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Ride Our Nation's Trails
Enjoy
South Carolina's National Forests from horseback.
by
Georgia Brown
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From
the mountains to the sea, outdoor lovers in South Carolina can
choose between miles of secluded hiking and riding trails. The
Sumter and Francis Marion National Forests offer routes as diverse
as the mountain gorges of the Appalachians and the sandy, sub
tropical plains of the coast. The rewards of a wilderness trek
may be a glimpse of a black bear in the forest or a rare species
of bird in a remote swamp.
South Carolina serves up short, level trails for beginners and
arduous treks to find hidden waterfalls for the adventurous.
The Palmetto Trail, a cross-state trail still in the growing
stage, will span 425 miles from the mountains to the sea. When
completed, it will become one of only a handful of cross-state
trails in the nation. Segments already completed pass through
the state's national forests.
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Sumter
National Forest
The largest region of the Sumter National Forest is located
in the heart of the piedmont north of Newberry. Trails predominately
follow the pine ridges and meander through hardwood forests
of oak and hickory. The forest is home to many species of songbirds,
wild turkeys and white-tailed deer.
Long Cane Horse Trail (1)
Pine, oak and hickory trees shade the hiking and horse trails
on the Long Cane Trail. The 24-mile loop trail is strewn with
pine needles over red clay and has many dips and climbs. It
crosses several creeks that meander through the forest to the
Savannah River.
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Two
riders head out on the Buncombe Trail for an afternoon ride.
Photo by Amber Heintzberger.
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| Riders
who venture deep into the woods will be rewarded by historic
points of interest like the Charleston Road, built in 1825 for
a stagecoach service that carried people to the coast. Another
must-see segment is an old wood forest area that was protected
from loggers.
For those
wishing to camp with their horse, the Fell Hunt campground
is located at the trail head and has 40 sites with hitching
posts and tie rails. There is water available for the horses
and ample parking at the trail head. The trail is open year-round
and there is a $3.00 parking fee per day. For more information
contact the Long Cane Ranger District, Edgefield, SC at (803)
637-5396
Buncombe Horse Trail
(2)
The Brick House Recreation Area was heavily logged and farmed,
but in the 21st century the hardwood canopy of poplars, maples,
and sweet gums has returned. The Buncombe Horse Trail has
been a popular with hikers and trail riders. At the present
time, the well is not functional and you have to bring in
all the water you need. However, there is a stream near the
trail where the water is safe for horses to drink.
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The official
map of the area shows 31.5 miles of trails designed by color-coded
loops and various connectors that enable you to lengthen or
shorten your ride. "The trails in the Enoree Ranger District
are located in the rolling hills of the piedmont. They wind
through upland pine and bottomland hardwoods with terrain
that is mostly easy for the beginner rider," Ranger Alice
Riddle said. "There are various trail lengths and riders
can choose between a short three-hour ride or a full day ride."
There
are several points of interest, including old cemeteries,
creek crossings, wagon roads, and plantation sites. Wildflowers
dot portions of the trail and in the springtime dogwoods offer
brilliant displays of color in spring.
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Signs
at the Buncombe Trailhead welcome hikers and riders and have
free maps available. There is a drop box for your parking fee
and hiker/rider registration form. Photo by Amber Heintzberger.
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The trail
is open all year, but a blaze orange vest should be worn during
fall big game season. No hunting is allowed on Sundays in
South Carolina. For more information contact the Enoree Ranger
District Office, Union, SC, (864) 427-9858.
Woods Ferry Horse Trail (3)
On the east side of the forest near Chester, the Woods Ferry
Trail consists of 9-miles of looped riding trails. The area
is abundant in wildlife because of the proximity to the Broad
River. There's a chance of seeing deer and wild turkey, in
addition to red-tail hawks, quail, blue heron, and even a
rare osprey.
The Woods
Ferry Recreation Area has a campground offering a few horse
sites with 10 x 20 corrals. The trails are open year-round
and with a good source of water and trails, it makes a good
one-night expedition. There are no parking or day fees, but
it is required that horses are shod. To learn more about the
Woods Ferry Recreation Area, contact Enoree Ranger District,
Whitmire, SC, (803) 276-4810.
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Andrew Pickens Ranger District (4)
This part of the Sumter National Forest is a slice of the Appalachians
in the northwest corner of the state. Stretching along the Georgia
state line, this forest is known for the lengthy blooming season
of mountain laurel in the spring. Hardwoods such as hemlocks,
white oaks and the glossy leafed evergreen galax thrive here.
Rocky Gap/Willis Knob Horse Trail (4)
The Rocky Gap Trail in South Carolina connects with the Willis
Knob Horse Trail in Georgia to offer some of the most scenic
horseback riding in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Like
the early settlers, you will likely encounter deer and wild
turkey in the woods. Deep pink rhododendron, yellow and white
daisies and blue iris put on a seasonal show on the forest floor.
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There
is plenty of room for horse trailer parking at the Buncombe
Trailhead. Photo by Amber Heintzberger.
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The historic Chattooga River, a nationally designated Wild
and Scenic River, forms the state line. The rugged terrain
and swift water provides exciting white water rafting. Moviegoers
will remember river scenes from the movie "Deliverance"
starring Burt Reynolds and Jon Voight. The horse trails in
the valley climb to spectacular overlooks of the river canyon
and wide vistas of surrounding farmlands.
The Rocky
Gap Trail and the Willis Knob Loop hop back and forth along
the Chattooga River and have three fords suitable for horses.
The Adline Branch crossing is wide and shallow and open all
year. Big Island and Moss Mill crossings may be difficult
when the water is high. A forest service road connects with
the trail allowing you to lengthen or shorten your ride according
to your needs.
The nearby
Whetstone horse camp offers sites with hitching posts, cooking
grills and centrally located drinking water. There are no
fees for day-use or parking, but there is a fee to camp. Advanced
reservations are recommended. For details, contact the Andrew
Pickens Ranger District, Mountain Rest, SC, at (864) 638-9568
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Francis Marion National Forest
Hikers and riders will experience a seamless transition from
National Forest to National Wildlife Refuge in this coastal
recreation area. Some trails offer unique vistas of the unspoiled
maritime forests along the coastal marsh. Others are shaded
by magnolia, live oaks, loblolly pine and American holly. In
northern region, the rolling topography creates bluffs where
you can see for miles.
"It's surprising how quickly you can get away from populated
areas and into a wetland wilderness of bottomland hardwoods,"
Ranger John Dupre said. "In dry seasons the water levels
in rivers decrease and the footing becomes firm on many trails."
The fact that some low areas flood several times a year keeps
the undergrowth light. |
Many
trails in the forests are well marked for easy navigation. Photo
by Amber Heintzberger.
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Jericho Horse/Hiking Trail (5)
In the vast tracts of forest and marsh along the coast, the
Jericho Trail carves a path through an array of different
habitats. On the 19-mile loop riders encounter bottomland
hardwoods and stands of longleaf pine. Bird watching is a
popular diversion. For nearly five miles it overlaps the Palmetto
Trail where you may encounter mountain bicycles.
The best months to ride or hike are during dry spells from
September through May. There is a primitive camping area near
the trailhead off SC Rt. 41. There is no fee to camp, but
a permit is required. For more information contact the district
ranger office, Cordesville, SC (843) 336-3248.
Tuxbury
Horse Trail (5)
Trails meander through a variety of habitat types, at times
following narrow gauge rail beds built by loggers. Shaded
is less available in mature longleaf pine forest. The bottomland
hardwoods include sycamore, red and white oaks. The 14-mile
trail is known for sightings of endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers
and songbirds. Primitive camping is available but a free camping
permit is required. For details contact the district ranger
office in McClellanville, SC at (843) 887-325
Future
Increased population in the South is drawing more people to
the peace and quiet of National Forests. In the future towns
along the Palmetto Trail will be linked to existing federal,
state and county greenways. Ironically in some places it may
resemble the rough tracts that the Indians and early settlers
followed from the coast to the mountains.
What draws you to the wilderness? Sometimes it is the scent
of oak trees after rain. Or the moment when your ears pick
up background noise that turns out to be a trout stream or
blackwater river flowing to the Atlantic. That's your reward
for venturing so far from the hum of Interstates.
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Horse
Sense on Trails
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1.
Leave a trip plan and contact numbers with family or
friends and the time you expect to return.
2. Take a first-aid kit, snake bite kit, compass or
GPS instrument
3. Get a reliable map recommended by the local ranger
district.
4. Be alert for hazards and do not try to jump trees.
5. Stay on designated trails to avoid stump holes.
6. Watch for vehicles and guide young riders when crossing
roads.
7. Locked vehicles are not completely safe. Leave valuable
and unnecessary equipment at home.
8. Cell phones may not work in mountain areas.
9. Be sure your horse's vaccinations are current for
EEE and WNV.
10. During hunting season wear blaze orange and ride
in the middle of the day when hunters are not usually
present. Or ride on Sundays when hunting is prohibited
in South Carolina.
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Leave
No Trace
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Plan
Ahead
Dispose of Waste Properly
Respect Wildlife
Leave What You Find
Minimize Campfire Impact
Be Considerate of Others
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Georgia
Brown is a freelance travel writer who frequently writes
about horses. She raised horses for several years and
learned many life lessons while competing in dressage
and distance trail riding with a gentlemanly Arbian
Stallion that live to the ripe old age of 33. She currently
lives in Sarasota, Florida.
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