East Fork Headwaters Hike - Foothills Trail
At more than 8,000 acres, the East Fork Headwaters tract is the largest privately owned tract in the southern Appalachians of North Carolina. It represents the last opportunity that will be available to conserve such a sizable and significant tract in the southern Appalachians for public ownership ever again. The tract contains the upper headwaters of the East Fork of the French Broad River, including 50 miles of high quality trout streams. East Fork Headwaters also hosts nine miles of the Foothills Spur Trail, a branch of the esteemed 76-mile long distance Foothills Trail.
In 2009, CMLC and The Conservation Fund completed the first acquisition of land within the East Fork Headwaters: a 786 acre tract that surrounds the nine mile stretch of Foothills Spur Trail.
CHALLENGE:
Hike the Foothills Spur Trail to Whiteoak Mountain
Primary Route: Foothills Spur from Sassafras Mountain
Hiking Distance: 3.0 miles round-trip
Elevation Gain: 1280 feet; (520 feet to Whiteoak Mtn., 760 feet returning to Sassafras Mtn.)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Trailhead: Click here to enter your address and receive turn-by-turn directions to the trailhead. GPS users may enter N35.0647, W-82.7764 in their units. A large parking area for the Sassafras Mountain trailhead is available on the left side of the road just prior to a metal gate. The summit of Sassafras Mountain is just uphill and beyond the gate via the road. The Foothills Spur Trail, however, is signed on the right side of the road, just opposite the parking area and its large wooden kiosk. Find blue blazes on the pavement leading to the start of the trail at a red metal gate and a sign reading "Foothills Trail, Caesars Head State Park 14.2".
Hiking Directions*: Follow the blue blazed Foothills Spur Trail beyond the red gate and into the woods. During the entire course of the hike, you will be walking the upper elevations and southern boundary of the East Fork Headwaters (EFH) tract. Nearly 8,000 acres of land downslope and to the north are included in this conservation project. EFH land will be on your left as you hike toward Whiteoak Mountain, and to your right during your return trip to Sassafras Mountain. Beyond the gate, the trail follows a woods road until reaching a metal tower straddling a small building at 0.1 mi. The trail passes to its left and begins a gradual descent of the ridge. Here, red signs that you are entering private property are outdated; the entire trail corridor is now owned by The Conservation Fund who will facilitate its transfer to public ownership. The descent steepens and the ridgeline narrows at 0.25 mi. While the trail is marked with blue blazes, notice even more frequent swatches of yellow paint on the trees. This paint marks the NC/SC state line (NC is is to the left (north) and SC is to the right (south). The also paint marks the boundary between the Greenville Watershed to the right (south) and the EFH tract to the left (north).
At 0.5 mi., the trail makes a sharp right hand turn, marked by a double blaze, and begins descending very steeply; a faint trail continues straight ahead to a campsite adjacent to several large boulders. The trail tunnels through rhododendron and mountain laurel while descending steeply to Sassafras Gap at 0.9 mi. Here, intersect the now overgrown Emory Gap Toll Road, a former over-mountain route used by early settlers. Sassafras Gap also marks the tri-county junction of Transylvania County, NC and Greenville and Pickens Counties, SC. Rest up while standing in three places at once and ready yourself for the steep climb up Whiteoak Mountain. Climb a set of stairs and continue following the blue blazes beyond the gap as the trail ascends. Following a short but steep climb, the trail reaches a plateau at 1.1 mi. and passes a metal survey marker. Set into a small rock and marked by a metal stake, the silver dollar-sized disc reads "NC/SC State Line". Following another steep descent along the crest of the ridge the trail veers left and leaves the ridgeline and state divide at 1.2 mi. The trail is now entirely within the EFH tract until reaching the summit of Whiteoak Mountain. Just beyond, a set of wooden stairs ascends to a small overlook on the left with winter-time views back toward Sassafras Mountain and much of the the EFH tract. At 1.4 mi., the trail returns to the ridgeline and makes a sharp left turn at a double blaze and small clearing. The summit of Whiteoak Mountain, marked by a conspicuously placed telephone pole, is just beyond at 1.5 mi. (N35.0682, W-82.7551).
At 3,297 ft., Whiteoak Mountain is the sixth highest peak in South Carolina (straddling the state line, it is shared with North Carolina where it ranks at only the 784th highest in the state!). Turn around and return to the trailhead the way you came. Be prepared for the ascent of Sassafras Mountain on your hike back; the second half of this hike is twice as challenging as the first! When you return to the trailhead, consider hiking the road beyond the other gate about 200 yards to reach the very top of Sasafrass Mountain and claim the highest point in South Carolina!
Looking for More of a Challenge?: Hike the entire 9.3 mi. of the Foothills Trail Spur as it traces the southern boundary of the East Fork Headwaters tract from Sassafras Mountain to Gum Gap. The trail follows the ridge line, traversing the NC/SC state line and crest of the Blue Ridge Escarpment its entire course. Consider backpacking this route out-and-back, or incorporate a route that continues along the Foothills Spur Trail to Raven Cliff Falls and Caesars Head State Park in South Carolina. The route has several camping locations for overnight stays. To access Gum Gap, click here for directions to the junction of East Fork Road and Happy Acres Road. From this junction, follow Happy Acres Road 3.5 mi. to its end at Gum Gap. The road turns from gravel to a one-lane dirt road after about two miles (4WD recommended).