Lake Waccamaw State Park, NC
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2024
- A hike on December 26, 2018 exploring the trail system of Lake Waccamaw State Park. This was my first time visiting Lake Waccamaw, the largest of the Carolina bays in southeastern North Carolina. The surface area of Lake Waccamaw is nearly 9,000 acres with over 14 miles of shoreline and a maximum width of 5.2 miles, considerably larger than the other bays in the region with open water. Most Carolina bays are fed entirely by rainfall, but Lake Waccamaw is fed by Friar Swamp on the northern shore. The Waccamaw River drains the lake's southern shore, which is also abutted by the Green Swamp. While some of the largest bays in nearby Bladen County have an acidic pH below 5.0, limestone bluffs on the northern shore of Lake Waccamaw keep the pH around 6.9. This neutral pH allows aquatic life to thrive, and thus the lake has far more biodiversity than nearby bays, including the American alligator!
The primary unit of the state park is along the southern shore featuring 8 trails, backcountry campsites, and a 375-foot pier. I began my hike at the visitors center following the Overlook Trail loop to connect with Boardwalk Trail 2, which leads to the first view of Lake Waccamaw and also meets the Lakeshore Trail, the longest trail in the park. I then followed the Lakeshore Trail west, doing an out-and-back on the New Boardwalk Trail before reaching the Boardwalk Trail and the pier. This pier provided outstanding, panoramic views of all 14 miles of shoreline. From there I continued west, passing through two of the backcountry campsites near the Pine Woods Trail junction.
Beyond this junction was a lonely out-and-back on a narrow strip of white sand between the lake and the swamp. The trail condition deteriorated quickly, with swamp/lake completely covering the trail in multiple sections. At times I sank to my knees in swamp, not too pleasant with the winter temperatures! But this section of the Lakeshore Trail was also the most beautiful area of the park. There were many splendid views of gently rolling tea-colored waves on white sand beaches, with stunted bald cypress trees dotting the shore. Then came the most unnerving part of the hike. The last few hundred feet before the Lake Waccamaw Dam was covered in slow-moving water. When the water levels in the lake are up, apparently the Waccamaw River drains the entire area, including the trail. I cautiously proceeded through this section sticking to clear moving water over sand and it was not that bad. The boardwalk over the dam was not a spectacular turnaround point, but I was glad to complete the entire Lakeshore Trail. To make a mini loop I took the Pine Woods and Sand Ridge Nature Trails through the campsites and picnic area, staying high and dry in the longleaf savanna on the edge of pocosin swamp. Overall I really enjoyed Lake Waccamaw State Park, it was surprisingly beautiful. But if you decide to hike after rainfall, you'll likely be hiking through the lake and swamp, not beside it.
Distance - 10.3 miles
Elevation gain - 130 feet
Time - 5 hours and 10 minutes
Hike location
goo.gl/maps/zD...
Lake Waccamaw State Park website
www.ncparks.go...
North Carolina State Parks Passport Program
www.ncparks.go...
Other hikes mentioned:
Boyd Tract - Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
• Oldest longleaf pines ...
Carolina Beach State Park
• Carolina Beach State P...
I've been watching your vids for awhile and never knew you were from my hometown wilmington 😆
Yup, that's probably why I like the mountains. Too much beach growing up. I'm still impressed you recognized me by voice.
Me too!
Thanks for this video. You answered my question if the trails would be good for a bike ride tour. Nope! I appreciate all the info you gave out along your hike.
My home town! I have hiked, swam, and sailed every inch of that lake. It is the largest natural lake in the State.
Nice job as always. I hIked on the Lakeshore loop last year in early March but only until the campsites. Didn't seem as muddy then.
There were a couple swampy areas before the main pier, but it gets much swampier beyond the campsites. It also seems like maybe a bridge or boardwalk got partially washed away in Florence because I noticed some planks in the swamp.
Hey Zach. Do you have any suggestions for nice hikes with good views near Lynchburg Va?
Yeah there's a lot near there. Peaks of Otter, Terrapin Mountain, Rocky Row, Mount Pleasant, and Cole Mountain are all really close. Use this map to find the closest hikes www.hikingupward.com/maps/full_map.asp
thanks for sharing.
wow that water was high! I was there many years ago before florence and the trail went to the dam, but it was way underwater in your video. Definitely winter time hiking for the bugs in the summer are fierce.
Yeah it did not rain the week I hiked this and Carolina Beach 2 days before, but it rained a lot the week prior so I'm guessing the lake just stays high for a while.
Great video Zach...I would encourage you to hit the Neusiok in the Croatan but Florence kicked its ass and many areas still have not been cleaned up...and its closed now because of Duke Energy work...dont know what thats about...I think we will skip the wet, swampy, Waccamaw trail but might head to Carolina Beach after seeing that video....is Cliffs of the Neuse or Merchant's Mill Pond on your list to do ?
Half of it is still closed, I've been waiting for it to fully open so I can shuttle hike it in one day. I've been to Cliffs of the Neuse, haven't been to Merchant's Millpond but there are quite a few state parks closer to me that I'll check out first. I think the Lakeshore Trail would've been fine if it hadn't rained a lot the week prior, it takes a while for those coastal swamps to drain.
Very interesting info on the lakes. Glad you are continuing to find ways to challenge yourself!
I like challenges and checklists lol