If you are in the Modoc, South Carolina area and looking for hiking ideas, the 5.5-mile Modoc Trail is a great option. As it follows Stevens Creek, Modoc is also known as the Stevens Creek Trail. Plus, Stevens Creek boasts the rare, rocky shoals spider lily.
Modoc Trail
The Modoc Trail is a singletrack trail for hiking and biking. It is part of Sumter National Forest, located in the southeastern part of the Long Cane Ranger District. The trailhead is along Highway SC-23, between Edgefield and Modoc. It is free to park. There are no facilities, but the information board has a map of the area.
Modoc has white painted blazes. From the trailhead, go over a bridge, and cross the first major creek (Key Branch) you come along to stay on Modoc Trail. There is another small trail to the left which follows Key Branch. Hop along the rocks in the creek to cross, but make sure to pause and enjoy the small cascade.
There are multiple creek and ditch crossings as well as bridges on the trail. This dirt trail has relatively smooth terrain with some elevation gain, but it is easy to moderate difficulty overall. Users can keep track of their distance using the provided mile markers.
We saw lots of wildflowers including blue-eyed grass, Indian pink (pinkroot), and spiderwort.
Wildlife was also abundant – mostly birds, reptiles, and insects. There were butterflies and damselflies. I spotted a Fowler’s toad and an eastern fence lizard.
We heard many birdsongs from red-eyed vireos, summer tanagers, and yellow-breasted chats.
If you are looking to explore more, the 1.9-mile Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve Trail and the 12-mile Wine-Turkey Trail are nearby.
Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies
Rocky shoals spider lilies bloom along Stevens Creek in May. A rocky shoals spider lily is a large, rare lily that grows in fast-flowing shoals of rivers, creeks, and streams in South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia.
These beautiful white lilies are a sight to see! An individual bloom is lovely and when there is a large section in bloom, it is simply gorgeous.
At this section of Stevens Creek, we saw dragonflies and a tiny toad. Look at its size compared to the pinecone!
If you are interested in other sites for these flowers, Landsford Canal State Park is home to the world’s largest population of rocky shoals spider lilies.
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- Hiking in Hickory Knob State Park
- Exploring the Lakeview Loop Trail in Hickory Knob State Park
- Nature and History: Hiking Landsford Canal State Park
- The Essential Hiking Guide
- Trail Blazes: Everything You Need to Know
- Birds of The Carolinas
- Creatures You’ll Encounter Hiking in the Carolinas