Hiking the Foothills Trail: Day 1

[@lumpylimpyhikers185]

There's something spiritual about rushing water on a crisp day with clear skies.

[@anthonysmith7280]

Keep on hammering ER and burn those AL days, you earned them man!!! Thanks for your continued service to the country.

[@olddudeonthetrail72]

I attempted this trail at the end of December and made it to the parking lot you show at 17:39 over two days. I had to make the call and get off there. But I'm about to go back and pick up at that point and try to finish. Watching your video series to get a preview (campsites, etc.) Wish me luck.. no, never mind that, I'm gonna have good luck and bad luck, that's just life... Wish me success!

[@ssgtdavidcamp]

Glad to see you back out on the trail ER. That's one I plan on doing. But tap that glass one more time with that trekking pole young man....:-)

[@margaretcox4290]

I have hiked this entire trail thru and done sections again and again . You are right the trail is maintained WONDERFULLY! A group goes once a month and people go out whenever a storm comes through . I have ALSO blazed a section with them .

[@EarlyRiser71]

The trail is like a manicured trail of pine needles and very little roots, stumps, or rocks on the actual trail. My feet were in heaven.

[@geraldwald3473]

Hiked this year's ago and connected to the Mountain Bridge Wilderness and on to Jones Gap SP. Thanks for refreshing my great memories of this under appreciated trail.

[@135791113ful]

ER's back! And I actually got a notification.

[@Strokesurvivor50]

3 years ago This month I had a stroke. I am about 95 % recovered physically and my FUBAR brain is about 85-90 %. Depression is the biggest part of it, I wont bore you with details. I plan on hiking the Pinhoti the first week of March or may. I may may have to sneak out there because my wife does not want me to go alone. Have not decided yet how far may be till I cant go anymore or all of Bama. Learned a lot from your recovery system. Going to get your book soon.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Awesome Mark. The Alabama section is truly amazing. I will definitely hike that half several more times before I die. The GA road walks...not so much!

[@MooseBricks]

ER watching this video brings back memories of hiking for Make A Wish. Where you started was our finish line. Great to see you back on the trails.

[@JohndaCantrell]

ER “is” back!!! Thank goodness! I love your attitude and perspective!! Bring it on!!

[@cccross3]

Good to see you enjoying the trail again....you’re back where you are most at home.

[@MarkFugel]

So good to finally watch this...awesome hike and scenery. I did the Foothills Trail as part of the Foothills 50k back in my trail running days...loved it! So glad to see you back out there again and your gear explosion!! lol You looked right at home!

[@robertbarnes6047]

Killed the miles. I have not followed anybody on this trail before. Looks nice. I mirrored with my 65” it’s like walking with you. Thanks 😊

[@americansouthdesigns]

I'll be out there in a couple months Thruing it.

[@campfireconfidential1067]

Making us homesick for The Trail! Thanks for taking us along!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Merry Christmas to you guys!!! How are the knees healing?

[@campfireconfidential1067]

Early_Riser_71 Merry Christmas to you and yours! The knees are healed and ready for action, thanks for asking! Cheers & Good Health!

[@edshelnutt1347]

Glad to see you on this trail, ER. I've thru-hiked it a couple of times and section hikes it a dozen or more. My favorite place on the planet. You'll see why. Safe journey.

[@jamesbonner5989]

Lots of nice water along this trail.

[@baskets8429]

good to see you hiking again excited to watch these! thanks for sharing and happy trails buddy

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks bro!

[@6706lefteye]

Just saw ER got back on a trail; its like a late Christmas present! Make sure you get a good, hot cup of Dunkin coffee when you're done!

[@cottontalesfromthetrail5474]

Always good to see your experiences ER! Happy Hiking!

[@laurelzitowitz5452]

Glad you're back! I've missed watching you hike. My AT hike is scheduled for 2022. Can't wait.

[@spectrum10]

Welcome back ER! You are a true warrior.

[@bobkat5145]

Welcome back to the trail and looking great ER! Merry Christmas to you and the fam.

[@barbaraodonnell122]

Looking forward to watching this before I turn in for the night.

[@oldladieshikingnorthonthea4261]

Good to see you again!!! Beautiful trail!!! I can't believe you sill have Halloween candy, that candy would have been long gone if it was mine🤣🤣🤣, Hike on and thanks for sharing!!! You did great milage today!!!❤👍👊

[@EarlyRiser71]

We amaze ourselves with our ability to abstain from eating the leftover candy. It was all the uber good kinds too 🤘

[@swatsullivan]

Great video! Neat to learn more about this trail that I’ve been hearing so much about lately. Happy hiking!!

[@sheliasipes8321]

Glad to see you back out. Love when those notifications pop up but when I got it my 8 yr old grandson was texting me and if you've ever texted with an 8 yr old, you know that can go on for a while! Lol. Merry Christmas to you and the rest of the family!

[@eaglemtnmom1107]

Shelia, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Merry Christmas!

[@phronsiekeys]

A wonderful Sunday a.m. surprise! I've loved every hike you've shared, but this is near and dear to my heart, for I grew up in that beautiful corner of the world. Sunday picnics along lots of those spots. My grandfather ran the CCC groups that built Oconee S.P. and the Fish Hatchery (probably my favorite spot), and he and my grandmother returned to the park where he was ranger, and my g-mother ran the dining room. And -- well-- the water and the falls in the area can't be beat! Love it!!!

[@EarlyRiser71]

What a cool story of your G-Dad!

[@brholder1]

Awesome first day. Should have gone up to see King Creek Falls. But you knocked out a bunch of miles. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the trip. It was just a cold rainy day a few miles below where you were. Interested to see if it snowed up there.

[@philstephens1942]

+1 for ER 71 TV. Super with the extra camera shots! Your thoughtful consideration comes through on your great day.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks so much!

[@shutterbugsadventures1951]

Loved this video! Thanks for sharing!

[@jgeisler]

What a pleasant surprise to receive the notification of a new ER video. Happy holidays to me... and you.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Happy holidays!

[@appalachianadventures1982]

Great to see you on trail again !

[@davidcolinstillman5585]

LOOKS LIKE A NICE TRAIL . THE WATERFALLS ARE REALLY NICE TOO ! HOPE YOU & YOUR FAMILY , FRIENDS HAVE A GREAT MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎅 🎄& HAPPY NEW YEAR TOO 🎉 BE SAFE ! HAVE FUN ! GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS ON YOUR JOURNEYS NEAR OR FAR ! ENJOYED ! THANK YOU !

[@EarlyRiser71]

Happy holidays!

[@ScottHThoughts]

Cool looking trail, for sure!

[@timbrown177]

Thanks ER always love your video's, no snickers bar's bud :) be safe

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks 👍

[@phil1932]

Thanks for posting.

[@stdoug1]

Stunning ER! Motivating me to share some of the 4 epic hikes in Hong Kong. Need to step up video editing game.

[@patstreet6690]

Great trail. Do section hikes on it often. Glad to see you doing it.

[@halohikes]

Watching/listening while I workout at the gym this morning. Thanks for posting. I'm watching as many trail videos as I can to stay motivated for my spring/summer/fall goals 2021. Side note- I'm on chapter 3 of your book. Pretty deep material so I'm taking my time to digest. Have a great day!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Glad the gym is back open. The book will push you to uncomfortable places at times. I hope some nuggets that fit your life are hiding in there somewhere.

[@cariboudave]

Awesome, hiked a bit of that trail with the kids from a camp in Tuxedo NC where I worked in the mid 90s. Omg we turn 50 this year! My bd is late oct 1971. Oh, thanks for getting me hooked on Altra's. I trip if i wear anything w a heel now.. lol. Great video.

[@EarlyRiser71]

50 is where sexy starts!!!

[@GoneFeralWithSquidly]

Winter hiking is fantastic. I’m starting the Pinhoti Chinnabee Skyway (PinChinSky) loop tomorrow. Going to be perfect weather.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Have fun! Winter hiking RULES!!!

[@QuicksandontheTrail]

Man, I love that trail. I did it in 2017 and had a blast. I hiked it the same way you did. The Chattooga River section is the best part in my opinion. The beginning of the Bartram Trail you hike along the Chattooga river too. Great video bro👊

[@EarlyRiser71]

I definitely need to hit the Bartram Trail for sure. Thanks QS!

[@greenfeetoutdoors2779]

Great to see you out hiking again, it's been a while since I had my ER fix. Beautiful trail and water falls, thanks for taking the time to video, edit and share. Take care and looking forward to the rest of the trail.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks GF! Hope you and Kathy have a Merry Christmas!

[@SheGoneAgain]

Looks like a great trail. Glad to see you out and about again. Love me some ER vids.

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks Mary 👍

[@probationtermination]

Your going to be amazed. The Foothills trail is beautiful. I called it the Waterfalls trail. The campsites are awesome also! Enjoy your hike. PT

[@EarlyRiser71]

It almost doesn't seem fair that it has so many waterfalls. I saw more on day 1 than I saw on the whole AT. Amazing!!!

[@rhodeislandhiker4745]

Love seeing u back on the trail brother , hope u and the family stay safe during this crazy time . Happy holidays

[@EarlyRiser71]

Happy holidays!

[@LynnStAubin-od5qe]

Good to see you’re on trail. I’m really liking the Foothills Trail. Might have to put it on my list.

[@EarlyRiser71]

You should!

[@donrobinson5540]

The Scoutmaster loves this trail!

[@stevenstone9272]

Good to see you back on trail!!!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks Steve! Merry Christmas!

[@KrizAkoni]

I liked my Lone Peak 3.0 - finally used up my last pair...bald tread lol. Ordered a pair of the 5.0 - can't wait until they come in. What a beautiful trail! Enjoyed following along on this one.

[@EarlyRiser71]

I heard they sewed the sole to the toe on the 5.0...true?

[@KrizAkoni]

@@EarlyRiser71 That is what I heard from the store I bought from. We'll see what Altra actually did when they show up. :)

[@mischiefonthetrail8961]

U done such a good job with this , cant wait to get out there myself

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks buddy!

[@CraigMains]

Awesome 👊

[@EarlyRiser71]

🤙

[@ScottHThoughts]

Just finished watching your day four, baby!

[@robertmray]

HEY ER!! Great to see you "doin it" Enjoyed the book btw..R.

[@spectrum10]

Did ER write a book?

[@EarlyRiser71]

Thanks RR!!!

[@robertmray]

@@spectrum10 he sure did! It's on Amazon, "It's Time to Choose, Your Ego or You?: Unraveling Humanity's Biggest Secret"

[@appalachiangirluk9960]

Damn your strides look gigantic I'm so jealous 😂 I bet one of your strides is about 3 of mine. I wanted to get Lone Peak 3.5s so bad but they sold out in the UK when Altra moved on to the 4 and I didn't hear as good things about them. In the end I got some Solomon Wildcross and they are lighterrrr thannnn airrrrr and actually have a wide toebox which is rare for Solomon they must have finally caught up! Enjoy your hike!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Always good to hear from my UK friend!

[@dabrigley]

"Look at these people! They're happy!" LMAO!

[@stdoug1]

Some familiar territory in Brevard!

[@EarlyRiser71]

Every time I walk out the back door at the HIEX hotel, I look over at the spot where we left the antenna and chuckle.

[@michaelcahill6924]

Too bad you and Hawk couldn't have synced up your schedules and hiked it together that would be a hell of a video. ☘️🍀

[@walterpaton8698]

First time here. Enjoy

[@walterpaton8698]

What state and area is this ???

[@EarlyRiser71]

@@walterpaton8698 NW South Carolina and parts of SW North Carolina.

[@keithstewart2639]

Thanks Er

[@americansouthdesigns]

You sound like you're on a highly plant based diet? I like hearing what about your foods, because I eat a lot of what you mentioned.

[@stephenhiker9807]

Let's gooooo!

[@carlybyman4696]

Do you need to hang a bear bag on the foothills trail?

[@EarlyRiser71]

"Need" is a subjective word ;-). A few of the campsites on this trail have bear cables which is amazing.

[@ChicaandSunsets]

Wow - all the waterfalls! Great video. Really like the music throughout (so professional). Question - what did you use to plan your trip (as I don’t think this trail is in Guthooks)? Thanks ER! - Chica

[@EarlyRiser71]

I show it in the video that just posted today. It is a little cheap foldout guide on waterproof paper. It is perfect.

[@ChicaandSunsets]

Oh nice! Watching now!

[@stanthemanhikes2965]

Are you kiddin me. 24 miles day 1. Doesn't take you long to get back in the swing of things that's for sure!!!

[@appalachiangirluk9960]

Exactly what I was just thinking 🤣 I reasoned that it's because of his big strides............ nah he's just in way better general shape than me haha

[@stdoug1]

Beast mode!

[@EarlyRiser71]

My problem is I just don't ever take breaks. Only time I took my pack off was for those 15 min at lunch. My body just feels good on the move!!! Have a Merry Christmas Stan!!!

[@stanthemanhikes2965]

@@EarlyRiser71 Thanks ER you as well. Just finished your book got a lot out of it. Great job!

[@frankynodots]

KZbin is cramming an awful lot of advertisements into a 20 minute video, which is unfortunate.

[@halohikes]

I had to go in and take out all the commercial clips from my husband's past videos. Such a pain. KZbin changed the default. Ugh

[@EarlyRiser71]

I think I fixed this one. You can't do it from your phone. Such a pain.

[@frankynodots]

@@EarlyRiser71 no worries. The content was good

[@acemurphy2]

I'm 9 minutes behind you..... lol

[@EarlyRiser71]

;-)

[@neilhuizing1382]

Glad to see you back on trail !!!