Agenda
11:00 AM Safety talk and sign release.

Shuttle all those who do not want to walk back to the cars (see below). Anyone who is late can join us in route. This is a leisurely trip.
Put in immediately after the shuttle
The paddle will take about 2 plus hours.
There is a good seafood restaurant in Winnsboro on the way back for all who are interested.

Trip Description:
We are going to see the peaK bloom of the endangered Rock Shoals Spider Lilies. The Catawba River has one of the largest concentrations of the lilies in the world and the approximately 29 acres of these lilies is simply gorgeous, absolutely stunning. Our paddle will take us upstream about half a mile and then around a big island and back downstream in the main current. There are some whitewater riffles at low water. If the water is up we will adjust accordingly and may be able to just paddle directly to the lilies (easier paddle). Note that there is supposed to be a scheduled release of water for this weekend, but that this is the first such scheduled release ever and the ranger said that he will only know how much water we will get (if we get any) when he looks at the river that morning. We will then see the first of the lilies and they will continue in clumps till we reach a spot where there are about 20 acres of them. You will want to spend a lot of time just paddling in their presence and you might want a snack or a few cold beverages.

The takeout is at the south end of the park, approximately a mile from the put in. We could walk back & get our cars or shuttle. The walk is a historic trail with a preserved canal lock. The lock is also a great place for a picnic and that is where we picnicked a few years ago when we last went.

Park Information
Landsford Canal, the best preserved of numerous 19th-century South Carolina river canals, has remnants of all its major structural features. It is the uppermost of four canals constructed on the Catawba Wateree river system during the period 1820-1835. Boats used the canals to bypass the rapids while carrying goods to and from the coast.
The 250-acre park includes the remnants of 1820 canal-culverts, stone bridges, locks, historic mill site and a lockkeeper's house which contains interpretive exhibits about the canal system in South Carolina.
The rocky shoals on the Catawba River are home to one of the world's largest populations of rocky shoals spider lilies. The spider lily can best be seen in full bloom in May. The shoals also provide excellent fishing opportunities for striped bass and bream.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Landsford Canal State Park, Located in Chester County, SC
Information, directions to Park
http://sciway3.net/outdoors/park-landsford.html

Admission to Park (Bring correct change)
Adults, $2.00
South Carolina senior citizens, $1.25
Youth (ages 15 and under), Free

Rocky Shoals Spider Lily in Full Bloom

New Spider Lily Overlook at Landsford Canal State Park, From Rock Garick:
"I read in the State Newspaper a few months back that a $100,000 Federal Grant to make it easier for land-lubbers to see the largest colony of Spider Lilies on the Catawba River. The new overlook and improved ADA trail with new bridges was supposed to be completed in time for the May blooming. Does anyone have knowledge of the progress?
I have answered my own question----rode my Harley to LCSP today and saw one of the new walk bridges that have been completed."

Boats
Tough plastic, ABS, boats kayaks & canoes suitable for this trip. The rocks will scratch composite boats. If the water is up, then no scratches. Canoes will allow you to step out of the boat and get a close up look at the lilies and some great photographs.

New Spider Lily Overlook at Landsford Canal State Park
From Rock Garick:
"I read in the State Newspaper a few months back that a $100,000 Federal Grant to make it easier for land-lubbers to see the largest colony of Spider Lilies on the Catawba River. The new overlook and improved ADA trail with new bridges was supposed to be completed in time for the May blooming. Does anyone have knowledge of the progress?
I have answered my own question----rode my Harley to LCSP today and saw one of the new walk bridges that have been completed."

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DIRECTIONS
Figure about an hour and a half from downtown Columbia, maybe a little less

Take Interstate 77 going North out of Columbia
Turn right on SC Hwy 9 and Go East, also called Lancaster Hwy, 901
Road turns to the south and then leave 901 and fork to the east.
Turn Left and go North on US 21 at Fort Lawn
In about 3 miles Hwy 21 bears left, stay Right and go East on Seegars Rd
- Note Seegars is just after Fincher Rd
Pass 330
Turn Right on Park Dr / road SC 690.
Enter Park, Pay and fork left, pass the rangers house and park by the stone house parking lot.

The river and put in will be to the left of the road. Haul your boats about 300 feet to the river.
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Directions via Google Map from I-77 and about I-20 to Put-In
Note: "mines" must be Googles term for minutes
7. Take the exit onto I-77 N 45.5 mi, 39 mines
8. Take exit 65 for SC-9 toward Lancaster/Chester 0.3 mi
9. Turn right at SC-9 S 1.4 mi, 2 mines
10. Turn left at SC-223 6.7 mi, 14 mines
11. Turn left at Catawba River Rd/US-21 1.6 mi, 3 mines
12. Turn right at Lansford Rd 0.5 mi, 2 mines
13. Continue on Seegars Rd 1.4 mi, 4 mines
14. Turn left at Park Dr/SC-690 0.7 mi, 2 mines
15. Slight left to stay on Park Dr/SC-690 0.2 mi
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Bring
Bring sunscreen and liquid for hydration. If you have a swim suit, you might just want to jump in the river.

Notification
Please send me an e-mail if you plan to go. Hitting reply to this e-mail will do the trick. If you decide to show up at the last minute, that is fine. This is a laid back largely self guided trip to enjoy the immense beauty of this endangered species in the company of friends.

Lee Olson Trip Leader