This event has been cancelled due to the expected rain.
Inspired by our popular Palmetto Women’s Outdoor Retreat (POWR), this guided spring hike at Forty Acre Rock is an outing for women to enjoy the vast beauty of one of the state’s most unique heritage preserves, featuring a large granite outcropping that provides habitat to the endangered Pool Sprite and countless wildflowers such as Elf Orpine, Piedmont Sandwort, and Puck’s Orpine just to name a few.
Known as one of the best wildflower and birding spots in South Carolina, this Forty Acre Rock trip will be led by sisters and South Carolina Master Naturalists Tara Boone, April Rodgers, and Heather Bock. We will start by exploring Old Highway 601 and Flat Creek with its floodplain forest where Bloodroot, Wild Geranium, Wild Violets, and numerous other wildflowers abound.
We will then transition to the Beaver Pond and back to the lower parking lot to caravan to the upper parking lot for a quick lunch before heading out to the rock itself, where we will talk about the geological aspects of the granite outcropping and have time to explore. We will then walk down to the beautiful cave and waterfall to close out the day before heading back to the upper parking lot.
Where: Forty Acre Rock Heritage Preserve, meet at the lower parking lot.
Registered participants will receive specific directions for the trip. For those looking for overnight lodging, Old McCaskill’s Farm in Camden is nearby.
When: Saturday, March 23, 9:00 am until 2:00 pm
Who: This training is open to the public. No prior knowledge is required, just a love of nature. The minimum age is 16 – come have fun with us and enjoy one of the most beautiful heritage preserves in South Carolina!
For SC Master Naturalists who have not taken a class at Forty Acre Rock, this event can count as Advanced Training towards your statewide certification. Lunch will last thirty minutes, so depending on when we finish, this will count for approximately four and a half hours of training. If you are not a Master Naturalist, just come have fun with us. Participants will also receive a list of other participants to allow for carpooling to the park.
IMPORTANT: Participants should be in good physical shape. Forty Acre Rock has some moderate terrain, and uneven footing on trails.
This hike will be led by Tara Boone, April Rodgers and Heather Bock. These three sisters grew up in this part of the state. Tara and April have both completed the Midlands Master Naturalist Program, and Heather is working on her certification. The sisters have all also attended numerous Women’s Outdoor Retreats. Their passion for nature is infectious!
Other Important Notes:
• No restrooms are located at the site, but there is a gas station close to Forty Acre Rock. Pink and blue bushes are along the trail…
• Participants should bring a bag lunch and water and be prepared for a day in the field. Please bring bug spray, sunscreen and dress accordingly for the weather.
• There is no rain date for this event. We will make every effort to hold it, even in a few rain showers. If it looks like a deluge, we'll notify you of cancellation and refund your money.
• After registering you will receive important correspondence via email. If you change your email between now and then, make sure to notify us.
• If available, please bring binoculars.
Cost: The cost is $40 per person and limited to the first 20 people that register.
Photos by Tara Boone.
Class is full. You can add yourself to the waiting list through the form below.
