whitewater falls foothills trail

Initial elevation change is a bit challenging (both down and up). The trail is well maintained, and not often crowded. The trail features sturdy bridges crossing … View of Lower Whitewater Falls from the Bad Creek Foothills Trail overlook. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Oconee St Park Access. Please note that while the Foothills Trail Conference has endeavored to make all maps and trail descriptions as accurate and reliable as possible, they should be considered informational only. With that said, I believe some of the reviewers here did not hike the full trail, which is longer than 7.6 miles (closer to 9), and total elevation climb is around 1,800 ft., which, the first 0.75 miles is very steep downhill, and the final, in reverse, is very steep uphill. There are bridges, ladders and boulders. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. After 0.3 miles, the trail heads down toward a river crossing with a couple bridges across Whitewater River. NANTAHALA NATIONAL FOREST — Whitewater Falls and the Foothills Trail (TR 437) that connects to Whitewater Falls on the Nantahala Ranger District are expected to remain closed for some time. Pack a lunch. From the base of the stairs, an unpaved trail provides access to the 76-mile Foothills Trail, descending along the river to Lower Whitewater Falls in South Carolina. Upper Whitewater Falls is on the NC side of the border and the Lower Whitewater Falls is on the SC side. Crossing the river below Whitewater Falls Today, the Foothills Trail Conference is a non-profit organization whose mission is to maintain the trail. It will be very slippery on a wet day. Lower Whitewater Falls Via Foothills Trail. If it is foggy, come back another day. The Foothills Trail runs a total of 76 miles across the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Fee: $3 for vehicles with seven passengers or less; $1 per person for more than seven people traveling together in a vehicle. You could follow the route on this listing, parking at the Upper Whitewater Falls trailhead (maintained by the Forest Service) or you could access via the Lower Whitewater Falls trailhead located off of Bad Creek Rd (maintained by Duke Energy Co). Both the upper and lower falls feature scenic overlooks that can be accessed by car. The trail is beautiful through woods and offers spectacular views of the valley. Foothills Trail: Whitewater Falls to Oconee State Park is a 26.8 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Sapphire, North Carolina that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Foothills Trail to the base of the Whitewater Falls As of our most recent visit on 7/3/2017, the spur trail down the base of the falls was closed, due to fire damage. Great hike if you like the sound of water! The idea for the Foothills Trail, a National Recreation Trail located in far western South Carolina, began in the 1960s as an effort to preserve and protect the beauty of the Appalachian Foothills.A trail corridor linking Table Rock State Park in the north/east to Oconee State Park to the south/west, was completed in 1981. 11-26-17 Lower Whitewater Falls is about 2 miles down river from North Carolina's 411' Whitewater Falls.Starting at Whitewater Falls, you could hike to both via the Foothills Trail and spur trails, but that's not the easiest way to see Lower Whitewater Falls. The Foothills Trail passes near the Upper Whitewater Falls and this route is a loop hike that combines the Foothills Trail with a spur trail … AllTrails states this is kid, dog and stroller friendly, which I disagree with. Foothills Trail: Whitewater River is a 4.7 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Sapphire, North Carolina that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The advantage starting at the Lower Whitewater Falls trailhead is you are doing the steepest ascend/descend in the middle of the hike as opposed to saving it for the end of the hike. Once down the set of stairs, the trail switchbacks down the mountain and is steep in places. You watch your step as the ground curves downward, but then all of … It ends at SC Highway 107. Difficulty: easy. Timing is also significantly longer than 4 hours. Parking is at Duke Energy lot. I was told the fine is $15 if you don't pay. Venture down the steps for better views! Foothills Trail (Upper Whitewater Falls) is a 6 mile blue singletrack trail located near Brevard North Carolina. The waterfalls, Upper Whitewater and Corbin Creek Falls were flush with water and fury of sound as we passed by. It extends from Table Rock State Park to Oconee State Park. About the hike: You can approach this hike via two different trailheads, depending on where you park. ... Upper Whitewater Falls Trail Access. Video from our hike on the Foothills Trail near the border of SC and NC. This hike primary trail can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating. https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2020/05/06/waterfall-rescue-effort-leads-death-first-responder-eldon-jamison/5174602002/. Turning left on the Foothills Trail is the route to Upper Whitewater Falls - continuing forward is the route to Lower Whitewater Falls. Easy walk. 83 05.880. In addition, a long time member of search and rescue lost his life during the rescue operation. The trail was also in very good condition considering the rain. An easy and short walk on a paved road and then about a 100 steps down to the viewing platform. Nice picnic areas once at the bottom. If it has been raining, then the downhill becomes very slippery. The climbs may not be AS difficult as other moderate trails but there are climbs, descents, roots, rocks, water, ledges, and quite a few obstacles to climb over. Not really a hike rather a nice walk, but well worth it. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Stunning views of a powerful waterfall! Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. First, this should not be rated as an EASY trail. Note that this parking lot is adjacent to a Duke Energy Bad Creek Hydro facility. You end at the upper falls platform then wind your way downhill next to the river the while easy back. Paved place to park with bathrooms. Whitewater Falls to Whitewater River Trail is a 1.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Sapphire, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Hikers seeking a more difficult challenge can continue down the half-mile spur trail that drops 600 feet in elevation to the Whitewater River and onto the 85-mile Foothills Trail which stretches along the Blue Ridge Escarpment. Lower Whitewater Falls Via Foothills Trail is a 14.2 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Cashiers, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. Winter has good views of bad creek reservoir and you can see lake jocassee and lake keowi from top of mountain. Foothills Trail Guide p. 46. Bad Creek Access (A7) to Upper Whitewater Falls (A8) Canebrake (A6) to Bad Creek Access (A7) Laurel Fork Falls (A5) to Canebrake (A6) Laurel Valley (A4) to Laurel Fork Falls (A5) ... Foothills Trail Conservancy PO Box 3041 Greenville SC 29602 [email protected] Sign … Beautiful hike to an awesome, powerful waterfall, well worth the hike! The stairs are very steep at the beginning and were not suitable for our dogs. I would rate it as moderate for the area. if going counterclockwise, you can hike up past the falls and make a nice loop, re-entering the Foothills trail from the north. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Magnificent! Roots begin to act as stairs in the trail and tree branches become helping hands as the rumbling of the falls grows louder. The walkway begins at a parking lot and is accessible to wheelchairs. Cross the metal bridge and take the path to the left towards the falls. Leaves would block views in summer time. Sloan Bridge to Fish Hatchery Road is a 3.3-mile (5.3 km) section of the trail that starts at SC Highway 107 and ends at Fish Hatchery Road. The hike from the river up to the Upper Whitewater Falls overlook is steep and makes up most of the 1568 foot gain on this hike. To experience these breathtaking falls up-close-and-personal, take the paved ¼ mile walkway to the upper overlook. Lower Whitewater Falls. A large opening in the forest atop the ridge marked my turn onto the Lower Whitewater Falls Trail. The hike featured two spectacular waterfalls. ... You can get to the base of the falls from here. The other somewhat significant descend/ascend is near the Lower Whitewater Falls overlook. First visited 2/23 and it was too foggy to even see the Upper Falls. Foothills Trail to Whitewater Falls is a 9.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Tamassee, South Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. Otherwise, the portion along the river is relatively flat with a few stairs. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until October. Distance: 5.5 miles. Please use caution when exploring the area. One important note here is that the sign says that it’s 1.7 miles to the overlook. View of Upper Whitewater Falls from the wheelchair-accessible lookout On the north side of the river, the trail intersects with the Foothills Trail . So naturally we continued down some 154 or so stair steps towards a lower overlook for a closer and more direct view of the Upper Whitewater Falls (despite a misleading sign saying “Foothills Trail 0.1” implying it only goes there?!?). More Stats for Foothills Trail (Upper Whitewater Falls) hike trail More energetic hikers can continue down the half-mile spur trail that drops 600 ft. in elevation to the Whitewater River and Foothills Trail. Plus, the Foothills Trail is always very well maintained. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. A few nice sightseeing areas. In the 1970s, the Foothills Trail Conference was created to serve as the unifying force for constructing and maintaining the trail. More energetic hikers can continue down the half-mile spur trail that drops 600 feet in elevation to the Whitewater River and Foothills Trail. Returned 2/24 when it was clear. 400feet! Jumping Branch Access ( SC 107 ) 34 54.197. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. 100 steps to viewing platform are worth it. Easy hike. Whitewater Falls. Both of the cascades are on the Foothills Trail and are linked. All Trails mentioned 2.1 miles. Beaut hike. Nice waterfall. The Lower Falls is a dramatic 200-foot drop, which can best be viewed from an observation platform at the end of a 1.9-mile trail. Foothills-Lower Whitewater Falls Trail Junction. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from April until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The lookout points are nice and new. Both Falls can be hiked to via the Foothills Trail or spur trails. The Lower Whitewater Falls comprises a dramatic 200-foot drop. Very easy with clearly marked trails and stairs for some sections. This is an absolutely gorgeous, moderate-hard hike, which novices should be aware of before they trek out. Sign In To Add To Favorites Trail Head: A8 NC Hwy 281 (SC 130), Upper Whitewater Overlook (Foothills Trail Guide Mini Map #7). The obstacles are NOT temporary due to weather. Long dull through woods. beautiful trail. Although the Whitewater Fire was only 23 acres, it totally destroyed the staircase and access facility to the Whitewater Falls observation deck. GPS Coordinates. It was foggy, wish I got to see the view from up top. Upper Whitewater Falls to Sloan Bridge is a 5.5-mile (8.9 km) section of the trail that crosses into North Carolina and back into South Carolina. Video Review of Falls: https://youtu.be/M-m6QBo4Wa0. Lower Whitewater Falls Via Foothills Trail is a 8.8 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Cashiers, North Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. You’ll also see signs about the Foothills Trail (especially since you’ll be on the trail for part of the hike), as well as the Lower Whitewater Falls trail. But I clocked much higher at 2.3-2.6 oneway (phone vs. my watch). The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Every other hiker we saw was actually hiking the entire Foothills Trail. Easy half mile walk on a paved walkway to view the highest waterfalls east of the Rockies. The Foothills Trail is a 76-mile (122 km) National Recreation Trail trail in South and North Carolina, United States, for recreational hiking and backpacking. Looking towards the Duke Energy Bad Creek Hydro Facility from the Lower Whitewater Falls Trailhead parking lot. This hike visits both overlooks: Upper Whitewater Falls and Lower Whitewater Falls. There is also a river to cross, that requires a hop from rock to rock to hit a bridge. The section of the Foothills Trail east of Musterground Road visits Hilliard Falls, a tall waterfall on Bearcamp Creek, before using forest roads to wind through hills before reaching the Horsepasture River. Foothills Trail to Whitewater Falls is a 15.8 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Tamassee, South Carolina that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. 7.6 miles was a non-issue for this dominantly flat stroll through the woods. Fun trail!! Note: parents came with dogs and had to turn around. The entire Whitewater Falls chain - six different waterfalls along the North and South Carolina border - is the highest series of falls in eastern North America. Summary: The Lower Falls is located about a half-mile down the Whitewater River from the Upper Falls (which is in North Carolina). You will not be disappointed! Highlights of the route include Sassafras Mountain (3,500 ft), the Chattooga River, and Whitewater Falls, the tallest waterfall in the eastern US. A lower overlook is located at the bottom of 154 wooden steps. Over the 3.5 mi (5.6 km) course of the river between the two falls, the Whitewater River drops 1,500 ft (460 m), and crosses the state border. It's a nice spot to swim and hang out on the big rocks. Absolutely beautiful. A moderate one-hour, two-mile hike along the Foothills Trail and a spur trail takes you to a spectacular overlook. The middle is fairly flat, with some up and down hills, with the ends having elevation climbs (the upper being steep). Whitewater Falls is a series of waterfalls and cascades on the Whitewater River in North Carolina and South Carolina. Continue north (right), following blue blazes and good signage pointing toward Lower Whitewater Falls. Beautiful view from viewing platform! I would absolutely recommend for those looking for a challenge with amazing views, but be prepared. My dog loves to hike but this would have been more than he could safely do. I went to Lower Whitewater Falls first, because I wanted to see it in more daylight, but generally, it is better to go to Upper Whitewater Falls first, because it's … The last mile back was so painful. Take on a longer and more difficult hike than the larger Upper Whitewater Falls just to the north and instead enjoy a tranquil river crossing and some quiet solitude on the trail to this classic South Carolina waterfall. Lower Whitewater Falls Distance: 1.9 miles (in and out trail, total 3.8 miles) So you could park in one place and hike to both attractions in the same day. ... Join Foothills Trail Conservancy. The trail to the Lower Whitewater Falls leaves the river and ends at a viewing deck that is a good ways from the falls. I would not bring a dog if I parked at the forest service lot unless it was experienced with exposed steps, ladders, and scrambling in general. Falls are great at end but would rather just park at falls. Absolutely gorgeous and huge! Lower Whitewater Falls. The two viewing decks mentioned above are the two “official” locations for viewing the Falls. Started near Lake Jocassee and hiked along the Whitewater River until we reached the falls. This road provides access to the Foothills Trail several miles east of the traditional Lower Whitewater Falls Trailhead. This hike turns from the platform at the base of the stairs, retracing the outbound route and climbing the wooden stairs to the upper overlook. The slow mosey down the hill was due to the many areas of abundant spring ephemerals to notice, photograph and share with others. Overall, a great hike with a mix of woodland, lush fern areas, river views, and of course two gorgeous waterfalls. Annual pass available for $15; One-day or season permits are also valid at Whiteside Mountain and at Dry Falls. Novice hikers beware: First off, I want to state, that this is a gorgeous hiking trail, with 2 magnificent views of awe-inspiring waterfalls, and the sound of rushing water through most of the trail as you follow the river between the falls. A9 SC Hwy 107 (Foothills Trail Guide Mini Map #8) Features: View of Upper Whitewater Falls 34 51.807. Please note, a hiker lost his life at the bottom of Whitewater Falls which he accessed from the Foothills Trail. Such a magnificent waterfall! HIGHLIGHTS: Whitewater Falls, also called Upper Falls, is one of the highest falls east of the Rockies at 411 feet.This waterfall is designated a North Carolina Natural Heritage Area and it is accessible via a short 0.2 paved path off NC 281. One important thing to note: if you park at the forest service lot off 281, the parking area closest to the Upper Whitewater Falls viewing deck, it is a fee area: $3/car up to 7 people, $1/person over that, cash or check. 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