Foothills Trail - Section A4 to A8 - Member Hike
| Hike Name: | Foothills Trail - Section A4 to A8 |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | North Carolina |
| Nearby Town: | Cashiers, North Carolina |
| Rating: |  |
| Directions: | PARKING (Laurel Valley Parking Area) - From the intersection of US 178 and SC 11, drive north on US 178 to the bridge over Eastatoe Creek (approximately one mile past the community of Rocky Bottom). Cross the bridge and turn left at the Laurel Valley Lodge sign. Immediately bear right onto the unpaved fork and continue to the Foothills Trail parking area about 0.3 mile on the left. (Upper Whitewater Falls Parking Area) - From the South near Salem, SC on SC 11, turn north onto SC Highway 130 (which is also called Whitewater Road) and travel about ten miles. Cross the NC/SC state line into North Carolina and continue for about a mile to the Whitewater Falls parking area which is marked with a large U.S. Forest Service sign. Turn right into the parking area and pay your nominal parking fee. If you are approaching this parking area from the North, it is 8.5 miles south of the junction of US 64 and NC 281 in Sapphire, North Carolina. |
| Total Hike Distance: | 32.60 miles |
| Hike Difficulty: | Moderate to Difficult |
| Permit Required: | No |
| Hike Type: | One-Way, Shuttle Hike |
| Hike Starts: | Laurel Valley Parking Area (A4) |
| Hike Ends: | Upper Whitewater Falls (A8) |
| Trails Used: | Foothills Trail |
| Backcountry Campsites: | Yes |
| Backcountry Water Sources: | Streams, Springs |
| Management: | U.S. Forest Service |
| Contact Information: | USFS – Andrew Pickens Ranger District 112 Andrew Pickens Circle, Mountain Rest, SC 29664 (864) 638-9568 |
| Best Season: | Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Users: | Hikers, Dogs |
| Road Conditions: | Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads, Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads |
| Hike Summary: | The section of the trail from Laurel Fork Creek to the Whitewater River is often referred to as the Gorges Section and was initially built and maintained by Duke Power Company as part of a licensing agreement for the construction of Lake Joccasee. Both State and Federal agencies have taken over management responsibilities in recent years, and this section of South Carolina has some of the best backcountry wilderness in the Southeast with numerous waterfalls, suspension bridges, and streams |
Trail Map For This Area
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