How to thru-hike the Foothills Trail in North & South Carolina: logistics, impressions, & tips

[@dm3035]

I am going to plan for next year - Foot Hill trail 2nd choice or Colorado Collegiate Loop 1st choice. I live in Kansas - need UL gear, my gear is mostly "bush craft" gear ( heavy) OK for short hikes. I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL ❤ ❤ ❤ 🤗 🤗 🤗

[@AudreyAdventures]

Heck yeah that’s awesome! Both are phenomenal choices - can’t go wrong either way. 😊 And thank you!! I really appreciate that!

[@dm3035]

Q? : I noticed online - The Colorado Collegiate Loop " closed" ( wild fires ). So if I need to cut a hike short - can I rent a car halfway to get back home. Are rental cars available in any of the little towns ? 🤥

[@AudreyAdventures]

@@dm3035 I don't know of any - the towns up there are pretty small. But there is always an option to hire a shuttle out if need be. The Colorado Trail Foundation has a list of shuttle drivers that you can request. But I think there will likely be some reroutes by then to go around the areas affected by the fire this year.

[@dm3035]

@@AudreyAdventures THANK YOU !! Getting to the trail logistics and the return trip - logistics ( I do NOT want to leave a vehicle unattended ). I will figure it out. THANK YOU AGAIN !!! 🤗 🤗

[@hike2024]

I'm doing the Foothills trail in late September this year - 2023. I really enjoyed your video, it was very informative and well done! Thank you.

[@AudreyAdventures]

Thank you! It’s a wonderful trail - I hope you enjoy it!

[@paddle_hike]

I was suppose to hike it in 2019 but covid struck and couldn't go. I hope to hike it next March. I can't wait.

[@AudreyAdventures]

Bummer! Hope you’re able to make it out there next year!

[@stanthemanhikes2965]

Thanks Audrey for the helpful tips. I'm tentatively planning to due this as a thru hike end of January beginning Feb of 2024 with Tonya my hiking partner. Winter because she got a job as a ridge runner for the GA section of the AT starting mid Feb thru April and needs to do some training to get back into back packing shape for the job. Will most likely go from Oconee to Table Rock and use Taz for a food drop. Wish I could take advantage of all the great swimming holes but not in the winter LOL!! I'm looking forward to it but not a fan of the cold weather either but that does beat hot and sweaty bug invested days of hiking!!

[@AudreyAdventures]

You're very welcome! I hope it's not too cold for you and that you love it as much as I do! You should go back in spring sometime - it's pretty magical with all the wildflowers, fireflies, and swimming opps!

[@patwalgrave7083]

Did the trail starting May 2 this year. Took our time and spent 8 nights starting from Oconee State Park and ending at Table Rock. Weather was perfect - only 1 day of rain. Wildflowers and waterfalls were beautiful. Trail is well marked. We did not see many other hikers. Sometimes had campsite areas to ourselves. Many of the campsites had benches that were very convenient. Two favorites were the Toxaway sites and also the campsites right after crossing the bridge at Horsepasture River. Saw a mother bear and 2 cubs scoot across the trail ahead of us and a fox another day. Did a food resupply at Whitewater Falls day area. Great trail!

[@AudreyAdventures]

Wonderful! Sounds like you had a similar experience to me. I was surprised that I did not see any signs of bears, but sounds like they are out there! :) Very cool that you saw a fox too! Such a great trail!

[@BunBunontheRun]

My boys and I are starting at Table Rock this Saturday (7/16/2022) and taking 9 days to do the 76 miles. We have built in a rest day, so looking forward to some swimming and fishing

[@AudreyAdventures]

Wonderful!! There will definitely be lots of swimming and fishing opps out there. Good luck and have a great time!

[@bransonbailey8539]

how did it go? i’m doing the same here soon and was wondering if it is smart to start at table rock or not

[@dphimes]

Thanks so much for this video. I've already scheduled a FHT through hike for this May, and I'm happy to hear a strong recommendation for that time of year. Also, I was wondering whether to bring my shoulder season sleeping bag or my summer sleeping bag, and it sounds like the summer one is the way to go.

[@AudreyAdventures]

I regretted not just bringing my summer bag. I don’t think I slept inside my sleeping bag even once - the nights were so hot! Be sure to watch out for the blue ghosts since you’ll be there in May!

[@jefferybyard8429]

Just the video I was looking for. You gave a great description of everything I would of asked someone about hiking the trail. Me and one of the guys that volunteer and maintain the 300+ mile, Allegheny Trail are planning on hiking the Foothills Tr. this winter/spring to get ideas to use on the Allegheny Tr.. Can't wait to see what it's all about. Just the perfect length trail for a week of vacation. Thanks...

[@AudreyAdventures]

Yay glad I could help! The Foothills Trail is the most loved on/ well maintained trail I have ever seen - I bet you’ll get some great ideas!

[@rickkyle5107]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. Planning to do the trail this coming May.

[@AudreyAdventures]

You're welcome! I hope you love this trail as much as I do!

[@livinglifejill3924]

Hello! I enjoyed your FHT videos! I was suppose to hike it in early November and my hiking partner was not able to do it. I am going camping up that way in the early spring at Lake Jocasse to see the rare Oconee Bell flower, which has a very short bloom period and is only found around that area. I might stop and hike some of the trail. I was trying to found the video with the Blue Ghost flies and can't find it. Which day on the FHT did you post that?

[@AudreyAdventures]

Oh that is awesome! I will have to look up that flower. I talked about the blue ghosts in the day 7 video, but we saw them several nights. kzbin.info/www/bejne/boGpmHRje8epgMk

[@ericneff9908]

Very good information. Thank so much for doing this video. I'm starting from Oconee in late September. Can't wait. Question: I'm bringing my labrador retriever. I plan to leash her while I'm hiking but let her off leash at campsites. Is that copasetic? Are there any areas (like at Sassafras) where it would be dangerous for a dog?

[@AudreyAdventures]

You're welcome! I think this hike seems very dog-friendly, but I'm not quite sure about the rules, so maybe check in with the Foothills Trail Conservancy. I can't think of any areas that would be unsafe, and there are so many water sources (ie swimming opps) so I'm sure a dog would love it!

[@amberbydreamsart5467]

Thanks for the info! I've lived in Greenville, but before I started getting more into backpacking.. I think I'm going to go for this one in march or april next year! I'm a very, very warm sleeper so I shirk at hiking when it gets too hot, I can get too warm in a 30 degree quilt in a 50 degree night! Glad to hear some people's stories of taking their time on the trail, I'm always intimidated by the stories of people just knocking out a trail like this with 15+ mile days.. the biggest I've done backpacking so far was a 9 mile day and it whooped me bad. Still, I'm really excited to do this one someday soon, I've only done 1-3 night trips so far and struggled a bit with stamina, I think that jump into a 1-1 & 1/2 week trip will really help me decide if I want to do an AT attempt soon

[@AudreyAdventures]

I think this trail would be awesome practice for a potential AT hike! No need to rush if you have the time to spare. There’s so much beauty to enjoy, and if you like swimming, lots of swimming opps along the way as well! If you’re a very warm sleeper, May might be too late for you so March or April would make more sense!

[@johnellis4129]

How accurate was the far out map ? Were you able to track your progress easily ?

[@AudreyAdventures]

It was super accurate and easy.

[@angiegrove4027]

How much (approximately) is a shuttle from state park to state park?

[@AudreyAdventures]

There’s not a set amount with Taz. He asks for at least enough to cover gas. We gave him about $100 total for our group of four, though he did not ask for that much. But he goes above and beyond and helps you do a food drop halfway. When I called to make arrangements I asked how much and he gave me what he thought was an appropriate range, which I think was about $40 to $80 total.

[@angiegrove4027]

@@AudreyAdventures Super helpful -- thanks!

[@CCATT2007]

How would an end of July hike be? Is the trailhead at Table Rock safe to leave a vehicle? I saw a video of a hike who's vehicle was broken into, and another was stolen. Have you ever heard of someone leaving a motorcycle at the trailhead? I have heard great things about TAZ. I will be calling to arrange with him. Great information, thank you.

[@AudreyAdventures]

I'm guessing a late July hike will be pretty hot, so I would say how it will be depends on how well you handle heat! Luckily, there are a lot of water sources, so you shouldn't have a problem staying hydrated, and lots of places to potentially swim to cool off. I probably would not do it that time of the year but I don't like the heat. The Table Rock trailhead is pretty safe because it's inside a gated parted of the state park, so get in there, you have to pay. And the trailhead is right at the nature center, beach, and boat launch, so there are a lot of people/ workers around there. The people I've heard with car issues have left their cars at wilderness trailheads with no people/ infrastructure around. I'm not sure about the motorcycle thing, but I bet you could call the nature center or visitor center/ HQ at Table Rock and ask! Since you have to get a parking permit at the HQ/ visitor center, I'm sure they will know!

[@CCATT2007]

@@AudreyAdventures thanks for getting back so quickly. Heat doesn’t bother me too much, spent some time in SW Asia. Glad to hear about the secured parking. And the swimming would be a great bonus.

[@amberbydreamsart5467]

July? Expect 80s, maybe 90s, very high humidity and a decent chance of thunderstorms. Keep an extra eye out for rattlesnakes and cottonmouths. I'm sensitive to the heat so living in Georgia I consider june-august the no-camping season. If the low doesn't get below 70, I'm not gonna be able to sleep, not worth it for me but hike your own hike!

[@WoodKnock01]

I am a hammock camper are there plenty trees at the campsite on this trail??? I am planning at the end of April And trying to do it in 5 days.

[@AudreyAdventures]

Oh yes plenty of trees! I had a hammocker with me and he had no issues. I think a lot of people do it in about five days - we just wanted to stretch it out since we had the time. 😄

[@goldenbadger8247]

The FT is more isolated, less touristy than the AT. Generally more rugged.

[@AudreyAdventures]

Less touristy yes, more rugged no. I found it to be much easier than most parts of the AT. And it’s very well-maintained.

[@goldenbadger8247]

ok. rugged is not a precise word. Still remember the "Stairway to Heaven" though Hellish getting up it. Compared to the hours it took to surmount Snowbird Mountain. Also, more rugged in that there are no shelters. If your tent fails/falters, you are ....

[@AudreyAdventures]

@@goldenbadger8247 Oh gotcha - yes that makes sense. Of course in a real bind you could probably sleep under one of those many amazing bridges. 😄