My Favorite Thru Hike Under 100 Miles - Foothills Trail

Описание: The Foothills Trail is roughly 77 miles and is one of the best thru hikes in the United States. It travels through South Carolina and Western North Carolina, starting at Oconee State Park, and finishing at Table Rock State Park. There are many incredible rivers along the way, big vistas of valleys below, endless waterfalls, beautiful bridges, fun places to camp, and lakes to swim in. This is as good as east coast hiking can get!

My Foothills Trail Gear:
Tent - http://tinyurl.com/bdxm9229
Quilt - http://tinyurl.com/3u8zf8a6
Backpack - https://tinyurl.com/yme3mryp
Pack Liner - http://tinyurl.com/2p8uvn7w
Pillow - https://amzn.to/3NZnELp

Fishing Rod - https://amzn.to/4mbSSy0
Fanny Pack - https://tinyurl.com/y5at3rnj
Umbrella - https://alnk.to/cSK0oFZ
Sandals - https://tinyurl.com/3f3656x2
Socks - https://amzn.to/46sUtLi

Rain Jacket - http://tinyurl.com/bdadk452
Fleece - https://tinyurl.com/ucd7ypdr
Bug Head Net - https://tinyurl.com/2vrwsd26
Smart Watch - https://amzn.to/3mz7ePp

Stove - http://tinyurl.com/58r2rys8
Pot - http://tinyurl.com/hn32nxxp
Battery Bank - https://amzn.to/41ewnQV
Flashlight - http://tinyurl.com/5n6jkrmd
Camera - https://amzn.to/4lK7t3U

I started my thru hike of the Foothills trail on June 4th at the south western terminus of Oconee State Park, and finished on the 7th for a total of four days hiking. I met people taking upwards of 10 days, and know people that have done it in just 1 day! You really can't go wrong.

It costs a small fee to leave a car at the state park but the convenience is very nice. Immediately I notice this trail is immaculate, the trail maintenance is perfect and I find myself going over bridges and looking at waterfalls as I head closer to the Chattooga River where I will hang out and fly fish for a while.

This trail is perfect for fly fishing as along the route you pass large streams and rivers multiple times per day, every single day. Before I began on my map I marked all the spots I thought might be good for fishing and really that was just the tip of the iceberg, there is so much opportunity for having fun in some beautiful water along this trail!

I brought my ultralight Tenkara rod kit, a small japanese style of fly fishing weighing only a few ounces. I have my Tenkara USA Sato, a small foam fly box, nippers, foresceps, tippet, and extra line. That's it! I never felt the need for more, though more could be fun. I think if I did this trail again I would probably bring a 3wt fly rod.

On this hike I also wore no shoes! Instead I brought my Bedrock Sandals, a rugged hiking sandal meant for the trail. Obviously a shoe would provide more protection, but with careful walking these can be good. And best of all! I love them. I wear them everyday in my normal life and am always looking for trails which I could use them for. Given all the rivers and water on this hike I felt it was the perfect time for Bedrocks, and in the end I was so extremely happy that I brought them. They were perfect.

The Foothills Trail must have the most incredible organization and trail crews. There were hundreds of beautiful bridges along the way, and I really mean hundreds. The signage was easy to follow, and always had an artistic touch to it. The trail was perfectly maintained. It was perfectly routed where I always felt something cool and interesting was just around the corner. I really cannot thank them enough as this trail was so excellent thanks to them.

Along the way the foothills trail goes up and over the South Carolina State Highpoint! Which is really cool to do that on a thru hike. Sassafras Mountain is the highest point in South Carolina, and it straddles the border between the two Carolina states. It's elevation is just 3,553ft, but the views from the top are incredible, looking off to the Blue Ridge, and then to the east towards the Atlantic Ocean.

This hike ends on the north east side at Table Rock State Park, named after the beautiful bald rock face mountains which it encompasses and the trail goes over top of. Unfortunately there was a large wildfire just a month or two before I hiked this trail, but all around it was still very nice. More big sweeping vistas towards the Atlantic, and cool views of the large rock mountains.

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THE BACKPACKING GEAR I USE:
http://www.jupiterhikes.com/gear/

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