SC-Foothills Trail Planning 2020

[swampfox]

With spring not too far away, I have had a few requests for my Foothills Trail Planning file.
It has been updated since I posted it last year. The Foothills Trail Hiker and his band of merry men and women have done a phenomenal job of upgrading camp sites. My latest file has those sites noted in the comments. I also renamed a lot of the sites to match the names used by the FHT. I hope this helps in your planning of this amazing trail.

Also, as part of planning, you should have a Plan B, in case things don't work out.

If you need to get out unexpectedly, boat shuttle services can drop you off or pick you up at three locations,
Horsepasture River
Canebrake boat access near the Toxaway River
Boat Access at the bottom of Laurel Fork Falls.

Take these numbers down and put them in your phone.
Give them to your emergency contact.
If you have a Satellite Communicator, like an InReach, you could contact someone that can arrange your rescue.

Commercial Shuttles:
Jocassee Lake Tours and Shuttle Service in Salem, SC, is run by Brooks and Kay Wade, who are members of the FTC. They offer hiking and kayaking shuttles, boat tours, and more. Contact them by phone at 864-280-5501 or email at [email protected].

Jocassee Outdoor Center (formerly Hoyetts Grocery) in Salem, SC, provides a boat shuttle across Lake Jocassee or a car shuttle. Contact them at 864-944-9016.

Expedition Carolina is a kayak tour company on Lake Jocassee that offers lake and car shuttle services to the Foothills Trail for hiking or paddling. Please contact them at 864-884-1594 or [email protected].

You can find to volunteer shuttles here.
Again, I would put these numbers in my phone or InReach
https://foothillstrail.org/shuttle-service/


There are several places on the FHT that you can get some cell service.

Fish Hatchery Road is the first place I know of going Eastbound.

Toxaway River- sometimes it works in camp, sometimes, I have to walk to the middle of the Toxaway Creek bridge.

Between Heartbreak Ridge and Laurel Fork Falls, you will walk along a high ridgeline. You can post pictures to the Hammock Forum from that ridge.

Campsites at the top of Laurel Fork Falls. Might have to stand in the middle of the bridge.

I’m sure there are others but this is my experience with Verizon.
YMMV.

Happy Hiking,

Swampfox

[Cabmanhang]

Thanks Swampfox. Your updated planning spreadsheets are like gold!

[TallPaul]

Thanks for all this Swampfox.
It was great help during my hike.

[Recalc]

Thank you for the excellent information Swampfox. This trail is definitely under my radar.

I would like to do an Yo-Yo (out & back) hike, since FHT is a long way from Kansas. Is there a business or place proximate to one of the trail ends that I could mail a food package to?

[swampfox]

The eastern end of the trail is Table Rock State Park and the western end is Oconee State Park. I would check with them. The rangers might be able to help you.


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