When we got back from Fish Hatchery Trip and Burrell's Ford etc. I bought the book and the weatherized map.So I'm ready anytime.....Originally Posted by sidneyhornblower
When we got back from Fish Hatchery Trip and Burrell's Ford etc. I bought the book and the weatherized map.So I'm ready anytime.....
Always have a Plan B.
I watched a video recently where some FHT thru hikers got in trouble with blisters and had to cut the trip short.
Unfortunately, they had to walk about 15 miles to get to a Road Access Point.
Apparently, they did not know that you can be picked up on Lake Jocassee.
These boat shuttle services can drop you off or pick you up at three locations,
Horsepasture River
Canebrake boat access near the Toxaway River
Boat Access at the bottom of Laurel Fork Falls.
Take these numbers down and put them in your phone.
Give them to your emergency contact.
If you have a Satellite Communicator, like an InReach, you could contact someone that can arrange your rescue.
Commercial Shuttles:
Jocassee Lake Tours and Shuttle Service in Salem, SC, is run by Brooks and Kay Wade, who are members of the FTC. They offer hiking and kayaking shuttles, boat tours, and more. Contact them by phone at 864-280-5501 or email at [email protected].
Jocassee Outdoor Center (formerly Hoyetts Grocery) in Salem, SC, provides a boat shuttle across Lake Jocassee or a car shuttle. Contact them at 864-944-9016.
Expedition Carolina is a kayak tour company on Lake Jocassee that offers lake and car shuttle services to the Foothills Trail for hiking or paddling. Please contact them at 864-884-1594 or [email protected].
Foothills Trail Volunteer Shuttles
* Mike Despeaux: 864-859-8468
* Jim Simpson “Taz”: 864-431-0447
* Heyward Douglass: 864-888-7483
* Jami Rivers 864-293-4376
* Nancy Carkhuff 864-944-1940
* Jim Langston 864-933-7867
There are several places on the FHT that you can get some cell service.
Fish Hatchery Road is the first place I know of going Eastbound.
Toxaway River- sometimes it works in camp, sometimes, I have to walk to the middle of the Toxaway Creek bridge.
Between Heartbreak Ridge and Laurel Fork Falls, you will walk along a high ridgeline. You can post pictures to the Hammock Forum from that ridge.
Campsites at the top of Laurel Fork Falls. Might have to stand in the middle of the bridge.
I’m sure there are others but this is my experience with Verizon.
YMMV.
Always have a Plan B.
You can hope for the best, but plan for the worst because hope is not a strategy.
Be safe out there and happy hiking.
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Last edited by swampfox; 03-07-2019 at 17:49.
He is your friend, your companion, your defender... he is your dog. You are his life, his leader, and master. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of that devotion.
Thank you so much! I will be celebrating my 24th birthday by thru-hiking the Foothills Trail in April and probably have an unhealthy amount of excitement doing research about it!
Any suggestions as to which direction is best to travel. Would like to hear from those who have done this trail. Thanks
~ Rerun
In 100 years it won't make any difference...
I have thru hiked it in both directions. When I do it again, it will be westbound. I would prefer to get the most difficult out of the way first. I got a rush when I stepped on the overlook at Whitewater Falls and knew the worst was behind me.
Some people say that when you go eastbound, you have your legs by the time you start up Sassafras.
I’m not buying that.
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Last edited by swampfox; 03-21-2019 at 08:49.
He is your friend, your companion, your defender... he is your dog. You are his life, his leader, and master. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of that devotion.
Thanks Swampfox. That was kind of my thought process, also.
~ Rerun
In 100 years it won't make any difference...
Swampfox, you absolutely outdid yourself on this one my friend. Had to get Aaron to figure out how to download and open it on my phone, though. Cannot wait to put this to use on the FHT at the end of April. Many thanks my friend!
Kudos and many thanks Swampfox. I am planning a trip for Easter weekend. Short in and out from A4 to A5 in 2/3 nights with a novice backpacker. Hoping you can answer a question for me. If parking at A4 are there parking or campsite fees to be paid? Looking forward to seeing the falls, improved campsites, and just getting out there and hanging. With 13 hours of daylight I'm going to have plenty of time in camp and if the weather permits some day/slack pack hikes.
Hoping to do a through later in the year.
Lucky me, lucky mud. - Kurt Vonnegut.
Hey MDCrab,
There are no fees for parking at the Laurel Valley Access.
You are picking a beautiful time of year for this trip.
You will be camping at the top of Laurel Fork Falls. There are three campsites to choose from.
I like to camp at the one closest to the falls.
Here is a look.
Have a great trip.
He is your friend, your companion, your defender... he is your dog. You are his life, his leader, and master. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of that devotion.
Heads up!
NOTICE: The first bridge above Virginia Hawkins Falls has been badly damaged by a fallen tree and is impassable. Until a reroute can be determined it will be necessary to wade / rockhop across Laurel Fork Creek at this point. As soon as a reroute can be determined, signage will be put in place to direct hikers.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
He is your friend, your companion, your defender... he is your dog. You are his life, his leader, and master. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of that devotion.
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