heartbreak ridge foothills trail

North/eastbound hikers start with a gentle descent to the Chattooga River and make the mere 2,000-foot climb to Sassafrass after several days of hiking. The Star Gap Trail is a great short trail for hikers and bikers alike! Hey, Mike N. Im the author of this piece. The tread on most of the trail is largely free of rocks and roots, except for a few limited areas, making for pleasant hiking. Come take a hike with me at Blue Ridge Hiking Company! 13.1 miles total for the day! Well-built bridges cross major waterways and the FTC has laid hundreds of wood-block steps into the steepest sections of trail. 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. With the exception of the winter months, chances are that weather will be warm and often extremely hot and humid. Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. We really enjoyed the short hike to Hidden Falls. Expect a high speed experience with very fast straight sections. This is a 30 mile one day hike on the trail that is a fundraising event for CureSearch for Childrens Cancer. 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. Hikers can fly into Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. This trail is awesome . I could not have asked or hoped for anything better. Stairs. And for those who like to get wet, there are frequent swimming opportunities, waterfalls, lakes, and unspoiled riversincluding the Chattooga River, where some of the famous movie Deliverance was filmed. The Blue Ridge Mountains are well known for their three hundred sixty degree views from their bare summits. The hiker is treated to their first of many waterfalls at mile 8.2 at Lick Log Creek. Check out this page at the Foothills Trail Conservancy. Around 4:15 we started the hike to the Bad Creek parking lot. It was a short 5 mile hike to finish up our journey, and the majority of that was downhill. The trail goes between Table Rock State Park and Oconee State Park. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. And they were indeed smoky this morning. This presented the perfect opportunity to make the hike to Lower Whitewater. 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. Oconee State Park is about an hour and a half drive from Greenville, while Table Rock State Park is about 45 minutes away. Moderate to strenuous on the eastern/northern portion of the trail. Great weather with clear cool nights. 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. 'Heartbreak Ridge,' Foothills Trail, SC - YouTube AboutPressCopyrightContact usCreatorsAdvertiseDevelopersTermsPrivacyPolicy & SafetyHow YouTube worksTest new features 2022 Google LLC It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. 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. Turn right into the parking area and pay your nominal parking fee. Not sure if i would start at the southern or northern terminal, Looking to trail run about 13-17 miles on foothills trail but really want to get on the most scenic section. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. 6.6 - 13.6 miles 2,350 feet: 34.266172,-117.62684: 740 Woke up to the popping of the same campfire. 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 FTC website lists shuttle services that cater to long-distance hikers. This alleviates the headache of spotting cars or finding rides back to original trailheads after completing sections. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. 54.36.118.98 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. 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. Permits: No permit is required to hike the Foothills Trail. Western Terminus (Oconee State Park) hereEastern Terminus (Table Rock State Park) here. Cars can be left at both state parks. Be careful! Any suggestions. 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. Its a great trail! There plenty of beautiful campsites all along the trial. We made camp around 5:30 that evening and finished with a total of 20.5 miles for day 2. 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 were exhausted by the time we set up camp so we ate dinner and then hit the sack. Generally considered a challenging route. The park also has a store and gift shop with limited groceries to fuel your post thru hike hunger. 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. may be obscured by the longer and more well known trails in the southeast. Difficult at times but worth it. Oconee State Park is about two hours from both cities. 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. Click to reveal 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! Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. 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. Cross the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign. 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. And many a Foothills Trail hiker has found herself sprinting away from the occasional swarm of irritable hornets, especially in fall. 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 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 hiked solo from Maine to Georgia in 2014 and from Denver to Durango in 2015. For the next 0.7 miles, we ascended and descended over 400 steps! The Foothills Trail Conservancy website lists local shuttle services. Im much more inclined to fall going down one of these steep descents. . The Guidebook rated these sections as moderate to easy, I assume because of the short distance. Nice article! 2022 Foothills Trail Conservancy | An Engenius website. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Discover this 48.9-km point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. It looks like a small pool of water but it is the top of the falls. The Catawba Falls trail is closed until spring of 2023. Thx There are multiple easy access points to the Foothills Trail. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Living in Greenville, the FHT is just a few miles away. Trailhead begins inside the Old Fort Picnic Area with incredible views of Kitsuma Peak at trail end. 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. There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. Loved the wild rivers! I got to meet several interesting and nice people that were making the short hike to Lick Falls. The Trail joins the Chattooga River Trail at mile 10.6 and winds along the Chattooga Rivers sandy beaches for miles. This was really the only section that had a few technical parts. Heartbreak Ridge Steps' 2020 Foothills Trail Journal Heartbreak Ridge First Previous Next Last Monday, July 27, 2020 Destination: Lake Jocasse Today's Miles: 19.10 Start Location: Cantrell Campsite Trip Miles: 27.10 Evening view This morning's highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. The Foothills Trail is accessible, challenging, but not difficult, and logistically easy to hike. The suspension bridge was amazing! I really need to recover tonight. It's Day 5 on the . We decided to climb to the ridge and found the perfect site for the evening atop the ridge. These sections provided us with some really nice views of the surrounding peaks. The Florida Trail is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles. Day 7 was going to be one of our shorter and easier days! This is classified as a strenuous section of trail which includes Heartbreak Ridge. 24 miles backpacking. Jurisdiction: The Foothills Trail crosses land managed by the U.S. Forest Service, state parks, and Duke Energy. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans photo. Oconee is about 2.5 hours and Table Rock is about three hours from Atlanta. On our first day we hiked 8.1 miles and completed the first two sections and made camp shortly past Nicholson Road. gain about 10,000 feet (the Foothills Trail Conservancy does not offer exact totals; approximations are based on an overall elevation profile). Hikers can expect to find blue line trout waters, suspension bridges, wildflowers, and star-filled nights from peaceful campsites which are numerous enough to . Its entirely plausible to hike the Foothills Trail in any season, though late-spring to early summer and fall are most popular. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. 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 features frequent stream crossings, numerous waterfalls, and skirts around Lake Jocassee, a major recreation destination. This is a great "beginner" long-distance trail, as you're always close enough to bail out, if need be. The Foothills Trail is a part of the nearing completion Southern Appalachian Loop Trail. Length: 76.2 miles (the Foothills Trail Conservancy rounds this off to 77 miles). After taking a 45 minute pontoon ride across Lake Jocassee to the trail connector - we lumbered off on our 3.5 hour hike. 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. Elevation is 3,165, Mail me Today's miles: 17 Total miles: 65.4 Camped: Boulder about a mile before Sassafras peak What a day. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Check out more trails in the Asheville area here. a Primitive trail connects Woods Mountain & Armstrong Creek Trails. 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. Head West on The Foothills Trail towards Lake Jocassee. 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). This was a relatively easy day at about 8 miles. What were the generally areas where you made camp each night? This was one of the few instances I saw wildlife along my hike. A wonderful weekend hike. http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge, 2940 Ft. /8 Miles. The trail is strenuous throughout. Very well maintained trail. 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 enjoyed the Foothills Trail you should check out http://www.ultimatehike.org. It traverses the highest point in South Carolina, Sassafras mountain, to the beauty of Whitewater Falls and the Jocassee Gorge and lake area. Hopefully I will get a good nights rest and be ready to go in the morning. We had reached the access area by 2:30 that afternoon so I decided to push on past to the Thompson River and grab one of those sites. NC 28762, http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge. To learn more, please visit the About This Site page. 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. We started our hike at an elevation of roughly 1600ft and we knew we had some climbing in store since Sassafras stands at 3584. Excellent article. I actually JUST FINISHED the Bartram Trail. 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. Clay Bonnyman Evans is a freelance writer living in Hilton Head Island, S.C., and his hometown, Boulder, Colorado. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 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. 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. Thankfully volunteers have put steps into the dirt and rock to enable hikers to negotiate the steep trail. 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. Its the ideal site for a hammock setup with a view that is peaceful and relaxing. . Toxaway Bridge on Foothills Trail Has Been Refurbished, Baylor School Senior Students Work Hard on the Foothills Trail. There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and more. Laurel Fork Falls (mile 54.3): A scenic cascade with several streamside campsites just one-tenth of a mile to the east. There are many bridges and water crossings, including several long suspension bridges. 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. Be sure to. This trail is awesome . The trail is clearly marked throughout. Check out the Foothills Trail, we're sure you'll love it. Exited at Bad Creek parking lot access. 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! I dread the descents more than the climbs. 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. Fee camping is allowed only in designated areas in Oconee and Table Rock state parks. Enjoy your next adventure. The trail epitomizes the green tunnel phenomenon, but that just makes its periodic panoramic views even more rewarding. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. Along this section and the next we encountered a good bit of snow still on the ground from the previous weeks winter storm. Bugs were bad at this location. 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. The route, which features miles of blueberry bushes and campsites with perfect sunrise views, can be hiked in 2-4 days. Its unfair to reduce the Foothills Trail to a warm-up for the Appalachian Trail. Day 3 we hiked approximately 10 miles and camped at Whitewater campsite. . I have to proceed cautiously on those stretches; my legs are not what they once were. 0. Additional troubleshooting resources. Jan 11, 2021; PART 5 - Solo on the Foothills Trail. Table Rock State Park is about an hours drive from both Asheville, North Carolina and Spartanburg, SC. Length 11.0 miElevation gain 3,188 ftRoute type Out & back. This is a worthy trail in its own right, but many hikers use the Foothills Trail as a kind of shakedown, warm-up, or training-wheel expedition for an AT thru-hike. Thank you to Heyword Douglass, Executive Director of the Foothills Conference, for your encouraging emails and photographs! 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. A rat snake, coiled alongside the Foothills Trail. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging traipse through classic southern Appalachian terrain. Did the 5 day plan. The trail goes between Table Rock State Park and Oconee State Park. The day started with "heartbreak ridge". Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. Heartbreak Ridge Curtis Creek Road, Old Fort, NC, 28762 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! We camped at Bear Creek (not bear camp creek) and actually did have a bear sighting. I can usually will myself to keep going but not in this case. Experience this 30.4-mile point-to-point trail near Sunset, South Carolina. Slept well, heard the popping of the campfire a few sites over for awhile. Im definitely coming back to that part of the trail to hopefully kayak Lake Jocassee soon. You do need to watch for bears and bees, although the bees seem very tame. 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. I was very impressed by the size and power of this waterfall! We switched to the trail because it had nice footbridges to cross the streams. Foothills Trail Journal Heartbreak Ridge. Mother Nature entertained us again with another mighty thunderstorm and downpour. Bears frequent these mountain areas, so its important to bring and adequately hang a bear bag, or use an Ursack setup. All orders over $60 receive FREE shipping! Day 8, my final day on the trail, started early. We finished up with 9.4 miles for the day. 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. 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. It was an evening of mixed emotion for me. The trail begins along the top ridge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, accessed from either Curtis Creek Road or from the Old Toll Road, outside the Ridgecrest Conference center. The 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. Great review. This was a hard day of almost 12 miles. Another great waterfall and we got to see a wild turkey, actually flying which was rare. Location: The trail runs slightly northeast-southwest in far western South Carolina, with several crossings into North Carolina. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Many views along the way - waterfalls, wild boar and wild turkey sightings, streams to cross. 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. The southern/western portion of the trail is fairly gentle, but dont let that fool you. This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. After a week on the trail I had made it to my last night. Lots of climbing and switchbacks. 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. It can be hiked in 3-7 days. 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 also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. 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 The heat and humidity can be intense from mid-May through September. Insects can be bothersome in warmer months. We had reached Burrells Ford by 1pm and pushed on towards Fish Hatchery Road. The Foothills Trail climbs gently out of Oconee State Park on a wide, flat trail that becomes increasingly tight before transforming into traditional single track. Day 4 was going to be all back tracking since we had to hike back to Bad Creek to meet my friend. It offers multiple distance choices with a challenging hill climb and scenic views of surrounding . There I set up camp. Streams, creeks, and engorged rivers mark the land with deep gorges and sandy beaches. Put in at Frozen Creek Access then hiked to Canebrake. There is plenty of water and beautiful scenery along most of this section. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. I tackled the Foothills Trail during a three day two night fastpack in early January. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging hike through classic Southern Appalachian terrain. At the top is an observation platform which afforded me a panoramic view of the Great Smoky Mountains. I thought the late night hiker was crazy, but only a really crazy person would try to tackle Heartbreak Ridge, Laurel . Continue on an old road to your left after entering a field to . I have thru-hiked it, speed hiked it and section hiked it. We wanted to be moving by 8am so we could avoid the crowds in table Rock state park and be home with the families by early afternoon. The Foothills Trail is a remarkably well blazed path, has easy section hiking access, and the unrivaled support of the conference that supports it even providing volunteer coordinated shuttles. Fortunately, once I got to the lake I came upon a perfect hammock site on a cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee. The Foothills Trail is something like 76 miles in length and we hiked 6.4 miles of it on a recent brisk afternoon. Foothills Trail Conservancy Facebook group, Official Foothills Trail GuidebookHiking South Carolinas Foothills Trail pocket guide by Scott Lynch. 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. A footbridge across the Horsepasture River on the Foothills Trail. New benefit of membership: Free subscription to Backpacker magazine. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around South Carolina. 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. And they were indeed smoky this morning. We finished with 5 miles on the day. We would maintain about a 2.5 mile per hour pace for the day. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I continue to log miles and slay summits in Asheville North Carolina. Terrain: Easy to moderate on the western/southern part of the trail, with occasional short, steep climbs. https://foothillstrail.org/maps-coordinates-2/. We ended at a lovely falls and were met by our pontoon boat for a ride back to Devils Fork State Park. This is a week that will stay with me forever. Today I am climbing Heartbreak Ridge! It was a good call since it kept us on the trail longer and we ended up with another awesome site. The first 60 minutes consisted mostly of climbing steeply up, assisted by wood steps nailed into the hill side. The trail is not heavily used by long-distance hikers, regardless of season. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a1237b0ae472c2f The best part of this site was the view and waking the next morning to the sunrise. That night as we slept we were entertained by a wild thunderstorm. Want to report conditions for this trail? Flowers, and other Flora abound, birds aplenty, There are even plants that only exist in this part of the world. While youll spend a good deal of time in the proverbial green tunnel, the trail still offers abundant views. Please include the Ray ID (which is at the bottom of this error page). We arrived at camp by 3:30 and explored the Cliffs and the Lighthouse. Description. 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. Heartbreak Ridge via 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. 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). A trail corridor linkingTable Rock State Park in the north/east toOconee State Park to the south/west, was completed in 1981. But while the Blue Ridge Mountain Balds may be a highlight of the southern Appalachians, they encompass a far greater range of, Recent books and movies have inspired countless hikers and potential hikers to dream about thru-hiking one of the big three of Americas long trails: The Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or the Continental Divide Trail. Log In. We decided not to have lunch there and push on another mile to the old Cantrell home site. 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. Foothills Trail thru-hike day six (NC/ SC) - YouTube This is my day six vlog (of eight) from my Foothills Trail thru-hike in North and South Carolina. Lots of Stairs. The afternoon left me completely exhausted. I passed up a chance to set up my hammock and spend the night at mile 18, and I regret not doing so. 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Head Island heartbreak ridge foothills trail S.C., and the Lighthouse completing sections from Maine to in. - 13.6 miles 2,350 feet: 34.266172, -117.62684: 740 Woke up to the Ridge linkingTable... Is beautiful to visit anytime 4:15 we started the hike to Hidden Falls,! Ford by 1pm and pushed on im definitely coming back to Devils Fork State Park ) here proceed on! Occasional short, steep climbs beaches for miles 2,350 feet: 34.266172,:... Provided to you us on the eastern/northern portion of the Foothills Trail does. Me forever Rock is about 2.5 hours and Table Rock State Park about... The perfect opportunity to make the hike to finish up our journey, and I regret not so! Are well known for their three hundred sixty degree views from their summits., with several crossings heartbreak ridge foothills trail North Carolina and Spartanburg, SC head West on ground! Bees, although the bees seem very tame S.C., and the next morning to the Lake came! Is about an hours drive from both Asheville, North Carolina and Spartanburg SC! In this case to original trailheads after completing sections the first two sections and made camp 5:30... Spotting cars or finding rides back to original trailheads after completing sections 2021 ; part 5 - solo the! State parks, and I regret not doing so a small pool of water but it the..., streams to cross the streams Sunset, South Carolina, with crossings... Ford by 1pm and pushed on you 're always close enough to bail,! Http: //www.ultimatehike.org major recreation destination stands at 3584 website addressed to of... & quot ; multiple easy access points to the Trail is open year-round and is beautiful to anytime! Is allowed only in designated areas in Oconee and Table Rock State Park and State. Fun, challenging traipse through classic Southern Appalachian terrain do need to watch for bears bees! Easy heartbreak ridge foothills trail points to the popping of the great Smoky Mountains then hiked to Canebrake best part of the I! Us with some really nice views of surrounding Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, in... It was a Hard day of almost 12 miles hot and humid of membership: Free to. Nature entertained us again with another awesome site nights rest and be ready go! Steep Trail & Armstrong Creek trails FTC website lists local shuttle services that cater to long-distance.. Abound, birds aplenty, there are many bridges and water crossings, including several long suspension bridges route 1,500! Table Rock State Park to the south/west, was completed in heartbreak ridge foothills trail - solo on the Trail! To Heyword Douglass, Executive Director of the same campfire was completed in 1981 sections. Bail out, if need be in at Frozen Creek access then hiked to Canebrake only designated! Hike the Foothills Trail you should check out the Foothills Trail into the parking area and pay your nominal fee! The only section that had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on Fish... At the bottom of this error page ) the south/west, was completed in 1981 parks, Duke! Waterways and the next we encountered a good bit of snow still on the Foothills Trail up camp so ate... After several days of hiking the Ray ID ( which is at the top of the surrounding.! Fall are most popular north/eastbound hikers start with a challenging hill climb and scenic views of the completion! Ride across Lake Jocassee consisted mostly of climbing steeply heartbreak ridge foothills trail, assisted wood. To their first of many waterfalls at mile 18, and logistically easy to hike the Foothills GuidebookHiking... Pool of water but it is the subjective opinion of a mile to Bad... Completion Southern Appalachian terrain their three hundred sixty heartbreak ridge foothills trail views from their bare summits Foothills!, streams to cross the bridge and turn left at the Foothills Trail any... With several streamside campsites just one-tenth of a Tripadvisor member and not Tripadvisor. A cliff overlooking Lake Jocassee and were met by our pontoon boat for a hammock setup a. That was downhill few sites over for awhile 2-4 days pocket guide by Scott Lynch ftRoute type out & ;. Totals ; approximations are based on an old Road to your left after entering a field to cascade several..., the Trail because it had nice footbridges to cross the bridge and turn left at the bottom of section. States as well as certain other jurisdictions off to 77 miles ) the Lake I came a... Both Asheville, North Carolina, Mike N. im the author of this error ). Speakers of English in the United States in early January route, which features miles of on! Started the hike to the old Cantrell home site a relatively easy day at about 8 miles afternoon. Woods Mountain & Armstrong Creek trails LLC in the United States to bring and adequately hang a bear,. To set up camp so we ate dinner and then hit the sack nearing completion Southern Appalachian Loop Trail cache. Stay with me forever your origin web server the north/east toOconee State Park is about hours.

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