Wateree Passage Part 1
2020 Hiking #1
Happy New Year! We started off the new year with a new hike. It was a nice day here in South Carolina, clear and cool, so we decided to try a new section of the Palmetto Trail. I have wanted to hike the Wateree Passage since it's close to Columbia and crosses the Wateree River.
The Wateree Passage is a little over 11 miles. It connects Highway 601 to Poinsett State Park where the High Hills of Santee Passage begins. We decided to start at the western end of the trail. It starts near Eastover on Highway 601, travels south along the highway for about 2.5 miles, then turns east and joins up with an old railroad bed to cross the Wateree River and the surrounding lowlands.
The trail is pretty flat the whole way that we hiked. We crossed the Wateree River and hiked to the suspension bridge, which was about 4.25 miles. Our total hike was about 8.5 miles round trip. The section along 601 followed the highway but was in the trees. Some parts were pine forests and some were more deciduous. There were a couple sections that went further away from the road and behind some homes or other properties. You also cross a few roads and follow a couple of farms.
After you turn east and join up with the railroad tracks, be sure to look for the older tracks that are mostly covered with pine needles. It was hard for us to see the trail marker when we came out of the woods.
Hiking on the old railroad bed was really neat. There was a lot of water and swamp land around us but we were above it. I don't know if there's always that much water since it's been a pretty wet December this year. There were a few sections we had to get around some water on the trail.
Once the trail crosses the river, it turns into an elevated boardwalk that was built on top of the old railroad pilings. It was a nice boardwalk and even had a few spots where you could sit down. This was where we stopped and had our lunch when we turned around.
Not far beyond the river bridge was the suspension bridge. I had seen that there was one on the map so I was interested to see it. It was fun walking across it.
We saw lots of birds in the area while hiking, some were different ducks than I usually see. I also think we saw some deer too in the woods. I think this would be a good hike for birders.
Our hike took us about four hours. We got a little turned around at one point and added on an extra mile to the trail that we shouldn't have done, so I would think it would have taken us less time if we followed the trail correctly. We also didn't see another person on the trail that day, but the trail was pretty easy to spot. Our getting off the trail is completely our fault.
I hope to complete this trail sometime soon.
Be sure when hiking in remote places this time of year to wear the orange that they recommend so that if there are any hunters, they will see you.
Happy New Year! We started off the new year with a new hike. It was a nice day here in South Carolina, clear and cool, so we decided to try a new section of the Palmetto Trail. I have wanted to hike the Wateree Passage since it's close to Columbia and crosses the Wateree River.
The Wateree Passage is a little over 11 miles. It connects Highway 601 to Poinsett State Park where the High Hills of Santee Passage begins. We decided to start at the western end of the trail. It starts near Eastover on Highway 601, travels south along the highway for about 2.5 miles, then turns east and joins up with an old railroad bed to cross the Wateree River and the surrounding lowlands.
 |
| Trailhead at Hwy. 601 |
The trail is pretty flat the whole way that we hiked. We crossed the Wateree River and hiked to the suspension bridge, which was about 4.25 miles. Our total hike was about 8.5 miles round trip. The section along 601 followed the highway but was in the trees. Some parts were pine forests and some were more deciduous. There were a couple sections that went further away from the road and behind some homes or other properties. You also cross a few roads and follow a couple of farms.
 |
| Along the trail |
After you turn east and join up with the railroad tracks, be sure to look for the older tracks that are mostly covered with pine needles. It was hard for us to see the trail marker when we came out of the woods.
 |
| The next trail marker along the tracks, my circle over that. |
Hiking on the old railroad bed was really neat. There was a lot of water and swamp land around us but we were above it. I don't know if there's always that much water since it's been a pretty wet December this year. There were a few sections we had to get around some water on the trail.
 |
| Neat green swamp area. |
Once the trail crosses the river, it turns into an elevated boardwalk that was built on top of the old railroad pilings. It was a nice boardwalk and even had a few spots where you could sit down. This was where we stopped and had our lunch when we turned around.
 |
| Wateree River |
Not far beyond the river bridge was the suspension bridge. I had seen that there was one on the map so I was interested to see it. It was fun walking across it.
We saw lots of birds in the area while hiking, some were different ducks than I usually see. I also think we saw some deer too in the woods. I think this would be a good hike for birders.
Our hike took us about four hours. We got a little turned around at one point and added on an extra mile to the trail that we shouldn't have done, so I would think it would have taken us less time if we followed the trail correctly. We also didn't see another person on the trail that day, but the trail was pretty easy to spot. Our getting off the trail is completely our fault.
I hope to complete this trail sometime soon.
Be sure when hiking in remote places this time of year to wear the orange that they recommend so that if there are any hunters, they will see you.
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