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Member Hike
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| Hike Name:
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Francis Marion National Forest - I'On Swamp |
| Country:
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United States |
| State / Region:
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South Carolina |
| Nearby Town:
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Charleston |
| Rating:
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| Directions:
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From Charleston, take U.S. 17 north to I'On Swamp Road (Forest Road 228) and turn left onto it. Drive two miles to the trailhead which is on the left. |
| Total Hike Distance:
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2.00
miles |
| Hike Difficulty:
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Easy
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| Permit Required:
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No |
| Hike Starts:
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Forest Road 228 |
| Hike Ends:
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Forest Road 228 |
| Trails Used:
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I'On Swamp Interpretive Trail |
| Hike Type:
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Roundtrip, Loop Hike |
| Back Country Campsites:
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No |
| Back Country Water Sources:
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None |
| Management:
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U.S. Forest Service |
| Contact Information:
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Sewee Visitor And Environmental Ed Center
5821 U.S. Highway 17 North
Awendaw, SC 29429
843-928-3368 |
| Best Season:
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Winter |
| Users:
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Hikers, Dogs |
| Hike Summary:
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In the 1700's, I'On Swamp was a rice plantation with a system of canals used for irrigation. Today, it is a coastal wetland that houses countless species of birds and amphibians. On this hike, you will loop through a lowcountry swamp along the old irrigation routes that served the rice fields. Here are a few other notes on this trip:
- the hike is flat and easy to hike, and it is located right across from the Environmental Education Center which has maps and trail information
- it is very swampy and shaded, with tons of birds thanks to bird boxes that are scattered throughout the forest
- I think the Forest Service lets rain water collect here and damns up some creeks to keep it flooded during the dry months.
- you feel a million miles from the coast (which ironically is only a few miles away)
- I had an alligator scare the crap out of me here - in one of the canals that was used to transport people and rice from the fields (back in the day - anyway)
- The place is teeming with wildlife - birds and squirrels everywhere, gators, turtles, etc.
- I would not want to hike this place in humid weather - bug city - take some insect repellent when it's over 60 degrees
- No camping here
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| Road Conditions:
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Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads, Maintained Gravel or Dirt Roads |
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