I have lived in a number of states and even another country. However, so far, I have spent more of my life in South Carolina, specifically the Lowcountry than anywhere else. I have always enjoyed a daily walk but did not seriously embrace hiking until I retired and moved to the mountains of South Carolina. While living on The Grand Strand during my working years, I regrettably did not have as much time to explore the surrounding natural area. A career, a business, family and just the struggle to get ahead was the focus of my time. I did explore the long leaf pine forest near where I lived and worked, and it is heartbreaking to revisit and see the widespread development. Cookie cutter houses on tiny lots now cover the tree-less acreage where I once used to ramble. The Wood Stork and Ibis nesting habitat in the cypress swamp on the road to my former plant nursery is no longer inhabited. It was once a destination for birders from all over the SE. So, with a recent extended family visit, I had the perfect opportunity to correct this omission and explore some of what I had missed.
Hike 1: I was aware of the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge, a relatively new addition to the Wildlife Refuge System but had never visited during the time I lived in the area. Click here to learn about Waccamaw NWR! Frolicking Dinosaur and I headed out to the Cox Ferry Lake Recreation Area and spent an enjoyable afternoon hiking the Blue, Yellow, Red, and Orange Trails. Hopefully better names can be found for this great trail system. We hiked a little over 3 miles traveling through Bald Cypress swamps, upland forests and around a small lake. Early December was a perfect time to visit with mild temperatures, no bugs, and without recent rain, our feet remained dry. The attractive boardwalks made walking very pleasant and always fun to see the cypress knees sticking up out of the water! Happy to see some of the native ecosystem preserved!
Hike 2: I had previously car camped at beautiful Buck Hall Campground in the Francis Marion National Forest near Awendaw, north of Charleston many years ago but had never gone hiking on the Palmetto Trail there. The Palmetto Trail winds its way through South Carolina from the mountains near where I currently live to the Coast. It is too bad that many of the trail segments are not yet connected because I’d certainly be interested in a thru hike if that were to happen. A little over an hour drive from my lodging found me starting the Awendaw segment at the coastal terminus. Many boardwalks again, though most not needed since so dry.
Much of the trail in this segment winds along coastal marshland and is particularly scenic along the Intracoastal Waterway and Awendaw Creek. Several benches are strategically located to sit and rest while taking in the beautiful view! My hiking app revealed that the adjacent waterway was also a canoe trail, and I eventually did hike past a launch area.
I really enjoyed seeing the many native palm trees, in particular the iconic Sabel palmetto, the SC state tree and the trails namesake. Lots of Long leaf Pines, Live Oaks covered with drooping Spanish Moss, Southern Magnolia, and several species of Holly including American, Dahoon, and Yaupon. Made me nostalgic to see some of the first plants I learned about during my horticulture school days back when I lived in the Charleston area many moons ago.
The trail pulled away from the coast and crossed busy Hwy. 17 and I decided to hike a little further on the Swamp Fox Segment but quickly remembered how early it now got dark and backtracked the way I’d come. Thought it would be a day of solitude until I ran into a local walking his 2 dogs. He asked if I was familiar with an old, abandoned house just ahead off the trail and when I answered no, proceeded to lead me to this interesting ruin.
I thoroughly enjoyed this 13.5 mile hike and hope to continue explorations on the Swamp Fox Segment in the future!
Hike 3: I am embarrassed to admit that although I was well aware of the Lowcountry Carolina Bays and their rich native flora including an abundance of carnivorous plants, I never explored this rare ecosystem during the time I lived there. Click here to learn more about Carolina Bays! Daughter, Klaire joined Frolicking Dinosaur and I for an expedition out to Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Reserve. Again, astonishing development in the growing Carolina Forest area, though encouraging to see some effort to preserve at least some of this special habitat.
Didn’t take long for Klaire’s younger eyes to spot some interesting Sarracenia species!
We hiked 4 miles, much of it on gravel roads but we did venture offroad for some bushwhacking! Important to remember that this is a Wildlife Management Area and open to hunting. We were warned that if the Game Warden caught us not sporting some orange during hunting season we could be fined up to $1000. Yikes that is steep though understand the safety issues and hope he is as vigilant about plant poaching! Definitely will be returning in the future and hoping to view some Venus Flytrap!
