40-Acre Rock Hike w/ Amy Tipton

**This event is for NCNPS members only. Register here today! Group size will be limited to 25 people. In case of rain, the hike will be held on Sunday, Apr 2nd at the same time of day.**

Join Amy Tipton at 40-Acre Rock in Kershaw, South Carolina. Standing atop the gigantic granitic rock, you feel on top of the world, or close to it. Mosses and lichens thrive there. Bright purple compass plant and wild azalea bloom early. A dozen rare, threatened, or endangered plant and wildlife species are protected here, including nodding trillium and the green violet or hybanthus. Blue cohosh, usually found only in the mountains, grows in the preserve. Longleaf pine and turkey oak, trees typical of the Sandhills, are here, too.

The hike will start at the upper parking lot near the outcrops with a relatively accessible flat path and a short walk from parking. Participants who choose to leave after the first segment may. This segment (easy) will be about 30-45 minutes long. Those who would like to continue with the group will descend to the stream and walk adjacent to the pond to end up at the lower parking lot. This portion of the hike (moderate) will take approximately 2 hours with a lunch or snack break. The final (3rd) leg of the tour will be about 45 minutes at an amazing but steep slope without trails which has diverse ephemeral spring wildflowers and even possibly some morel mushrooms for those who can manage rougher terrain!