Palmetto Trail offers scenic off-road biking and swamps

It was a bright sunny morning when George picked me up at 6 a.m.He secured my bicycle to his SUV and we left Sun City for a new biking adventure.

We were headed to two sections of the The Palmetto Trail, a statewide, off-road pathway starting from the mountain area around Clemson University, and finishing about thirty miles from Charleston. The trail is advertised for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

On our first day we planned to ride a section that circles around the north side of Lake Moultrie. Our second day's plan was to ride several miles into the Francis Marion National Forest area before heading back to our motel.

We knew driving time to the trail head would be more than two hours and we wanted to be on the trail by 9 a.m. We drove to St. Stephens, a small community north of Monck's Corner. After early check-in at our motel, we rigged our bikes, filled our water bottles and began riding.

The first day we rode on asphalt, dried mud, grass, sand, and hard-packed gravel. On this section of the trail we rode on top of the earthen dikes next to canals that were built as part of the Lake Moultrie/Lake Marion reservoir system. It was a quiet ride along the canal and we saw many birds, jumping fish, and sunning turtles.

Our only downside was continually making wrong turns. Although we brought individual trail maps, a published book of trail maps with text about each section, and a GPS device, we still got lost. We either missed some trail signs, or the signs were just not there. Although we only covered about 18 miles of the Palmetto Trail, it was an enjoyable and scenic view of secluded nature. The ride was easy; however there were several places we had to carry our bikes around or over fences and gates.

After lunching on some crackers and trail mix, we intersected with a county highway that left us about 15 miles to ride back to our motel. Along this route we visited the cemetery of the famous Revolutionary War General Francis Marion. General Marion was called the "Swamp Fox" for his raids upon the British, using guerilla tactics and then hiding in the adjacent swamp, which is now called the Francis Marion Forest.

Our second day's ride was something neither of us had ever experienced. We entered the eastern portion of the Palmetto Trail from a trail head along state highway 52. Our goal was to ride 25 to 40 miles into the forest/swamp landscape.

Within the first 50 feet we were enclosed by jungle-like vegetation on a trail slightly wider than our bike handlebars. Fortunately, conditions were dry or there would have been many low spots we would not have been able to navigate.

On the very low portions of the trail, 2inch wide wooden planks had been laid to help navigate around mud holes. The rider either walks through the mud and keeps his bike on the plank, or walks on the plank and carries his bike without dropping it into the mud. There was not room for both a body and a bike.

When not encountering a low spot, we rode our bikes single file at an average speed of less than 5 mph. It required great balance and strength to stay upright at such a slow speed, and good eyesight to watch for exposed tree roots, sinkholes, and briars.

Again, we spent too much time trying to find trail signs. When crossing a road, the trail signs were sometimes several hundred yards away from the intersection.We stopped several times to remove trees.

We concluded that trail maintenance in the swamp must be very difficult, and if the trail is maintained by a group of volunteers, then we applaud their efforts. However, after three hours of riding and registering only eight miles, we called it quits for riding in the swamp and headed back on a paved highway.

Riding in the swamp area of the Palmetto Trail was an exciting and great adventure. However, based upon conditions in this section of the trail, we cannot recommend the Francis Marion National Forest for riding bicycles.It is better suited for hiking and horses.The trail needs a lot of improvement for bicyclists to use it and feel safe.

This was a new and exciting bicycle adventure for two experienced riders. South Carolina desperately needs several good bicycle trails that residents can use for exercise, transportation, and bicycling adventures. We hope this trail will continue to be used and improved and we look forward to riding other sections of it in the future.