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Tales from the Trail: June 2013
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Your monthly news from PCF
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June Quote 
"Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher."
-Henry Wordworth
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PCF to celebrate 20 years of the Palmetto Trail in 2014
In 2014, PCF will celebrate 20 years of the Palmetto Trail. To mark this milestone, we are hosting a celebration of the trail on Facebook. To start the celebration early, we have been featuring a different passage of the trail with fun facts, trip suggestions, pictures and more to highlight the unique qualities of every section.
We have also asked our Facebook friends to submit their pictures of each passage as part of an ongoing photo contest. Our staff will vote on the best picture for each section and the winner will receive a free PCF membership. At the end of the year, all the winning photos will be entered into a larger photo contest, and that winner will receive a special prize pack.
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 If you have pictures of the trail that you would like to share, please email them to us or post them on our Facebook page. |
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Wish List
Maintaining the Palmetto Trail is a huge task and our trail coordinators do a great job. Having the proper tools, however, makes their work much easier. If you would like to donate anything on our wishlist, please contact our office at (803) 771-0870. We appreciate your help!
Wish List:
Chain Saw Winch
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Whew, what a weekend!
Three fun-filled days at our National Trails Day celebration
Thanks to everyone who took part in our celebration of National Trails Day at Poinsett State Park this past weekend. We couldn't have asked for better weather or a better group. Our staff and volunteers had a wonderful time getting to know everyone, enjoying the park, and introducing folks to all the fun to be had on the Palmetto Trail and beyond. Here are just a few of our favorite pictures from the weekend. Look for the rest to be posted soon on our Facebook page, and please don't be shy about sharing your pictures from the weekend! | |
Group hiking the Coquina Trail.
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Ranger Russ shows off a frog spotted on the Coquina Trail hike.
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Even the smallest hikers had a blast during the National Trails Day festivities.
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Thanks again to our participants, volunteers, and the staff of Poinsett State Park. Thanks also to Santee Cooper and Tuomey Healthcare System for their generous sponsorship of this event. We couldn't have done it without you!
 
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Your input can help us finish the Palmetto Trail!
The staff and supporters of Palmetto Conservation Foundation would like to inform you of an exciting new project regarding the Palmetto Trail. Using grant monies from The Boeing Company, PCF has contracted the nationally-renowned Alta Planning to develop a master plan of the Palmetto Trail, paving the way for the trail's completion. The master plan will identify strategies for closing gaps along the trail's 425-mile spine and developing spur trails to connect the Palmetto Trail to adjacent communities. This planning effort has kicked off with a series of regional public input workshops across the state in May, with more meetings scheduled in June. The planning team is seeking input from South Carolina citizens to help guide the development of the plan. Anyone with an interest in the Palmetto Trail and its future as a dynamic natural, recreational and economic resource for the state is encouraged to attend. 
Attendees will learn about the goals of the plan and how to remain involved in the planning process. A presentation will begin at 5:30 pm and stations offering information about the existing Palmetto Trail, its many users and adjacent communities will be available throughout the 4-7 p.m. timeframe. The planning team will solicit comments and feedback regarding potential trail routes, user experiences and the future of the Palmetto Trail. Light refreshments are available at each workshop. Community members around the state are encouraged to take an active role in establishing and supporting this statewide vision for a completed, accessible, vibrant, and connected Mountains-to-Sea Trail. If you were unable to attend the Oconee/Pickens/Greenville or Spartanburg/Cherokee meetings, we encourage you to leave your feedback on the trail's completion at www.finishthepalmettotrail.org. We also ask you to pass along this information to anyone else who you feel may be interested in attending one, or several, of the regional workshops. Midlands Regional Workshop Details  Monday, June 10
Richland/Fairfield Quail Lane Racquet & Swim Club 4927 Quail Lane Columbia, SC 29206 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 11 Newberry/Laurens/Union Prosperity Depot 201 Grace Street Prosperity, SC 29127 (approximate address) 4-7 p.m. Lowcountry Regional Workshop Details Thursday, June 13
Sumter/Clarendon/Orangeburg
Sumter City Centre 25 N. Main Street Sumter, SC 29150 4-7 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18
Charleston/Berkeley
Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center 5821 Highway 17 North
Awendaw, SC 29429 4-7 p.m.
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Middle Saluda Passage now open to the public
Fifteen miles now open in Greenville County comprising the new Middle Saluda Passage
The new Middle Saluda Passage, a 15-mile section of trail connecting to the Saluda Mountains Passage, opened to the public Saturday, May 18. Click here to access a map of the new passage.
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The only passage of the Palmetto Trail to be rated "extremely strenous," killer climbs pay off in gorgeous vistas of Paris Mountain and the surrounding blue ridge.
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The new trail runs right past Hospital Rock, an historic and interesting spot. Legend says that during the Civil War, deserters used the shelter of the rock as a hospital and hiding spot.
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The new trail is a tough one, but well worth it. The Middle Saluda Passage will begin at Jones Gap State Park and will eventually connect to the gorgeous and very popular Raven Cliff Falls.
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There are still spots available for our Lexington summer camps!
Join the adventure this summer with mountain biking, kayaking, team building, crafts and much more! Session 1 June 17 - June 21, 2013 Session 2 July 15 - July 19, 2013 Both sessions will be held at Canoeing for Kids in Lexington, SC. |
The next Handlebar Happy Hour is June 12
Meet and mingle with other bicyclists while discussing ways to make Columbia more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly
Handlebar Happy Hour, held the second Wednesday of the month, provides a place for anyone to openly voice their thoughts on the topics concerning bicyclists and pedestrians in the Columbia community. Publick House Restaurant will host the next of these events on Wednesday, June 12 from 6-8 p.m.
Publick House, located at 2307 Devine Street, will offer free raw fries, wings, and celery with blue cheese for any participants who arrive on bicycle or foot. Free drinks will also be available while supplies last.
Representatives from Regions Bank will speak at this month's Handlebar Happy Hour.
For any questions about this event, please contact Meredith Walker at PCF's office at (803) 771-0870 or via email at mwalker@palmettoconservation.org.
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Help us improve our membership program with a brief survey
PCF is currently working with a graduate student group that is researching ways to improve our current membership program. Click here to go to a very brief survey where you can help us learn more about our members and non-members. The survey should take less than five minutes of your time. We really appreciate your input! |
Give back to PCF while enjoying the waters of Lake Murray
 The Ninth Annual Wakeboarding Weekend With the Pros is coming to Lake Murray Friday June 14 - Saturday June 16. Reserve your tickets now at www.scroughriders.com. Use the code takethetrail at checkout to save $3 on tickets AND donate $3 to PCF!
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Learn about the power of email marketing at GOLS
Glendale Outdoor Leadership School
July 30
1-3 p.m.
The Power of Email Marketing by Constant Contact is a valuable and insightful seminar for anyone to attend. Whether you are a business owner, non-profit, an entrepreneur, an online marketer, or just an individual - this presentation will help you to grasp the best practices needed to utilize and maximize the power of email marketing. The topics taught will be based around best practices, and can be applied no matter what email marketing platform you use! This seminar is FREE, and you will receive incredibly valuable information including a Q&A option.
Click here to save your place today!
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Outings This Month
June Ladies of the Palmetto Trail Hike
 Scavenger Hunt on the Capital City Passage
Join us this month as we celebrate reaching the half-way point on the Palmetto Trail! So far, we have walked over 50 miles from the mountains to the Midlands. Come hike on the Capital City Passage of the Palmetto Trail and enjoy a group scavenger hunt highlighting the history, culture and amazing scenery that downtown Columbia has to offer.
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Carpool: Meet at 722 King Street at 10 a.m. If you are interested in carpooling from another area, please contact kanderson@palmettoconservation.org
Where: Meet at the Columbia River Walk trailhead off of Huger Street When: 10:30 a.m.
Bring: Lunch, comfortable clothes and shoes.
To register for this hike, or for information on carpool options, please email Katherine Anderson or call 803-771-0870.
Father's Day Fishing Paddle
 The Hatchery on Lake Moultrie
Enjoy a special Father's Day with the kids while kayak fishing at the hatchery on Lake Moultrie in Cross, SC. Each participant must bring all tackle, bait, and any snacks or water. We do not guarantee you'll catch a fish, but we do guarantee you'll have fun!
We will meet at the hatchery at 3:30 p.m. The maximum number of paddlers, including children, for this trip is 14, so sign up soon! Children must be 12 or older to paddle in their own boat To register, call (803)771-0870. Click here for more information.
Sunset Full Moon Paddle
 Lake Marion
June 22
Enjoy a beautiful sunset and full moon paddle on Lake Marion. While you're there, you'll spot numerous ospreys nesting in the area, as well as an assortment of wading birds and the occasional alligator sunning on the sandy beaches. We will start our trip from Spiers Landing in Cross and explore the area, including historic Church Island.
To register call (803)771-0870. Click here for more information.
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2013 Senior Explorers Outings
 Palmetto Conservation Foundation's Senior Explorers program encourages greater use of our state's natural resources, promotes healthy and active living, and provides outdoor skills for participants. This program is graciously funded through Palmetto Health Hospital.
We have many exciting classes and trips planned for the coming months. Our goal is to teach a combination of health and fitness mixed with outdoor education and recreation. Most importantly, we like to have fun! Click here for more about this program.
Spots are limited, so sign up soon. To register and for information on transportation, please contact Kari at Palmetto Conservation Foundation at (803) 771-0870 or via email.
Old Santee Canal Park Tour
June 6, 2013
10:30 a.m.
 Come with us as we explore America's first summit canal at Old Santee Canal Park. On this trip we will tour the museum, watch a short video on the history of the canal, tour the Stony Landing House, explore Biggin Swamp on a 1/2-mile boardwalk hike, and end with lunch at the picnic shelter.
Limited transportation is available for this trip. Please call for details and to register. You can also choose to meet the group outside the main entrance to the park at 10:30am.
Things to bring: lunch, a water bottle, camera, sunscreen, bug spray, spending money for the gift shop. To register, call our office at (803) 771-0870 or email Kari Hanna.
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Pinterest Picks
Check out some of our favorite pins this month. Click the pictures for a link to see more of PCF on Pinterest.
 | | We'd love to take a trip to SC's own Huntington Beach State Park this summer. |
 | | One of our favorite quotes. Wise words from John Muir. |
 | | If you haven't noticed yet, there may be a few dog lovers on the PCF staff! |
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Become a PCF Member Today!
A membership to PCF comes with great benefits, including discounts at local outfitters and special rates on PCF events. Your membership dollars will go towards building and maintaining the Palmetto Trail. Click here to become a member!
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Contact Info
722 King Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 771-0870
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-With the warm weather in full swing here in South Carolina, we're excited to try stand up paddleboarding this summer.