Wateree Passage of the Palmetto Trail

Wateree Passage of the Palmetto Trail
Meet at the Farmstead Road Trailhead Parking Area (look for the brown trailhead sign)
Intersection of US 601 (McCords Ferry Road) and Farmstead Road
GPS Coordinates: 33.84430, -80.64850
Saturday, January 22, 2022, 10:30 AM to ~4:30 PM

The 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. Also on the east end, the trail climbs Molly’s Bluff (elevation 260 feet), one of the higher elevations in Sumter County, which offers excellent vistas across Wateree swamp to Richland County. 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 that also reaches the river swamp region of Manchester State Forest. We will meet at the west trailhead (located as indicated above) and, due to limited parking at our proposed “starting” point, carpool south down US 601 about 2.50 miles to a new fenced parking lot that is located on the left side of US 601 shortly after South Carolina Highway 48 (Bluff Road) merges with US 601. We need to carpool because space is limited in the new parking lot and it will only hold about 10 to 12 vehicles maximum. It is also possible to walk the 2.50 miles south on the Palmetto Trail from the trailhead meeting area to the new parking lot, but the trail runs parallel to US 601 and the biodiversity is limited.

From 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 some 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 railbed until it reaches a bridge across the Wateree River.

After 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 underwater 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, fishing locations and canoe (or kayak) launch sites along this section of the trail (see map below) but it appears that any canoe (or kayak) will need to be portaged-in to the launch site, possibly from the east.

Attendees 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.

The east end of the Wateree Passage looks very interesting and may be a good candidate for a future trip that starts from Poinsette State Park or some other “intermediate” location accessible by vehicle. Molly’s Bluff looks like it might be fun. We will need to do some additional scouting.

Directions to: Farmstead Road Trailhead Parking Area of the Wateree Passage Trail (North end)

The location to meet is the north trailhead at the intersection of US 601 (McCords Ferry Road) and Farmstead Road. Look for the brown “PALMETTO TRAIL TRAILHEAD” sign on US 601.

Trailhead Parking Area (meeting location) …….. Latitude 33.84430, Longitude -80.64850
New fenced parking lot (hike start location) ……. Latitude 33.80903, Longitude -80.63843

From the north at the intersection of US Highway 378 and US 601 (McCords Ferry Road), travel south on US 601 for about 7.30 miles. Look for the brown “PALMETTO TRAIL TRAILHEAD” sign on the left side of US 601 and turn left onto Farmstead Road. The concrete parking pad and trailhead will be on the right directly after the turn.

From the south at the intersection of South Carolina Highway 48 (Bluff Road) and US 601 (McCords Ferry Road), travel north on US 601 for about 2.50 miles. Look for the brown “PALMETTO TRAIL TRAILHEAD” sign on the right side of US 601 and turn right onto Farmstead Road. The concrete parking pad and trailhead will be on the right directly after the turn.

Dinner:
Due to Covid-19 and in an abundance of caution, it has been decided to NOT meet for an after-outing meal. Sorry – We can all hope that things will be better later this year.