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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20240224T103000
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UID:2809-1708770600-1708792200@www.scnaturalists.org
SUMMARY:Wateree Passage of the Palmetto Trail
DESCRIPTION:Richland County\, SC \nGPS Coordinates: 33.811156\, -80.639013 \nParking Lot at the Intersection SC Hwy-48 and US-601 \nSaturday\, February 24\, 2024\, 10:30 AM to ~4:30 PM \n  \nThe Wateree Passage is one of the most diverse sections of the Palmetto Trail\, traversing a variety of landscapes\, from high hills on the east end of the trail down to a magnificent river swamp in the middle section of the trail. The middle section of the trail passes through part of Manchester State Forest\, traveling along and on the remnants of an old SC Railroad line that crosses the Wateree River. The full length of the Wateree Passage is 11.4 miles. We will be exploring the western section of the Wateree Passage\, which also reaches the river swamp region of Manchester State Forest. (SCAN visited the eastern section in October of 2023.) \nFrom the new fenced parking lot starting area\, head east southeast on the trail for about 0.67 miles\, passing several planted fields along the way. The biodiversity along this section of the trail is fairly limited. At the end of the last planted field\, look for a trail marker where the trail turns into the woods and eventually heads east northeast for about 0.18 miles until you come to railroad tracks. After about 0.85 miles from the starting area\, the trail crosses the railroad tracks and continues on the other side atop an old\, abandoned section of elevated railroad tracks. Look for where the rails are no longer connected to the main active rail line and follow the trail / old rail line from there in a northeast direction. There is a small trail marker mounted on a tree on the other side of the active rail line. This section of the trail includes the old rails and requires walking on the old railroad ties so be careful of your footing. The rail section (and old railroad ties) will eventually end and the trail continues on a raised section of the old rail bed until it reaches a bridge across the Wateree River. \nAfter about 1.60 miles from the starting area\, there are a set of stairs on the “east” (far) side of the Wateree River that will allow access to the land below. Much of the surrounding area is under water or “swampy” but it is possible to explore the small area of dry land at this location. From the stairs to just past the suspension bridge\, the trail is actually a boardwalk with no access to the water and swamp below. After about 1.95 miles from the starting area\, there is a short suspension bridge. The boardwalk continues for a short distance beyond the suspension bridge until the trail is again back on dry elevated land. There are several benches and birdhouses at the end of the boardwalk. The trail continues for about another 3.50 miles after the end of the boardwalk across the river swamp region of Manchester State Forest. There are 4 bridges and soodlers can walk as far as they want (it is about 5.50 miles from the starting parking lot all the way across the river swamp region) but remember that you will need to backtrack along the same route (and distance) you already traveled to return to the starting parking area. \nThe boardwalk is one of the best I have seen in the state. The suspension bridge is something different for a bridge. Bird life is incredible. Last time I was there I counted four Bald Eagles at the bridge that crosses the Wateree River. I cannot say enough about this trail\, you just gotta see it! One of my favorites and not many people seem to know about it. \n  \nDIRECTIONS: \nWe’ll meet at the new fenced in trailhead parking lot located on the east side of US 601 where South Carolina Highway 48 (Bluff Road) merges with US 601 (McCords Ferry Rd). There isn’t a street address\, so use the GPS coordinates! One can also park across US 601 in the cleared area if the designated parking lot gets full. After parking\, follow the trail about 900 feet south to reach the kiosk. \n  \nFrom Charleston: Hop on I-26 West and exit onto US 601 North. Head up towards the intersection of SC Hwy 48. The parking lot will be on your right at the intersection with SC Hwy 48 (Bluff Rd). \nFrom Columbia: Take I-77 and exit east onto SC Hwy 48 (Bluff Rd). Follow to where Bluff Rd ends on US-601. The parking lot will be in front of you…just on the other side of Hwy 601. \n  \nTRAIL MAP: \nWateree Passage of the Palmetto Trail
URL:https://www.scnaturalists.org/event/wateree-passage-of-the-palmetto-trail-2/
CATEGORIES:Field Trip
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