The Foothills Trail - Hwy 178 (near Chimneytop Gap) to Table Rock - Sat, Mar 1 2014

REGISTRATION & PAYMENT REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page. This is a paid event with payment managed by the trip leader(s) and NOT the AOC. Please read the event description carefully for payment details and instructions.



The Foothills Trail - Hwy 178 (near Chimneytop Gap) to Table Rock


The Basics:
Event Type:Hike
Event Location: Pickens, SC 29671   Hike: The Foothills Trail - Hwy 178 (near Chimneytop Gap) to Table Rock  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sat, Mar 1 2014  7:30 am >> Sat, Mar 1 2014 8:30 pm  (Carpool Departure: 7:30 am   *log in for location*)
Registration Opens: Wed, Feb 26 2014 7:30 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sat, Mar 1 2014 6:00 am
Event Duration:Approx. 13 Hours (including drive time)
Difficulty Rating:D5: Difficult (Exploratory)
Distance:13.7 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Clay White
Jimmy
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Member Cost:$2.00/Person (See Detailed Cost Info Below)

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:15
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 4 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

The Foothills Trail is a beautiful 77 mile hiking trail along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Located in the northwest corner of South Carolina, near the borders with Georgia and North Carolina, the path provides hikers access to and views of mountain peaks, National Wild and Scenic Rivers, preserves, waterfalls, streams, Lake Jocassee and a wide variety of flora and fauna.

On this hike, we will use a shuttle which will allow us to walk 13.7 miles of the Foothills Trail. Starting where the trail crosses Highway 178, we will pass through Chimneytop Gap and have excellent views of Chimneytop Mountain. We will climb Sassafras Mountain, the highest peak in South Carolina, and descend to Hickorynut Mountain Gap. We will hike over Hickorynut Mountain into Piney Mountain Gap.We will conclude by hiking part way up Pinnacle Mountain and down to Carrick Creek in Table Rock State Park.

The hike will have at least 2500 feet in elevation gains.

Following the hike, we will stop for a group dinner. If you cannot stay for dinner, please plan to use separate transportation.

Please note the event duration is a guesstimation. Because a shuttle is involved, there will naturally be extra waiting time. However, by using a shuttle, we will get to see twice as much of the Foothills Trail than otherwise would have been possible!

Note: Your trip leaders have hiked on parts of the Foothills Trail on many occasions, but have never taken this exact route. However, we will have our maps and trail guides handy!

 

Required Items to Bring:

Good attitude.

Adequate fluid to maintain hydration.

Lunch and snacks.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Great attitude.

Hiking poles

Camera

Sunscreen


How to Get There:
Event Directions:

From I-85 at the GA line: Take SC-Exit 1 to Hwy 11 for approx. 55 miles, turn right on E Ellison Lane.

Table Rock State Park
158 E Ellison LN
Pickens, SC 29671

These directions from the official park website will take you to the Visitor Center.  However, we will be meeting at the Nature Center where the trail head starts.  Going up SC-11 North, you want to turn left into the park.

 

Carpool to Event Distance (round trip):285Mile(s)
Carpool Departure Time: 7:30 am
Carpool Location:   Log in for location
Carpool Directions:   Log in for directions
Carpool Cost: Estimated cost per vehicle for this event is $114.00 using a reimbursement rate guideline of $0.400 per mile. The total amount should be divided by the number of people in the vehicle, including the driver. This is a guideline, not a rule, for drivers but the cost should not be higher unless there are extenuating circumstances.

Notes:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Member Cost:$2.00/Person
Cost Includes:

$2.00/Person SC State Park Admission Fee

Make a Payment:Although there is a cost for this event, you do not pay through the AOC. Please review the event details carefully for information about how/where to make your payment.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

A little rain won't kill us but your trip leaders will cancel/reschedule this event if there is a greater than 50% of thunderstorms. At the time of this posting, the weather looks good!