Freeze gallon size water jugs and all freeze-able items. This saves on ice and helps keep things colder longer. A gallon of frozen water was used for the (instant) lemonade the first night and ice water was passed around on the home stretch as a refreshing treat.
#
If you are using a canoe in rough or “white water”, not having a keel allows you to maneuver the canoe much easier by allowing the boat to slide sideways easier during certain paddle strokes. On a fairly gently river like the Congaree River, a canoe with a keel is much easier to keep on course. I found it requires more work to keep the canoe straight without a keel. Differences in paddler strength or stroke are much more apparent and required more corrections.
#
This park has a heavy slant toward horses and dogs, but don’t be mislead. H. Cooper Black Jr. Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area is an outstanding destination with unique facilities and terrain to explore.
I found H. Cooper’s openness a pleasant change from some of the smaller parks within the state. While there aren’t really “hiking” trails here, there are acres of wilderness to explore. I found the freedom of walking across the expansive rolling hills with their combination of open tall grass fields, pine forests, and waterfowl ponds nestled between, amazingly enjoyable and refreshing.
One of fun things I enjoyed about this park, was letting Radar off leash when we were out in the fields and at the ponds (dogs must be on lease near the camp sites). We even tried a little retriever training at the ponds (‘turns out the pup can’t swim – but that’s a story for another time). Most state parks have some pretty strict lease rules which makes it a little difficult to train with him for hiking, so it was nice to be able to roam in the fields and woods with him.
This park is one of newest and largest in the SC park system. Located in Chesterfield County, just about 5.6 miles South of Cheraw, H. Cooper Black was added to the park system in 1994. With it’s 7000 acres, it is the fourth largest in the South Carolina State Park system. The two big things in the park are the 20 miles of equestrian trails and the retriever training & events. But don’t let not having a horse keep you away. This park it is open, pleasant, and definitely worth the trip away from civilization. I look forward to returning to H. Cooper Black again.
Favorite Time of year: Anytime for camping.
Things to Know: If you like animals such as horses and dogs, you will like H. Cooper Black.
Camping: Camping is available at H Cooper Black. Please contact the park from 11 a.m. to noon, daily, at 843-378-1555 for camping reservations and information (Reservations Required).
Pet friendly: Pets must be voice command controlled or kept on a leash or in a kennel while in the camping area or within 1/4 mile of the camping area.
Getting There: H Cooper Black is in the Eastern midlands of South Carolina, just North of Florence and just South of Cheraw, right off highway 15. It’s about a 3 hour drive from the Charleston area.
#
Following our lunch under the pines, we continue towards Poinsett State Park and the end of our hike. I know we’re near the the end now, there is a public parking lot ahead for staging mountain bikes and horses, our hiking trail passes through it on the way to the state park. However as we emerge from under the tall pines, about a half mile from this parking lot, we are presented a view which is hard to describe. The hills rising up in front of us are raw, striped bare of all living things. I am a little surprised at the completeness of the destruction. We hike up from the creek bed to the top of the hill and look around. Hundreds of acres of nature, wiped away. There are no bushes. There is no grass. There is no wildlife. There are no more trails. The only things remaining, are charred broken sticks where a forest once was. Even the tree stumps are cut so close to the ground as to be nonexistent. The caretakers of the land have sold off their charge to the highest bidder. This saddens me greatly. I look around for a sign of our trail, out of habit I guess, only to realize following a trail here doesn’t really matter any more. We strike out across the wasteland to get to the road crossing as quickly as we can. We pick up the trail and crossing over in to the state park side of the hike, I am relieved to find one of my favorite parts of this hike still intact, the little forest of scrub oaks draped with Spanish moss. But as I look back sadly, with a heavy heart, at the desolate, charred, waste behind me, I wonder … who speaks for the trees?
#
Most of the trail in this section is wide enough to walk side-by-side, making conversation easier between hikers in a group. I enjoy listening to the path these conversation take. On some hikes the same theme may run for days. Today the trail talk is mostly down memory lane. Some of our group will be graduating soon or moving on to do other things. Today, as we hike through the Manchester State Forest, they are reminiscing fondly about past exploits and adventures of past camping trips. I know we are nearing a cut section of forest soon, so we take our mid-day break on a small hill, under a stand of tall pines. It’s cool but not cold, the forecast rain threatened, but ultimately was a no-show for this trip. Everyone is relaxing a bit sitting on the blanket of pine needles, eating, chatting, and airing their feet. Someone is debating the pro’s and con’s of grits verses oatmeal as a breakfast choice. Someone is sharing their favorite trail lunch. It’s a great day to be out on the trail with friends. It’s days like this which make me want to keep going.
#
It’s been a while, but it feels good to get out again. I’m sitting at picnic table in the dark cool pre-dawn hours at Mill Creek county park, enjoying a warm drink of coffee and hot chocolate. There are eight others in our group. We’re hiking the High Hills of Santee. For some of them, this is their first backpacking experience, for others, they have hiked this section of the palmetto trail before, maybe even several time. For me, I think I must have been down this trail over a dozen times. It will be nice to be back on the trail again, it’s like visiting an old friend, almost like coming home. The sky is starting to lighten a little. They are all still sleeping now, but soon will be up, making bathroom runs, chatting, cooking breakfast, breaking camp, and packing their gear for the hike. But right now it’s quite.
#
This one is a little different. With “just” a .3 mile interpretive trail, hiking is not really the main draw, but yet Colleton State Park is a hidden little gem in the South Carolina State Park system.
Nestled on the banks of the amazing Edisto River, this 34 acre park serves as the headquarters of the Edisto River Canoe and Kayak Trail. The Edisto River is the longest free-flowing black-water river in North America and offers some 63 miles of incredible canoeing & kayaking. Having a watercraft is not a requisite for visiting this park. While this park is the smallest in the SC park system, located in Colleton County, just off I-95, this 34 acre park is a popular dropping in point for paddlers, fishermen, and anyone seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of life.
I have camped at Colleton State Park dozens of times over the years (with and without a canoe) and am impressed with the parks steady improvements. Every year there seems to be more and more done to improve the park and services offered. While I’m usually found in the group or primitive campsite, there are about 25 standard camping sites, including a cabin overlooking the Edisto River. The short Cypress Swamp interpretive trail runs from the park entrance down through to the river side Canoe Dock.
Favorite Time of year: Summer for paddling, Anytime for camping.
Distance: About .3 miles.
Things to Know: This is an Easy hike.
Camping: Camping is available at Colleton State Park (reservations required).
Pet friendly: Must be leashed at all times, including the forest, okay everywhere outdoors except cabin and lodging areas of the park.
Getting There: Colleton State Park is just East of I-95, between Walterboro and St. George, right off highway 15. It’s about less than 1 hour drive from the Charleston. .area.
#
Layer your clothes. Rather than a single heavy layer use multiple thin layers. Layering helps build insulation you can add or remove from to maintain a dry comfort level.
Use a wicking base layer; it will help draw moisture away from the skin helping to keep you dry. Remember at least three layers, a wicking base, insulating middle, and outer shell layer.
#
Looking for a great one day hike? Then this may be the answer. This passage of South Carolina’s Palmetto Trail snakes through the Manchester State Forest, linking Mill Creek County Park with Poinsett State Park. The High Hills of Santee Passage trail gets its name from the high, rolling sandy dunes, which are part of the regional geology. These rolling hills are the ancient ocean shoreline found in the state’s midland area. This is one of my favorite hikes when introducing new hikers to the trail.
Located in Sumter County, near the Northern side of Santee Lake, this 10 mile trail winds through the forest from Sumter County’s Mill Creek Park (+-195’), North up to Poinsett State Park. As the Manchester forest is state managed, you will pass through a couple areas which have been logged in the past and are now in various stages of regrowth. The term forest however is a little misleading. With fairly diverse terrain, including rolling sand ridges, mixed pines and hardwood forest, creeks, and even a patch of quicksand, there is plenty to keep the hike interesting every step of the way.
Of course you can hike in either direction, I prefer starting at Mill Creek Country Park and Hiking toward Poinsett State Park. The southern end of the trail is a bit more sandy and easier to travel through while you’re fresh. Towards the northern end of the trail you enter more rolling hills and wooded sections. As you come up from Shanks Creek crossing, there is a parking lot area before the trail crosses Poinsett Park Road. You are within the last few miles before entering the state park. With a latrine here, this is a great spot to take a short break before the last leg of this hike. Crossing over the road you pick up the trail again. You will step into another completely different type of wooded area as you enter a forest of scrub oaks draped with Spanish moss. This is one of my favorite sections of this hike. As the trail enters the park, it crosses and drops off to the left of the park road and winds down around the creek as you head toward and around the Old Levi Mill Pond. You will comes out of the woods and cross the earthen dam holding back Old Levi Mill Pond. While you are there, take a few minutes and explore the Singleton Grist Mill ruins and old grinding wheel. You end your hike at the park visitors center (+-100’) trail head at the parking lot.
Favorite Time of year: Fall through Spring
Distance: About 10 miles
Things to Know: This is a Moderately Easy hike.
Camping: Camping is available at both Mill Creek County Park and Poinsett State Park (reservations required). Both parks have restrooms, bathhouses, and parking. For all permit and reservation information at Mill Creek county park, call Steve at (803) 436-2248.
Pet friendly: Must be leashed at all times, including the forest, okay everywhere outdoors except cabin and lodging areas of the park.
Getting There: Poinsett State Park and Mill Creek Park are both located near on the Northern side of Santee Lake, and West of the town of Sumter, in Sumter County, South Carolina. It’s about a 1 hour drive from the Charleston area.
Looking for a new tent? Consider borrowing or renting one and take it out for a test-run. See what you like and dislike. Consider one with a rain fly which almost completely covers the tent. Often people are disappointed in their tents simply because the rain fly is too small to properly work.
Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén