If you’re a normal person, you’ll camp at some point and make it a weekend trip. You can buy a map ahead of time, or wait until you get there and scout one out. I am a strong tomato. It was everything I needed. Go see Lower Whitewater falls. Luckily, there are plenty of established campsites along this stretch of trail, with water access and fire rings. The Port Angeles Washington Foothills is a local trail, too short or interesting to be a destination ride, but worth checking out if camping in the area. I wanted an answer, but here I am about to join that chorus….don’t even worry about it. I get to the Whitewater campground and I hear thunder in the distance. Day 7 - 10.90 Miles - From Bear Creek Camp To Toxaway Camp - A long day. Overview of the Foothills Trail The Foothills National Recreation Trail extends 77 miles from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park along the South Carolina/ North Carolina border. The Foothills Trail is a 76-mile (122 km) National Recreation Trail in South and North Carolina, United States, for recreational hiking and backpacking.It extends from Table Rock State Park to Oconee State Park.It passes through the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest, Ellicott Rock Wilderness, Whitewater Falls, and Lake Jocassee. I laid in my hammock and just listened to the birds turn over the show to the owls and crickets and eventually drifted off to sleep. As much as I like to joke otherwise, I know he can take care of himself and he’s just fine when I leave, but I’m more calm knowing everything is okay at home and I feel safer when someone knows where I am. Starting from the Bad Creek Trailhead, a 0.6 mile blue-blazed trail crossed the Whitewater River on a metal bridge to reach the Foothills Trail. The guidebook can be purchased at the Conservancy’s website, the Oconee County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at 105 S Broad Street in Walhalla, or the hiking outfitters in the area. It’s straight up luxurious primitive camping. Everyone is so friendly and so helpful. From there, the itinerary is endlessly customizable, with several access points along the way. 2 miles to the end? This remote primitive campground has 10 sites and is open to tent camping all year. For more information, visit the Foothills Park Towle Campground page or call 650-329-2423. The Foothills Trail. This campground that’s “a mile outside the corridor”…bullshit. Everyone who tells you it’s easy after Whitewater to Oconee is a dirty liar. I’ve worn these shoes on a million hikes. Camping: Towle Camp is a seasonal campground available for tent camping from May 1 to October 31. FOOTHILLS TRAIL MAP SOUTH CAROLINA 75 miles. That will add 6 miles round-trip to your route. The Foothills Trail is a 76-mile (122 km) National Recreation Trail trail in South and North Carolina, United States, for recreational hiking and backpacking. If you’re not sure if you really want to hike the AT, consider the Foothills Trail as a test. I get out of the Whitewater area, I still hear thunder, but no rain. Become a member! Length. And Taz. And thanks to my fellow hikers for being so cool. I am a strong tomato. Duration. Lady Bug Trail Hike along the South Fork of the Kaweah in the upper foothills (moderately steep). I got irrationally angry at a sign that said “Oconee State Park, 2 miles” on it. The Foothills Trail Want to get more involved? It’s one of the reasons I love hiking so much. I hike to the next campsite and stop just for a snack. I continued up and there it was. . Strong. Never a single problem. The first you’ll encounter is about 8 miles from Sassafras Mountain, called the Virginia Hawkins Falls. I’d never heard of the Thompson River, I had no expectations for it—it was just another place to pace how far I’ve gone. While it was snowing in the North Carolina mountains the weekend I went, it never got below freezing on the Foothills Trail. The trail system in Foot Hills State Forest is used for hiking and OHV riding in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. I don’t know you either, but I will never look at Dr. Pepper the same. I’m falling into a routine by this point. 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.A trail corridor linking Table Rock State Park in the north/east to Oconee State Park to the south/west, was completed in 1981. (Spoiler: YES IT WILL). Either way, I sat there and caught my breath for a while. 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. Day two. The trail was very easy to follow and connects up with the foothills trail at a point. One step at a time and next thing I know I’m at the top. So I took off and got through the Whitewater area. It’s a competition with myself. I had visions of it raining all the next day and I convinced myself I’d be better off hiking than sitting and freaking out about weather that I can’t control. The Foothills Trail continues forward to NC HWY-281, but you need to turn right onto the Upper Whitewater Falls Trail. Stretch out the approach by walking 9.1 miles on the Foothills Trail from Table Rock State Park to the summit. I wouldn’t know. There are 3 additional spur trails that will be offered. If you want to train for an upcoming AT attempt, keep the principle of specificity in mind and try a training hike on the Foothills Trail. Once at the top of Pinnacle Mountain, there are signs every half mile following the Foothills Trail down to the parking lot. I headed west on the trail toward Laurel Valley. The birds chirping, wind rustling the leaves, water rushing over rocks. From the campground, cross the river via a footbridge to find the trailhead. It’s such a beautiful view; I just can’t understand the people who rush past me while I’m sitting there eating my M&Ms. Day three, I wake up early, pack up camp, wrap my feet in duct tape, and mentally prepare myself for heartbreak ridge. One particularly good one you can ready by way of the Eastatoe Gorge Spur Trail. I nearly cried. The Foothills Trail Conservancy’s website is a great resource for finding up-to-date trail conditions, but pay careful attention to weather patterns before your hike.