Past Events
Hollow Creek Trail, January 21, 2024
Twenty-two people turned out for this 5-mile hike. The hike was originally scheduled for 9.30 am but because it was windy and only 25 degrees F. at that time everyone was glad to postpone the hike to 1.30 pm when conditions had markedly improved. It was a long hike but everyone made it. The trail was in good shape thanks to the work of trail captains, Jim Pierce, Jim Parker, and
Dick Spaeth, all of whom attended the hike.
Dick Spaeth, all of whom attended the hike.
New Years Day 2024 Hike
We had a big turnout for this annual hike to bring in the New Year. Everyone enjoyed the 2-mile hike along Woodside’s Oakman Lake trail and, afterwards, the cookies that everyone brought. Thanks to Marion Pierce, Jackie LeFebvre and Jim LeFebvre who organized the picnic table for the cookie feast.
Audubon Quail Trail December 9, 2023
What a nice warm day for a December hike! We had 30 people come out to enjoy the trail and the nice weather. Jerry led the way and explained the history of this area. It was one of the first areas to be settled in the upper regions of the Savanaha river. Very little remains today but there are nice views of the river and some plaques explaining the history of the spot. Thanks, Jerry.
Lake Olmstead Augusta Tow Path
We had a very nice turnout for this hike. A few people from our Augusta contacts showed up and it was nice to talk with them. The walk started near Lake Olmstead and proceeded north along the tow path. Nice easy walking with great views of the Augusta canal and the rapids in the Savanaha river. At the end of the hike, some of the most adventurous explored the Rae's Creek area. Thank you, Cheryl, for introducing us to a very nice hike.
Freeman Preserve Aiken Land Conservancy September 23, 2023
We had a great turn out for this 3-mile hike. Hike leader Jim Parker and his wife Wendy did a great job of organizing the hike. We even had name tags so we could get to know each other better. The trail provided a nice view of the lake and surrounding area. Jim showed us the connection between the Freeman Reserve trails and Woodside's Hollow Creek Trail.
Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park
We had 15 people turn out for this hike on the tow path between the Broad River and the Columbia canal. Easy walking and beautiful scenery. Afterward many of us took in Soda City craft market and had lunch downtown. Columbia.
Kalmia Trail Hitchcock Woods April 24, 2023
On a beautiful Monday afternoon about 40 hikers turned up to see the spectacular Kalmia blooming on the Kalmia trail in Hitchcock Woods. The valley just below the trail was covered in the white and sometimes pink blooms of the many shrubs growing there. Later on the return circle, we saw the result of the Hitchcock Woods Association’s attempts to control possible fires in the woods using controlled burns. At one intersection of three trails we were able to see a very recent burn, a burn that occurred a couple of years ago, and one that was several years old. It was interesting to see the progression of new growth in the three burn areas.
-- -- Many turned out for this very beautiful hike through the Kalmia Blooms -- --
-- -- Photos contributed by Susan Potter, John Alhaney, Sylvia Velez, and Jim Lefebvre -- --
Big Rock Trail Sumpter National Forest April 15, 2023
We had 13 people turn up for this hike. It was a great day and we all enjoyed our walk around this 4-mile loop. We took several stops for pictures and conversations. This area is very unlike the trails nearer Aiken; as suggested by the name there are several rocky areas, something that does not occur on our local trails. The only disappointment was that several areas were recently
burned to control vegetation and there were a lot of downed trees. However, the good thing was that the trail had been cleared so our hike was not impeded. Thanks to our hike leader Jim Lefebvre for doing such a good job in organizing this outing and helping us find a great new place to hike.
burned to control vegetation and there were a lot of downed trees. However, the good thing was that the trail had been cleared so our hike was not impeded. Thanks to our hike leader Jim Lefebvre for doing such a good job in organizing this outing and helping us find a great new place to hike.
Mill Road, Azalea and Oakman trails March 18, 2023
A group of 25 people attended this hike. Our hike leader Ken introduced us to the recently constructed extension of the Mill Road trail which now joins the Azalea trail. This extension allowed us to combine the Mill Road trail and the two loops of the azalea trail for a 2.75-mile hike. We looked for blooms of the native azaleas along the azalea trail but we were too early to see them. Everyone enjoyed the new combination of trails.
When we got back to the parking area, 12 people decided to continue on to hike the 2.5-mile Oakman trail. And guess what we found blooming there? A beautiful native azalea! It must have been in a sunnier location than those on the Azalea trail. Everyone enjoyed the outing. Thanks to Ken for leading the hike and to Susan Potter for submitting pictures.
When we got back to the parking area, 12 people decided to continue on to hike the 2.5-mile Oakman trail. And guess what we found blooming there? A beautiful native azalea! It must have been in a sunnier location than those on the Azalea trail. Everyone enjoyed the outing. Thanks to Ken for leading the hike and to Susan Potter for submitting pictures.