Trip: Black Creek
Start: 04/10/2010 - 10:00am
End: 04/10/2010 - 3:00pm
Contact: Bruce Monson
Email: brucemonson@msn.com

Description: This trip will start at 10:00am at Lawton Park on
Prestwood Drive in Hartsville, SC. We will paddle about ½ mile up the
lake to a cypress swamp which will lead us to Black Creek. This
scenic creek is about 20 feet wide, very deep, dark , and shady with
lots of twists and turns. There is a good place to take out for lunch.
There is plenty of water, and no poison ivy hanging over the water. We
will be going upstream, but there is very little current (1-2 mph). On
this trip last year we paddled about 11 miles. This trip is suitable
for any level paddler and any type boat, but short boats are easier.
We will pass Kalmia Gardens on one side and Segars-McKinnon Heritage
Preserve on the other. Wild Mountain Laurel grows along and up the
bluffs of the creek. It was in bloom this time last year. We have seen
snakes, owls, Canada geese, ducks, beaver, Purple Grackles,
Prothonotary Warblers, Osprey, Great Blue Herons and more.

Bring lunch, plenty of fluids, protection from sun or rain, insect
spray, hat, and decent footwear. At the put-in, we will have to carry
our boats about 20 feet and cross some grass, mud, and cypress knees
at the water. This put-in saves us a lot of travel time on the lake
compared to the public landing which is at the dam.

DIRECTIONS: The put-in is about 1 1/2 hours from Columbia. If you come
on I-20, get off at the Hwy 15 exit towards Bishopville (north). Go
through Bishopville and take Hwy 15 Business to Hartsville. Just
before the bridge over Prestwood Lake, there is a stop light. Take the
last turn to the left (Prestwood Drive) BEFORE the bridge. Go about 1
block and you will see tennis courts on the right and then an iron
fence in front of a large paved parking lot for Lawton Park. Turn in
to this parking lot. If you get to the Prestwood Country Club, you
missed the turn.

Let me know by e-mail , your name and telephone number if you want to
join us or if you have any questions.