Lake Hartwell in South Carolina

Trip Overview

My friend and I got together for an overnight paddle across the Anderson side of Hartwell. We put in at Brown Rd boat ramp and left our destination largely open ended. I had a Dagger Blackwater and he had a Potomac 10ft. We left out at 9am with temps in the upper 30's. Dressed in layers and with a spray skirt we set out.

First part of the trip was uneventful with a pitstop for beer at Scrooges located on Clemson Blvd. loaded up with Westbrook white thai and Gouze we set up energized and warm as the temp had climbed to the 60's. mm delicious.

We continued on passing under the Amtrak bridge which is about 100ft off the water. My buddy told a story of jumping off this bridge as a teenager, to which i replied 'you are insane'. it doesn't look that high off the water until you pass underneath it and look up.

We pulled off for many 'nature calls' on the random undeveloped points along this part and stopped for lunch at the Honea Path Park which has fallen into disarray. We left out again and paddled to the Centerville rd bridge when a serious headwind hit us and slowed us down to a crawl. The lake widened at this point and we split up due to 1-2 ft waves with near whitecaps. My friends fear of his potomac kayak loaded with camping gear kept him near the shoreline while I stayed center to the lake desiring a more direct route.

We labored to the hwy 24 double bridge and saw our destination. An island opposite Portman's marina would do nicely for a camping spot. We pushed hard and made land on the windward side at about 4:30, set up a primitive camp and then paddled to the marina for a burger and some cold beer.

Overnight temps were in the 40's and my Eno hammock was comfortable. We got underway after breakfast at 8am and had a very pleasant wind free return trip, clocking in at about 5hrs to brown bridge boat ramp.

Overall I would paddle this again but try to make it farther to a different island.

Outfitting:

My dagger blackwater and my friend's potomac something loaded with camping gear