Remote Water Bodies

[woodjin]

This past Saturday I got out to explore a couple remote water bodies I have been interested in. Along the way I stopped at the old dam/canal along the wading. I approached from the west side. This is foot traffic only, you have to hike in.

Even though it sees alot of traffic, the wading river sure is beautiful.

This is one of the remote spots. I believe this is spring fed and possibly some small tributaries are leading to it. It was surrounded by dry, sugar sand and sand myrtle uplands but sat within a ring of cedar about 10' around the perimeter. I was happy to see no signs what so ever of human intrusion. Very untouched, I felt as though I should wipe my foot prints behind me. I had to hike to this location.

Looking the other way:

The surrounding uplands:

This area is possibly vernal, though I doubt entirely. I suspect it recieves alot of run off from the steep grading surrounding it. I'll have to explore it with chest waders soon. It was getting later in the day when I arrived.

This was my last stop. this was "way back in there". It was alot of mud and water for awhile.

Eventually I came to a stream crossing and had to hike the rest of the way. I'll have to explore this one again during lighter hours. Look at those banks, ...thick forest. It looks like a wave of vegetation about to crash down into the pool doesn't it?

A parting shoot of the old bog that sits along the Batona trial, just south of the 563/679 split.

Jeff

 

[bobpbx]

Nice Jeff.

I was out Sunday on the Davenport Branch and I came to a part of the stream that braids around a point of land. I crossed a couple of the small streams, and to my surprise the land inbetween the streams rose up to a knob of land about 25 feet higher than the streams. It was very cool being back there....like no one could touch me.

 

[manumuskin]

Jeff
i was exactly across the river from your first pic l;ast thursday.I was sitting on that log that shows in your pic.you can drive to that side from 563.my truck was parked right behind that pushed over cedar tree where i was sitting.There are some real nice islands in that area as you have found out.the heather is blooming right now(false I believe) and lights the islands up with a golden glow.Next to the Tulpe I'd say the wading has got to be the most beautiful big water creek in the barrens.unfortunately it is the most heavily travelled as well.The other streams are beautiful as well But I'd say the wading has more diverse habitats along it's reach then any other.
Bob,
I see your becoming an island aficionado as well.Thats what I like about islands.You usally have to get wet getting to them,this excludes the average interloper and often you must brave a briar fence to gain access whic excludes all but the most intrepid.As you say "here I am and you can't touch this" my own touch added there
I have never explored davenport branch but believe I may have spotted that island in the aeriels in the past but never made it there to check it out.
Al
ps if it is the island south of the rr tracks near crossley then I have been there.nice swamp there too.

 

[woodjin]

Jeff
i was exactly across the river from your first pic l;ast thursday.I was sitting on that log that shows in your pic.you can drive to that side from 563.my truck was parked right behind that pushed over cedar tree where i was sitting..

Opps, Al, I am about 95% certain that there is a NO MOTOR VEHICLES sign on that road right where you meet it at 563. I believe it is what Wharton designates as a Natural area, probably because of the wading river and the fact that the Batona trail goes right near there. Nice in there isn't it, though? Approaching from the west you get a nice vista as depicted in my second pic. You can get pretty close before having to hoof it. I was on the motorcycle which is of course easier to get around on than a truck. The trail might be a little narrow if you are concerned about your paint.

Jeff

 

[Hewey]

Looks like you had a good time. It was a good weekend to go out for an exploration trip on the bike.

One of these days I will get off my butt and go buy the dual sport I want to get.

Nice pictures. Thank you for the report.

Chris

 

[manumuskin]

Opps, Al, I am about 95% certain that there is a NO MOTOR VEHICLES sign on that road right where you meet it at 563. I believe it is what Wharton designates as a Natural area, probably because of the wading river and the fact that the Batona trail goes right near there. Nice in there isn't it, though? Approaching from the west you get a nice vista as depicted in my second pic. You can get pretty close before having to hoof it. I was on the motorcycle which is of course easier to get around on than a truck. The trail might be a little narrow if you are concerned about your paint.

Jeff

Jeff,
I really did not see a sign but there are two roads going in maybe 40 ft apart.i took the smaller road in to the north and came out the larger road to the south so perhaps the sign was over the larger road and i didn't see it over my shoulder which would've been too late anyway.I have pulled in the road you came in on also and yes it is tight and no I don't care about scratches as you can see on my black xl7 .black is not good for scratches.i had to walk in the last 100 yards or so as you did.glad i didn't get busted back there as i really had a nice couple hours back there chillin and that would've ruined my day.I'll take note of that from now on since I plan to return.I'll park out on the road by the trail.
thanks Al
ps I think now that you mention it i remember seeing the sign riding down 563 but I came in from the north and had always wanted to check that road out since i knew where it went from aerial viewing.forgot clean about the sign though.