Hike the Foothills Trail Spur in SC, June 23-24, 2012

**Rain Man** · 05-31-2012, 08:14

Last summer I led hikes on the 76-mile Foothills Trail proper in SC from Oconee State Park to Table Rock SP. Now I plan to lead a hike of the 20-mile spur, from Sassafras Mountain (the highest mountain peak in SC) to Jones Gap SP. The spur is said to offer the best views in the area ... and some of the steepest ascents and descents.

If time runs short or anyone needs to bail out, we'll pass Caesar's Head SP at the 14.5-mile mark.

Link to the Foothills Trail Conference.

Though plans are tentative yet, I plan to drive down from Nashville either (1) early Saturday or (2) late Friday, and hike about 10 miles on Saturday. Then we'll hike another 10 miles (give or take) to the end on Sunday and drive home.

Though the daily mileage is moderate, this is a strenuous hike due to elevation gain and loss, especially in the first four miles.

As things stand now, three hikers from the Nashville Backpacker group on www.meetup.com are signed up for this hike. Anyone here on HF want to tag along?

Or, have any information, hints, suggestions, warnings, concerns, etc., about this stretch of trail?

Rain Man

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**Rain Man** · 06-14-2012, 21:19

Just bumping this thread. Also just noticed the heading has the wrong month. It's June, not May. I'll ask the moderator to fix it.

Also, tentative mileage changed to 7.5 on Saturday to an established campsite. The first 4 miles of this hike are said to be the most difficult, so makes sense to plan fewer miles this day.

Sunday will be 13.5 miles to Jones Gap SP.

I have five hikers (all from Nashville) signed up so far, with intent to limit group to 8.

Rain Man

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**angrysparrow** · 06-14-2012, 21:24

Title fixed up. Have a great hike!

**Rain Man** · 06-15-2012, 08:36

Originally Posted by angrysparrow

Title fixed up. Have a great hike!

Thank you for fixing the date for me, kind sir!!!

Rain Man

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**Rain Man** · 06-27-2012, 09:36

Some of you enjoy looking at hike photos, so here is an album I posted 100 photos in. Each has a caption, which constitutes my trip report. Enjoy!

Photo Album of Foothills Spur Trail trip.

Rain Man

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**Cali** · 06-27-2012, 09:51

Nice pics. Looks like you all had a great time.

**Rain Man** · 06-27-2012, 13:21

Originally Posted by BajaHanger

Nice pics. Looks like you all had a great time.

Yea, verily. And truly, too!

Rain Man

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**ShellD** · 06-27-2012, 17:34

Glad you guys had a great trip and also glad that you got to finish the trail. I haven't done the spur trail yet so you're one up on me. Thanks for sharing your photos too.

**carolinasbackpacker** · 06-27-2012, 19:00

sounds like it was a great trip

**Rain Man** · 06-28-2012, 09:16

Originally Posted by carolinasbackpacker

sounds like it was a great trip

It was. Everyone is ready to go right back and do another one! I like those kinds of hikes.

Originally Posted by ShellD

Glad you guys had a great trip and also glad that you got to finish the trail. I haven't done the spur trail yet so you're one up on me. Thanks for sharing your photos too.

You're very welcome. I see you're in Greenville. I come down to Powdersville several times a year. Will be there next week, in fact, to spend a few days with my mama, who just got a new hip yesterday.

Rain Man

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