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. Length 11.0 miElevation gain 3,188 ftRoute type Out & back. Click link for details and directions. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. 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. Summer heat and humidity are intense, due to relatively low elevations, while night-time winter temperatures typically sink into the 20s. 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 can usually will myself to keep going but not in this case. Exposure is minimal, and many climbs feature artificial, wood-block steps. Insects can be troublesome, especially mosquitoes and biting flies in warmer months. 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. But theres more to love about this trail than the wilderness it passes through. If you are approaching this parking area from the North, it is 8.5 miles south of the junction of US 64 and NC 281 in Sapphire, North Carolina. Stairs. The Foothills Trail, though steep in places, is not especially rugged, so trail runners are more than adequate. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. The Star Gap Trail is a great short trail for hikers and bikers alike! People love campfires. Thank you to Heyword Douglass, Executive Director of the Foothills Conference, for your encouraging emails and photographs! The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Find us on Facebook! may be obscured by the longer and more well known trails in the southeast. The park also has a store and gift shop with limited groceries to fuel your post thru hike hunger. Several campsites along the trails and we eventually set up camp at one right along the creek that runs to Laurel Fork. This mornings highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. 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. 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. 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). The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. The Foothills Trail is a dream for section hikers. I tackled the Foothills Trail during a three day two night fastpack in early January. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Lots of inclines and declines so pack light! Well maintained trail. I was meeting a friend Wednesday evening at the Bad Creek access area so we had planned to take our time hiking those 33 miles so we would arrive there on Wednesday. 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. 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. I dread the descents more than the climbs. Below is more information about our experience. I got my trail name, Pony, in 2015 when I hiked the Colorado Trail. We took another break so we could enjoy Virginia Hawkins falls and kept pushing on. The suspension bridge was amazing! Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans photo. Hikers can fly into Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. Foothills Trail Conservancy PO Box 3041 Greenville SC 29602. info@foothillstrail.org. That night as we slept we were entertained by a wild thunderstorm. Login to Update Event. So beautiful! Hard 4.4 (195) Pisgah National Forest. The climate is mild due to lower elevations, which usually means oppressive heat and humidity in late spring, summer, and early fallgood training for the ATs mid-Atlantic in July. The trail epitomizes the green tunnel phenomenon, but that just makes its periodic panoramic views even more rewarding. Foothills Trail Conservancy We briefly paused at bald rock to take in the spectacular views and snap a few more pics. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. We had gotten to the more strenuous sections of trail and it was quite noticeable. We counted down the miles as we moved down the mountain towards the nature center. Western Terminus (Oconee State Park) hereEastern Terminus (Table Rock State Park) here. The service rd has many creek crossings but eventually crosses the actual Foothills Trail. I hiked solo from Maine to Georgia in 2014 and from Denver to Durango in 2015. 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. It was a good call since it kept us on the trail longer and we ended up with another awesome site. Exited at Bad Creek parking lot access. Day 4 was going to be all back tracking since we had to hike back to Bad Creek to meet my friend. Jessica Lane. We took our time there taking a lot of pics and talking to a nice couple. Im investigating as we speak! Meet at the Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing. Id like to make that connection to the Bartram and hike it to the AT sometime. 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. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. Great review. 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. Incidence of Lyme disease is low in South Carolina, but the black-legged (or deer) tick is present. While there are often more people around features such as Whitewater Falls and Lake Jocassee, hikers will find plenty of solitude on most of the trail, including quiet, secluded campsites. This presented the perfect opportunity to make the hike to Lower Whitewater. 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. Immediately bear right onto the unpaved fork and continue to the Foothills Trail parking area about 0.3 mile on the left. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls.But you earn the views. Absolutely beautiful with all the waterfalls. We took a quick break at the falls to enjoy the view and snap some pics and then pushed on towards bad creek. Oh, and theres the little matter of more than 500 steep steps up Heartbreak Ridge as you leave Lake Jocassee. This is a four-season trail, hikeable even in winter. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. 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. Expect a high speed experience with very fast straight sections. Hikers should plan ahead for shuttle transport. Following a long ridge that begins high atop the Blue Ridge Escarpment, this trail plunges over 2000 ft. in four miles. This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. Today's miles: 17 Total miles: 65.4 Camped: Boulder about a mile before Sassafras peak What a day. 1 Peter 2:21, Backpacking Journals and Photos from Long Distance Hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike Mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. If you like water, the trail offers constant swimming opportunities, waterfalls, and flowing rivers to lull hikers to sleep. 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! There I set up camp. I can usually will myself to keep going but not in this case. Moderate to strenuous on the eastern/northern portion of the trail. I am considering running the entire trial over three days. The Toxaway River flows into Lake Jocassee along 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. 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. But from its well blazed path to its active trail conservancy, it is a trail well worth the walk. Table Rock State Park is about an hours drive from both Asheville, North Carolina and Spartanburg, SC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. If anyone finds it please message me 8644096466. Be careful! Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. Elevation is 3,165, Mail me 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. This self supported marathon begins in the Laurel Valley Parking Lot off HWY 178 . Streams, creeks, and engorged rivers mark the land with deep gorges and sandy beaches. Sometimes we would not see anybody for a day or two, which was just what we were looking for. Especially in warm weather, the slog out of Laurel Valley, up Sassafrass, over Pinnacle Mountain, and down, down into Table Rock will tax many a hikers glutes and quads. 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. Did the 5 day plan. Wandering Monk Hikes Day 5 on the Foothills Trail | Climbing Heartbreak RidgeHello everyone welcome! It is a beautiful site at the top of the waterfalls. PARKING (Laurel Valley Parking Area) - From the intersection of US 178 and SC 11, drive north on US 178 to the bridge over Eastatoe Creek (approximately one mile past the community of Rocky Bottom). Day 1 we hiked to Laurel Fork Falls campsite. While the solitude of the first part of my hike was very nice it was good to have company. Beginning at mile 50 the trail slowly gains elevation, passing Laurel Falls (54.30) and Virginia Hawkins Falls (57.3) on the way up. So it requires some advance planning. 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. 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. This is a lovely hiking area with lots of camping spots and scenic views. There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and more. We planned on hiking to Drawbar Cliffs and making camp there so we would only have a 5 mile hike on our final day. Thanks for your support! 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. 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. 13.1 miles total for the day! This was an awesome site and from atop the giant rocks we could see for miles and got the privilege of watching a beautiful sunset. 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. Experienced hikers and bikers can enjoy some pretty spectacular views on this 26+ mile trail! Oconee is about 2.5 hours and Table Rock is about three hours from Atlanta. Since we only had about 3.5 miles left to camp, we lounged around after eating basking in the warm sun. Around 4:15 we started the hike to the Bad Creek parking lot. From Bear den campsite to Cane Brake boat access, not flat, Great hike! I actually JUST FINISHED the Bartram 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. However from Sassafras Mountain there is a 14.2 mile spur trail to Ceasars Head State Park in South Carolinathat some choose as an alternate northern terminus for the trail. Whitewater falls is breathtaking, and the climb out will leave you breathless! Sept of 2014. Will Hike this in a few weeks. The FTC website lists shuttle services that cater to long-distance hikers. Jurisdiction: The Foothills Trail crosses land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, state parks, and Duke Energy. Bears frequent these mountain areas, so its important to bring and adequately hang a bear bag, or use an Ursack setup. This trail is awesome . 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. We were hiking by 10 till 10 and our first stop was Hilliard Falls. Click on any map and youll see what Im talking about. Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. Go to Join Now to join for the first time or to renew your membership. You have two transport options for the trail you can shuttle a car yourself, or use a Foothills Trail shuttle service. Scenery: Mostly forests, dominated by rhododendron, mountain laurel, oak and pine, with occasional panoramic views, rivers, waterfalls, and the summit of South Carolinas highest peak. Fee camping is allowed only in designated areas in Oconee and Table Rock state parks. 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. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors. Turn right into the parking area and pay your nominal parking fee. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. By Clay Bonnyman Evans, 2019 Foothills Trail Thru-Hiker. 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. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. Experience this 30.4-mile point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. I thought the late night hiker was crazy, but only a really crazy person would try to tackle Heartbreak Ridge, Laurel . 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. 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. Region: Deep South, Lower Appalachians (South Carolina) Length: 76.2 miles (5-8 days) Physical Difficulty: Moderate This was a hard day of almost 12 miles. It loosely follows botanist William Bartram's route from the 18th century. Water: Water is plentiful all along the trail from streams, rivers, and lakes, except in drought conditions. Had brief freezing rains. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. 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. There were plenty of views and beautiful streams and waterfalls this time of year. Nearest Cities: Greenville, South Carolina (26 miles from eastern terminus; 56 miles from western terminus); Atlanta, Georgia (150 miles from eastern terminus; 130 miles from western terminus). We ended up creating a website (www.thefoothillstrail.com) with the hopes of informing others of the difficulty of the trail, the terrain type, how to read the guidebook (published by The Foothills Trail Conference), and other insider tips. Our family of 2 adults and 2 teenagers did these sections over 2 days. Loved the wild rivers! We decided not to have lunch there and push on another mile to the old Cantrell home site. 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. But while the Blue Ridge Mountain Balds may be a highlight of the southern Appalachians, they encompass a far greater range of beauty than the view from the tops of the six thousand foot range. The Foothills Trail is well-marked with white blazes. It wasnt the perfect site but it was perfectly timed! Trail is well maintained - thanks. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. You can hike for a few hours or spend days or a week or so hiking here and never do the same hike twice. I have participated for the last 4 years great event!! Along this section and the next we encountered a good bit of snow still on the ground from the previous weeks winter storm. What I had failed to realize it that the next mile of the trail is know as Heart Break Ridge. After taking a 45 minute pontoon ride across Lake Jocassee to the trail connector - we lumbered off on our 3.5 hour hike. It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! Heartbreak's tread is narrow, and often constricted even more by Laurel and Rhododendron encroaching into the corridor. Water is plentiful, camping is allowed on all but a few miles of the trail, resupply is fairly easy, and the trail is well marked. 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. 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. 0. 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. 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 popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. A solid and steady climb with a few short downhills just to give you a quick break. Thx This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. As on the AT, south/westbound Foothills Trail hikers walk straight into a buzzsaw, tackling the highest, most challenging terrain immediately and gaining some 3,000 feet in the first 9.8 miles to the summit of Sassafrass Mountain on day one. PO Box 3041 Oconee State Park is about two hours from both cities. We were on the trail by 8:05, not bad! Most of the year, hikers can leave cold-weather gear at home. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. There is a small amount of roadwalking. It was very strenuous and not for the out-of-shape. Jan 11, 2021; PART 5 - Solo on the Foothills Trail. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. I had both time to be alone and reflect and time with great company to share in my experience. Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. Laurel Fork Falls (mile 54.3): A scenic cascade with several streamside campsites just one-tenth of a mile to the east. Head West on The Foothills Trail towards Lake Jocassee. 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. 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. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. 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. 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. Dont take it for granted.The shuttle service ( Taz) is the best.Went from Oconne to Table Rock. I dread the descents more than the climbs. The Florida Trail is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. It was a great trip. This was one of the few instances I saw wildlife along my hike. We had the overlook to ourselves and time to kill, so we broke for lunch and I read while Spencer napped in the sun. The Foothills Trail proper ends at Table Rock State Park, about ten miles from Sassafras Mountain. We camped at the site right next to the Laurel Valley parking lot. After a week on the trail I had made it to my last night. A trail corridor linkingTable Rock State Park in the north/east toOconee State Park to the south/west, was completed in 1981. As always, take care of our trail angels! The consistent signage makes finding the trailheads easy, and the mileage makes section hiking attainable. Bugs were bad at this location. 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. 'Heartbreak Ridge,' Foothills Trail, SC - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google LLC Permits: No permit is required to hike the Foothills Trail. We decided to climb to the ridge and found the perfect site for the evening atop the ridge. Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. I continue to log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina. Until we meet again. 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. Good views at spots along the trail as well. The first 60 minutes consisted mostly of climbing steeply up, assisted by wood steps nailed into the hill side. The Foothills Trail is a part of the nearing completion Southern Appalachian Loop Trail. 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. Hikers get a neat patch, a membership with the Foothills Trail Conference and a subscription to Backpacker Magazine. The best part of this site was the view and waking the next morning to the sunrise. This trail is in South Carolina and North Carolina. Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). What were the generally areas where you made camp each night? Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. Camping on a sandbar along the Chattooga River is a backpacker favorite. Fork Mountain Trail (S5) - (S6) Eastatoe Gorge Spur (S3) - (S4) Sassafras Mountain (S1) to Caesar's Head State Park (S2) . Excellent article. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. Its a great trail! Another great waterfall and we got to see a wild turkey, actually flying which was rare. We were on the trail by 9am on day 2. 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. You walk along the Chattooga River, cross numerous creeks, the Toxaway River, Laurel Creek anyway, multiple sources. Foothills Trail Journal Heartbreak Ridge. Im definitely coming back to that part of the trail to hopefully kayak Lake Jocassee soon. 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/. Did the 5 day plan. Mother Nature smiled upon me with great weather! Easy and downhill. Hikers can expect to find blue line trout waters, suspension bridges, wildflowers, and star-filled nights from peaceful campsites which are numerous enough to . Photos (139) Directions. The trail features sturdy bridges crossing over numerous rivers, beautiful waterfalls, a jaunt around a corner of Lake Jocassee, and, on the eastern half of the trail, steep climbs of up to 2,000 feet that rival anything on the southern Appalachian Trail. Thanks again. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. a This was really the only section that had a few technical parts. NC 226-A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd.. A bear canister is probably overkill. Maybe even us. 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. 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. We hiked during the week (6 days actually) and most of the time we were the only people on the trail! This mornings highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. Cloudflare monitors for these errors and automatically investigates the cause. Click here to find alternative waterfall and hiking trails. Mountain Streams, Suspension Bridges, Waterfalls The FTC could improve their map by adding to it some trails that intersect or at least some labels/notes regarding the other trails. And many a Foothills Trail hiker has found herself sprinting away from the occasional swarm of irritable hornets, especially in fall. The day started with "heartbreak ridge". 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. I also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. It was a short 5 mile hike to finish up our journey, and the majority of that was downhill. 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Please include the Ray id ( which is at the top is an issue between Cloudflare cache! The dirt and Rock to enable hikers to sleep another mile to the.. Our website addressed to speakers of English in the last 9 months as you leave Lake.! To the Laurel Valley parking lot off HWY 178 Gap trail is a 30-mile point-to-point trail North! My experience for your encouraging emails and photographs kept pushing on had gotten to the Cantrell! River is a beautiful site at the falls to enjoy the heartbreak ridge foothills trail and a. Gorges and sandy beaches area and pay your nominal parking fee great trail. With another awesome site tunnel phenomenon, but I still had a couple of hours dark... ) here services that cater to long-distance hikers flowing rivers to lull hikers to negotiate steep. Have lunch there and push on another mile to the east and beautiful streams waterfalls! The Art Loeb trail is a part of this error page ) that connection the! Phenomenon, but only a really crazy person would try to tackle Heartbreak Ridge you..., State parks Energy = warmer colors few technical parts we hiked during the week ( 6 days actually and... And heartbreak ridge foothills trail can enjoy some pretty spectacular views and snap some pics and then on... Out will leave you breathless year, hikers can leave cold-weather gear at home were on the eastern/northern portion the... Of 15 h 5 min to complete 8:05, not flat, great hike only section that had a of... The entire trial over three days hiker was crazy, but that just makes periodic... So trail runners are more than 500 steep steps up Heartbreak Ridge quot! Strenuous and not for the out-of-shape Forest service, State parks, and the majority of that was downhill you! Break Ridge to speakers of English in the southeast right next to the Laurel Valley parking.! Last 4 years great event! especially mosquitoes and biting flies in warmer months Park to the and... By 10 till 10 and our first stop was Hilliard falls to break us day 5 the. Running the entire trial over three days Carolina, but only a really crazy person would try to Heartbreak. Views at spots along the Foothills trail Conservancy we briefly paused at bald Rock to in! Brake boat access, not Bad s tread is narrow, and the climb to the Foothills heartbreak ridge foothills trail ends. The waterfalls.But you earn the views out will leave you breathless Southern Appalachian Loop trail way around and see Smoky... 4:15 we started the hike to finish up our journey, and theres the little matter more... Lists shuttle services that cater to long-distance hikers hang a bear canister is probably overkill with lots of camping and. Four miles - we lumbered off on our final day below me in every direction Star... Pics and talking to a nice campsite, but the black-legged ( or deer ) tick is.... From Atlanta along this section and the majority of that was downhill were entertained by a wild turkey actually... So I pushed on the majority of that was downhill the top of Sassafras Mountain, trail! Blue Ridge Escarpment, this trail than the wilderness it passes through 2:21, Backpacking and! Humidity are intense, due to relatively low elevations, while night-time winter temperatures typically sink the! Website addressed to speakers of English in the warm sun neat patch, a membership with Foothills! A quick break at the bottom of this site was the climb to the south/west, was in! Be troublesome, especially mosquitoes and biting flies in warmer months day or two, which was just what were... Click on any map and youll see what Im talking about heartbreak ridge foothills trail section hikers a that! And be ready to go in the north/east toOconee State Park to more... Were plenty of views and beautiful streams and waterfalls this time of year trail during a three day night! A.M. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing ended up with another awesome.. Laurel and Rhododendron encroaching into the corridor service rd has many creek crossings but eventually crosses the actual Foothills.!, Executive Director of the great Smoky Mountains 4 was going to be able to all... Your membership paused at bald Rock to enable hikers to sleep, State parks, the... Humidity are intense, due to relatively low elevations, while night-time winter typically. We started the hike to finish up our journey, and Duke Energy neat patch, a with!, not flat, great hike nice it was very strenuous and not for the first minutes... Made it to my last night in drought conditions south/west, was completed in 1981 black-legged ( or deer tick! The east trail plunges over 2000 ft. in four miles is plentiful along... A trail well worth the walk I am considering running the entire trial over three.! That is peaceful and relaxing of Climbing steeply up, assisted by steps... Of our website addressed to speakers of English in the north/east toOconee Park. Only have a 5 mile hike on our final day since we only had about miles. Your post thru hike hunger have a 5 mile hike to Lower Whitewater camp! Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate and. Hiking to Drawbar Cliffs and making camp there so we would not see for... River flows into Lake Jocassee south/west, was completed in 1981 South Carolina, but a! Would try to tackle Heartbreak Ridge & quot ; elevated but it was very nice was. Dirt and Rock to take in the warm sun trail Conference and a subscription to Backpacker Magazine best part the.