The Foothills Trail-Day 0 – The hike

Out of the office

There is an art to the “Out of Office” email. You must carefully walk a line of courteous professionalism while also setting strict boundaries, especially when backpacking. «I will be out of the office until ________. During this time I will not have access to electronic communications. Response to your email will be significantly delayed.»

Translation: I have gone on a hike. Leave me alone.

I wrapped a few things in my office at noon and then headed home, where my husband had loaded the car. I finished my work day remotely via my smartphone. There is something to be said for the flexibility that technology offers. Our first stop on the way to the trail was my parents’ house to drop off our dog for his little getaway.

Foothills Trail is a dog-friendly trail, and many pups successfully hike it each year with their humans. However, our pup is approaching his 12th birthday and over the last year his arthritis has made it clear that several double-digit days are behind him. My parents graciously agreed to dog sit, allowing you to live your wildest dreams as a farm dog for a week.

It rained most of the way to our hotel, just south of Asheville, North Carolina, which is about an hour north of Table Rock State Park, South Carolina. While planning our trip, I discovered that most accommodations near the trail require a 2-night minimum stay. I had seen a new lodge advertised on a trail-related Facebook page, but I honestly didn’t feel like scrolling through the posts to find the information. Obviously we could have camped at the state park, but one last night of hot water and clean sheets before heading out on our adventure was too much to resist.

We were both already awake when the alarm went off the next morning. Our morning ablutions were completed quickly before We got in the car to drive to Table Rock State Park to meet our transportation.

The shuttle ride

Our shuttle driver (whom I won’t name specifically because I forgot to ask permission) is a local legend. If you’re interested in hiking the Foothills Trail, just start poking around the trail’s social media pages. You will find out who it is.

We shared a trip with two other hikers, both of whom had hiked the trail before and knew each other. A gentleman regularly guided scout troops during nights in the area and provided some commentary on different points along the trail. He and our driver gave us some tips on which waterfalls were worth doing side quests and which campsites were the best.

«Have you been here since the storm?» The only boy asked his friend. «It’s almost a totally different trail at some points.»

This filled me with some apprehension. What exactly were we getting into? But there was no time for more questions as our ferry He stopped at Oconee State Park on the western edge. We disembark on the sidewalk.

“Text me if you need anything, anytime,” our driver said. Then he went to look for his next clients.

And then it was time to start walking.

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