I’m trying out a long form trip report. We’ll see how it goes.
PART 1: The Route
https://caltopo.com/m/LFRG
This post is meant to inspire those backpackers that dream about trails, mountains, waterfalls and rivers. And those of us that like to look at maps and consider all the possibilities.
I found myself in such a position this past year when I was trying to figure out what trail or trails I wanted to do next. I had a few areas I hadn’t crossed off my list yet - the Foothills trail in SC; the Black Mountain Crest trail near Mt Mitchell; the AT from Winding Stair Gap to Nantahala or Fontana; the AT through GSMNP.
Part of my research lead me back to some loops I had bookmarked but kinda forgot about. There was the old Blue Ridge Outdoors article on Matt Kirks 350 mile Southern Appalachian Loop Trail. And the lesser known High Country Loop Trail by Adam at WACPhotography, which I stumbled across watching a video by Neemor’s World on YouTube and subsequent video by Douglas Hurdle (well done BTW).
Well you can guess what happened next. I started connecting the dots and realized there was route that would cross off a lot of areas I had on my To Do list.
The Southern Appalachian 500 is the name I came up with while hiking part of the route this spring. I had posted another name on HF but it was a mouthful. And I liked how this one sounded a bit like a Nascar race which we’re known for in this parts. Anyway, it’s a 500+ mile route that connects 4 large trails (Foothills, Bartram, Appalachian Trail & the Mountains-to-Sea trail) and a few smaller ones - Chattooga River trail, Black Mountain Crest Trail, Grandfather Mountain trails.
The SA500 route connects many beautiful areas across SC, NC and TN, including
• Beloved Western Carolina areas: Shining Rock; Grandfather Mtn; GSMNP; Foothills Trail; Roan Highlands; Linville Gorge; Mt Mitchell / Black Mountain Crest Trail
• Tallest mountains - Mt Michell (NC highest); Clingmans Dome (TN highest); Rabun Bald (GA 2nd highest) and Sassafras Mountain (SC highest)
• 6000' peaks - the route goes on or near 25 of the 6000' mountains.
• Waterfalls & rivers: excellent river hiking and waterfalls near the Chattooga River trail and Wilson & Steels Creek.
I was pretty excited after coming up with a plan. Early spring had me finalizing gear lists, food options and resupplies, and trying to get in some sort of backpacking shape.
Next up.... (after I write it - ha)....
PART 2: The Foothills and Bartram trails
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