FHT#2: A conclusion of the Foothills Trail

[Gambit McCrae]

This past weekend my buddy and I completed the 29 western miles of the Foothills Trail! We started at whitewater rd. and headed to Oconee SP. There's not a lot to mention on this section that varies from the other half of the trail. The trail is well maintained and well marked, I would say it would be considered mapless able lol

My conclusion of the Foothills Trail:

• Exceptional water availability
• Very well manicured trail
• Very well marked and signage is custom woodworking/ engraving
• Campsites are plentiful, on average I would say a campsite of some sort every 2 miles or so, with very established campsites with benches and tables every 5-8 miles.
• Farout app was accurate and helpful

If all of these things above are true, why wont you be hiking the Foothills Trail again Gambit?

• The trail felt like I was walking in Dollywood.
• I did not get a sense of challenge or adventure out of the trail's path.
• The registration requirements at both end's of the trail are more than I care to partake in.
• The trail was full of beginner backpackers, with beginner backpackers comes a lack of etiquettes.

I would like to make everyone aware of what both Oconee and Table Rock State Parks require in order to hike the Foothills Trail

• Register for parking at $6 a day.
• Register your hike for free.

-They wanna know allllllll of your details. Basically down to if your a back or side sleeper....

I also called Table Rock before I went on FHT#1 and the girl told me I had to be there before closing or I would not be able to register until the next day. I told her it sounded like they would have an unregistered hiker entering their park that Sunday because I was certainly not waiting around until they opened Saturday morning for to fill out a piece of paper in order to walk in the woods. Upon arrival, her information was not correct. Its a self registration kiosk if the office is closed.

If you are a beginner hiker, or wanting to take beginners on a forgiving trail, this is a great option for you.
If you are an experienced hiker that enjoys aspects of backpacking like solitude & lack of rules this may not be the best trail for you.
I just wanted to do it to check it off the list. Its checked. On to the BMT.

[Slugg]

Congratulation on your completion of the Foothills Trail!! The campsites really are primo.

I thru hiked this in February and saw less than 5 people the entire way.

[Gambit McCrae]

Congratulation on your completion of the Foothills Trail!! The campsites really are primo.

I thru hiked this in February and saw less than 5 people the entire way.

I wouldn't call my experience a zoo but it was definitely more people than I saw on the entire Pinhoti or Sheltowee. Glad to have done it, glad to move on lol