Eutaw Creek - September 27, 2003
Submitted by Pam Reutebuch on March 10, 2006 - 9:49pm.
By Tom Connor
The day held promise as we all converged on the parking lot of Bell's Marina on Hwy 6 in Eutaw Springs, S.C. The sky was clear and temperatures were moderate. After determining that we had all arrived, the group headed to the put-in at Little Cat-Head Landing, a public access landing about .5 miles from Bell's. We quickly unpacked and ran shuttle to Rock's Pond Campground, our scheduled take-out 6.5 miles away.
Returning to the put-in we boarded our boats and headed out of the cove. Our first stop after crossing the creek was a hidden lake which displayed typical lowcountry backwater flora. Cypress and Water Oaks were everywhere. It was here that we found our first alligator which later had friends join him/her for a total of six. And they were big ones. Egrets, herons and a bald eagle ( seen on the shuttle trip) were some of the bird life we spotted.
Leaving the hidden lake we returned to the big water, skirted the coastline thru the cypress for a short distance and located a sandbar between two islands to rest and eat lunch. Some took a swim, others explored the spot and made mental notes for future overnighters. The group gathered together for a photo op and we were soon on our way back to the open water headed for Ferguson Island to see the remains of the kiln once operated by the lumber company located in the town of Ferguson, S.C. now under water. The chop of the waves and the wind on the big water proved a chore for some members of the party and they opted to take out at Ferguson Landing. After a brief discussion it was decided by the remaining members of the group to press on for the campground and so we went. Shortly after leaving the landing the waters calmed and wind abated. The rest of the trip was perfect. 
For a rest stop we glided onto a small island which is located very close to the home site of General Francis Marion. 
How ironic that this area too was inundated by the waters of Lake Marion. A lake that was named for the man whose land it swallowed up. We left the Island and proceeded on the final leg of our trip through a wide expanse of glass smooth lake and cypress groves all around. The fishing here is excellent. Again more mental notes for future trips. To our left was Sixteen Island. In the distance, Church Island, a future trip destination sporting a cemetery that goes back to the 1700's, and to the right our take-out at Rocks Pond Campground where our adventure ended 10.5 paddled miles after we started.. We loaded our gear and headed to our reward of Bar-B-Que at Sweatman's Bar-B-Que located between Eutawville and Holly Hill, S.C. . A good time was had by all.
The day held promise as we all converged on the parking lot of Bell's Marina on Hwy 6 in Eutaw Springs, S.C. The sky was clear and temperatures were moderate. After determining that we had all arrived, the group headed to the put-in at Little Cat-Head Landing, a public access landing about .5 miles from Bell's. We quickly unpacked and ran shuttle to Rock's Pond Campground, our scheduled take-out 6.5 miles away.
Returning to the put-in we boarded our boats and headed out of the cove. Our first stop after crossing the creek was a hidden lake which displayed typical lowcountry backwater flora. Cypress and Water Oaks were everywhere. It was here that we found our first alligator which later had friends join him/her for a total of six. And they were big ones. Egrets, herons and a bald eagle ( seen on the shuttle trip) were some of the bird life we spotted.
Leaving the hidden lake we returned to the big water, skirted the coastline thru the cypress for a short distance and located a sandbar between two islands to rest and eat lunch. Some took a swim, others explored the spot and made mental notes for future overnighters. The group gathered together for a photo op and we were soon on our way back to the open water headed for Ferguson Island to see the remains of the kiln once operated by the lumber company located in the town of Ferguson, S.C. now under water. The chop of the waves and the wind on the big water proved a chore for some members of the party and they opted to take out at Ferguson Landing. After a brief discussion it was decided by the remaining members of the group to press on for the campground and so we went. Shortly after leaving the landing the waters calmed and wind abated. The rest of the trip was perfect. For a rest stop we glided onto a small island which is located very close to the home site of General Francis Marion. How ironic that this area too was inundated by the waters of Lake Marion. A lake that was named for the man whose land it swallowed up. We left the Island and proceeded on the final leg of our trip through a wide expanse of glass smooth lake and cypress groves all around. The fishing here is excellent. Again more mental notes for future trips. To our left was Sixteen Island. In the distance, Church Island, a future trip destination sporting a cemetery that goes back to the 1700's, and to the right our take-out at Rocks Pond Campground where our adventure ended 10.5 paddled miles after we started.. We loaded our gear and headed to our reward of Bar-B-Que at Sweatman's Bar-B-Que located between Eutawville and Holly Hill, S.C. . A good time was had by all.
