Tuesday, January 11, 2011

February 18-20 - Congaree Swamp Outing

Pictures from the trip : https://picasaweb.google.com/scott.broam/TrailblazersAtCongareePark#

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The Broams and Madges are hosting this one. 

Where
The campground is almost exactly where google shows the address for the park - it is on the left immediately before the park gates
Congaree Swamp Natl Monument, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061-8320
http://goo.gl/maps/Vhy6

Camping

"After Hours Sites" - This is the camping available right outside the gate - there are 7 sites limited to 8 campers each. There is a port-a-potty here though there is no water. There are picnic tables and fire rings. You can't drive up to them, but it is a very short walk. We would need a permit for each site.


Permits - these are free and can be picked up the day of camping - I can go out at lunch as my office isn't far. I'm not 100% clear on this, but I think I can pick up permits (say, for the "after hours" site) for other adults - I'll clarify.

or don't camp - just join us for the day time activities

Saturday Activities
9:30  Ranger Talk - "Nature Discovery Hike" : Discover the floodplain on this guided Boardwalk hike. We’ll explore the forest, looking and listening for animals.

Hiking - there are some nice trails ranging up to 12 miles or so - no hills! If the river stays low, we should have access to a lot of the park. There are folks that have GPS coordinates of some of the bigger trees - I'll see what I can round up.

Sunday Canoeing
There are ranger led canoe trips on Sunday afternoons that you must reserve a slot for. They have 10 canoes available - I was able to reserve two which can handle 3 people each. There were two more of these slots available at that time. There are also a couple of slots available for folks bringing their own canoes - I was able to reserve two of these (the ranger put those down at 2 each). If we have more than 10 folks who would like to participate, we need to find out ASAP and have somebody call to reserve the two remaining canoe slots.

Details ; We meet at 1:45 and you must have a change of clothes in a dry bag (I have bags). Wear shoes you can get muddy, though it is not likely that we will have to get out of the canoes.

Links
http://www.nps.gov/cong/index.htm

Important Notes :
  • we can't bring in firewood - we can burn deadwood found on-site or charcoal
  • there is no running water - bring your big water containers
Menu:
Friday dinner: Everyone bring your own meat for the grill, beans, smores to be provided
Sat. breakfast: instant oatmeal, instant grits, fruit
Sat. lunch Sandwiches
Sat. dinner: Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
Sun breakfast: pancakes, eggs, bacon
Saturday lunch for the canoers: sandwiches

Everyone: Bring water and water bottles for the Saturday hike, chips /snacks to share, drinks for your family

Madge: spray butter, mustard, jelly, smores, 1 box oatmeal, 1 lb ground meat, 1 can potato, 1 doz. eggs, charcoal, coffee, zip lock bags

Broam: mayo, pancake mix, chocolate bars, graham crackers, 1 loaf bread, 1 can corn, soup mix, corn bread mix, 1 box of instant grits, charcoal

Collier: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb lunchmeat, 1 pack of american cheese (24 pack) styrofoam/paper cups (24 pack), paper towels

Villa: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb. lunchmeat, bunch of bananas, 1lb ground meat, 1 can stewed tomatoes, 1 can green beans, 1 box pre-cooked bacon, 1 dozen eggs

Dawkins: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb lunch meat, 1 lb ground beef, 1 pack of american cheese (24 pack), 1 can peas, 1 can stewed tomatoes

Udwadia: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb lunchmeat, 1 bunch of bananas, 1 pack of american cheese (24 pack), 1 can green beans, paper plates

Wigley: 1 loaf bread, 1 lb lunchmeat, 1 box instant grits, 1 lb ground beef, 1 can potatoes, 1 can peas,  1 box of pre-cooked bacon

Dreher: 1 loaf bread, 1 can corn, 2 boxes pre-cooked bacon, 1 box instant oatmeal, 1 bag of apples, 1 bottle of maple syrup

Himes: 1 lb lunchmeat, 1 loaf bread, 1 jar peanut butter, 1 bag apples, paper towels

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