Turkey - Stevens Creek in South Carolina

by  guest-paddler

A self-supported trip created by guest-paddler

Trip Overview

My friend and I wanted to take a day trips to this place, I had read the previous article about it on this website. I sounded like a cool different place then what we are use to around the Augusta area. We only wanted to go to the Key Bridge take out spot because we wanted to just float and drink beer all day.

The location of this creek is literally in BFE, hardly any other cars around and we did not see any other paddlers (now we know why.) to get to the Key Bridge take out spot you have to go down a 4 mile long dirt road. there is no obvious stairs or cleared land to take your yak out at, so we picked out a spot under the bridge to take out. Well from above you do not realize how steep those banks are until you're actually down on the creek, do not underestimate them.

We put in around Plum Branch Road, the water was a little shallow which was fine we thought it was just in the beginning. So about 20 mins or so into it, we see our first "rapid" which was just a little trickle of water we paddle up to it and immediately get stuck on the rocks. between scooting and pushing with our paddles to get off the rocks our arms were SPENT.

Through out the whole creek the water would be so low you couldn't even scoot out of it to deeper water you have to get out of your yak and pull it to deeper water. there were so many fallen trees in the water and to get by them you have to get all the way on the side next to the bank where there are low hanging branches which made us scared for snakes in the trees and the spiders that were jumping all over us. there were HUGE wolf spiders everywhere.

We were about a 1/2 mile out from the bridge (exhausted) at this point and paddle up to a tree blocking the ENTIRE stream, we had to get out and drag our yaks through the branches of the tree to get to the other side, the water was 50% low the rest of the way to the bridge. Get to the bridge (again the bank is steeper from the water) there are no set of stairs anywhere which I'm sure there is but not in plain site, my friend and I had to HEAVE our kayaks and coolers up a 15 ft tall bank that was muddy and had weak branches barely got the kayaks to the top when we noticed we had to hike a good 50-60 ft to her car in deep woods.

It was pouring down rain at this time and the fastest and pretty much the only way back to the start from car was down that same dirt road which by this time was FLOODED and so slick and hard to drive 4wd was almost needed it was AWFUL.

If I had to go back to this place I'd hike it you could pretty much hike the whole creek it was so low, there were some very pretty spots in it with the Cyprus trees and rock formations and there was some HUGE garfish that will come up right next to you that scared us at first and also a lot of panfish or crappie whatever you want to call them.

Accommodations:

none

Fees:

none; unless you want to camp

Trip Details

  • Trip Duration: Day Trip
  • Sport/Activity: Kayaking
  • Skill Level: Advanced
  • Water Type: River/Creek (Up to Class II)

Trip Location