South Carolina-Foothills Trail Planning

**swampfox** · 02-18-2019, 12:55

Last year, I posted my planning spreadsheet for the FHT and a GPX file for the trail.
After my 2018 Thru-hike, I updated them both with more camp sites and water sources.
The planning file is an Excel spreadsheet which shows all of the access points, about 30 good campsites, and has point to point mileage between them. All camp sites listed have water in camp or very near by.
The GPX file has all of those points plus many water sources. It includes other trails near the FHT as well. Jones Gap, Chattooga River, Canebrake, etc.
I know, with Spring coming, there will be a lot of people hitting this amazing trail.
I hope this helps with your planning.

I've included this one I found on the Foothills Trail Commission web site.

"NEW campsite on the Foothills Trail –
An Eagle Scout project has resulted in the tremendous improvement of a designated campsite on the Trail ! Heading east from the Thompson River approximately 1.2 miles ( GB mile 3.9* / Map #7 at 3.9 / 12.5 ) is a designated campsite that is 75 ft. to the right of the Trail. The Boy Scout added an in ground grill and two benches, and cleared a large tent site area. In addition, a cistern has been placed in a small stream about 75 – 100 yards before reaching the campsite. A small wooden sign marks the campsite entrance."

**sidneyhornblower** · 02-18-2019, 13:16

Many thanks for all the work in putting this together. Foothills Trail is high up on my list of hikes I want to do. Your work makes my planning/dreaming easier.
Cheers.

**gunner76** · 02-18-2019, 14:57

My son and I are hiking the trail starting 10 March. Thanks for the info.

**TallPaul** · 02-18-2019, 16:15

Thanks Swampfox!

Hitting the trail first week of March so this will be very useful.

**Slugger** · 02-18-2019, 16:40

Wow! Great post. Just added this to my to-do list for the fall. Thanks for all of the info!

**Tacoma96** · 02-18-2019, 19:23

Great job Swampfox, definitely a trail of interest.

**Rockdawg69** · 02-18-2019, 21:12

Thanks. Excellent detail and a lot of work. Appreciate the dedication to the trail.
On my bucket list - maybe this fall.

**swampfox** · 02-19-2019, 10:03

Thank you for all the nice comments guys.
Tall Paul provided me with mile marker waypoints for my GPX file. I have added them to the file and replaced the original with the updated file in the original post.
Full disclaimer... my GPX file says the trail is only 70 miles long, instead of 76.2, I guess due to Garmin taking some shortcuts. Still, the mile markers make it very easy to estimate the distance between points on the map.
What is correct, is the location of camp sites. If the GPX file says a nice camp site is at a coordinate, you will find it there.
The mileages in the spreadsheet are more accurate than the GPX file. I calculated them from the GPS, maps, guides, and signs and made adjustments between access points so the errors did not compile.
I'm looking forward to some awesome trip reports.
Happy hiking.

**Bobo1234** · 02-19-2019, 14:57

A buddy and I just finished our thruhike of the FT at the end of January, it was a gorgeous trail and the new campsite really is the bee's knees. We found it after a 16-mile day of nothing but rain, and having actual benches to rest on/cook on/etc. was a godsend. Highly recommend this trail, and great info!