Cedar Creek obstacle cross Congree National Park

[Doug SC]

Clint wanted to paddle one day this week and asked if I wanted to join him. After a millisecond of consideration, I said yes. We decided on doing Cedar Creek from Banister Bridge to Cedar Creek Landing. However, we did realize that might prove optimistic as hurricane Helene had put lots of trees horizonal in the woods this last fall. Stopped at the Congree NP ranger station and asked if they knew the state of the creek. The ranger smiled and said they had cleared it last year before the hurricane.

We left my car and trailer at the takeout and meet a young guide with Palmetto Outfitters. He had 8 canoes on a trailer and 3 on top the truck. Spring break for local schools. He came over to admire my canoe. Coincidently I had passed him on the way to Clint's house. He said he had come down the creek from the bridge after the storm. The water was very high, so he only had a few portages, but the water was much lower than that now.

We decided to stay with our plan but if after 3 hours it looked like we would be hard pressed to take out before dark we would turn around and paddle back up stream.

We both felt a bit foolish for not bringing wheels to roll the canoes on the longer than remembered trail to the water. So, carry them we did.

The put in and take out at the bridge. We weren't on the water very long before we realized we would be paddling back up stream today.
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There were also stretches of open paddling and the varied greens and amber tannins made for some beautiful scenery.
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The wildlife wasn't very active, but we did hear a couple of Barred Owls a woodpecker drumming and saw 2 different water snakes. Clint watched two of them fall out of an overhanging limb into the water as he got close. The snakes were harmless.

Good size Brown Water Snake probably a female because of the size'
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A small Banded Water Snake. Might be a bit hard to spot. At least the snake hopes so.
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[Norm L.]

My days of great creek sighting, almost all from walking, from versions in Ohio, Maine, the Gulf and the Everglades.
Your photos are always great to see.