I'm planning to hike just a few miles on my first day (due to probably arriving mid-late afternoon) and was looking at designated backcountry sites within Jones Gap State Park along the Middle Saluda River that are just a couple of miles from the trailhead. That would put me in a good position to see Raven Cliff Falls the next morning and then continue on to camp shortly before the Cesar's Head extension reaches the main Foothills Trail at Sassafras Mountain (the guidebook lists a few sites along the Cesar's Head spur trail. This would be about a 16 mile first "real" day including the side trip to Ravens Cliff Falls. It is probably a bit lower than the miles I would normally like to cover but from what I recall and read in the guidebook, there isn't great camping on the FT itself between Sassafras Mountain and the Laurel Valley which would result in a ~23+ mile day and not sure if I want to do that.
I'll probably hike the Fork Mountain spur assuming I have the time and energy to do so. It looks like it might add around 5 miles but could be worthwhile. I don't have many recollections of the trail between Sloan Bridge and Burrell's Ford campground from my last hike - I think it was mainly forested trail with no major landmarks.