Sunday I got into the woods to do some exploring around the lower sleeper, upstream from it's confluence with the Mullica. Most of this area is hidden from aerial photography due to a heavy cedar canopy.
About 500ft from the nearest road I found this long abandoned hunting "shack".
As I went in further, signs of humans quickly diminished and eventually disappeared altogehter. Here is one of the pristine sand islands that dot the area.
The sleeper
I worked my way upstream.
Now, this is interesting: I came across a causeway. I was a bit surprised as I was entirely unaware that any would be in the area.
Where it crossed the sleeper from the west:
and on the east side:
Yep, that is old cut timber under the water!!
As I thought about it, it kind of made sense that with all the lumbering going on in the early to mid 1900's in the great swamp, that they would have built bridges over the sleeper. However, later I looked at the 1930 aerial, when the sleeper (and mullica) were dammed up to form a lake. Wouldn't you know it...the spot of this causeway was actually at the top of the northern most tip of the lake. I suppose it was a bridge/water regulation device for the water comming into the lake. A pretty significant find!!
The sleeper at this point is a criss cross of tributaries (large and small) seeping into it's banks. The river is surrounded by cedar, mostly, and some gum, with water seepiing from the uplands.
this was the main spot I was aiming for.
Nice huh?
Crawling out of the woods, I made my way back to my truck and heading on down to Y-Buc-Bills bridge.
Shorty after I was confronted by two hikers who insisted that I looked familar. Well, it didn't take long to figure out why...it was Piker56 and TomM from this forum!!! We hung out and talked for a bit. A couple of great guys!
There goes the state again, closing off roads for no good reason.
Heading back home, I stopped to investigate a spung along the nesco creek I have been curious about for a while. I am glad I finally made it there for obvious reasons. It is only about a foot deep.
Here is one of the biggest swamp maples I have ever seen. It fell completely across a very wide spot on the nesco. picture doesn't really show it's true size.
Hope you enjoyed the report.
Jeff
About 500ft from the nearest road I found this long abandoned hunting "shack".
As I went in further, signs of humans quickly diminished and eventually disappeared altogehter. Here is one of the pristine sand islands that dot the area.
The sleeper
I worked my way upstream.
Now, this is interesting: I came across a causeway. I was a bit surprised as I was entirely unaware that any would be in the area.
Where it crossed the sleeper from the west:
and on the east side:
Yep, that is old cut timber under the water!!
As I thought about it, it kind of made sense that with all the lumbering going on in the early to mid 1900's in the great swamp, that they would have built bridges over the sleeper. However, later I looked at the 1930 aerial, when the sleeper (and mullica) were dammed up to form a lake. Wouldn't you know it...the spot of this causeway was actually at the top of the northern most tip of the lake. I suppose it was a bridge/water regulation device for the water comming into the lake. A pretty significant find!!
The sleeper at this point is a criss cross of tributaries (large and small) seeping into it's banks. The river is surrounded by cedar, mostly, and some gum, with water seepiing from the uplands.
this was the main spot I was aiming for.
Nice huh?
Crawling out of the woods, I made my way back to my truck and heading on down to Y-Buc-Bills bridge.
Shorty after I was confronted by two hikers who insisted that I looked familar. Well, it didn't take long to figure out why...it was Piker56 and TomM from this forum!!! We hung out and talked for a bit. A couple of great guys!
There goes the state again, closing off roads for no good reason.
Heading back home, I stopped to investigate a spung along the nesco creek I have been curious about for a while. I am glad I finally made it there for obvious reasons. It is only about a foot deep.
Here is one of the biggest swamp maples I have ever seen. It fell completely across a very wide spot on the nesco. picture doesn't really show it's true size.
Hope you enjoyed the report.
Jeff
Your right, sunday was a gorgeous day.
