The Foothills Trail Didn’t Go to Plan, and That’s Okay

October 15, 2026

I didn't finish the Foothills Trail. Not the way I planned it, anyway. Here's the honest version of how the trip went, because I think it's more useful than a highlight reel.

The Plan

Seventy-six miles from Oconee State Park to Table Rock State Park, the first week of October, after a 13-week training build-up. My son, Ranger, and I were going together. Our German Shepherd stayed home on guard duty with Sunshine and Kraken.

The plan was built around shorter days, buffer time, and an early-out option, because the goal was never to set a pace record.

What Happened

Two nights in, Ranger was picked up by Sunshine to give me a chance to complete the trail going a bit faster. That left me free to keep going on my own, and I made it about 30 miles out.

Then the hurricane showed up sooner than expected.

The Call

Staying on the trail meant river crossings, rocky climbs, and a stretch of the trail where help is not close, all with a hurricane's rain and wind arriving early. So instead of pushing on to Table Rock, I turned around and hiked the 30 miles back to the car.

Sixty miles total. It wasn't the ending I trained for. It was still the right call.

Trail Magic at the End

For the last mile and a half, I got a ride from a triple crowner, someone who has hiked all three of the long trails (the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and Continental Divide Trail).

Meeting someone with that much trail behind them, right when I was turning around, was a reminder that experienced hikers turn around too. That's part of why they're still hiking.

Ranger's New Hammock Setup

Ranger has always run homemade gear. This trip, we bought him a true underquilt for the first time, and the Foothills Trail was its first real test. overall it performed great, but that will be another post later.

Those two nights were the best part of the trip: time together, on trail, with nowhere else to be.

What I'm Taking From It

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A plan with a way out is a better plan. The shorter days and early-out option we built in made turning around a simple decision instead of a stressful one.

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Weather decides, not the schedule. A date on the calendar doesn't get a vote when a storm is moving in faster than forecast.

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An unfinished trail isn't a failed trip. Sixty miles, a good test of new gear, and time with my son is not a failure.

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Tell someone the plan. We used Trip Plan & Check-In, and everything went as expected, which is exactly what you want from a safety tool.

What's Next

The Foothills Trail isn't going anywhere. We're going back to finish it as soon as I can get enough time off work, and either the whole family joins, or we have a plan for everyone at home.

Wherever you're starting from — the outdoors is for you. Build your own trip plan, with a bail-out in it, before your next hike.

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