Will Hike this in a few weeks. No permits are required, but if you camp in either Oconee or Table Rock state parks, there is a fee. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. is a wealth of information regarding the trail. Marcy Beard - 69:43 - FKT!!! Those who have hiked the trail have had the best experience by setting aside 6-7 full days because there is so much to see and do along the way. His thirty years of connection with the Trail and eight thru-hikes gives him insight as to what it takes to be successful on the Trail. 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. Plan on spending 4-7 days on a well-designed, well-maintained, well-marked trail through some gorgeous, yet challenging terrain. This subreddit is for hikers to learn about and discuss trails in NC. The FT has a broad hiking time frame window making it possible to hike this trail almost year round. This subreddit is for hikers to learn about and discuss trails in NC. Finished: January 01, 2021. 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 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 … Home ... Hilliard Falls, named after one of the early promoters of the Foothills Trail: I arrived at Lake Jocassee to discover it had drained out of a large area at the entrance of the Toxaway River! If you’re an experienced hiker who likes to push miles you can conquer it in a long weekend like I did. Heyward Douglass, Executive Director of the Foothills Trail Conservancy, will discuss the how, what, and where of planning and accomplishing a thru-hike of the Foothills Trail. My goal will be to complete it in 3 days (about 26 miles a day). 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. Park at the Birdsong Nature Preserve on Jewett Holmwood Road. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The Foothills Trail is a great hike for a number of reasons. A trail corridor linking Table Rock State Park in the north/east to Oconee State Park to the south/west, was completed in 1981. Celebrating 46 Years of the Foothills Trail Over 2,481 volunteer hours in 2020 Planning a hike? 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. November 26, 2014. The Foothills Trail is a dream for section hikers. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. By noon that day, dozens of hikers, a few runners and several families walked near some of the park's most visible areas, including Boronda Lake, which is near various trailheads. I was thrilled to do this hike with my friend Susan (“Rewind”) who you might remember I started the PCT with (check out her blog here ). I think this is a good thing in some ways. (76 miles, 5-6 days) Between Sassafras Mountain (at 3,554 feet the highest point in South Carolina) and Lake Jocassee, the Foothills Trail enters a mountainous realm containing one of the Easts densest black bear populations. The Foothills Trail in South Carolina and North Carolina is a National Recreation Trail. A footbridge across the Horsepasture River on the Foothills Trail. Foothills Trail Journal Checking Off The List. It is my favorite trail for many of the reasons you noted. Finish Your First Thru-Hike On These 50-Mile Trails. See bears, gorges, and waterfalls on this 77-mile South Carolina hike. Foothills Trail (thru hike) --> Bartram Trail (thru hike) --> Appalachian Trail --> Great Smoky Mountains National Park This will close out 2020. The conditions are much the same although one caveat is the FT has no shelters. This trail is comparable to the Appalachian Trail and a great warm up trail for anyone looking to practice for an AT thru hike. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. I have heard great things about the Foothills Trail! Come with Joe, Matt, Will and Steph of ZPacks as we thru hike the Foothills Trail in the Carolinas. Often one can hike for an entire day and not encounter another person. Started: December 26, 2020. Before you hike, check out our store for maps and other resources. Foothills Trail Hike Info. Finish Your First Thru-Hike On These 50-Mile Trails. Although mostly well-built and -maintained, as of October 2018 there were quite a few blowdowns, including a couple that force hikers into significant bushwhacking and route-finding back to the trail. On a clear day you can see Louisville as you tackle the 20,000 total feet of elevation change on this trail. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. A bear canister is probably overkill. alltrails.com. Over 100 bridges and thousands of steps, the Foothills Trail crosses dozens of rivers and creeks, with incredible views of the lower Appalachian mountains and Lake Jocassee. The Foothills Trail, though steep in places, is not especially rugged, so trail runners are more than adequate. 50-Mile Thru-Hikes: Resurrection Pass Trail, AK. Explore the history of Wilkeson and Carbonado, hiking on the former railroad line connecting the two, now part of the Foothills Trail, passing spectacular scenery enroute and having lunch at the historic and popular Carbonado Saloon, with the option of a free breakfast at Auburn's Sunbreak Cafe for early arrivers. The FTC website lists shuttle services that cater to long-distance hikers. Living in Greenville, the FHT is just a few miles away. The Foothills Trail is a little easier in the distance category but a little tougher in the logistics category because it’s point to point and a shuttle or car-spotting is required. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. 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. Foothills Trail thru hike Looking for info on the Foothills trail. Thru-Hiking the Foothills Trail. Waterfalls, such as Upper and Lower Whitewater Falls which are two of the highest waterfalls in the eastern US, Beautiful overlooks of Lake Jocasssee as well as hiking along the lake itself. Length 72.3 miElevation gain 13979 ftRoute type Point to point 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. The FT has a broad hiking time frame window making it possible to hike this trail almost year round. Contact Us. Go to “Join Now” to join for the first time or to renew your membership. 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 America’s long trails: The Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, or the Continental Divide Trail. Reminiscent of the Trail, hikeable even in winter you hike, check out page... Cascade with several streamside campsites just one-tenth of a thru-hike, but they 're hikeable a. Conquer it in a week broad hiking time frame window making it possible to hike Trail. Made it to my last night Trail runs slightly northeast-southwest in far western Carolina! Western South Carolina in Oconee State Park to the top hike for someone planning to the! 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