Custom Search
Buck Hall recreation Area, Campground
and The Palmetto Trail hiking trail
and The Palmetto Trail hiking trail
Heading north up highway 17 from Charleston S.C. lies one of the States most precious
and preserved natural areas. The Francis Marion national Forrest. The National forest is a
destination for many hikers and campers and recently on a weekend we struck out to do
some hiking on the Palmetto Trail. The Palmetto trail crosses the state of South Carolina
from north to South and ends,or begins, depending on which way you are hiking, at the
Buck Hall recreation area Awendaw passage trailhead. There are many other areas you
can enter the Trail for a short or longer hike and another popular entry is the Swamp Fox
passage. Today we chose the Buck Hall entrance. Normally Day use and parking at Buck
Hall is $5 so keep that in mind as you plan your hiking trip.
and preserved natural areas. The Francis Marion national Forrest. The National forest is a
destination for many hikers and campers and recently on a weekend we struck out to do
some hiking on the Palmetto Trail. The Palmetto trail crosses the state of South Carolina
from north to South and ends,or begins, depending on which way you are hiking, at the
Buck Hall recreation area Awendaw passage trailhead. There are many other areas you
can enter the Trail for a short or longer hike and another popular entry is the Swamp Fox
passage. Today we chose the Buck Hall entrance. Normally Day use and parking at Buck
Hall is $5 so keep that in mind as you plan your hiking trip.
The Awendaw passage section of the Palmetto Trail is around 7 miles and it is listed
as fairly easy for an average hiker. Remember this is the woods and there is no
stores,rest areas modern convinces so you must bring with you everything you may need
for the hike. The day we chose was a beautiful South Carolina Winter day. The low
temperatures that night was around 32 degrees and the highs for the day was 55
degrees. If dressed for winter a jacket may not be required depending on the time you
enter the trail. However, remember that in the woods, sunlight has a hard time reaching
the trail so you won't gain any natural warmth from the sun. I dressed in full thermals an
extra t shirt, jeans and hiking boots and was more than comfortable. I would highly
suggest anytime the temperature is below 50 degrees though to bring or wear a jacket.
The trail parallels the coast and the Inter coastal waterway fro a good section and the
breeze on a cool day can be fairly cold.
as fairly easy for an average hiker. Remember this is the woods and there is no
stores,rest areas modern convinces so you must bring with you everything you may need
for the hike. The day we chose was a beautiful South Carolina Winter day. The low
temperatures that night was around 32 degrees and the highs for the day was 55
degrees. If dressed for winter a jacket may not be required depending on the time you
enter the trail. However, remember that in the woods, sunlight has a hard time reaching
the trail so you won't gain any natural warmth from the sun. I dressed in full thermals an
extra t shirt, jeans and hiking boots and was more than comfortable. I would highly
suggest anytime the temperature is below 50 degrees though to bring or wear a jacket.
The trail parallels the coast and the Inter coastal waterway fro a good section and the
breeze on a cool day can be fairly cold.
Once on the trail the first mile or so winds around the Buck Hall Campground area, then
the trail proceeds into the deeper part of the forest. Birds, squirrels and other small
animals can be heard scurry about if you are quiet and listen for them. Of course like any
wild animal, during the middle of the day their activity is less, as the afternoon inches
closer to evening their activity increases. Large pine trees dotted the trail and woods
surrounding it and several wooden bridges are crossed. The trail continues further and
after about 2 miles it brings you to a picturesque opening view of the Awendaw creek
the trail proceeds into the deeper part of the forest. Birds, squirrels and other small
animals can be heard scurry about if you are quiet and listen for them. Of course like any
wild animal, during the middle of the day their activity is less, as the afternoon inches
closer to evening their activity increases. Large pine trees dotted the trail and woods
surrounding it and several wooden bridges are crossed. The trail continues further and
after about 2 miles it brings you to a picturesque opening view of the Awendaw creek
The trail continues along the creek for
about a mile or two and here you can see the
tree and plant life has changed. Palmetto
trees grow wildly, large oak trees with moss
and vines growing on them dot the trail. The
marshland is only a few feet away and animal
tracks can easily be seen during low tide. A
good pair of binoculars would come in handy
here as the vista across the marshland is
absolutely spectacular. An occasional
motorboat off in the distance can be heard,
other than that it is only quiet,solitude and the
sounds of wildlife. At this point you have
come about 2 miles into the trail and
remember if you are needing to head back to
your car it would be another 2 miles back.
Since this was out first hiking trip of the year
we chose to hike about another 1/2 mile
along the marsh and creek area and turn to
head back. The Afternoon sun had begun to
set. The sun was having a hard time getting
through the trees and the temperature had
begun to drop.
about a mile or two and here you can see the
tree and plant life has changed. Palmetto
trees grow wildly, large oak trees with moss
and vines growing on them dot the trail. The
marshland is only a few feet away and animal
tracks can easily be seen during low tide. A
good pair of binoculars would come in handy
here as the vista across the marshland is
absolutely spectacular. An occasional
motorboat off in the distance can be heard,
other than that it is only quiet,solitude and the
sounds of wildlife. At this point you have
come about 2 miles into the trail and
remember if you are needing to head back to
your car it would be another 2 miles back.
Since this was out first hiking trip of the year
we chose to hike about another 1/2 mile
along the marsh and creek area and turn to
head back. The Afternoon sun had begun to
set. The sun was having a hard time getting
through the trees and the temperature had
begun to drop.
Hiking can be fun and relaxing for the whole family and hiking the Palmetto
Trail can be a great learning experience for youngsters. Seeing the different
landscapes,trees,plant life and sometimes even wildlife enriches their
knowledge. Learning to bring the necessary equipment and dressing the
appropriate way also teaches kids how to prepare for different events. Hiking
is not only healthy but the stress reduction is priceless. Heading to your local
trail just may be exactly what you need and the weather in South Carolina is
perfect for it. The Palmetto trail is a very nice well maintained trail.
Remember to keep the trail clean and no littering. Buck hall recreation Area is
about 25 miles North on Highway 17 past Awendaw. look for the sign on the right
hand side of the highway.
Trail can be a great learning experience for youngsters. Seeing the different
landscapes,trees,plant life and sometimes even wildlife enriches their
knowledge. Learning to bring the necessary equipment and dressing the
appropriate way also teaches kids how to prepare for different events. Hiking
is not only healthy but the stress reduction is priceless. Heading to your local
trail just may be exactly what you need and the weather in South Carolina is
perfect for it. The Palmetto trail is a very nice well maintained trail.
Remember to keep the trail clean and no littering. Buck hall recreation Area is
about 25 miles North on Highway 17 past Awendaw. look for the sign on the right
hand side of the highway.
