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Post by Jerry E on Oct 26, 2016 17:37:33 GMT -8
I'm planning a 2-night/3-day trip for late November the week of Thanksgiving, and I wanted to see if there were any recommendations. Seems like the weather could go either way that time of year, so I know I may have to play it by ear.
My thought for the Smokies would be Newfound to Davenport Gap on the AT. What are the odds that will be unpleasantly cold along that ridgeline that time of year? Other good suggestions for the Smokies?
At this point I am thinking a section of the Foothills Trail might be the best option that I have never done. What would be the best 3 day section to do that time of year?
I'd love to hear suggestions.
Thanks,
Jerry
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Post by Jerry E on Oct 26, 2016 18:03:26 GMT -8
Don't know anything about it, but I'll check it out. Thanks! 👍
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2016 4:22:07 GMT -8
Jerry E the Foothills Trail has been one of my favorites for years. You can hike as hard or as easy as you want depending on which section(s) you hike. The area down along the Chattooga River is very pretty at all times of year and easy hiking. The Jocassee Gorges section up between the Whitewater and the Toxaway Rivers will give you a nice workout and offers some nice views along the way in the fall/winter when after the leaves have dropped. The section between the Toxaway and Rocky Bottom is nice as well. Between Rocky Bottom and Table Rock you can bag highest point in SC as well (Sassafras Mountain). You wouldn't make the entire trail in two nights but you can easily knock out half of it.
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Post by ashepabst on Oct 27, 2016 6:21:18 GMT -8
it's hard to beat that AT section for Smokies hiking. but yeah... could be brutally cold. and then again, it could be perfect backpacking weather. more than the temps, I'd say the precip forecast is your limiting reactant. 50s, 60s and sunny... awesome. 50s, 60s and steady rain... misery. if you've never done it, I'd say stick with that plan while keeping a plan B in mind in case the weather is sour.
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Post by hikingtiger on Oct 27, 2016 9:18:36 GMT -8
Sipsey Wilderness is nice, but might be too far to drive for the weekend.
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Post by Jerry E on Oct 27, 2016 14:07:48 GMT -8
hikingtiger Sipsey Wilderness is another new one on me. It is a long way, but looks nice. I'll find a way to get there sometime. ashepabst Good point about precip. I have done hikes on both ends of that section, but I have been wanting to do it all together. The nice thing is it is a straightforward hike plan, and I should have no trouble getting a shelter spot last minute. I'll keep an eye on the weather, and that option on the table. @retiredreddog You sold me! I have been getting more interested in doing the entire Foothills Trail sometime, and it sounds like there are some good options for section hikes. I bought a FHT map at REI today, so I can start planning a 3-day trip option. If I don't get it in Nov, then it would be a good early Spring option too. Thanks for the comments!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 27, 2016 17:02:51 GMT -8
Jerry E the one recommendation that I will make is that if you hike the section along the Chattooga, hike the Chattooga Trail from Burrels Ford to the East Fork of the Chattooga. The Chattooga Trail and the Foothills Trail run together from Oconee State Park to Burrels Ford. At Burrels Ford the Foothills Trail heads up away from the river where the Chattooga Trail follows the river. Take Chattooga Trail up to where you meet the East Fork. Follow the East Fork up to the Walhalla Fish Hatchery and pick up the Foothills trail again there. The East Fork is a very nice hike especially between late fall and early spring.
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Post by kevinumberger on Oct 28, 2016 13:29:37 GMT -8
" Follow the East Fork up to the Walhalla Fish Hatchery and pick up the Foothills trail again there."
one thing to keep in mind about this-----you will have a road walk of about a mile----and its steep to rejoin foothills trail....
if you want to stay on trails, but miss a section of the foothills, keep going on the river trail up to sloan bridge and take that over to the parking lot and catch the foothills again........
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Post by Jerry E on Oct 28, 2016 19:25:39 GMT -8
Good info, thanks.
Most all of the FHT is unfamiliar to me. Somehow I just missed it. I'm heading out tomorrow to hike from the Bad Creek access to start getting acquainted...
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Post by kevinumberger on Oct 28, 2016 19:43:08 GMT -8
if you do end up keeping on river trail to sloan bridge------the trail passes by the ellicott rock....... which has historical significance to the area... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellicott%27s_Rocki never found it---but i didnt look hard at all-----i was coming down from sloan bridge and by the time i realized i passed it, i wanted to get a tent up......... |
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Post by Jerry E on Oct 30, 2016 16:02:22 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Oct 31, 2016 3:37:35 GMT -8
Jerry E and kevinumberger, to see Ellicott Rock you have to be down on/in the river. I found it years ago on my second hike to the spot. There is a benchmark on Commissioner's Rock that that is only a few feet from Ellicott Rock. Google Commissioner's Rock and you can get the GPS coordinates for it. Look to the east side bank (trail side) of the river and Ellicot Rock is tucked up on that side.
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Post by kevinumberger on Oct 31, 2016 10:48:04 GMT -8
yeah..
i knew to go down into the water-------but i thought i had further to go and by the time i realized i had passed it, i just wanted to be in camp....
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Post by Jerry E on Nov 11, 2016 9:24:47 GMT -8
Ok, my current thinking is to do the Foothills Trail from the Laurel Valley Access (Hwy 178) to Sloan Bridge (about 38 miles) over 3 days. I haven't yet checked on the availability of water, specific campsite locations, etc. Probably looking at doing this the week of Thanksgiving.
Any thoughts on this are welcome. My first thought was to do from Table Rock Park to Bad Creek Access, but that seemed a bit aggressive without having spent much time before on that trail. I'm joining a FHT trail maintenance day this weekend, so I should run into some people with up to date info on the trail there.
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Post by kevinumberger on Nov 11, 2016 18:30:45 GMT -8
There might be a fire near table rock...
I know the area is getting hit with fires in the General area---and for some reason i seem to believe there is one near table rock..
At this point ---there's so many that it's hard to keep track....
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