The Edisto River is the longest completely undammed / unleveed black water river in North America, flowing 206 meandering miles from its source in Saluda County, to its Atlantic Ocean mouth at Edisto Beach, SC. It rises in two main tributaries (North Fork & South Fork) from springs under the Sand Hills region of West Central South Carolina, just to the south of the Piedmont fall line, and is the longest and largest river system completely contained by the borders of South Carolina.
Bald cypress trees and their kindred water loving plants are found in abundance along the river and in adjacent swamp and. There are some ridges with pine stands. After the confluence of the North Fork and South Fork, the main stem of the Edisto becomes more open with a few sand bars. Gradually, the Edisto widens and moves more slowly as it plies its course to the ocean. In the lower sections, shore birds are seen in abundance. This river is prime habitat for wood stork and American alligators.
The Trip:
Our trip will begin at Colleton State Park at 2pm on April 12, 2009. Here we will get some basic instruction on kayaking and packing everything into our kayaks. Our fist night will be spent at the park. Early in the morning we will push our bows into the black waters current and begin our float.
Every morning will of course start with hot coffee and a big breakfast. Soon after the leaders will go over the days schedule, what to expect, and what wild things to look for. Since this is a float trip there is no rush to “put in some miles”, instead our group will take the time to observe the abundance of wildlife that congregates at swamps, black water rivers, sloughs, and marshlands. Lunches will always be served picnic style on the best beach of the day. Lunchtime is long so folks can siesta, swim, read a guidebook, or get some kayak instruction from one of the leaders.
Once it cools down a bit we return to the river. Late afternoon and early evening is when the critters begin to really show themselves and start singing. The pileated woodpeckers sound like laughing girls; the limpkin like a chorus of screaming monkeys, and the ever-common great blue heron moans and belches as he lazily swoops his way downstream. The highlight will be just as dinner is about to be served and the sun gets ready to set, the bull alligators will begin grunting and howling for a mate. To the first time visitor it will be amazing. To an old time friend of the low country it will be as comforting as a warm blanket.
Most days we will paddle amongst tupelo, giant cypress, may haw, sweet gum, and bay trees. These trees grow on land as well as in the river. Their branches get covered in mosses, lichen, orchids, and ferns. Their hollow trunks house birds, snakes, and honeybees.
On this trip the leaders will point out the importance of wild rivers, swamps, marshes, and flood plain. Areas once considered useless to man.
On the last day of our river trip the outfitters will meet us and shuttle us back to Colleton State Park. The leaders have reserved the group campsite for the night so everyone has the option of staying the night to shower off, clean up gear, and not having to feel like they have to hurry up and rush off. For folks staying the night after the trip ends we can find a local fish camp for dinner.
“Note: the leaders will make every reasonable effort to meet the goals outlined in the itinerary. Please keep in mind that weather or other conditions beyond our control may cause us to modify the itinerary in order to ensure the safety and well being of the group.”
Highlights:
1. A classic float trip on one of America’s longest black water rivers
2. Wilderness from the piedmont to the low country
3. Nighttime swamp sounds.
What's Included:
1. Kayaks and all kayaking gear
2. All meals prepared and served by the trip leaders (smell them shrimp boiling?)
3. Ground shuttles during the trip
4. Local guides with local knowledge
Getting There:
Our trip Begins and ends at Colleton State Park.
Colleton State Park
147 Wayside Lane
Canadys, South Carolina 29433
843 538-8206
http://www.southcarolinaparks.com/park-finder/state-park/1876.aspx
Accommodations and Food:
The leaders will prepare all meals, however, everyone is expected to help clean up. Meals included in the trip fee begin with lunch on the first day and lunch on the last day. Meals served on the trip will honor and reflect local cuisine. A typical dinner would consist of grilled salmon, new potatoes, corn on the cob, fresh salad, and something chocolate for dessert. If water levels are low accommodations will be backcountry and primitive. In the event of high water camping will be on State Park land. This means hot showers, flush toilets, and other campers.
Trip Difficulty:
Kayaking experience is not needed, however, like most water based outdoor activities, participants should be in good shape and a strong swimmer. The trip leader and assistant are both ACA certified kayak instructors. This would be an excellent trip for first time kayakers. Seasoned kayakers would also enjoy this trip immensely.
References:
National Geographic Adventure Magazine March 2006
Backpacker Magazine July 2000 http://www.backpacker.com/article/1064
Edisto River Companion, by Ken Driggers and Bill Price
Paddling South Carolina, by Gene Able and Jack Horan
Turtles of the Southeast, by Kurt Buhlmann, Tracey Tuberville, & Whit Gibbons
Conservation:
The on going battle with climate change.
Due to the recent drought in the southeast, the Edisto has become a losing river. Not only is there less water flowing into the river system more water is being absorbed into the ground to replace water that has been pumped for human uses.
The leaders will also discuss the vital importance of wild rivers, swamps, and the low country.
http://www.edistofriends.org/
ABOUT YOUR TRIP LEADER:
Kayaking and the outdoors have been Greg Pflug’s love from an early age. Greg’s adventures began with long-distance backpacking; he and his wife Melissa even through-hiked the Appalachian Trail as a belated honeymoon. Then he discovered water, and life has never been the same. Greg has dedicated the past fifteen years sharing his love of Florida’s waterways and his desire to preserve them. A Sierra Club leader since 1999, Greg has led over 100 national outings for the organization. Overall, Greg has guided sea-kayaking trips from Patagonia to New Zealand, Alaska to Wyoming. His goal is always two-fold: his child side wants to find the perfect unspoiled waterway, which is tempered by the mature desire to educate people on protecting and restoring the rivers, estuaries, and coast lines that have felt the hand of man. Greg is a certified kayak instructor, outdoor specialist, and wilderness first responder, but he truly takes pride tailoring his trips by removing worry and injecting fun and child-like wonder in the great outdoors. His favorite outings are the Suwannee River, Okefenokee, and the Everglades.
Email: gpflug@yahoo.com
PRIMARY GEAR LIST FOR PARTICIPANTS
Camping gear should be small, light, and of expedition quality. Participants should be comfortable and accustomed to using their gear. This means being able to set up your tent in the dark, with strong winds, and rain.
Compass
First Aid kit
Duct Tape
Pain reliever
Personal medical supplies (Prescriptions, inhaler, antibiotics, etc.)
Water bottles
Flashlight or head lamp
Spare batteries
Sunglasses
Prescription Glasses/Contact lenses and supplies
Tent
Spare tent stakes
Ground Cloth
Sleeping Bag (Temperature appropriate)
Camp pillow or stuff bag to fill with clothing to serve as pillow
Sleeping pad
Waterproof stuff bag for sleeping bag
Waterproof stuff sacks (For clothing and other gear)
Equipment repair supplies
Leatherman™ or Multi™ tool
Knife, fork, spoon
Knife (Swiss Army™ or good a folding model)
Cup
Plate
Feminine hygiene products
Toilet paper
Trowel
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Hair brush/comb
Biodegradable soap
Antibacterial gel
Pack towel/wash rag
Moist towelettes
Water shoes or sandals
Bandanas
Brimmed Hat
Mosquito head net
Raingear - waterproof/breathable jacket
Fleece or wool shirt or sweater
Light weight camping pants
Swim suit
Shorts
T-shirt
Long Sleeve shirt - light weight (Great for sun protection)
Underwear
Gloves (For paddling and warmth)
Sun Screen
Sunburn Cream
Insect repellant
Lip Balm
Optional Stuff (but nice)
Candle Lantern/candles
Books
Journal and pen
Playing Cards
Binoculars
Camera and film
Waterproof Camera Bag
Fishing Gear
Favorite beverage
Guide books
Snorkeling gear
snacks
TRIP REPORT FROM TED GREENBERG:
A couple Saturdays ago, Greg loaded up the Adventures in Florida van with three friends, boats, and gear to go scout the twists and turns of South Carolina’s Edisto River. The trip was a relaxing four-day paddle of roughly 80 miles, stretching from the mild hills north of Canadys down to the edge of Edisto Island, about another day’s float from the Atlantic. Greg, Virginia, Marty, and I made up this small group; we all paddle for a variety of reasons, and getting to know each other better adds flavor to the adventure of climbing into a kayak and putting in some river time.
Marty, who has built a half-dozen or so wooden boats, was the most competitive, often paddling ahead and returning upstream to visit the sweep craft; he is in training for his next race. Virginia, with her ever-present red, white, and blue umbrella, used to canoe with her high school team back in the days when Florida high schools did such things; now you will find her on the water around Boca Grande several times a week. Greg’s mother will probably deny this, but it seems certain he was born in some kind of watercraft, and he is passing this tradition on to his two young boys who spent ten days recently with him on the Green River in Utah. And I am the laggard, glad for Virginia’s friendly smile and everyone’s patience, and willing to squeeze in a trip whenever possible; including this one, my kayak-camping may have reached a grand total of ten “sleepovers.”
On the down side, the Edisto River has more signs of man than I would like to see. But the old Southern regalia hanging from several docks and homes made for interesting comments and provided colorful accents to the many cypress and pine trees lining the banks. The potential is certainly there for South Carolinians to restore this state treasure and turn it into a resource that could bring caring, spending eco-tourists while maintaining traditional uses like fishing and hunting.
At our campsites, we saw deer and boar sign, but large wildlife was mostly bashful – only Marty saw a deer and Greg, a boar. However flocks of bold wild turkeys were often feeding near shore and roosting in overhanging branches, which allowed for some near approaches. And one Great Blue Heron was so intent on finding breakfast that Virginia and I got within 10 feet, thinking he was a decoy, until he startled and winged away, croaking his displeasure. Little Blue Herons, Kingfishers, Wood Ducks, and Pileated Woodpeckers were plentiful, as were many varieties of small songbirds. And in the lower stretch of the Edisto, sturgeon up to four feet long startled us by leaping from the river and crashing back down, once only feet from Virginia’s boat. The other, unpleasant wildlife – mosquitoes and biting flies – were thankfully few and far between, but there were some BIG hornet and paper wasp nests, so we stayed clear of overhanging branches.
The vegetation changed noticeably as we progressed, with marsh plants replacing pines and hardwoods and the river’s edge – and potential camping spots – becoming harder and harder to find, so it was good that we took out at West Bank Wednesday afternoon. Our ride drove us back to the park for quick hot showers, and then we enjoyed the All-You-Can-Eat Bar-B-Cue at Duke’s before heading home to Orlando. In all, the Edisto was worth the paddle, though next time maybe we should go all the way to the ocean.
