Future Events
WOODSIDE TRAIL GROUP HIKING PROGRAM January thru May 2024
Langley Pond Loop - March 16, 2024
When: Saturday March 16th, 2023, meeting at 9.45 am for a 10.00 am start
Hike Leader: Laurie King-Pirchner, phone 585-261-3279, email [email protected] and Rita Hughson, phone 757-871-5126 email [email protected]
Description: The Langley Pond Loop Trail is a 2.25-mile loop trail located near Warrenville, South Carolina that features some nice views of Langley Pond. It is rated as moderate. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
After we complete the loop, we will walk down to the park area to see the upgrades/additions and inclusive playground that were part of the dam redevelopment project.
Meeting Place: We will meet at the trail head just off Langley Dam Road. Langley Dam Road intersects with Highway 1 near Langley Pond. There is a sign there pointing to Langley Pond. Coming from Aiken along Highway 1 that will be a left turn. A few feet down the road another road goes to your left and a sign points to the trail head parking.
Distance: 2.5 miles
Terrain: Rolling terrain, sandy trail, mostly through a forested area.
Bring: Good sneakers or hiking boots, walking stick, water, snack, and binoculars to observe birds in the marsh at the eastern end of the trail.
-- Rain Cancels --
Hike Leader: Laurie King-Pirchner, phone 585-261-3279, email [email protected] and Rita Hughson, phone 757-871-5126 email [email protected]
Description: The Langley Pond Loop Trail is a 2.25-mile loop trail located near Warrenville, South Carolina that features some nice views of Langley Pond. It is rated as moderate. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
After we complete the loop, we will walk down to the park area to see the upgrades/additions and inclusive playground that were part of the dam redevelopment project.
Meeting Place: We will meet at the trail head just off Langley Dam Road. Langley Dam Road intersects with Highway 1 near Langley Pond. There is a sign there pointing to Langley Pond. Coming from Aiken along Highway 1 that will be a left turn. A few feet down the road another road goes to your left and a sign points to the trail head parking.
Distance: 2.5 miles
Terrain: Rolling terrain, sandy trail, mostly through a forested area.
Bring: Good sneakers or hiking boots, walking stick, water, snack, and binoculars to observe birds in the marsh at the eastern end of the trail.
-- Rain Cancels --
Lake Springs Loop Trail at Strom Thurmond Lake - April 20, 2024
When: Saturday, April 20, 2024, 10am start
Hike Leader: Jim Parker (803) 443-5223 or [email protected]
Description: A loop trail through wooded forest bordering J. Strom Thurmond Lake. Trail has several views of Lake Strom Thurmond. A short section of the loop is also a portion of the “Bartram National Recreation Trail”, a 27-mile-long trail starting just west of the Thurmond Dam. Consider arriving early and stopping to check out the Visitor Center at the east end of the dam for bathrooms, scenic views and interesting info about the dam, lake, etc.
Meeting Place: It is about an hour drive to the trail head. We suggest taking Furys Ferry Road east (aka highway 28) off River Watch Parkway in Augusta. On highway 28 after passing thru Clarks Hill, SC take a left onto highway 221. This road goes over Thurmond Dam. After the dam take the 3rd right turn onto Lake Springs Road to the trail head parking. Anyone wishing to carpool, meet at the parking area by Village Fitness (1st left after exiting the Village gate) at 8:30 am for an 8.45 am departure. This will allow 15 minutes for a bathroom break at the visitor center before leaving for the trailhead.
Distance: About 3 miles
Terrain: Trail is a well-established mostly flat path with the usual occasional small hills and roots/rocks of forest hiking.
BRING: Suggestions would include drink, snacks, sneakers/hiking shoes and perhaps a walking stick.
After Walk Picnic: For anyone interested, there is a nice area just below Thurmond Dam with picnic tables and a scenic view of the mile long dam and the Savanah River. It is only about a 2- or 3-mile drive from the trail head. Wendy and I will be there and invite everyone to bring their picnic baskets, perhaps folding chairs, etc.
-- Rain Cancels --
Hike Leader: Jim Parker (803) 443-5223 or [email protected]
Description: A loop trail through wooded forest bordering J. Strom Thurmond Lake. Trail has several views of Lake Strom Thurmond. A short section of the loop is also a portion of the “Bartram National Recreation Trail”, a 27-mile-long trail starting just west of the Thurmond Dam. Consider arriving early and stopping to check out the Visitor Center at the east end of the dam for bathrooms, scenic views and interesting info about the dam, lake, etc.
Meeting Place: It is about an hour drive to the trail head. We suggest taking Furys Ferry Road east (aka highway 28) off River Watch Parkway in Augusta. On highway 28 after passing thru Clarks Hill, SC take a left onto highway 221. This road goes over Thurmond Dam. After the dam take the 3rd right turn onto Lake Springs Road to the trail head parking. Anyone wishing to carpool, meet at the parking area by Village Fitness (1st left after exiting the Village gate) at 8:30 am for an 8.45 am departure. This will allow 15 minutes for a bathroom break at the visitor center before leaving for the trailhead.
Distance: About 3 miles
Terrain: Trail is a well-established mostly flat path with the usual occasional small hills and roots/rocks of forest hiking.
BRING: Suggestions would include drink, snacks, sneakers/hiking shoes and perhaps a walking stick.
After Walk Picnic: For anyone interested, there is a nice area just below Thurmond Dam with picnic tables and a scenic view of the mile long dam and the Savanah River. It is only about a 2- or 3-mile drive from the trail head. Wendy and I will be there and invite everyone to bring their picnic baskets, perhaps folding chairs, etc.
-- Rain Cancels --
Flowers of Hitchcock Woods - May 18, 2024
When: Saturday May 18 at 9.00 am. Tentative schedule – depends on the flowers
Hike Leader: David Slaunwhite Email: [email protected] Phone: 858-926-8793
Description: One can stop and smell the roses and David discovered a Cherokee Rose in the Woods. Let us, instead, stop and smell the Kalmia. Join David on this 3-mile walk during which time he will acquaint you with the Kalmia and other wildflowers that grow in the Hitchcock Woods. We will enjoy the Kalmia trail as well as some other trails that are less traveled. There are no exams, but learning is encouraged. The Kalmia are generally in bloom around Mother’s Day, so we have tentatively scheduled the walk for Saturday May 18, 2024. If the bloom varies, we will move the date and notify you in advance.
Meeting Place: South Boundary entrance to Hitchcock Woods
Meeting time: Meet at 8.45 am for a 9 am departure
Distance: About 3 miles
Terrain: Likely some hills and sand underfoot in some places.
Bring: Water, hiking boots or good sneakers. Camera and walking stick if desired.
-- Rain Cancels --
Hike Leader: David Slaunwhite Email: [email protected] Phone: 858-926-8793
Description: One can stop and smell the roses and David discovered a Cherokee Rose in the Woods. Let us, instead, stop and smell the Kalmia. Join David on this 3-mile walk during which time he will acquaint you with the Kalmia and other wildflowers that grow in the Hitchcock Woods. We will enjoy the Kalmia trail as well as some other trails that are less traveled. There are no exams, but learning is encouraged. The Kalmia are generally in bloom around Mother’s Day, so we have tentatively scheduled the walk for Saturday May 18, 2024. If the bloom varies, we will move the date and notify you in advance.
Meeting Place: South Boundary entrance to Hitchcock Woods
Meeting time: Meet at 8.45 am for a 9 am departure
Distance: About 3 miles
Terrain: Likely some hills and sand underfoot in some places.
Bring: Water, hiking boots or good sneakers. Camera and walking stick if desired.
-- Rain Cancels --