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| Tall Pines Lake island |
The South Carolina Department
of Natural Resources on Friday announced that 1,757 acres in northern
Greenville County are now open to the public as Tall Pines Wildlife Management
Area (WMA). $3 million of the total of $4 million needed to preserve the site came
from the South Carolina Conservation Bank, with the remainder covered by the SC
DNR Heritage Land Trust Fund and timber management funds.
The parking area for Tall Pines
WMA is located some 8 miles north of Travelers Rest at 552 Moody Bridge Road,
and the gravel lot looks out over Tall Pines Lake, one of the ponds on the
property. Braided footpaths along the shoreline are evidence that this is a
popular spot for angling; fishing website hookandbullet reports perch, largemouth
bass, rainbow trout, crappie and bullhead. In the center of the lake is a small
island with a block structure; the small tower is certainly unique, though my
research didn’t reveal a purpose other than aesthetic.
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| Tall Pines Wildlife Management Area parking |
For a short ¾ mile loop hike, follow
the old road behind the red gate from the corner of the parking area. It climbs
a little in elevation, with a view of Table Rock to the west. Once you reach a
second red gate at Moody Bridge Road, make a sharp turn and follow the old road
south. You’ll hear the frogs before you see the lake, the north end being quite
marshy. The road brings you to the point where two lakes connect, and from here
it’s just a matter of following the narrow footpaths along the shoreline to
return to the parking lot.
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| View of Table Rock from Tall Pines WMA |
In addition to the lakes, Tall
Pines also has wetlands, about 600ft of elevation change to the top of Little
Mountain, and a mile of frontage on the South Saluda River. From the parking
area, cross Moody Bridge Road and follow the old road west to access the river.
You’ll see the ruins of a structure down on the creek, and the woods have
quite a bit of evidence of past agricultural activity: wire fencing rolls, old
machinery, miscellaneous debris. The road emerges to one of several meadows
before taking a turn south to follow a second creek upstream. On our recent
visit this area was completely flooded (and evidence of beavers abounded) –
plan on getting your feet wet if you are going to hike the system of old roads that
crisscross the western half of Tall Pines. Or, you can skirt the edge of the field
to reach the Saluda.
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| South Saluda river frontage on Tall Pines WMA |
The South Saluda runs parallel
to Scenic Highway 11 for some 3 miles, then turns south to tumble through the Class
III-IV/V rapids at Blythe Shoals. There is a Naturaland Trust River Access and
Parking Area at 25 S. Blythe Shoals Road that serves this stretch of the river,
although after passing through the shoals and under Talley Bridge Road the
waters calm considerably. The one mile of South Saluda fronting Tall Pines runs
quick and clear, high banks complicating access. In addition to the trout
lilies and other native species there are plenty of privet, multiflora rose and
other invasives, further tangling the banks. The tributary from Tall Pines
Lakes empties into the river between the two fields, and the waters continue
south, eventually passing west of Greenville and through Piedmont on their way
to Lake Murray.
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| Looking down from Moody Bridge Rd. to creek connecting Tall Pines Lakes and South Saluda |
The SC DNR has expressed hope
that Twin Pines will become a destination for anglers and paddlers, as well as
offering hiking, birdwatching and hunting opportunities; the WMA provides
habitat for fish, deer, turkey, quail and small game. There is no formal boat
launch at Twin Pines, but the road allows for easy access with canoe and kayak.
And while there is no official trail system as of now, the acreage can be
explored utilizing the pre-existing system of old roads. Download a map of Tall
Pines Wildlife Management Area here: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/2019/feb/TallPinesWMAmap2019.pdf.
