Francis Marion National Forest / Hell Hole Swamp

Francis Marion National Forest / Hell Hole Swamp
Berkeley County, SC
May 27, 2017 10:30am (Day Trip)
May 25 – 29, 2017 (Camping)
Regional Director: Paul Kalbach
Secondary Contact: Kim Frampton McManus

On Saturday May 27, 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, and seeking out unusual wildflowers. Once again, we’ll be joining the ‘Under a Low Country Moon’ folks.

Under a Low Country Moon (ULCM) is comprised of a group of South Carolina naturalists who have met on Memorial Day weekend annually since 2001. The purpose is to document species in the Francis Marion National Forest Hell Hole wilderness area. While our focus is on herpetology, we are not limited to reptiles and amphibians. We include birders and entomology experts as well as nature photographers. We note changes in the plant communities that are vulnerable to meteorological events such as hurricanes and drought. Our observations indicate that fire enhances these communities. The 2,125 acres of the Hell Hole Bay Wilderness and surrounding areas include Carolina bays, upland longleaf pine savannas, hardwood forests, cypress swamps and associated waterways. There are unique plant communities, including carnivorous pitcher plants. Reptile and amphibian populations are extremely diverse, as are mammals. The area is teeming with white-tailed deer and supports associated predators. Our participants have sighted bobcats and coyotes as well as black bear.

This trip can be expanded into an overnight or weekend excursion. 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 closest hotels are approximately 30 minutes drive 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. A few camp stoves will be available for heating items. Our regular pitmaster (Paul) will be traveling just prior to the trip and will be unable to provide his awesome barbecue this year, so we’ll need folks to consider bringing a main dish. Be on the lookout for a poll to indicate what you’d like to bring a bit closer to the outing weekend.

Directions
Interstate directions from Columbia, SC to Hell Hole Road Huger, SC 29450
From 1-26E, take exit 194 towards Road 16 / Jedburg / Pinopolis
Turn LEFT on Jedburg Rd and go 5.1 miles.
Turn RIGHT on US-176E and go 0.4 miles.
Turn LEFT on Black Tom Road / State Road S-8-467 and go 5.7 miles.
Keep RIGHT to continue on State Road S-8-413 and go 0.2 miles.
Turn LEFT at the 2nd cross street onto US-17 Alt N / South Live Oak Drive and go 5.5 miles.
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.
Take a slight RIGHT onto US-17 Alt N and go 5.6 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto Bethera Road / State Road S-8-48. After 0.2 miles, continue on Bethera Road and go 5.4 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto SC-41 S and go 2.5 miles.
Turn LEFT onto Hell Hole Road / Forest Road 158.
Take the first RIGHT into the campground.

Directions from Charleston, SC to Hell Hole Road Huger, SC 29450
Merge onto US-17 N / Arthur Ravenel Jr Bridge / Septima Clark Pkwy via the ramp to Mt Pleasant
At the end of the bridge, stay LEFT to continue on US-17 N / N Hwy 17 and go 7.7 miles.
Use the left 2 lanes to to turn LEFT onto SC-41 N and go 23.2 miles.
Turn RIGHT onto Hell Hole Road / Forest Road 158.
Take the first RIGHT into the campground.