Foothills Trail Labor Day weekend

[jbone]

I am planning on hiking a section of the FHT over Labor Day weekend as a 2-nighter. I am looking for some tips on a good 20+ mi section that would be both good for views and easy access to a trailhead at both ends. I have been to the FHT website and will likely arrange a shuttle through them, but would be willing to hike with a partner if anyone is interested. Only other condition is that I am back in the Atlanta area by 8 pm Monday to watch the Tennessee game! :sun

Thanks in advance for any info and advice! :)

[Tennessee Viking]

I would suggest visiting Caesars Head if you have time. Raven Cliff falls is one of the largest falls in the area. Its just a short mile and half to the overlook.

[Tenderheart]

The Foothills Trail is a bit of an oddity. If you begin at Table Rock State Park, it is about 17 miles to US 178 near Rosman. This section is the most difficult but has good views. From here, it is roughly 30 miles to the Bad Creek access, and there is nothing in between but wilderness. The terrain is challenging as you climb in and out of 4 major river gorges that feed Lake Jocassee. From Bad Creek, the terrain becomes much "less Hard" because you enter the Chattooga River corridor. The trail is much easier on to Oconee State Park on US 107. I guess you must decide which type of views you desire, and what terrain. For my money, I would do the wilderness between US 178 at Laurel Valley and Bad Creek access on NC 280 just before Whitewater Falls. I'm not sure about this highway number, but I think it's correct. I hope this helps. This trail is in my backyard, so to speak. If you need more info, please contact me.

litefoot 2000

[Summit]

I did the entire trail in April. I would suggest opting for close proximity to lots of water over the Labor Day weekend - hot! Contact Heyward Douglass (864) 888-8866 who is listed on the FHT Conference website. He is a former chairman and today organizes trail maintenance volunteer crews. He knows the trail, the conditions of the sections, and can give you some good advice. He shuttled me from Table Rock to Oconee SP and is a heck of a nice guy!

The Table Rock end of the trail is 'high and dry,' lots of views but little water. Between Laurel Falls and Whitewater Falls is the prettiest section, followed by the Chattooga River section close to Oconee. Lots of water in both of those sections and I've got a feeling you'll want to be jumping in often! ;)

[Nearly Normal]

Oconee State Park is a very good place to leave your auto and clean up.
Get a shuttle to the Fish Hatchery. Hike the hatchery trail that follows the East Fork Creek down the mountain to the Chattooga River. Hang a left.
Follow the river downstream. This will give you about 11 miles of hiking by exciting water. Continue on the Foothills trail to the Park.
Fairly easy hiking. This should be around 22 miles.
This is a pretty good place to explore around and could be stretched to a 2 nighter easy. No crowds during the week but on the weekends this is probably the busiest section of the trail.
PM for details on campsites, falls, landmarks, accesses.....
This a very good place for a 3-5 day backpacking/trout fishing trip.
Very good guide and map available at the park.
Shuttle info can be found on the FTC site.

[khanti]

I hiked the entire trail in March of this year, and I'd have to agree with litefoot. If you can do 30-35 miles, that section is amazing. Great views, great waterfalls (Laurel Fork, Hilliard, Lower Whitewater, etc), Lake Jocassee and moderately challenging hiking. When we were there, we hiked the river gorges into Jocassee during the thunderstorms that spawned tornadoes in Georgia (even Atlanta) and all over SC. Of course, having been on the trail for 4-5 days already we had no idea it was anything other than particularly bad t-storms. It was fun (in hindsight) trying to time going over the ridges between bouts of lightning.

If you do this section, don't forget to drop by Whitewater falls as well, or even hike up the river from Bad Creek Access, as it is one continuous cascade/rapid down the valley. Beautiful.

[jbone]

Thanks everyone for the great replies, and advice. I actually learned the GATC has an outing in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness the same weekend, and I am going to tag-along with them. Will have to revisit the FHT in the winter when the views are less obstructed.

Thanks- Jason