Foothills Trail Update

Through the hard work of hundreds of volunteers, we are happy to announce that the 33 miles from Oconee SP to Bad Creek access is clear and considered OPEN The remainder of the Trail from the Bad Creek spur junction to Table Rock SP is CLOSED and will be for several months. For more information please visit foothillstrail.org. Approximately 52 miles of 76.2 miles have been cleared.

The following sections are 100% cleared:

A2-A3: Sassafras to Chimney Rock

A3-A4 Chimneytop to Laurel Valley:100% clear but a large set of steps is smashed. Barriers with trail closed sign is in place on both ends.

A7-A14: Bad Creek Access to Oconee State Park

The following sections are being cleared:

A1-A2 TR to Sassafras: 65% clear. 3 miles are clear enough to hike from Sassafras towards TR. 3.0 miles of the Pinnacle trail has been cleared. A volunteer reported a HUGE blowdown section area near Long Ridge. Barriers with trail closed sign is in place at Sassafras where the trail meets the road.

A4-A5 Laurel Valley to Laurel Fork Falls Boat Access: 0% clear The spur has been somewhat cleared by inspectors. Many large blowdowns blocked any real progress. Barriers with trail closed sign is in place at Laurel Valley access and where the trail crosses Cane Brake Road.

A5-A6 Laurel Fork Falls Boat Access to Canebrake Boat Access: 15% cleared. We have cleared from Canebrake access to the top of Heartbreak Ridge. Please watch this video concerning the Rock Creek Campsite. Rock Creek Campsite

A6-A7 Canebrake Boat Access to Bad Creek Access: 45% cleared. FTC volunteers cleared from Whitewater to the roadbed across the Thompson River (3 miles of the 16) and investigated to Hilliard Falls many blowdowns from Linerock Gap to Hilliard Falls spur. Gorges SP crews have cleared their section from the powerlines to Canebrake access (4.5 miles of the 16). Barriers with trail closed sign is in place at the Bad Creek spur junction and the Lower WW falls junction.

Gorges SP has cleared the Auger Hole trail, and the Canebrake trail, and the road from Turkey Pen Gap to the FT.

Spur Trails Status:

Gorges SP has cleared the Auger Hole trail, and the Canebrake trail, and the road from Turkey Pen Gap to the FT.

Big Bend Spur

Round Mountain Spur

Back Creek Access Spur

East Fork Spur has been cleared of branches but a root ball hole remains but is passable with care.

Spoonauger Falls Spur is 100% clear.   Note: the Connector Trail in between the FT and the Chattooga Trail has been hand cleared but a few blowdowns remain and a root ball hole needs work but is passable with care. 

King Creek Falls is 90% clear (note: the last I heard, there were two small blowdowns near the falls that should be removed but it's passable)

All other spur trails are 0% clear.