Francis Marion Forest / Hell Hole Swamp

Berkeley County, SC
May 26, 2018 10:30am (Day Trip)
May 24 – 28, 2018 (Camping)

Regional Director: Paul Kalbach
Secondary Contact: Kim McManus

On Saturday May 26, SCAN will visit the Francis Marion National Forest. We’ll gather at
the Hell Hole Road campground at 10:30am. From there, we’ll break out into smaller
groups for exploration of the vast area. Options include road cruising for snakes and
herps, visiting pitcher plant bogs, scouting Carolina Bays, bird watching, and seeking
out unusual wildflowers. Gordon Murphy has some leads on a few new interesting
locations to examine.

This will be SCAN’s sixth year taking part in the annual ‘Under a Low Country Moon’
interpretive weekend. Under a Low Country Moon (ULCM) is comprised of a group of
naturalists who have met on Memorial Day weekend annually since 2001. The
weekend includes lots of road cruising, with stops for on-foot exploration. There are a
few ponds and creeks that can be traversed in a kayak or canoe. Evening activities
include road cruising, star gazing, s’more eating contests, and, if we’re very lucky,
musical interludes by several of our talented friends.

ULCM members will start setting up camp on Thursday. The last stragglers don’t leave
until lunchtime on Monday. Both hotel and rustic camping options are available. The
campground is simply a field, so plan to pack in and pack out everything you need. The
closest hotels are approximately 30 minutes away in Moncks Corner. Feel free to join in
the fun for as long as you like!

Dinner:
Due to the remote location of this trip, dinner will be potluck at the campground. Paul
Kalbach will be making BBQ for the carnivorously inclined. Please contribute sides or
additional dishes. Check out our Facebook page or email Kim McManus at
kim.f.mcmanus@gmail.com to indicate what type of items you’d like to contribute.
A few camp stoves will be available for heating items.

There are no facilities at the campground, so please plan accordingly.

Directions:
Interstate directions from Columbia, SC to Hell Hole Road, Huger, SC 29450

1. From 1-26E, take exit 194 towards Road 16 / Jedburg / Pinopolis
2. Turn LEFT on Jedburg Rd and go 5.1 miles.
3. Turn RIGHT on US-176E and go 0.4 miles.
4. Turn LEFT on Black Tom Road / State Road S-8-467 and go 5.7 miles.
5. Keep RIGHT to continue on State Road S-8-413 and go 0.2 miles.
6. Turn LEFT at the 2nd cross street onto US-17 Alt N / South Live Oak Drive and
go 5.5 miles.
7. Use the left 2 lanes to turn slightly LEFT onto US-17 Alt N / US-52 W / N US Hwy
52 and go 1.9 miles.
8. Take a slight RIGHT onto US-17 Alt N and go 5.6 miles.
9. Turn RIGHT onto Bethera Road / State Road S-8-48. After 0.2 miles, continue on
Bethera Road and go 5.4 miles.
10.Turn RIGHT onto SC-41 S and go 2.5 miles.
11.Turn LEFT onto Hell Hole Road / Forest Road 158.
12.Take the first RIGHT into the campground.
Directions from Charleston, SC to Hell Hole Road, Huger, SC 29450
1. Merge onto US-17 N / Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge / Septima Clark Pkwy via the
ramp to Mt Pleasant
2. At the end of the bridge, stay LEFT to continue on US-17 N / N Hwy 17 and go
7.7 miles.
3. Use the left 2 lanes to turn LEFT onto SC-41 N and go 23.2 miles.
4. Turn RIGHT onto Hell Hole Road / Forest Road 158.
5. Take the first RIGHT into the campground.