Waterfalls, wilderness areas, wildflowers and epic views… No, I'm not talking about a national park somewhere out west, but our very own Foothills Trail! Backpacker magazine rated it as “one of the best long trails (fifty plus miles) in the country,” and it traverses the Jocassee Gorges, which National Geographic named one of "50 of the World's Last Great Places—Destinations of a Lifetime"… this isn’t just any walk in the park! Well-suited for a through-hike for families looking for a challenge, yet accessible even for the shortest day-trip ramble, the Foothills Trail is rapidly gaining notoriety as one of the premiere trails in the southeast.
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| Map via Foothills Trail Conservancy |
Totaling 77 miles, the trail stretches from Oconee to Table Rock State Park with additional spur trails to numerous waterfalls and Caesars Head State Park. Major trailheads are located at the state parks, as well as US 178, SC 130 and SC 107. You’ll find all this and more on the trail’s website, and the following interactive map has access points, campsites, water sources and other info:
With 77 miles of trail, it can be daunting to choose the
right hike for your family. I’ve put together a guide to help identify shorter
hikes on/near the Foothills Trail and spurs that will take you to points of interest, as well
as give you the info you’ll need to plan your trip: parking, hike difficulty, cost,
etc. The trail is broken down into sections, the numbers corresponding to
the system the Foothills Trail Conservancy uses on their website: “A” denoting
access points and “S” spur trails.
A short history of the Foothills Trail
The push to protect the Appalachian Foothills began in the
1960s, with Clemson University and the US Forest Service (USFS) leading the
way. The first component connecting Oconee to Table Rock was built in Sumter
National Forest by the USFS, and by the early 1970s, the Foothills Trail effort
was gaining momentum. Duke Power offered to build and maintain the central
section of the Foothills Trail during the process of planning the Bad Creek
Hydroelectric project, and in 1974 the Foothills Trail Conference was
established.
The 77-mile trail linking Oconee and Table Rock State Parks
was finished in 1981, and for the last 40 years the Conservancy has promoted
and supported the trail through trail maintenance and developing the Foothills
Trail Guidebook and map. To become a member, please visit the FTC’s website! Join Now – Foothills Trail
Conservancy
The Trail
Table Rock State Park (A1)
Chances are, you’ve been on the Foothills Trail already, as
a portion of this section shares trail with beloved Carrick Creek Trail in
Table Rock. The one mile of
trail that follows Carrick Creek up from the Nature Center has a waterfall,
countless cascades, and a gentle grade with well-maintained trail - perfect
for young children. From there you can keep hiking, although the trail gets
much steeper. A short spur goes up to the summit of Pinnacle Mountain, though all
the views are found along the Foothills Trail: Bald Knob (3.6 miles from Table
Rock) and Drawbar Cliffs (4.6 miles from Table Rock). Both make great
destinations, though be warned they are difficult hikes; less experienced
hikers will want to stick to Carrick Creek!
The easy way out(side): Carrick Creek loop trail
Know before you go: State Park pass required, hikers must
register at kiosk at Nature Center.
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| On the top of Sassafras Mountain |
Sassafras Mountain (A2)
Another spot on the Foothills Trail you may have already
checked out is Sassafras Mountain. Remember, as it’s the highest point in the state, any direction you hike will
be descending from the summit… which means you’ll have to go back up to get to your car!
The easy way out(side): The observation tower and the rock
outcrops located adjacent to the medium-sized parking area guarantee that you
will not have to go far to soak in those views! Remember to bring a picnic to
enjoy at one of the picnic tables.
Know before you go: Parking is free, but the road up can be
closed in the winter for inclement weather; to check on the status, call the
Pickens County Sheriff’s Office at (864) 898-5500.
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| Beech Bottom Falls |
Chimneytop Gap (A3)
Just two miles from the summit, the section of trail from
Chimneytop to the top of Sassafras makes for a nice day hike. Start at the
Chimneytop parking area to get the hard part out of the way first; the views at
the peak will be so much more spectacular as for having earned them with the
climb up!
The easy way out(side): Park at Chimneytop and hike the Beech Bottom Falls trail.
Know before you go: Up until Sassafras the Foothills Trail
has just been passing back and forth into the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources
Area at Jocassee Gorges, but after Chimneytop it heads right into the heart of
the wilderness area. Be prepared for fewer road access points and limited cell
service!
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| Raven Cliff Falls from Naturaland Trust Trail spur |
Caesar's Head Trail: Sassafras (S1) to Caesars Head (S2) spur
The 14.2 miles from Sassafras Mountain to Caesars Head are
strenuous, but the trail borders Greenville watershed property, some of the
most pristine forest in South Carolina. A highlight of this section is Raven Cliff Falls, the tallest waterfall in the state. To reach a viewing platform
across the valley from the falls, hike in from the Caesars Head SP end (use the
Raven Cliff Falls parking area) – the 4-mile in-and-out hike is moderate in
difficulty.
The easy way out(side): Park at the Caesars Head Visitor Center and
walk out to the overlook to get a birds-eye view of the terrain!
Know before you go: State Park pass required, hikers must
register at kiosk. Parking lot fills up fast, plan to get an early start and
have a back-up plan if overflow lot is full.
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| Jumping Off Rock |
Laurel Valley (A4)
The medium-sized parking area on Horsepasture Road serves as
a gateway to the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges, and
marks the last vehicle access point to the Foothills Trail for many miles. A
popular dayhike destination from this trailhead is Virginia Hawkins Falls, an
8.5 round trip, although by driving a bit further on Horespasture Road you can
reach a second trailhead that cuts down the mileage to 2.6 miles in-and-out.
The easy way out(side): Take a slow, scenic drive on Horsepasture
Road, with a stop at Jumping Off Rock to take in one of the most epic views of
the Jocassee Gorges.
Know before you go: Horsepasture Rd. is a primitive road maintained by the SC DNR. It’s open year-round, but allow for extra travel time – the 9 miles to Jumping Off Rock can take around an hour.
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| The Narrows |
Eastatoe Gorge: Laurel Valley (S3) to the Narrows (S4)
A moderate hike of 5.4 miles round trip (with a steep, if
short section that might tend towards strenuous), a Foothills Trail spur takes
hikers into the Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve. This section is characterized
by amazing spring wildflowers and a view of Eastatoe Creek as it funnels
through a narrow rock channel called “the Narrows.”
Know before you go: Park at the Laurel Valley parking area,
not at the gate a little further up the road where the trail enters the forest –
the road there serves as emergency access, and blocking the gate can get you
heavy fines and possibly towed.
Bad Creek Access (A7)
The Bad Creek Hydroelectric Site is a 360 acre
"pump-back" storage facility that pumps water from Lake Jocassee and
stores it until needed for peak energy demands. It has a scenic viewpoint over
Lake Jocassee as well as a public parking area providing access to the
Foothills Trail, the Jocassee Gorges Wildlife Management Area, and Lower
Whitewater Falls.
The easy way out(side): It is 0.7 miles one-way from the parking
area to the Foothills Trail and Whitewater River, a nice destination for those
looking for a short hike with some time by the water. The viewing platform for
Lower Whitewater Falls is a little more of a challenge, 4 miles in-and-out.
Know before you go: There are three boat access points to the
Foothills Trail in the 33 miles from Laurel Valley to Bad Creek Access (Laurel
Fork A5, Canebrake A6 and Horsepasture River) and a 5-mile connector trail
(Cane Brake Trail from Frozen Creek), though no vehicle access save for a few
intersections with 4WD forest roads. This is a popular section for camping,
especially with families and novice hikers looking to get a feel for backpacking.
The Foothills Trail Hiking group on Facebook can be very helpful for planning purposes, with advice from experienced
hikers/campers as well as up-to-date trail conditions. It is very important to
be well-prepared if entering this section, as there is little-to-no cell
service, and you are crossing through the heart of the Jim Timmerman Natural
Resources Area at Jocassee Gorges in addition to Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve,
NC Gorges State Park and the NC Gamelands.
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| Upper Whitewater Falls |
Upper Whitewater Falls (A8)
The NC Hwy 281 Upper Whitewater Overlook parking area proves
access to spectacular views of Upper Whitewater Falls, the highest waterfall
east of the Rockies!
The easy way out(side): A paved, accessible, ¼ mile trail leads to
the upper observation area, then 154 steps further you’ll have reached the
lower observation area. You can continue on to descend to the river – just remember,
you’ll have to climb back up!
Know before you go: A
parking fee of $3 per vehicle goes toward continued improvements of the park.
Please don’t venture off-trail, as deaths and serious injuries have occurred
here!
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| View from Wigington Overlook |
Sloan Bridge (A9)
The 5.5-mile hike from Whitewater to Sloan Bridge is along a
ridge, and has superb views of Jocassee in the winter, but the majority of
visitors are drawn to Sloan Bridge for a picnic at one of the tables, to cool
down in the East Fork of the Chattooga River, or for a short hike to one of the
several waterfalls to the south.
The easy way out(side): After a picnic at Sloan Bridge, drive over
to the nearby Wigington Overlook for a picture-perfect view of Lake Jocassee.
Know before you go: There are no trash receptacles at Sloan
Bridge Picnic Area; remember, if you pack it in, please pack it out!
Fish Hatchery Road (A10)
It’s just 3.3 miles to Sloan Bridge from Fish Hatchery Road,
and with multiple trails in the area, many hikers plan a loop to make a day out
of their visit to this corner of the state.
The easy way out(side): Just a little bit further up the road is
the Walhalla State Fish Hatchery: take a self guided tour, go fishing, have a
picnic, and enjoy the natural beauty of the Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area!
Know before you go: A visit to the Walhalla State Fish
Hatchery is free, but if you want to feed the fish, bring quarters for the fish
food dispensers.
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| King Creek Falls |
Burrell’s Ford (A11)
There is so much to do in this remote corner of the state!
In addition to numerous major waterfalls, Burrell’s Ford offers camping,
fishing and picnicking along the Chattooga Wild & Scenic River. For more on
Burrell’s Ford, see my post King Creek Falls and Burrells Ford.
The easy way out(side): Enjoy a hike to King Creek Falls or
Spoonauger Falls.
Know before you go: Burrell’s Ford is free, but can be
popular on weekends. Get there early for parking and first choice of a
campsite!
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| Chattooga River, as seen from the Foothills Trail |
The Highway 107 access points
Headed south on Highway 107 from Sloan Bridge you’ll pass several access points to the Foothills Trail. However, being small dirt lots that only have room for a handful of cars, we’ve grouped them together for this guide.
Nicholson Ford Access: This access point to the Foothills Trail is also the trailhead for hikes to Licklog and Pigpen Falls. The gravel road can sometimes get a little washed out, if you would rather stay on pavement park at Cheohee Road.
Cheohee Road (A12): Just off Highway 107, Cheohee Road is also known as Winding Stairs Rd. A gravel forest road leads to several popular waterfalls and a Forest Service campground.
Jumping Branch Trailhead (A13): The last access point before entering Oconee State Park!
Oconee State Park (A14)
The southern terminus to the Foothills Trail, Oconee also
serves as a connector to Oconee Station via the Palmetto Trail.
The easy way out(side): Enjoy Oconee State Park! From multiple
hiking trails leading to historic sites, views and waterfalls, to putt putt golf,
boat rentals and a beach – Oconee has got it all!!
Know before you go: State Park pass required, hikers must
register at kiosk at Nature Center
The rest of it!
Hikers who complete all 77 miles of The Foothills Trail—from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park – are eligible for the Peregrine Award, which was started in 2011 in honor of longtime FTC member Heyward Douglass. The word peregrine comes from the Spanish word peregrino, which means pilgrim. It is also the name of one of Heyward’s favorite birds; he was instrumental in the re-introduction of the Peregrine Falcon to the mountains of Upstate South Carolina. For more information, please visit the Foothills Trail website.
Hopefully this guide helps you identify which sections of
the Foothills Trail are closest to your home, and will assist in figuring out
how you can best get your family out on the trail this summer! Please remember
to hike within your comfort and skill level, and always plan ahead – research
the trail, local regulations, weather, hazards, and what to do in an emergency.
Happy hiking!
