Cliffs and making camp there so we would only have a 5 mile hike on our final day. Heartbreak's tread is narrow, and often constricted even more by Laurel and Rhododendron encroaching into the corridor. There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and more. 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! It is my favorite trail for many of the reasons you noted. More. Cross the NC/SC state line into North Carolina and continue for about a mile to the Whitewater Falls parking area which is marked with a large U.S. Forest Service sign. I have thru-hiked it, speed hiked it and section hiked it. Wandering Monk Hikes Day 5 on the Foothills Trail | Climbing Heartbreak RidgeHello everyone welcome! Continue on an old road to your left after entering a field to . The Bartram, Foothills, AT and Benton MacKaye form a Southern Serpentine Route! 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. Far below the Blue Ridge, the foothills undulate with as much unforgiving elevation change as the high peaks themselves. 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. The Florida Trail is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles. 24 miles backpacking. Hikers can expect to find blue line trout waters, suspension bridges, wildflowers, and star-filled nights from peaceful campsites which are numerous enough to . 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. And many a Foothills Trail hiker has found herself sprinting away from the occasional swarm of irritable hornets, especially in fall. 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. 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. 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. But the eastern/northern third of the trail, in particular, is as steep and rugged as the southern Appalachian Trail. It can be hiked in 3-7 days. Did the 5 day plan. Thanks again. We were always close to Lake Jocassee but we couldn't see it. 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. Well maintained trail. We had the overlook to ourselves and time to kill, so we broke for lunch and I read while Spencer napped in the sun. Great weather with clear cool nights. It looks like a small pool of water but it is the top of the falls. 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. Whitewater Falls (miles 30-31.7): Six different falls that tumble a total of 800 feet, making it the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River. Exited at Bad Creek parking lot access. 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. Check out this page at the Foothills Trail Conservancy. 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. I dread the descents more than the climbs. Sept of 2014. Enjoy your next adventure. But theres more to love about this trail than the wilderness it passes through. There are plenty of non-thru options, as well, including the so-called crown jewel route, southbound from Laurel Valley to just below Whitewater Falls. Dont take it for granted.The shuttle service ( Taz) is the best.Went from Oconne to Table Rock. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. Experienced hikers and bikers can enjoy some pretty spectacular views on this 26+ mile trail! 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. 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. Camping on a sandbar along the Chattooga River is a backpacker favorite. Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. Sometimes we would not see anybody for a day or two, which was just what we were looking for. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Meet at the Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing. I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. 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. I can usually will myself to keep going but not in this case. What were the generally areas where you made camp each night? more. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. We started with two short sections to Chimney Gap and then to Sassafras. It was a great trip. 70, Old Fort, NC, 28762 We counted down the miles as we moved down the mountain towards the nature center. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls. Cross the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign. 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. Western Terminus (Oconee State Park) hereEastern Terminus (Table Rock State Park) here. Unlike the tall and unforgiving crests of the great range, the foothills are alive and lush. A very special place to wander and enjoy!!! Foothills Trail Conservancy Facebook group, Official Foothills Trail GuidebookHiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail pocket guide by Scott Lynch. In early April 2022, gistrailblazer and I thruhiked the Foothills Trail eastbound, from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park. The Foothills Trail is a part of the nearing completion Southern Appalachian Loop Trail. Very well maintained trail. Greenville SC 29602. Death Valley Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop, CA, Smoky Mountains National Park Loop, NC / TN, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Total elevation gain is 10,000-11,000 feet, depending on direction, Sustained climbs of more than 2,000 feet; some short, very steep sections, Heat and humidity can be a challenge from late spring through early fall, Dispersed camping allowed along most of the trail. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. The trail goes between Table Rock State Park and Oconee State Park. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. No permits are required, but if you camp in either Oconee or Table Rock state parks, there is a fee. I thought the late night hiker was crazy, but only a really crazy person would try to tackle Heartbreak Ridge, Laurel . The hiker is treated to their first of many waterfalls at mile 8.2 at Lick Log Creek. 54.36.118.98 Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. Immediately bear right onto the unpaved fork and continue to the Foothills Trail parking area about 0.3 mile on the left. I had both time to be alone and reflect and time with great company to share in my experience. This trail is awesome . There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. 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. Oconee State Park is about an hour and a half drive from Greenville, while Table Rock State Park is about 45 minutes away. 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. Hikers should plan ahead for shuttle transport. 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. Primitive trail connects Woods Mountain & Armstrong Creek Trails. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around South Carolina. This was a hard day of almost 12 miles. This middle section of trail bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls. The Foothills Trail is well-marked with white blazes. Easy and downhill. To help support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your web server and submit it our support team. I had many great campsites along the trail but this one would prove to be the best. Oconee State Park is about two hours from both cities. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. Dismiss. 'Heartbreak Ridge,' Foothills Trail, SC - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google LLC A bear canister is probably overkill. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Most of the year, hikers can leave cold-weather gear at home. 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. Mike/Asheville. NC 226-A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd.. Excellent article. Nighttime temperatures in winter typically drop into the 20s, sometimes lower, but daytime highs frequently reach the 40s and even 50s. Bears frequent these mountain areas, so its important to bring and adequately hang a bear bag, or use an Ursack setup. We arrived at camp by 3:30 and explored the Cliffs and the Lighthouse. The route, which features miles of blueberry bushes and campsites with perfect sunrise views, can be hiked in 2-4 days. The Foothills Trail proper ends at Table Rock State Park, about ten miles from Sassafras Mountain. So beautiful! 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