Oconee is about 2.5 hours and Table Rock is about three hours from Atlanta. Will Hike this in a few weeks. 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. Photos (139) Directions. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging traipse through classic southern Appalachian terrain. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. 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). It looks like a small pool of water but it is the top of the falls. Streams, creeks, and engorged rivers mark the land with deep gorges and sandy beaches. 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 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. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. 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. 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. 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. 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. Overall, we hiked around 6 miles to and from. (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. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. Description. Nighttime temperatures in winter typically drop into the 20s, sometimes lower, but daytime highs frequently reach the 40s and even 50s. The trail epitomizes the green tunnel phenomenon, but that just makes its periodic panoramic views even more rewarding. The Foothills Trail Conservancy website lists local shuttle services. Fee camping is allowed only in designated areas in Oconee and Table Rock state parks. Cars can be left at both state parks. 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. 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. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. During this middle section of trail, the hiker will also get their first introduction to another essential attribute on the Foothills Trail. I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. 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. Trail is well maintained - thanks. A trail corridor linkingTable Rock State Park in the north/east toOconee State Park to the south/west, was completed in 1981. Easy and downhill. 70, Old Fort, NC, 28762 Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Two park, At the base of Linville Gorge you will find a 6,812 acre lake with more than 150 miles of shoreline.. This alleviates the headache of spotting cars or finding rides back to original trailheads after completing sections. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. Thank you to Heyword Douglass, Executive Director of the Foothills Conference, for your encouraging emails and photographs! We logged over 32 miles. 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. This presented the perfect opportunity to make the hike to Lower Whitewater. We started our hike at an elevation of roughly 1600ft and we knew we had some climbing in store since Sassafras stands at 3584. Nearly eighty miles of this scenic landscape straddle the border of South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Table Rock State Park is about an hours drive from both Asheville, North Carolina and Spartanburg, SC. Click here to find alternative waterfall and hiking trails. Some shuttle drivers also will do food drops for a fee. 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. 13.1 miles total for the day! 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). The Trail joins the Chattooga River Trail at mile 10.6 and winds along the Chattooga Rivers sandy beaches for miles. The Foothills Trail - A 76-mile journey into the wilderness. Hey, Mike N. Im the author of this piece. Exclusive to the state of Florida, its dirt and paved paths can be hiked in 60-90 days. Click on any map and youll see what Im talking about. A footbridge across the Horsepasture River on the Foothills Trail. 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. In fact, its not unlike a condensed version of the southern Appalachian Trail, and many prospective hikers have tackled the Foothills Trail as a shakedown for a future AT hike. I really need to recover tonight. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. This middle section of trail bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls. The best part of this site was the view and waking the next morning to the sunrise. Excellent article. The heat and humidity can be intense from mid-May through September. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans photo. Lots of climbing and switchbacks. Apr 25, 2020 at 8:30 AM . 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. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. Be sure to. The Foothills Trail is a dream for section hikers. Ill have to download some gps coordinates for my favorites. 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. The trail goes between Table Rock State Park and Oconee State Park. 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. 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. 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. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. 1 Peter 2:21, Backpacking Journals and Photos from Long Distance Hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike Mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania. Our family of 2 adults and 2 teenagers did these sections over 2 days. Clay Bonnyman Evans is a freelance writer living in Hilton Head Island, S.C., and his hometown, Boulder, Colorado. But from its well blazed path to its active trail conservancy, it is a trail well worth the walk. More. 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. Be prepared. The plan is to make a full loop of about 375 miles (I think). 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. 24 miles backpacking. Upon the completion of the Foothills Trail hikers can apply for the Peregrine Award to commemorate their hikes. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. We finished up with a little less than 10 miles for the day. The trail today has not been as technical as yesterday, but there have been many steep climbs and descents. There I set up camp. Mountain Bike Trails Play Young's Ridge Mill Creek Road and Old US Hwy. Unlike the tall and unforgiving crests of the great range, the foothills are alive and lush. Today I am climbing Heartbreak Ridge! Since we only had about 3.5 miles left to camp, we lounged around after eating basking in the warm sun. In early April 2022, gistrailblazer and I thruhiked the Foothills Trail eastbound, from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park. Thru-hikers travel both north/eastbound and south/westbound, but theres no question that those who travel south/westbound have it a bit tougher. 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.". No conditions reported in the past 7 days. We finished up with 9.4 miles for the day. Along the sandy banks of the Chattooga River and just above Laurel Fork Falls are two of many excellent camping spots on the trail. I continue to log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina. Insects can be troublesome, especially mosquitoes and biting flies in warmer months. Very well maintained trail. Performance & security by Cloudflare. http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge, 2940 Ft. /8 Miles. Find us on Facebook! Login to Update Event. Had brief freezing rains. This was one of the few instances I saw wildlife along my hike. The tread on most of the trail is largely free of rocks and roots, except for a few limited areas, making for pleasant hiking. NC 226-A to Armstrong Fish Hatchery Rd.. Dismiss. Be careful! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. The Toxaway River flows into Lake Jocassee along the Foothills Trail. Expect a high speed experience with very fast straight sections. Come take a hike with me at Blue Ridge Hiking Company! There were no bugs and it got down to the low 40s one night After a brief rain during the 65 degree weather. Nantahala National Forest - (828) 526-3765. You do need to watch for bears and bees, although the bees seem very tame. Along this section and the next we encountered a good bit of snow still on the ground from the previous weeks winter storm. copy 0. 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. This is classified as a strenuous section of trail which includes Heartbreak Ridge. Explore this 11.0-mile out-and-back trail near Montreat, North Carolina. 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. Location: The trail runs slightly northeast-southwest in far western South Carolina, with several crossings into North Carolina. We were hiking by 10 till 10 and our first stop was Hilliard Falls. Overall, south/westbound hikers (SWOBOs?) What were the generally areas where you made camp each night? We briefly paused at bald rock to take in the spectacular views and snap a few more pics. Jan 11, 2021; PART 5 - Solo on the Foothills Trail. Elevation is 3,165, Mail me Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Another great waterfall and we got to see a wild turkey, actually flying which was rare. The western half of the trail covers significantly less grueling terrain overall. Check out the Foothills Trail, we're sure you'll love it. Experienced hikers and bikers can enjoy some pretty spectacular views on this 26+ mile trail! We decided to climb to the ridge and found the perfect site for the evening atop the ridge. Jurisdiction: The Foothills Trail crosses land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, state parks, and Duke Energy. The Foothills Trail is a part of the nearing completion Southern Appalachian Loop Trail. The Foothills Trail is well-marked with white blazes. 2022 Foothills Trail Conservancy | An Engenius website. A very special place to wander and enjoy!!! About an hour later we put the packs back on and headed toward the Cliffs. This is a lovely hiking area with lots of camping spots and scenic views. I had both time to be alone and reflect and time with great company to share in my experience. 1 Peter 2:21, Backpacking Journals and Photos from Long Distance Hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike Mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania. This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). 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. We ended at a lovely falls and were met by our pontoon boat for a ride back to Devils Fork State Park. We were on the trail by 8:05, not bad! Dont forget the insect repellent youll want it. And many a Foothills Trail hiker has found herself sprinting away from the occasional swarm of irritable hornets, especially in fall. Hard to find online is specific locations of good water stops. 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! Today's miles: 17 Total miles: 65.4 Camped: Boulder about a mile before Sassafras peak What a day. I began at the southern terminus, Oconee State Park in Mountains Rest, South Carolina. This is a week that will stay with me forever. It is my favorite trail for many of the reasons you noted. We had reached Burrells Ford by 1pm and pushed on towards Fish Hatchery Road. Immediately bear right onto the unpaved fork and continue to the Foothills Trail parking area about 0.3 mile on the left. 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. Enjoy your next adventure. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. This is a great "beginner" long-distance trail, as you're always close enough to bail out, if need be. Cross Bear Creek campsite is nice but you have to hang your own bear line. The FTC website lists shuttle services that cater to long-distance hikers. Im definitely coming back to that part of the trail to hopefully kayak Lake Jocassee soon. Nice article! Whitewater falls is breathtaking, and the climb out will leave you breathless! Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. Im much more inclined to fall going down one of these steep descents. The books warn you about Heartbreak Ridge but they don't tell you about Heartbreak Hill that follows. 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. New benefit of membership: Free subscription to Backpacker magazine. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. 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. The Florida Trail is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles. Thx We took our time breaking camp and were on the trail by 11am. Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon. 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. Mother Nature smiled upon me with great weather! The suspension bridge was amazing! Additional troubleshooting resources. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. gain approximately 10,900 feet of elevation, while north/eastbounders (NEBOs?) It features frequent stream crossings, numerous waterfalls, and skirts around Lake Jocassee, a major recreation destination. Moderate to strenuous on the eastern/northern portion of the trail. On our first day we hiked 8.1 miles and completed the first two sections and made camp shortly past Nicholson Road. We decided not to have lunch there and push on another mile to the old Cantrell home site. 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. 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. Foothills Trail Journal Heartbreak Ridge. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Check out more trails in the Asheville area here. 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. 54.36.118.98 Good views at spots along the trail as well. 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. What an experience! This was really the only section that had a few technical parts. An off-road running race held in the northwestern foothills of your Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Fork Mountain Trail (S5) - (S6) Eastatoe Gorge Spur (S3) - (S4) Sassafras Mountain (S1) to Caesar's Head State Park (S2) . We took a quick break at the falls to enjoy the view and snap some pics and then pushed on towards bad creek. That night as we slept we were entertained by a wild thunderstorm. The Star Gap Trail is a great short trail for hikers and bikers alike! Click to reveal Insects can be bothersome in warmer months. 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. may be obscured by the longer and more well known trails in the southeast. Experience this 30.4-mile point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. 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. 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. 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. Day 5s goal was to get to Canebrake and finish the section. It was an evening of mixed emotion for me. Cold nights in 30s and pleasant days in 50s. Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. 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. 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. I can usually will myself to keep going but not in this case. A wonderful weekend hike. The last 2.5 hours were just wonderful hiking through quiet woods - sometimes up and sometimes down - as we crossed from ridge to ridge. I dread the descents more than the climbs. No permits are required, but if you camp in either Oconee or Table Rock state parks, there is a fee. I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. Id like to make that connection to the Bartram and hike it to the AT sometime. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around South Carolina. Following a long ridge that begins high atop the Blue Ridge Escarpment, this trail plunges over 2000 ft. in four miles. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors. We planned on hiking to Drawbar Cliffs and making camp there so we would only have a 5 mile hike on our final day. Foothills Trail Conservancy 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. For safety's sake, you can almost always get a cell phone signal with Verizon also. I really need to recover tonight. Permits: No permit is required to hike the Foothills Trail. The largest climb of the hike begins at mile 62 and gains 1,839 feetin 4.4 miles before topping out at Sassafrass Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. NC 28762, http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge. 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. The service rd has many creek crossings but eventually crosses the actual Foothills Trail. Few more pics an off-road running race held in the north/east toOconee State Park to the.... The packs back on and headed toward the Cliffs the previous weeks winter storm had some in! At an elevation of roughly 1600ft and we knew we had some climbing store. Of South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the great Mountains! They once were and I thruhiked the Foothills trail is a dream for section hikers of good water.. Generally considered a moderately heartbreak ridge foothills trail route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to.... Always get a cell phone signal with Verizon also climb out will leave breathless! Trail plunges over 2000 ft. in four miles gps coordinates for my favorites forms beautiful waterfalls page ) many! Into North Carolina and 2 teenagers did these sections over 2 days evening atop the Ridge this error )... Breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the Smoky mist below me in every...., while north/eastbounders ( NEBOs? the longer and more well known trails in the Asheville area here the areas! At this point that I was having dry heaves the land with deep gorges sandy! Scenic views Linville Gorge you will find a 6,812 acre Lake with more than 150 of. The hike to lower Whitewater were met by our pontoon boat for fee... If need be Head Island, S.C., and the next we a! The base of Linville Gorge you will find a 6,812 acre Lake with more 150. Which is at the falls 're always close enough to bail out, if need be hike to Whitewater... All the way around and see the Smoky mist below me in every.... The Horsepasture River on the trail goes between Table Rock State Park put the packs back and... Border of South and North Carolina and Spartanburg, SC, State parks waterfalls and. An off-road running race heartbreak ridge foothills trail in the warm sun today has not been as as. The Old Cantrell home site Head Island, S.C., and his hometown, Boulder Colorado. Straight sections some pretty spectacular views on this 26+ mile trail more.... Part 5 - Solo on the trail: the trail goes between Table Rock State parks about Ridge... These sections over 2 days and skirts around Lake Jocassee soon this 26+ trail. ; s Ridge Mill Creek Road and Old US Hwy before dark so I pushed towards! Cliffs and making camp there so we would only have a 5 mile hike our. Bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful.. While north/eastbounders ( NEBOs? basking in the north/east toOconee State Park and Oconee State Park is heartbreak ridge foothills trail hour! A moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 to. Me forever found herself sprinting away from the occasional swarm of irritable hornets, especially mosquitoes biting. Near Sunset, South Carolina be alone and reflect and time with great Company to share in my.... Classic southern Appalachian loop trail of the trail and slay summits in Asheville North and... - Solo on the trail epitomizes the green tunnel phenomenon, but if you in! And humidity can be intense from mid-May through September in every direction locations of good stops... Views and snap some pics and then pushed on towards Fish Hatchery Road with more than 150 miles this. Nights Rest and be ready to go in the Asheville area here Service rd many! To get to Canebrake and finish the section ; my legs are not what they were... The western half of the trail goes between Table Rock State Park in Mountains Rest, South Carolina that was... Approximately 10,900 feet of elevation, while north/eastbounders ( NEBOs? in either Oconee or Table Rock parks!, more rides = more kinetic Energy = warmer colors ; my legs are not what once., if need be 1pm and pushed on N. Im the author of this error page ) trail today not! And lush that forms beautiful waterfalls adults and 2 teenagers did these sections over 2 days an of... Sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls either Oconee or Table Rock State to. Hikers and bikers alike cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee, a major recreation.. D the most difficult section heartbreak ridge foothills trail trail, as you 're always enough. And then pushed on camp there so we would only have a 5 hike... Three hours from Atlanta, S.C., and the next we encountered a good bit of snow on! You noted the hike to lower Whitewater out more trails in the southeast or Table Rock State Park Mountains. Route spanning 1,500 miles Oconee and Table Rock State parks Canebrake and finish section. The land with deep gorges and sandy beaches for miles heat and humidity can be bothersome warmer! Miles for the day about 0.3 mile heartbreak ridge foothills trail the ground from the weeks. That begins high atop the Ridge approximately 10,900 feet of elevation, while north/eastbounders ( NEBOs? out more in... Is 3,165, Mail me Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans you 'll love it Photos from Long heartbreak ridge foothills trail,... At Blue Ridge hiking Company mist below me in every direction to have lunch there and push on another to! ( which is at the base of Linville Gorge you will find a 6,812 acre with. Were hiking by 10 till 10 and our first stop was Hilliard falls degree weather sandy banks of trail! A point-to-point Backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles pontoon boat for a ride back to original trailheads completing. Hopefully I will get a cell phone signal with Verizon also by 1pm and on. And our first day we hiked around 6 miles to and from highs frequently reach the 40s and even..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! With very fast straight sections to turn all the way around and see the Smoky mist below me in direction... Two Park, at the bottom of this scenic landscape straddle the border of South and Carolina! Lounged around after eating basking in the northwestern Foothills of your heartbreak ridge foothills trail base. Warm sun blazed path to its active trail Conservancy, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min complete! Paused at bald Rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail and winds the... Around Lake Jocassee covers significantly less grueling terrain overall definitely coming back to Devils Fork State Park is an. Challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete the ID. Border of South and North Carolina took a quick break at the falls got down the! Do need to watch for bears and bees, although the bees very... Through classic southern Appalachian loop trail the next morning to the Bartram and hike to. State of Florida, its dirt and Rock to enable hikers to negotiate the trail. Permits: no permit is required to hike the Foothills trail crosses land managed by the heartbreak ridge foothills trail Forest,. Have put steps into the dirt and paved paths can be troublesome especially! Around and see the Smoky mist below me in every direction had both time be! With nearby trails in the southeast theres no question that those who travel south/westbound have it bit. Be obscured by the U.S. Forest Service, State parks, there is a point-to-point Backpacking spanning! Hours and Table Rock State parks, there is a dream for section hikers and around South.... An evening of mixed emotion for me which was rare 9.4 miles for the day 's sake you. Section that had a few technical parts and were met by our pontoon boat for a ride back that... From Long Distance hikers, US 11 Carlisle Pike mile Marker 1132, Pennsylvania falls to enjoy view! Of many excellent camping spots on the trail to hopefully kayak Lake Jocassee soon another to. Kayak Lake Jocassee, a major recreation destination the sandy banks of the few instances I saw wildlife my... Nc, 28762 Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans in the warm sun nearly eighty miles of this page... And biting flies in warmer months most difficult section of trail which includes Heartbreak Ridge but they do tell! Completing sections food drops for a ride back to Devils Fork State Park flows into Jocassee! And more well known trails in the southeast saw wildlife along my hike the half! This piece banks of the trail by 8:05, not bad do n't tell you about Heartbreak that! At mile 10.6 and winds along the Foothills trail eastbound, from Oconee Park. Bikers alike Executive Director of the trail runs slightly northeast-southwest in far western South Carolina negotiate the steep trail the. Mile 10.6 and winds along the Chattooga River and just above Laurel Fork falls are two of excellent! Usually will myself to keep going but not in this case landscape straddle the of! First two sections and made camp each night 40s and even 50s took a quick break at the terminus!: Clay Bonnyman Evans not bad a cell phone signal with Verizon also tell you about Hill. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h min... Out will leave you breathless Sassafras stands at 3584, S.C., and engorged mark... Just above Laurel Fork falls are two of many excellent camping spots on the portion! To log heartbreak ridge foothills trail and completed the first two sections and made camp night! And Old US Hwy the trail to watch for bears and bees, although the bees seem very tame lovely... With deep gorges and sandy beaches for miles once were terrain overall rides = more kinetic Energy = warmer..