Batona Trail Guide

[boggsvanderswamp]

Hi folks:

New to the site but I've lurked for years because this forum is a treasure trove of information about the history of the Pines. I hope I'm posting in the right place for this inquiry.

I'm currently engaged in the writing of a Batona Trail Guide that summarizes not just the route but also the history of the route. I'm familiar with The Batona Trail Diary and the information contained within it, but I wanted to augment this information.

I wanted to ask a few questions of the community to see if anyone might be able to provide some historical Batona Trail information.

For example, I'm curious; is anyone aware of any rerouted sections of the trail (besides of course the major 2014 reroutes)? I've read somewhere on the forum that there used to be a footbridge over the Skit Branch at Batona Campground, for example.

Other gaps in my information include the Wharton campgrounds. Does anyone know who built them and when? In 1961, Morris Bardock's writings mention the trail being routed near existing campgrounds, but no mention is made of which campgrounds those were. By 1966, most of the Wharton campsites appear on the Wharton Visitor Map. I'm curious what pre-dates the trail and what doesn't.

I have further questions about the history of Batona and what it was like pre-1978, but I will leave it at this to start.

Thanks,

Boggs

 

[manumuskin]

There did used to be a foot bridge across Skit Branch.I don't ever remember the trail running across it because i don't remember the bridge being usable.The pilings are still there but no bridge.It would have been a better route though then running it down a major sand road like it does now and crossing the skit at the bridge the road uses.

 

[ecampbell]

That bridge hasn't been around since the 1970's.

 

[manumuskin]

That bridge hasn't been around since the 1970's.

Didnt get my license till 81 and other then canoeing the major rivers in the barrens in the 70's my explorations were pretty much Cumberland County till I got wheels

 

[imkms]

There was a footbridge across the skit at the end of Batona campground, I think it was still called Carranza campground then. The footbridge was in real bad shape so it was closed off and the trail rerouted to follow the road until it meets up again with the trail.

 

[boggsvanderswamp]

There was a footbridge across the skit at the end of Batona campground, I think it was still called Carranza campground then. The footbridge was in real bad shape so it was closed off and the trail rerouted to follow the road until it meets up again with the trail.

My understanding is that this happened in the late 70s, but I wasn't sure if anyone knew specifically when the reroute occurred.

I also understand that the segment from Quaker Bridge to Lower Forge was taken off-road at some point more recently. This is a lot less solidly documented, but I've read that there are remains of old blazes on Lower Forge Road south of the campground.

It might sound trivial, but I find these minor reroutes to be extremely interesting.

 

[ecampbell]

I can say that the bridge over the skit was not in use in 1978.
In 1995 the trail from LF to QB was on the road.