Hike the Foothills Trail Spur in SC, May 23-24, 2012

[Rain Man]

Last summer I led hikes on the 76-mile Foothills Trail proper in SC from Oconee State Park to Table Rock SP. Now I plan to lead a hike of the 20-mile spur, from Sassafras Mountain (the highest mountain peak in SC) to Jones Gap SP. The spur is said to offer the best views in the area ... and some of the steepest ascents and descents.

If time runs short or anyone needs to bail out, we'll pass Caesar's Head SP at the 14.5-mile mark.

Link to the Foothills Trail Conference.

Though plans are tentative yet, I plan to drive down from Nashville either (1) early Saturday or (2) late Friday, and hike about 10 miles on Saturday. Then we'll hike another 10 miles (give or take) to the end on Sunday and drive home.

Though the daily mileage is moderate, this is a strenuous hike due to elevation gain and loss, especially in the first four miles.

As things stand now, three hikers from the Nashville Backpacker group on www.meetup.com are signed up for this hike. Anyone here on WB want to tag along?

Or, have any information, hints, suggestions, warnings, concerns, etc., about this stretch of trail?

Rain Man

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[Bati]

I did the same thing, coming back to do this part of the spur by dropping off my spouse then driving to the park to start a cross-over trip. It was the weekend, and the park was full. Because I spoke to one of the park attendants about the situation, I was allowed to cut the line, drive in, park and start hiking with only a short delay. If I'd had to wait for my turn, I never would have made it to the campsite that night. They were only letting one vehicle in when another one came out.

Other than that, nothing special. The park half is crowded, the other 10-mile stretch is lonely (lots of cobwebs on the trail).

[Rain Man]

Because I spoke to one of the park attendants about the situation, I was allowed to cut the line, drive in, park and start hiking with only a short delay. If I'd had to wait for my turn, I never would have made it to the campsite that night. They were only letting one vehicle in when another one came out.

Yeah, I read something about the parking situation at Jones Gap SP, so will be prepared. We are starting on Sassafras Mountain. I probably can arrange local friends to shuttle our vehicle for us, so no crunch on time. But thanks for the heads-up!

Rain Man

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[Rain Man]

Just bumping this thread. Also noticed the Subject line has the wrong month. It's June and NOT May. I'll ask the moderator to fix it.

Also, I've changed the tentative mileage on Saturday to 7:5 miles to an established campsite. The first 4 miles of this hike are said to be the most difficult, so makes sense to reduce the mileage.

Sunday's mileage will be 13.5 to Jones Gap SP.

Anyone interested in joining us? I have 5 experienced local Nashville hikers signed up and plan to limit the group size to 8.

RainMan

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[Rain Man]

Some of you enjoy hike photos, so here is a link to 100 photos I posted from this weekend's hike on the Foothills Spur Trail, from Sassafras Mountain summit to Jones Gap State Park in South Carolina. Enjoy!

Photo Album & Trip Report

It was a great hike! I wish I had photos of the downpour during the brief afternoon thunderstorm. Quite refreshing!

RainMan

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[10-K]

How was the trail? Was it as well maintained as the FHT?

I love the FHT.... adding that little spur on would make it nearly 100 miles.

[Rain Man]

How was the trail? Was it as well maintained as the FHT?

I love the FHT.... adding that little spur on would make it nearly 100 miles.

The whole trail was great and well maintained. Some portions this time needed to be weed-whacked, but at least we didn't run into any poison ivy at all. Amazing, but wonderful.

Yes, 76 miles of "the real trail," plus 20 miles for this spur. That's 96 miles, if my math is correct, not counting all the side trails to waterfalls, which would easily give you an extra 4 miles.

Rain Man

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[rocketsocks]

Some of you enjoy hike photos, so here is a link to 100 photos I posted from this weekend's hike on the Foothills Spur Trail, from Sassafras Mountain summit to Jones Gap State Park in South Carolina. Enjoy!

Photo Album & Trip Report

It was a great hike! I wish I had photos of the downpour during the brief afternoon thunderstorm. Quite refreshing!

RainMan

.

Very nice Rain Man,looks like a good time was had by all,thanks for posting.Those rangers sure have a nice looking house,I like that photo of your friend at the end of the green tunnel,very cool pic,and what a beautiful area.

[Mountain Maiden]

Nice pics! Brings back great memories! Did you eat the chanterelles??

[SassyWindsor]

Last summer I led hikes on the 76-mile Foothills Trail proper in SC from Oconee State Park to Table Rock SP. Now I plan to lead a hike of the 20-mile spur, from Sassafras Mountain (the highest mountain peak in SC) to Jones Gap SP. The spur is said to offer the best views in the area ... and some of the steepest ascents and descents.

If time runs short or anyone needs to bail out, we'll pass Caesar's Head SP at the 14.5-mile mark.

Link to the Foothills Trail Conference.

Though plans are tentative yet, I plan to drive down from Nashville either (1) early Saturday or (2) late Friday, and hike about 10 miles on Saturday. Then we'll hike another 10 miles (give or take) to the end on Sunday and drive home.

Though the daily mileage is moderate, this is a strenuous hike due to elevation gain and loss, especially in the first four miles.

As things stand now, three hikers from the Nashville Backpacker group on www.meetup.com are signed up for this hike. Anyone here on WB want to tag along?

Or, have any information, hints, suggestions, warnings, concerns, etc., about this stretch of trail?

Rain Man

.

It's been 5 or so years ago I hiked the "spur" you speak of. The part from Sassafras to Raven Cliff Falls was grown over and not traveled much at all, the views are just not worth the 8 or so miles of a trail in bad condition. From the falls to Jones Gap, via "Rim or the Gap Trail" and Pinnacle Mtn is well traveled and well worth the hike. The Rim of the Gap Trail is very good and very scenic as are the views into the Gap from (Little) Pinnacle Mtn. I'd spend time hiking these trails around Ceasar's Head/Jones Gap and leave the Raven Cliff Falls / Sassafras Trail for another day.

[Rain Man]

Did you eat the chanterelles??

Apparently not! What are those?

Drove right by your old place on the way home Monday.

RainMan

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[Rain Man]

It's been 5 or so years ago I hiked the "spur" you speak of. The part from Sassafras to Raven Cliff Falls was grown over and not traveled much at all, the views are just not worth the 8 or so miles of a trail in bad condition. ...

Maybe then. Not now.

RainMan

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[SassyWindsor]

Also, if you hike the trail from Raven Cliff to Jones Gap via the river trail that you'll find it bland, with few views. However, very flat and a easy to hike. I've hiked the entire Mountain Wilderness area with all the side trails I could think of, Lower White Water Falls was nice. The last extension of the FHT I hiked was from the Chattooga River at Hwy 28 (GA/SC) to NOC via Bartram Trail and the AT. These are all really nice areas to hike and I highly recommend them.

[Mountain Maiden]

Apparently not! What are those?

Drove right by your old place on the way home Monday.

RainMan

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[Rain Man]

Plainly, I need to learn my 'shrooms!

RainMan

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[Mountain Maiden]

YEP... They are considered CHOICE! Really delicious! (have an 'evil twin' tho'--so be sure of I.D)