View Full Version : Foothills Trail Section hikes Suggestions
jrabbott
02-04-2013, 23:14
Looking for a 3 day 2 night section hike on the FHT Thanks!
chiefduffy
02-05-2013, 06:40
Whitewater falls to Laurel Valley. Beautiful!!! Occonnee SP to WhiteWater falls will work too, if you are looking for a milder hike.
pcasebere
02-05-2013, 11:43
I really liked the the first couple of days from OSP to TRSP.. because of the amount of water, now mind you since it is winter, I think the boulders up top from TRSP would be pretty magical. I've got some 400+ pictures from my hike in late-September at https://plus.google.com/photos/106383228549622615152/albums/5797321062015215329.
Looking for a 3 day 2 night section hike on the FHT Thanks!
There are really no bad, as far as scenery is concerned, stretches of about 3 days on the entire FHT. It's a trail that offers a good amt of variety keeping you constantly engaged in the hike. The FHT, without any significant mileage side hikes or extensions, like to Ceasars Head SP or taking the Fork Mnt Trail to the Chatooga River, is only 76 miles.
What are you anticipating for MPD? Like state high pts, river trail hiking, waterfalls, deep green lush largely unspoiled or re-established gorges, apparatus(ladders, bridges over rumbling rivers, stairs), plants, far reaching views, occasional old log road walking? Pick what's most appealing to you.
Assuming that you have transportation, start at Bad Creek Access and go either South to Oconee State Park or North to Table Rock State Park. Then, the next time you have three days, start again at Bad Creek and go the opposite way.
jrabbott
02-06-2013, 16:33
Assuming that you have transportation, start at Bad Creek Access and go either South to Oconee State Park or North to Table Rock State Park. Then, the next time you have three days, start again at Bad Creek and go the opposite way.
Is that about the midway point? The parking is great at Bad Creek..............just wonder if we should get out at 178 heading towards TRSP from bad Creek.
jrabbott
02-06-2013, 16:35
There are really no bad, as far as scenery is concerned, stretches of about 3 days on the entire FHT. It's a trail that offers a good amt of variety keeping you constantly engaged in the hike. The FHT, without any significant mileage side hikes or extensions, like to Ceasars Head SP or taking the Fork Mnt Trail to the Chatooga River, is only 76 miles.
What are you anticipating for MPD? Like state high pts, river trail hiking, waterfalls, deep green lush largely unspoiled or re-established gorges, apparatus(ladders, bridges over rumbling rivers, stairs), plants, far reaching views, occasional old log road walking? Pick what's most appealing to you.
Well, I dont want anything too strenuous since I will have tag alongs!! Prob 30 miles at most for 3 days of hiking
It is further from Bad Creek northward to Table Rock than it is southward. Depending on how fast you hike, you could end at 178 at the Laurel Valley Parking area. Or you could go a little further and end on top of Sassafras Mountain.
jrabbott
02-06-2013, 22:42
It is further from Bad Creek northward to Table Rock than it is southward. Depending on how fast you hike, you could end at 178 at the Laurel Valley Parking area. Or you could go a little further and end on top of Sassafras Mountain.
So Hiking towards Oconee SP would be easier than hiking to 178?
If by easier you mean elevation, then yes because once you reach the Chattooga, it's fairly easy hiking. Your "tag alongs" might like the river scenery, too. There are two really good campsites going towards Oconee -- one is at Burrell's Ford which is a pretty long first day haul for the winter daylight hours. If your tag alongs are, well tag alongs, then you might start, instead of Bad Creek, at Upper Whitewater Falls - just across the NC line and you can park there. This will eliminate the strenous climb out of Bad Creek to Whitewater Falls and give you two and half extra hours of daylight. For your second day, you can linger a while around Burrell's Ford if you like because the hike is easier along the river and there is a good place to camp the second night around Lick Log Creek. There are several campsites spread out there. Then, next morning you can hike leisurely for 3 or so hours into Oconee. You are still going to want to come back one day and hike the north section. The diversity along the FHT is amazing for a trail that is only 76 or so miles; there is really no bad place to jump in.
jrabbott
02-07-2013, 10:29
If by easier you mean elevation, then yes because once you reach the Chattooga, it's fairly easy hiking. Your "tag alongs" might like the river scenery, too. There are two really good campsites going towards Oconee -- one is at Burrell's Ford which is a pretty long first day haul for the winter daylight hours. If your tag alongs are, well tag alongs, then you might start, instead of Bad Creek, at Upper Whitewater Falls - just across the NC line and you can park there. This will eliminate the strenous climb out of Bad Creek to Whitewater Falls and give you two and half extra hours of daylight. For your second day, you can linger a while around Burrell's Ford if you like because the hike is easier along the river and there is a good place to camp the second night around Lick Log Creek. There are several campsites spread out there. Then, next morning you can hike leisurely for 3 or so hours into Oconee. You are still going to want to come back one day and hike the north section. The diversity along the FHT is amazing for a trail that is only 76 or so miles; there is really no bad place to jump in.
Thanks!!!!!!!! That sounds like a great plan!!