Sand River of Hitchcock Woods EarthCache

This cache has been archived.

geoaware: Land manager has asked for this to be archived as it has not received the correct permissions. Awaiting additional approvals.

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Hidden : 8/6/2008
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:


Sand River of The Hitchcock Woods


The Hitchcock Woods in Aiken is the largest urban forest in the country, established in 1939. Through the years various donations have brought it to over 2,200 acres. The Hitchcock Woods has a wide variety of trails including the Cathedral Aisle trail, originally part of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company, which became America's first rails-trail in 1939.

This EarthCache will take you to a point of interest in the Hitchcock Woods called the Sand River. It is a river of sand that flows through Hitchcock Woods. The Sand River begins behind the Old Kennels in the northeast corner of Hitchcock Woods (Grid A-15) and continues through the central portion of the forest where it flows into the Central Wetlands (Grid D-11). Sand River has a unique history and is the source of many legends.

map
Click on map for printable version.


For several decades, the city of Aiken and the Hitchcock Woods Foundation have been working together to try to solve the erosion problem in Sand River, which is caused by storm water drainage. Drainage from the downtown and South Boundary watersheds have eroded the canyon's banks, creating sheer cliffs. As large quantities of fast-moving storm water deteriorated the sandy river bank, it carried silt downstream, infiltrating wetlands.

As a result of this increased discharge, mass wasting is common. Slumps, debris flows, creeps, and landslides are all identifiable. The increased discharge in the streams and of the area also generate minor point bars and erosion of cutbanks as the streams meander along the base level of the drainage basin. As the flow in the streams lessens, it becomes a braided stream bed.

Urban runoff is the main source of water flow through the Sand River. In the past, it was a focus point for surface flow runoff into the local water basin and drainage into the wetlands of the area. This runoff eroded much of the topsoil and underlying subsoil. This started as a series of sheet erosion in the area until large gullies developed. The sediment load from the steady erosion of the soil created the Sand River. Current ripple marks can be seen throughout the course of the Sand River and its tributaries. The high sand content of the area and the presence of thin layers and pockets of kaolin all point to a time when this area was submerged beneath the seas. The sand of the area is fine grained, white quartz.

To get to the posted coordinates you will need to park at the Old Kennels entrance located at 33* 33.409N 081* 43.765W. Follow the trail to the Memorial Gate located at 33* 33.264N 081* 44.099. Turn left as you enter the Memorial Gate and go to the edge of the woods where you will see a horse trail that enters the Sand River. Once you enter the Sand River, go upstream to the posted coordinates. Here you will see the result of the increase in water flow through the Hitchcock Woods.
Look around and enjoy the view!


quicksand sign
DO NOT try this EarthCache during or after it has recently rained. Quicksand is very common here. While quicksand is not as dangerous as the movies make it look, it is still something you will want to avoid. Quicksand does not look any different than regular sand until you step on it! Click here to see a great explanation of quicksand from "How Stuff Works.com".
The requirements for logging this cache are as follows:

1. Post a picture of you or your group at the Sand River.

2. Estimate the height of the canyon's bank at this location and send the answer to me in an email.

As per earthcache rules, logs not accompanied by an email with the answers to the cache questions will have to be deleted. Do not post your answers in your log.
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