Congaree National Park

7/2/18  On the same trip as Great Smoky Mountains, I was able to spend a day at Congaree National Park on my way out to Charleston, South Carolina. Overgrown swampy trail, spiders, wild boar, and killer mosquitos made for a fascinating adventure.
DSC00538 Congaree is a relatively small national park near Columbia, SC. After over 30 years of grassroots lobbying, it finally officially became a National Park in...
Congaree is a relatively small national park near Columbia, SC. After over 30 years of grassroots lobbying, it finally officially became a National Park in…
DSC00539 The Mosquito Meter at the ranger station. It's no joke, the mosquitos here are insane. If this was only a Severe day, I can't even imagine what War Zone must be...
The Mosquito Meter at the ranger station. It's no joke, the mosquitos here are insane. If this was only a Severe day, I can't even imagine what War Zone must be…
DSC00542 I really had no idea what to expect on the trail. I asked the ranger for some recommendations and then headed out. The trail starts on the boardwalk suspended a...
I really had no idea what to expect on the trail. I asked the ranger for some recommendations and then headed out. The trail starts on the boardwalk suspended a…
DSC00543 These pencil tip looking growths are called
These pencil tip looking growths are called "knees" and are actually part of the Bald Cypress tree's root system.
DSC00544 After the touristy boardwalk area, I start the River Trail loop that should take me out to the Congaree River.
After the touristy boardwalk area, I start the River Trail loop that should take me out to the Congaree River.
DSC00560 The trail quickly starts to get narrow and overgrown. Now it's starting to get fun!
The trail quickly starts to get narrow and overgrown. Now it's starting to get fun!
DSC00547 There are ponds of flood water everywhere. During a high water time, the entire loop trail would be under water.
There are ponds of flood water everywhere. During a high water time, the entire loop trail would be under water.
DSC00548 A river offshoot flowing through the woods.
A river offshoot flowing through the woods.
DSC00553 An up-ended tree that wasn't all too big. But you can see the massive, shallow root system.
An up-ended tree that wasn't all too big. But you can see the massive, shallow root system.
DSC00557 I guess the
I guess the "knees" are the top of that root system.
DSC00559 These black and orange caterpillar things are everywhere.
These black and orange caterpillar things are everywhere.
DSC00566 Interesting mushrooms growing right out of the downed trees.
Interesting mushrooms growing right out of the downed trees.
DSC00574 As you get further out around the loop, the trail gets more overgrown and less maintained. Here a bridge is out, and it's a good thing the creek isn't flowing...
As you get further out around the loop, the trail gets more overgrown and less maintained. Here a bridge is out, and it's a good thing the creek isn't flowing…
DSC00575 A couple times, I scared a group of wild boar and they went squealing off through the forest. They took off too fast for me to snap a picture. But you can see...
A couple times, I scared a group of wild boar and they went squealing off through the forest. They took off too fast for me to snap a picture. But you can see…
DSC00577 Made it to the Congaree River. You have to whack your way through the jungle to get out to the shoreline.
Made it to the Congaree River. You have to whack your way through the jungle to get out to the shoreline.
DSC00583 Made it out to a small sand bar, looking South down the Congaree.
Made it out to a small sand bar, looking South down the Congaree.
DSC00582 Looking out the other direction.
Looking out the other direction.
DSC00588 As soon as you get past the river, the trail goes from overgrown to ridiculous. I feel like Indiana Jones whacking my way through the jungle.
As soon as you get past the river, the trail goes from overgrown to ridiculous. I feel like Indiana Jones whacking my way through the jungle.
DSC00590 A random sign marking the
A random sign marking the "trail". I love the "no bikes". Don't think you have to worry about that here. It looks like it's been years since the trail was…
DSC00597 It's slow going, definitely didn't have to worry about running today. There's head high bushes of Poison Oak through here as well.
It's slow going, definitely didn't have to worry about running today. There's head high bushes of Poison Oak through here as well.