Future Events
WTG HIKING PROGRAM September 2024 Through December 2024
Boyd Pond
When: Saturday November 16 at 9.30 am
Hike Leader[s]: Gerald McDonald, 803-270-3310, [email protected]
Description: This hike was supposed to be at the Peach Tree Rock nature preserve but
Gerald visited the site recently and reports that many trees are down. As a replacement we will
hike the nature trail at Boyd Pond Park. A recent visit there confirmed that Aiken County has
done a great job in opening the trail up after the hurricane! Our route will basically take us
around the pond. There are some good views of the pond and a very nice bridge that crosses
the upper regions of the pond and gives views of this boggy area. We will also go past the Aiken
County observatory.
Hike Leader[s]: Gerald McDonald, 803-270-3310, [email protected]
Description: This hike was supposed to be at the Peach Tree Rock nature preserve but
Gerald visited the site recently and reports that many trees are down. As a replacement we will
hike the nature trail at Boyd Pond Park. A recent visit there confirmed that Aiken County has
done a great job in opening the trail up after the hurricane! Our route will basically take us
around the pond. There are some good views of the pond and a very nice bridge that crosses
the upper regions of the pond and gives views of this boggy area. We will also go past the Aiken
County observatory.
Meeting Place: In the parking lot just before going over the “dam/bridge” which impounds
the pond. Park in the frisbee golf parking area on both sides of the road. When visited
on11.04.2024 the main entrances to the park were closed but these two parking areas and the
trail were open. The trip from Woodside Village gate takes about 10 minutes. See Village
Fitness to Boyd Pond Park - Google Maps
Meeting time: 9.15 am at the parking lot for a 9.30 am start
Distance: About 2.5 miles.
Terrain: For the most part, the terrain is flat with one or two moderate hills. The trail is usually dry.
Bring: Water, hiking stick, camera. Sneakers are okay for this hike.
-- Rain Cancels -
the pond. Park in the frisbee golf parking area on both sides of the road. When visited
on11.04.2024 the main entrances to the park were closed but these two parking areas and the
trail were open. The trip from Woodside Village gate takes about 10 minutes. See Village
Fitness to Boyd Pond Park - Google Maps
Meeting time: 9.15 am at the parking lot for a 9.30 am start
Distance: About 2.5 miles.
Terrain: For the most part, the terrain is flat with one or two moderate hills. The trail is usually dry.
Bring: Water, hiking stick, camera. Sneakers are okay for this hike.
-- Rain Cancels -
Ten Governors Rail Trail and Star Orchard Vineyard
When: December 7, 2024 at 9.30 am
Hike Leader: Sylvia Mercado email: [email protected] Phone or text: 803 522 4950
Description: I’m Sylvia Mercado, I am a first time hike leader for the WTG, and I am excited about leading this hike! Our hike will commence at Ten Governors Rail Trail in pleasant Edgefield, SC. This short hike is paved and commemorates, with stone markers, Edgefield’s ten governors. After completing the trail, we will walk to the square in the center of Edgefield where we can take pictures of the beautiful courthouse and town square. We will then walk back to the parking area along Main Street where many beautiful historic homes are located. After the hike, for those that wish, we will drive to the Three Star Vineyard and Orchard in Johnston, SC. The drive is about 15 minutes, and the manager will be expecting our arrival around 11:20-11:30 am. Their address is 172 Holmes Pond Road, Johnston, SC. The property has a gift shop, a wine tasting room and light food options are available in the dining room area. Dogs are not allowed inside the dining room but are more than welcome in the outside sitting area. As in most places nowadays, a fee of 3% will be charged if you use a credit card. If you want to visit the vineyard I will need a head count by Wednesday December 4th. If you intend to visit the winery please contact me before that time.
Meeting Place: We will be parking at Piedmont Technical College which is located at 506 Main St. Edgefield, SC.
Distance: The trail is an in and out trail. Total distance 1.8 miles. Combined with the walk into town and back to the parking area the total walk is about 2.5 miles.
Terrain: Completely flat. The trail is paved. Easy walking!
Bring: Good sneakers, water, and a camera.
-- Rain Cancels --
Hike Leader: Sylvia Mercado email: [email protected] Phone or text: 803 522 4950
Description: I’m Sylvia Mercado, I am a first time hike leader for the WTG, and I am excited about leading this hike! Our hike will commence at Ten Governors Rail Trail in pleasant Edgefield, SC. This short hike is paved and commemorates, with stone markers, Edgefield’s ten governors. After completing the trail, we will walk to the square in the center of Edgefield where we can take pictures of the beautiful courthouse and town square. We will then walk back to the parking area along Main Street where many beautiful historic homes are located. After the hike, for those that wish, we will drive to the Three Star Vineyard and Orchard in Johnston, SC. The drive is about 15 minutes, and the manager will be expecting our arrival around 11:20-11:30 am. Their address is 172 Holmes Pond Road, Johnston, SC. The property has a gift shop, a wine tasting room and light food options are available in the dining room area. Dogs are not allowed inside the dining room but are more than welcome in the outside sitting area. As in most places nowadays, a fee of 3% will be charged if you use a credit card. If you want to visit the vineyard I will need a head count by Wednesday December 4th. If you intend to visit the winery please contact me before that time.
Meeting Place: We will be parking at Piedmont Technical College which is located at 506 Main St. Edgefield, SC.
Distance: The trail is an in and out trail. Total distance 1.8 miles. Combined with the walk into town and back to the parking area the total walk is about 2.5 miles.
Terrain: Completely flat. The trail is paved. Easy walking!
Bring: Good sneakers, water, and a camera.
-- Rain Cancels --
Fifth Annual Clear the Cobwebs Hike
When: Wednesday January 1, 2025, at 1.45 pm for a 2.00 pm start
Hike Leader: Jim Pierce; 803-634-0513; [email protected]
Description: Come out and clear your News Eve’s cobwebs on our 5th annual “Clear the Cobwebs” hike. We will take an easy going 2-mile jaunt around Woodside’s Oakman Trail. This would also be a great hike to introduce any New Year’s visitors to one of Woodside’s most pleasant walks. After the hike, we will all stop to toast the New Year. Suitable beverages will be provided and, as in past years, I hope we will have many cookie donations from those participating in the hike. There is a big picnic table located where we will stop for these celebrations. Dogs on a leash are welcome but you must supply your own doggy snacks! Put this outing on your calendar now!
Meeting Place: We will meet in the “parking area” just off the road leading to the Reserve Club golf maintenance shed. This is very close to the junction of West Pleasant Colony, East Pleasant Colony, and Woodside Plantation Drive. Signs point the way. If you find parking tight, you can also park along the maintenance road. If you are bringing cookies you might want to arrive early and take them to the picnic table and begin your hike there.
Distance: About 2 miles
Terrain: A couple of ups and downs but mainly flat easy walking.
Bring: Water and wear good sneakers or boots. Perhaps a walking stick. If it rains before the hike the trail may have wet sections. Cookies to share would be welcome.
-- Rain Cancels --
Hike Leader: Jim Pierce; 803-634-0513; [email protected]
Description: Come out and clear your News Eve’s cobwebs on our 5th annual “Clear the Cobwebs” hike. We will take an easy going 2-mile jaunt around Woodside’s Oakman Trail. This would also be a great hike to introduce any New Year’s visitors to one of Woodside’s most pleasant walks. After the hike, we will all stop to toast the New Year. Suitable beverages will be provided and, as in past years, I hope we will have many cookie donations from those participating in the hike. There is a big picnic table located where we will stop for these celebrations. Dogs on a leash are welcome but you must supply your own doggy snacks! Put this outing on your calendar now!
Meeting Place: We will meet in the “parking area” just off the road leading to the Reserve Club golf maintenance shed. This is very close to the junction of West Pleasant Colony, East Pleasant Colony, and Woodside Plantation Drive. Signs point the way. If you find parking tight, you can also park along the maintenance road. If you are bringing cookies you might want to arrive early and take them to the picnic table and begin your hike there.
Distance: About 2 miles
Terrain: A couple of ups and downs but mainly flat easy walking.
Bring: Water and wear good sneakers or boots. Perhaps a walking stick. If it rains before the hike the trail may have wet sections. Cookies to share would be welcome.
-- Rain Cancels --
--- OTHER HIKES Y0U MIGHT LIKE ---
Cheryl Muga Hikes (ASLS Hikes)
Sunday, November 24, 2024, let’s walk off the turkey! Meet for a 10:00 AM trail departure. Nestled in the Sumter National Forest, FATS is considered a treasure for hikers (and bikers) in the CSRA. We can hike approximately 6 miles or shorten the hike with a bypass. South Trailhead parking lot is adjacent to the southern loop trails.
Forks Area Trail System (FATS) – SORBA CSRA
(803) -637-5396
484 Woodlawn Rd in Clarks Hill, SC 29821 is across the street from the FATS parking lot.
Forks Area Trail System (FATS) – SORBA CSRA
(803) -637-5396
484 Woodlawn Rd in Clarks Hill, SC 29821 is across the street from the FATS parking lot.
Sunday, December 21, 2024, let’s meet at Generations Park, Aiken, SC for a first day of winter hike. Meet for a 10:00 AM trail departure. We will hike the 3.40 mile networked trails as it is an easy hike along natural dirt paths. Map is only of the outer loop trail.
Generations Park | City of Aiken, SC Government (cityofaikensc.gov)
700 Mack Henry Holland Drive, Aiken SC
(803)-642-7631
Generations Park | City of Aiken, SC Government (cityofaikensc.gov)
700 Mack Henry Holland Drive, Aiken SC
(803)-642-7631
