We camped at the site right next to the Laurel Valley parking lot. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging traipse through classic southern Appalachian terrain. 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. Navigation: The trail is well-marked with white blazes and easily navigable, though as always, you can get off track if you arent paying attention. I have thru-hiked it, speed hiked it and section hiked it. If you enjoyed the Foothills Trail you should check out http://www.ultimatehike.org. 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. 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! I am very proud to have accomplished this feat and Im already looking forward to my next journey along the trail. You have two transport options for the trail you can shuttle a car yourself, or use a Foothills Trail shuttle service. We took our time breaking camp and were on the trail by 11am. I could not have asked or hoped for anything better. The trail epitomizes the green tunnel phenomenon, but that just makes its periodic panoramic views even more rewarding. Turn right into the parking area and pay your nominal parking fee. 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. It is my favorite trail for many of the reasons you noted. 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. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. The part we loved most about the trail was how desolate it was. Start and stop your timer on the first wooden step heading into Laurel Valley . What a great way to fall asleep, as the rain pattered against my tarp and the thunder boomed and lightning lit up the evening sky! I really need to recover tonight. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. 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. While the relatively mild winters of South Carolina make the trail hikeable year-round, early to mid-spring and fall are the preferred seasons. The Foothills Trail Conservancy has a detailed, informative website, including maps, elevations profiles, shuttle information and more. Day 2 we hiked to Cross Bear Creek campsite. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. There were no bugs and it got down to the low 40s one night After a brief rain during the 65 degree weather. 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. Day 4 was a short 3 miles but much of it was uphill. Meet at the Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. This mornings highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. Wildflowers were just blooming. 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. Day 3 started only 4.8 miles from Bad Creek, where I was meeting my friend the next day. Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. 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 reached the end of the section by 5:30 PM. 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 'Heartbreak Ridge,' Foothills Trail, SC - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google LLC Experienced hikers and bikers can enjoy some pretty spectacular views on this 26+ mile trail! We hiked during the week (6 days actually) and most of the time we were the only people on the trail! Insects can be bothersome in warmer months. This is a lovely hiking area with lots of camping spots and scenic views. Often one can hike for an entire day and not encounter another person. Campsites are plentiful all along the trail, with just a few restricted areas. Great review. The last 2.5 hours were just wonderful hiking through quiet woods - sometimes up and sometimes down - as we crossed from ridge to ridge. 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. Today's miles: 17 Total miles: 65.4 Camped: Boulder about a mile before Sassafras peak What a day. Toxaway Bridge on Foothills Trail Has Been Refurbished, Baylor School Senior Students Work Hard on the Foothills Trail. We briefly paused at bald rock to take in the spectacular views and snap a few more pics. 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 one of the few instances I saw wildlife along my hike. Stairs. This middle section of trail bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. I traveled west>east (or, sort of, south>north) and water was never an issue. Dont forget the insect repellent youll want it. 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. Slept well, heard the popping of the campfire a few sites over for awhile. 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). With the exception of the winter months, chances are that weather will be warm and often extremely hot and humid. Photos (139) Directions. Perhaps it was because we were hiking West to East, but it turned out to be not nearly as bad as we were expecting. 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. 13.1 miles total for the day! At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. Additional troubleshooting resources. The tread on most of the trail is largely free of rocks and roots, except for a few limited areas, making for pleasant hiking. Well-built bridges cross major waterways and the FTC has laid hundreds of wood-block steps into the steepest sections of trail. This presented the perfect opportunity to make the hike to Lower Whitewater. It is a beautiful site at the top of the waterfalls. 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. Nantahala National Forest - (828) 526-3765. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. Cross Bear Creek campsite is nice but you have to hang your own bear line. We finished up with 9.4 miles for the day. This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. Description. Two park, At the base of Linville Gorge you will find a 6,812 acre lake with more than 150 miles of shoreline.. We counted down the miles as we moved down the mountain towards the nature center. . We really enjoyed the short hike to Hidden Falls. gain about 10,000 feet (the Foothills Trail Conservancy does not offer exact totals; approximations are based on an overall elevation profile). 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. Hikers get a neat patch, a membership with the Foothills Trail Conference and a subscription to Backpacker Magazine. Exclusive to the state of Florida, its dirt and paved paths can be hiked in 60-90 days. Far below the Blue Ridge, the foothills undulate with as much unforgiving elevation change as the high peaks themselves. Great camping areas. Ill have to download some gps coordinates for my favorites. I dread the descents more than the climbs. All orders over $60 receive FREE shipping! The Foothills Trail is something like 76 miles in length and we hiked 6.4 miles of it on a recent brisk afternoon. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. I would not call this trail moderate, as there are many challenging sections, no matter which direction you travel. Hey, Mike N. Im the author of this piece. As hard as our Colorado hike minus elevation. Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). 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. The western half of the trail covers significantly less grueling terrain overall. I suppose the guidebooks will have that and will purchase soon I can usually will myself to keep going but not in this case. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. 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. We finished with 13.2 hard miles for the day and ate dinner then took our aching feet to bed. Jurisdiction: The Foothills Trail crosses land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, state parks, and Duke Energy. I did it with my fianc and dog in three days and it was fantastic. Will Hike this in a few weeks. I continue to log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina. We had reached Sassafras by 10 till noon. 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. The Bartram, Foothills, AT and Benton MacKaye form a Southern Serpentine Route! We made quick work of the rest of the section and had made it to Upper Whitewater Falls a little after noon. Wandering Monk Hikes Day 5 on the Foothills Trail | Climbing Heartbreak RidgeHello everyone welcome! Check out this page at the Foothills Trail Conservancy. 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. Check out more trails in the Asheville area here. A solid and steady climb with a few short downhills just to give you a quick break. Great campsites, I went off roading Sunday and I left my Sony nex-6 camera. By Clay Bonnyman Evans, 2019 Foothills Trail Thru-Hiker. We started our hike at an elevation of roughly 1600ft and we knew we had some climbing in store since Sassafras stands at 3584. Upon the completion of the Foothills Trail hikers can apply for the Peregrine Award to commemorate their hikes. Print/PDF map. We had reached my car by 10:30 am and my journey was complete! 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. 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. Trailhead begins inside the Old Fort Picnic Area with incredible views of Kitsuma Peak at trail end. From there we pushed on towards Laurel Valley. Permits: No permit is required to hike the Foothills Trail. Want to report conditions for this 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 . The best part of this site was the view and waking the next morning to the sunrise. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. There were plenty of views and beautiful streams and waterfalls this time of year. There I set up camp. Bears frequent these mountain areas, so its important to bring and adequately hang a bear bag, or use an Ursack setup. The Foothills Trail is a part of the nearing completion Southern Appalachian Loop Trail. Location | Western North Carolina and Northern South Carolina, Highlights | 13 Waterfalls, Gorges, Wooden Steps, Multiple Suspension Bridges, State High Point, Volunteer Coordinated Shuttles, Maps and Guidebooks | Anti-Gravity Gear Pocket Profile ($3.95), Foothills Trail Conference Trail Map ($15.00), Foothills Trail Conference Guidebook ($16.00). It was a great trip. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. We took our time there taking a lot of pics and talking to a nice couple. He has hiked the Colorado Trail, Appalachian Trail, Foothills Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Centennial Trail, and the Great Plains Trail Pilot Trail, and will start hiking the Pacific Crest Trail on April 7, 2021. We made camp around 5:30 that evening and finished with a total of 20.5 miles for day 2. Exited at Bad Creek parking lot access. I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. You can hike for a few hours or spend days or a week or so hiking here and never do the same hike twice. Just know that as a general proposition, the Foothills Trail is rich with water sources in fact, all those creeks, rivers and lakes is one of its great appeals. Be careful! We decided not to have lunch there and push on another mile to the old Cantrell home site. Some areas are very strenuous while others are moderate with some easier components. Easy and downhill. For those planning to take their time, some local shuttle drivers offer food drops for a fee. That said, its hard to think of a better trail to help newbies figure out if they are going to enjoy the AT. I began at the southern terminus, Oconee State Park in Mountains Rest, South Carolina. My wife and I hiked the Foothills Trail in April of 2007, and as we tried to gather information from other websites on their experiences, we found that there were not many pages to be found. We camped at Bear Creek (not bear camp creek) and actually did have a bear sighting. 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. 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/. Of South and North Carolina most of the few instances i saw wildlife along my hike heartbreak ridge foothills trail... The first wooden step heading into Laurel Valley afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains d! 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