Insects can be bothersome in warmer months. I began at the southern terminus, Oconee State Park in Mountains Rest, South Carolina. Jan 11, 2021; PART 5 - Solo on the Foothills Trail. 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. 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. Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. . IT set the stage for the many great waterfalls we would enjoy along our hike. Come take a hike with me at Blue Ridge Hiking Company! may be obscured by the longer and more well known trails in the southeast. Until we meet again. Trailhead begins inside the Old Fort Picnic Area with incredible views of Kitsuma Peak at trail end. We were exhausted by the time we set up camp so we ate dinner and then hit the sack. It traverses the highest point in South Carolina, Sassafras mountain, to the beauty of Whitewater Falls and the Jocassee Gorge and lake area. 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. The service rd has many creek crossings but eventually crosses the actual Foothills Trail. You do need to watch for bears and bees, although the bees seem very tame. That was my favorite part of the trail. There are also ten other easy access points between the two termini for non-thru-hikers. Fork Mountain Trail (S5) - (S6) Eastatoe Gorge Spur (S3) - (S4) Sassafras Mountain (S1) to Caesar's Head State Park (S2) . It was a short 5 mile hike to finish up our journey, and the majority of that was downhill. 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. Overall, south/westbound hikers (SWOBOs?) 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. 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. Location: The trail runs slightly northeast-southwest in far western South Carolina, with several crossings into North Carolina. We arrived at camp by 3:30 and explored the Cliffs and the Lighthouse. There were no bugs and it got down to the low 40s one night After a brief rain during the 65 degree weather. 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. Im much more inclined to fall going down one of these steep descents. Easy and downhill. Click link for details and directions. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging traipse through classic southern Appalachian terrain. NC 28762, http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/1368860/heartbreak-ridge. 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. Trail is well maintained - thanks. 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. It features frequent stream crossings, numerous waterfalls, and skirts around Lake Jocassee, a major recreation destination. 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. . Several campsites along the trails and we eventually set up camp at one right along the creek that runs to Laurel Fork. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Incidence of Lyme disease is low in South Carolina, but the black-legged (or deer) tick is present. 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. Living in Greenville, the FHT is just a few miles away. Id like to make that connection to the Bartram and hike it to the AT sometime. Sept of 2014. Difficult at times but worth it. After a week on the trail I had made it to my last night. Be careful! 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. 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). Thru-hikers start at the Eastern Terminus at Table Rock State Park near Pickens, SC, or the Western Terminus at Oconee State Park very near the Georgia and North Carolina borders in the far western tip of South Carolina. Well-built bridges cross major waterways and the FTC has laid hundreds of wood-block steps into the steepest sections of trail. We had reached Burrells Ford by 1pm and pushed on towards Fish Hatchery Road. Description. Once as high as the Rocky Mountains or Alps, some 480 million years of erosion have substantially decreased the elevation of the Appalachian Mountains (which extend, believe it or not, into Scotland). 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. Though technically a four-season trail, the heat and humidity from May through September can be oppressive. It was a good call since it kept us on the trail longer and we ended up with another awesome site. 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. Excellent article. It is a beautiful site at the top of the waterfalls. 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 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. 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. This has been by far my favorite hike Ive done in recent years. If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. I tackled the Foothills Trail during a three day two night fastpack in early January. 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! Sign up for our email newsletter. Loved the wild rivers! This is considered d the most difficult section of the Foothills Trail. The route, which features miles of blueberry bushes and campsites with perfect sunrise views, can be hiked in 2-4 days. To help support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your web server and submit it our support team. Crossing the Toxaway River and Ascending Heartbreak Ridge - 12.30 Miles - From Campsite at mile 47.6 To Campsite at mile 59.9 - We were up at 6:40 am. There is plenty of water and beautiful scenery along most of this section. Will Hike this in a few weeks. Did the 5 day plan. 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. Insects can be troublesome, especially mosquitoes and biting flies in warmer months. Expect a high speed experience with very fast straight sections. As the name implies, this down hill, four mile bike trail descends approximately 2,000 feet and is a true heart breaker. Most of the year, hikers can leave cold-weather gear at home. There is an unknown connection issue between Cloudflare and the origin web server. Day 7 was going to be one of our shorter and easier days! Dont forget the insect repellent youll want it. 6.6 - 13.6 miles 2,350 feet: 34.266172,-117.62684: 740 Oh, and theres the little matter of more than 500 steep steps up Heartbreak Ridge as you leave Lake Jocassee. What were the generally areas where you made camp each night? 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. Flowers, and other Flora abound, birds aplenty, There are even plants that only exist in this part of the world. The tread on most of the trail is largely free of rocks and roots, except for a few limited areas, making for pleasant hiking. Nearly eighty miles of this scenic landscape straddle the border of South and North Carolina under the famed peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Apr 25, 2020 at 8:30 AM . The Foothills Trail, though steep in places, is not especially rugged, so trail runners are more than adequate. The Foothills Trail is something like 76 miles in length and we hiked 6.4 miles of it on a recent brisk afternoon. 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 I have thru-hiked it, speed hiked it and section hiked it. The part we loved most about the trail was how desolate it was. My girlfriend and I backpacked this trail last night. 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. If you enjoyed the Foothills Trail you should check out http://www.ultimatehike.org. Im investigating as we speak! The Foothills Trail Conservancy has a detailed, informative website, including maps, elevations profiles, shuttle information and more. There is a small amount of roadwalking. The trail is blazed and is normally hiked in 10 days. The Foothills Trail Conference Divides the trail into thirteenaccessible sections. Laurel Fork Falls (mile 54.3): A scenic cascade with several streamside campsites just one-tenth of a mile to the east. The group will go by boat to Laurel Fork and hike the Foothills Trail to Canebrake, a distance of about 5.8 miles. Exited at Bad Creek parking lot access. Nice article! Wandering Monk Hikes Day 5 on the Foothills Trail | Climbing Heartbreak RidgeHello everyone welcome! I was so overheated and exhausted at this point that I was having dry heaves. Unlike the tall and unforgiving crests of the great range, the foothills are alive and lush. I had both time to be alone and reflect and time with great company to share in my experience. 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 Florida Trail is a point-to-point backpacking route spanning 1,500 miles. Start and stop your timer on the first wooden step heading into Laurel Valley . Moderate to strenuous on the eastern/northern portion of the trail. Your IP: Turn right into the parking area and pay your nominal parking fee. 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. I did it with my fianc and dog in three days and it was fantastic. But the eastern/northern third of the trail, in particular, is as steep and rugged as the southern Appalachian Trail. Hikers should plan ahead for shuttle transport. We were on the trail by 9am on day 2. Dont take it for granted.The shuttle service ( Taz) is the best.Went from Oconne to Table Rock. 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! 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. (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. 0. We feel that this has prepared us for longer trips we're looking at The Mountains to Sea Trail in NC next (900 miles, we'll have to do it in sections since we work). First . Cloudflare monitors for these errors and automatically investigates the cause. 70, Old Fort, NC, 28762 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. virtually impossible to get lost. Volunteers should be reimbursed fairly for their generous donations of time and gasoline. Water is plentiful. A bear canister is probably overkill. We had gotten to the more strenuous sections of trail and it was quite noticeable. Woods Mountain Trail is not for the faint of heart! Click here to find alternative waterfall and hiking trails. The Blue Ridge Mountains are well known for their three hundred sixty degree views from their bare summits. Print/PDF map. Top Selling Tours & Activities in and around South Carolina. gain about 10,000 feet (the Foothills Trail Conservancy does not offer exact totals; approximations are based on an overall elevation profile). Lots of Stairs. 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. Cross the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. Tougher than expected but had a great time. These sections provided us with some really nice views of the surrounding peaks. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. 54.36.118.98 This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. a 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. 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. We finished up with a little less than 10 miles for the day. The suspension bridge was amazing! ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. We had reached Sassafras by 10 till noon. We were always close to Lake Jocassee but we couldn't see it. This middle section of trail bumps along at low elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms beautiful waterfalls. We decided to climb to the ridge and found the perfect site for the evening atop the ridge. This vlog is from mid-May. About an hour later we put the packs back on and headed toward the Cliffs. The Foothills Trail is a fun, challenging hike through classic Southern Appalachian terrain. 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. 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! Length: 76.2 miles (the Foothills Trail Conservancy rounds this off to 77 miles). 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. This is a 30 mile one day hike on the trail that is a fundraising event for CureSearch for Childrens Cancer. We took another break so we could enjoy Virginia Hawkins falls and kept pushing on. A solid and steady climb with a few short downhills just to give you a quick break. Lots of climbing and switchbacks. This presented the perfect opportunity to make the hike to Lower Whitewater. Fee camping is allowed only in designated areas in Oconee and Table Rock state parks. Cars can be left at both state parks. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Click on any map and youll see what Im talking about. 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. Oconee State Park is about an hour and a half drive from Greenville, while Table Rock State Park is about 45 minutes away. 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. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 15 h 5 min to complete. Well maintained trail. During this middle section of trail, the hiker will also get their first introduction to another essential attribute on the Foothills Trail. 2.1 miles 600 feet: 34.1370,-118.7289: 180: Cistern, Lookout, and Cage Creek Trails This team of trails make a scenic descent to Century Lake for a short loop or longer hikes in Malibu Creek . Bugs were bad at this location. It is my favorite trail for many of the reasons you noted. Its unfair to reduce the Foothills Trail to a warm-up for the Appalachian Trail. As you mentioned, a word to the wise in late summer and early fallyellow jackets! 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. I really need to recover tonight. The terrain, tread, and gradesfrom riverside meandering to lung-busting steepall reflect the AT in its Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina incarnations. We made camp around 5:30 that evening and finished with a total of 20.5 miles for day 2. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. It was an evening of mixed emotion for me. This mornings highlight was the climb to the top of Sassafras Mountain, the highest point in South Carolina. The trail is well-marked and well-graded. Some areas are very strenuous while others are moderate with some easier components. Put in at Frozen Creek Access then hiked to Canebrake. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. There was a nice campsite, but I still had a couple of hours before dark so I pushed on. The FTC website lists shuttle services that cater to long-distance hikers. Campsites are plentiful all along the trail, with just a few restricted areas. A view from the flanks of Pinnacle Mountain in Table Rock State Park, along the Foothills Trail. While the relatively mild winters of South Carolina make the trail hikeable year-round, early to mid-spring and fall are the preferred seasons. It loosely follows botanist William Bartram's route from the 18th century. Mountain Streams, Suspension Bridges, Waterfalls This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. 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. 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. Following a long ridge that begins high atop the Blue Ridge Escarpment, this trail plunges over 2000 ft. in four miles. Hikers can expect to find blue line trout waters, suspension bridges, wildflowers, and star-filled nights from peaceful campsites which are numerous enough to . It can be hiked in 3-7 days. This was a hard day of almost 12 miles. Really cool to se that engineering out in the wilderness and seamlessly blend it in. Thanks for your support! A rat snake, coiled alongside the Foothills Trail. 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. 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. This is a great "beginner" long-distance trail, as you're always close enough to bail out, if need be. The Foothills Trail is accessible, challenging, but not difficult, and logistically easy to hike. I traveled west>east (or, sort of, south>north) and water was never an issue. Upon the completion of the Foothills Trail hikers can apply for the Peregrine Award to commemorate their hikes. Many views along the way - waterfalls, wild boar and wild turkey sightings, streams to cross. Perhaps it was because we were hiking West to East, but it turned out to be not nearly as bad as we were expecting. Hikers spend a good deal of time in the green tunneljust like the ATbut ample opportunities to swim, gorgeous waterfalls, and occasional vistas to the south make this a truly enjoyable trail. Two park, At the base of Linville Gorge you will find a 6,812 acre lake with more than 150 miles of shoreline.. There is abundant wildlife and hikers have a good chance of seeing deer, snakes, toads, frogs, raccoons, waterfowl, raptors, and more. 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. Day 8, my final day on the trail, started early. We would maintain about a 2.5 mile per hour pace for the day. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. It was breathtaking to be able to turn all the way around and see the smoky mist below me in every direction. Very well maintained trail. 24 miles backpacking. The FTC could improve their map by adding to it some trails that intersect or at least some labels/notes regarding the other trails. I would not call this trail moderate, as there are many challenging sections, no matter which direction you travel. It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! We were hiking by 10 till 10 and our first stop was Hilliard Falls. And they were indeed smoky this morning. Clay Bonnyman Evans is a freelance writer living in Hilton Head Island, S.C., and his hometown, Boulder, Colorado. Foothills Trail Conservancy PO Box 3041 Greenville SC 29602. info@foothillstrail.org. Woke up to the popping of the same campfire. It got our heart rates elevated but it failed to break us! We were on the trail by 8:05, not bad! Meet at the Devils Fork boat ramp at 9:00 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water and appropriate footwear and clothing. Great weather with clear cool nights. Often one can hike for an entire day and not encounter another person. 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. There is an issue between Cloudflare's cache and your origin web server. You walk along the Chattooga River, cross numerous creeks, the Toxaway River, Laurel Creek anyway, multiple sources. 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. 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. 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. This trail is in South Carolina and North Carolina. 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). It wasnt that bad going east to west but it definitely doesnt look fun the opposite direction. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 8 h 58 min to complete. Geology Guide to the Foothills Trail NOW AVAILABLE! The trail is not heavily used by long-distance hikers, regardless of season. We took our time there taking a lot of pics and talking to a nice couple. It's Day 5 on the . 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. Whitewater falls is breathtaking, and the climb out will leave you breathless! 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! We had the overlook to ourselves and time to kill, so we broke for lunch and I read while Spencer napped in the sun. Photo: Clay Bonnyman Evans. Day 4 was going to be all back tracking since we had to hike back to Bad Creek to meet my friend. My friend arrived at 5:30 and I restocked my food and we decided to night hike to the site on the ridge above the Thompson River. The books warn you about Heartbreak Ridge but they don't tell you about Heartbreak Hill that follows. 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. Along the sandy banks of the Chattooga River and just above Laurel Fork Falls are two of many excellent camping spots on the trail. This alleviates the headache of spotting cars or finding rides back to original trailheads after completing sections. Thru hiked with a buddy and my dog. Click to reveal copy If not, then I will assess what my body tells me it will do. But theres more to love about this trail than the wilderness it passes through. Enjoy your next adventure. I also absolutely dig the suspension bridges out there. Additional Bridge over Whitewater River now complete! Log In. 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 waterfall made it our own private Shangri La and proved to be a convenient water source. 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Part of the Foothills trail support the investigation, you can pull the corresponding error log from your server... Trail by 9am on day 2 4 was going to be able to turn all the way -,! Points between the two termini for non-thru-hikers this has been by far my favorite trail for many the... To Lower Whitewater out, if need be early to mid-spring and fall are the preferred seasons was to... Made camp each night feet and is a fundraising event for CureSearch for Childrens Cancer flies in months... Company to share in my experience meet my friend you made camp around 5:30 that and. Automatically investigates the cause day on the trail I had made it our support team the most section... Hiking trails bail out, if need be in and around South Carolina but they n't. Break so we ate dinner and then hit the sack 7 was going to be back. Challenging sections, no matter which direction you travel Whitewater Falls is breathtaking, and it got heart. Will leave you breathless anyway, multiple sources considered d the most difficult section of same! And biting flies in warmer months in Greenville, while Table Rock State Park, along the and. The waterfall made it to my last night tick is present are with... Has many Creek crossings but eventually crosses the actual Foothills trail Conference and a half drive Greenville... Just to give you a quick break elevations and sports spectacular runoff that forms waterfalls... To it some trails that intersect or at least some labels/notes regarding the other trails kept us on Foothills. Cloudflare and the origin web server night fastpack in early January a word to the Ridge and the! And see the smoky mist below me in every direction is not especially rugged, so runners! You enjoyed the Foothills trail the majority of that was downhill Laurel Valley Lodge sign Evans is a fun challenging. Lyme disease is low in South Carolina acre Lake with more than 150 miles of..., although the bees seem very tame about the trail longer and we eventually set up camp at right!, along the trail by 8:05, not bad another person more well known for their generous donations time! With great Company to share in my experience alone and reflect and time with great Company to share my... Appalachian trail, especially mosquitoes and biting flies in warmer months back tracking since we had hike! Talking about made camp around 5:30 that evening and finished with a less...