Hitchcock Woods - Trail Riding & Picnic!

[SCM1959]

Even though I have lived in South Carolina since 1987, I have never had the opportunity to ride in the Hitchcock Woods in Aiken. I have driven trailer loads of Pony Club ponies there and I have sat and waited numerous times, but I have never brought MY horse and ridden there. Finally I am going to do it!

We have a group of ladies plus our instructor going. Is there a particular entrance/parking area that would be best for us to use? We will do a mostly walking/trotting ride. We want to have a picnic lunch after the ride at the trailer area. I am wondering which parking area might be the least popular on a late Sunday morning.

Thank you for the advice! I am so excited!

SCM1959

[Lele]

The Dibble Road entrance is a great location for a post ride picnic! It’s a widely used parking area but it’s quite large compared to the other entrances. Space accommodation shouldn’t really be an issue there as others that park there do so with consideration of other rigs. Have fun!!

[SCM1959]

@Lele , is there more than one entrance on Dibble Road? I want to look at driving directions. I know how to get to Aiken, but I have never driven straight to the Hitchcock Woods. I can go to Jumping Branch or to Full Gallop or to Paradise, but I don’t know where “not to turn” or where to “go straight” if I want to go directly to the Hitchcock Woods.

I am so excited to finally get to go. I have an amazing, no-drama but always ready to go TWH (he is in my profile photo). We have an agreement that I do not ask him to jump and he does not spook at stuff beyond spreading his legs out to stand very securely. I bribe him with peppermints! Ha, ha.

SCM1959

[Lele]

@SCM1959 yes plug this address into your GPS.

• The Stable On The Woods
• 292 Rubins Cottage Lane
• Aiken SC 29801

This address is for a private boarding facility which borders Hitchcock that is directly on the other side of the parking area on Dibble Rd. When you get close you will see the day use parking area for the public using Hitchcock. This will get you to the right spot!

[SCM1959]

@Lele, thank you so much!!! You know I did not want to drive down some wrong road with a truck and a living quarters trailer! I always like to plan in advance!

SCM1959

[Lele]

@SCM1959 no problem, glad I could help! It definitely is NO FUN getting a truck and trailer in the wrong area that’s for sure!

[SCM1959]

@Lele , I am now looking at the map. I will be approaching Dibble Road from Robert M. Bell Highway, which changes name to Hitchcock Parkway and then I will turn left onto Dibble Road SW. I drive .52 miles and then my directions say to turn right onto Rubins Cottage Lane.

Do I actually turn right onto Rubins Cottage Lane, or is the entrance to the day parking area on Dibble Road SW OPPOSITE the right turn onto Rubins Cottage Lane?

Thank you!

SCM1959

[Lele]

@SCM1959 I am terribly sorry I haven’t been on this forum for a few days!! Hope you found your way okay and had a good ride!

[SCM1959]

@Lele - I did find my way! I remembered that I have a long ago friend who lives in Aiken, so I found her on FB and double checked with her.

We had a group of 7, one of whom was very, very nervous, but she did fine. My good Rocky Road (see my profile photo) led the ride – he is such a good horse – no drama from him. He set a good tone for the other horses and babysat three different horses who were getting jiggy. I always say he must give off “I’ve got this” vibes to other horses.

My regular trail riding friend and I are going back. What a beautiful place!

SCM1959