Dupont Forest

 Palmetto Guide took a group form Brookwood Church out to Dupont Forest in Cedar Mountain, NC. We started off the day by meeting up at Stax Original and having a very good breakfast before hitting the trail. By 8:00am we were up at Dupont and ready to hit the trails. We decide that we would park at Hooker Falls parking area and complete the "Waterfall" Tour. The "Waterfall" Tour consist of us visiting Triple Falls, High Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. If the group felt up to it we would go see Hooker Falls on our way out. We started off with a short but fairly steep hike up to the viewing area for Triple Falls. Triple Falls is simply breathe taking, without a doubt my favorite Waterfall around. This is where I asked my Wife to marry me, and it is so picturesque.



 Palmetto Guide and our group for the day, minus the lady taking the picture of us.

 



After leaving Triple Falls we hiked along the river and arrived shortly at High Falls. High Falls is quite spectacular in it's own right. There is a beautiful covered bridge that sits at the top of the Falls. High Falls is probably photographed more than any in Dupont Forest, because there are two easy trails that lead you right up to it.



This is a creative shot I have been trying to get for about 6 months with my GoPro...The picture was shot with the camera half in the water and half out of the water of High Falls.

A few more shots of High Falls, the upper shot is from the base of the falls, and the lower picture is from the High Falls viewing area.

 



We next made our push out to the beautiful and inspiring Bridal Veil Falls. From High Falls it is about 1.5 miles to get out to Bridal Veil Falls. On our way we passed by Lake Julian, and the spillway of Lake Julian. This lake is a great place to take a break or eat some lunch. It is also a great place to go kayaking, although a little tough to get the kayaks back this far it is well worth it. Great fishing and extremely clear water makes it a great place to go and see.

 

The weather was really playing to our favor on this Summer morning, with nice temps ,and a slight breeze it does not get much better. We continued to make our way out towards Bridal Veil, but you must stop and admire the Lake Julian spillway area. Dupont uses this area to plant small tree growth, and the spillway is the start of an amazing small river, which also produces great fishing.

Lake Julian Spillway, absolutely breathe taking....

 

Once passing by Lake Julian you are not far at all form Bridal Veil Falls. The hiking was quick and ease because of the gravel Fire Road. Within about 15mins we arrived at the very unique and picturesque Bridal Veil Falls. You may ask why is this waterfall so unique, well the movie Last of the Mohicans was filmed in this area. Also the upper section of Bridal Veil you can climb in behind the waterfall for a different look at the falls. If you decide to climb behind the falls be extremely careful, and watch for slick areas for the mist coming off of the waterfall.

This is the first view you have of Bridal Veil Falls, very beautiful and very peaceful. This is where we decide we would take a break, relax and have some lunch. After lunch Dave and I made the choice to push up to the Upper Section of Bridal Veil. Dave had never been up to the Upper Section, so I guided us up along side the Lower section. Of course I could not resist the temptation of climbing in behind the Upper Section of Bridal Veil.

Dave and I heading up to the Upper Section of Bridal Veil Falls, in the distance is the Upper Section.

 

Palmetto Guide in behind Bridal Veil Falls, you will get a little wet, and please be very careful if you decide to go behind the falls. It is safe, but it also slick, because of the heavy mist from the falls.

 

 

After messing around long enough we decide to meet back up with the rest of group and start making our way back towards Hooker Falls area and parking lot. We had about a 3 mile hike back out, but we were able to make quick work of it with everyone refreshed after our lunch and break.

 

If you get a chance head up to Dupont Forest or if you would like a guided hike please let us know, and we will be more than happy to show you around the entire Dupont area. Dupont Forest is very well maintained by it's great and helpful Rangers. It is very easy to access Dupont since it is just across the SC?NC State line. With over 11,000 acres for you to explore and over 100 trails this is one special area of the country.

Lake Oolenoy

Palmetto Guide loaded up and made the short trek up to Lake Oolenoy near Table Rock, SC. Without a doubt this is one of the most gorgeous places we have had the pleasure to paddle yet. This small mountain lake is built for paddling and eclectic motors only. As soon as we paddled out form the boat ramp this is the view we were welcomed to. Simply amazing and surreal, it was hard to find words for this beautiful mountain paradise.

AS always we explored around taking in the breathe taking views ,and then we decide to wet some lines. the water was crystal clear, you could see down about 15 feet. Right away we managed to score a few nice mountain bass, then we decide to go exploring up a creek that lead into Table Rock State Park and Pinnacle Lake.

 

Palmetto Guide up in a mountain creek taking it all in.

 

 



Kris in tow, the water was cool and clear

 

 





We Made our way out of the creek and paddle around to the back side of the lake. As we rounded the corner we came upon a spillway and the dam. I decided to throw a Black Rooster Tail across the front of the spillway and it was on. The colorful and strong mountain Bream were stacked up. we probably sat there for about 30 min. laying into them. These Bream were so colorful and very strong. In my opinion there is nothing better than catching big slab bream on Ultralight Tackle. Bending rods and ripping out the drag, these little guys put a huge smile on our faces. We finished up the day with 6 Slab Bream and 3 Bass.

 

Off for some more exploring on the far back side of the lake. This sand bar was surrounded by crystal clear deep water and feed by a cold mountain stream. So Kris and I decide to get out and go trekking on foot and see if we could not try and find some trout. Lake Oolenoy is a very peaceful ,beautiful, and majestic lake you can defiantly feel the sprit of Mother Nature here.

 

 

 

Once again the WS RIDE 115 AA preformed well above my expectation. We probably put in about 6 iles of paddling and thanks to the design of the Wildy it only felt like I paddled a mile or so. Please let us know at Palmetto Guide if you would like to head out on the water, or hit the trail...heck we might even be able to combine the best of both worlds.







Boyds Mill in Laurens, SC

     Palmetto Guide loaded up and headed back down to Boyds Mill in Laurens, SC on 6.1.14. AS you can see form the image above the water was muddy from all the recent rain we have been having. We figured this would be the case but when the water is calling you to come paddle you can not resist. So we went down w/ this in our minds, so we spent a good bit of time exploring....until we found some clear water.
      Boyds Mill is a great little reservoir in Laurens, SC that is feed by the Reedy River. Boyds Mill has a brand new boat ramp, dock, and the park is very well maintained. The upper end of the lake is very shallow and this is where the boat ramp is located. If you head to the right or up the lake you immediately find yourself paddling in the current of the Reedy River. We usually spend most of time in the river section of the lake and  have managed to paddle about 3 miles upstream. The fishing and scenery is great, and it is an easy paddle.

You are pretty much own your own once you get up in the river, and it is very peaceful. It is shallow starting out, and this only allows canoes and kayaks to have access to this section. There is amazing wildlife up the river, we always see an abundance of bird life, and usually a few deer. Not to mention the fishing is usually pretty strong up the river.

Palmetto Guide and the crew taking a short breather and stretching the legs for a bit.

 

Although the water was very muddy we managed to have a blast and make the best of afternoon out on the water. As we came back down the river and entered the body of the lake we pulled up into the left side of the lake and the water was pretty much clear. this was due to a long point/peninsula blocking the river current from coming into this section. We all looking in disbelief at one another, and busted out the fishing gear. Jon found the Bream right off of the bat and I worked my way around the right side. Kris was working the left side and we were all catching fish, but Jon was all over the bream. After a few times out in back in the cove I was working I decide to go over to Jon's spot. Jon and I had a blast with the Bream, most of the were slab size. We sat there for about an hour catching them one after another. In four hours we caught 48 fish, 45 Bream and 3 Bass!The fishing was amazing and so was the fellowship with my brothers.



 I can not say enough about my Wilderness Systems RIDE 115 AA, not matter where I take this yak it preforms like no other. Hands down the best boat I have ever paddled and I will always be in a Wildy. From rivers, to flat water, to intercostal it simply does not get any better. Super stable, agile, tracks straight as arrow, and paddles with ease. Load it down or keep it light you will not be disappointed with the Wilderness Systems RIDE series of Kayaks.