|
|
|
|
Tales from the Trail: September 2013
|
|
Your monthly news from PCF
|
|
|
September Quote 
"To learn something new, take the path you took yesterday."
-John Burroughs
|
Handlebar Happy Hour is Sept. 11!
Meet and mingle with other bicyclists while discussing ways to make Columbia more bicycle- and pedestrian-friendly.
The next HHH will be held at Publick House, located at 2307 Devine Street, Wednesday, Sept 11 from 6-8 p.m. Publick House 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.
This month, Liz Jones from USC Outdoor Recreation will discuss bike-friendliness on USC's campus.
For any questions about this event, please contact Mary Roe at PCF's office at (803) 771-0870 or via email at mroe@palmettoconservation.org.
|
|
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.
|
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. |
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
Join us for our Sept. 28 National Public Lands Day Celebration on the Ft. Jackson Passage
On Saturday, Sept. 28 Palmetto Conservation Foundation will be celebrating the annual National Public Lands Day with an event on the Fort Jackson Passage of the Palmetto Trail.  The group will gather at 9 a.m., and all hikes and bike rides will depart between 9:30 and 10:30. All activities will take place on the Fort Jackson Passage of the Trail:11-mile guided bike ride7-mile guided bike ride5-mile guided hike3-mile guided hike1-mile guided nature hike with master naturalistsCookout lunch (hamburgers and hot dogs) -McCrady Nature Trail -11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on for lunch. Parking will be on Leesburg Road, but the exact location is still to be determined. We will email participants with final details no later than a few days prior to the event. Lunch and all activities are complimentary, but registration is mandatory for participation in this event. For more details and to register, please call our office at (803) 771-0870.
|
Sneak peek of the new high ropes course at GOLS
The great folks from Vertical Engineering have officially begun construction on the new high ropes course at Glendale Outdoor Leadership School! Our staff is thrilled to be unveiling this amazing new course this fall--especially the zipline portion. We'll be posting updates as the opening gets closer. In the meantime, get excited to take part in South Carolina's next big adventure!
|
|
Thanks to Eagle Scout candidate Nathan Miller for a new addition to the Peak to Prosperity Passage
The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest honor attainable in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The Eagle Scout Service Project is the opportunity for a scout to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of his community.
In addition to volunteer hours for trail maintenance and upkeep as part of other Boy Scout rank advancements, the Peak to Prosperity Passage of the Palmetto Trail has its share of Eagle Scout projects. These include a trailhead parking area, bat boxes, two camping areas, a deck overlook, and the most recent being the construction of a stairway providing access from a trestle down to the creek.
Thank you to Eagle Scout candidate Nathan Miller for his hard work planning, organizing other volunteers, and completing this beautiful new stairway. Hikers will now be able to safely enjoy access to a beautiful portion of Crims Creek below the trestle.
Thanks also to Cox Industries for supporting Eagle Scouts and the Palmetto Trail by generously donating all the lumber needed to complete this project.
   
|
|
PCF will be featured as a Friend of Mast General Store this month
 Thanks to the Columbia Mast General Store for featuring us again this year as a Friend of the store! Swing by and do some shopping on Sept. 14, and 10% of the proceeds will go to PCF. Plus, if you purchase an item from Patagonia Footwear and Clothing Company between Sept. 1 and 14, the company will contribute part of the funds to PCF. Be sure to stop by Mast General to shop and visit with our staff on Sept. 14. In the meantime, check out our awesome window display on the Taylor Street side of the store that highlights the Palmetto Trail's many offerings! |
Fort Jackson Passage gate hours changes
Due to staffing issues and the government-imposed furlough at the base, the hours for the gates at Fort Jackson have changed. If you have any questions about these changes, do not hesitate to contact our office via phone or email. Fort Jackson Gate Hours (starting August 18):
Gate 1:
5 a.m. to 1 p.m. - inbound and outbound traffic, Monday through Friday
3:30 to 6 p.m. - outbound traffic, Monday through Friday
Closed on weekends
Gate 2:
Open around the clock, seven days a week
Commercial traffic on weekends only
Gate 4:
5 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Monday through Friday
Closed on weekends
Commercial traffic must use Gate 4 on weekdays.
Gate 5: 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. - inbound and outbound traffic, Monday through Friday 3:30 to 6 p.m. - outbound traffic, Monday through Friday
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Outings and Events
Ladies Swamp Fox Hike and Mepkin Abbey Tour
 Join the Ladies of the Palmetto Trail as we explore the Swamp Fox Passage and the scenic surrounding area. The day will begin with a short hike along the Swamp Fox Passage, highlighting all of the beauty that this unique ecosystem has to offer. Next, the Ladies will travel to Mepkin Abbey for lunch in the garden and a guided tour of the monastery. You won't want to miss this special adventure!
Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Head: Dog Swamp Road (Section 2 Map)
Carpool: 722 King Street, Columbia, SC at 8 a.m. Please bring $5 for the tour of the Monastery and a picnic lunch
Upstate Forever Preservation Ride
Saturday, Sept. 14,
One of our partner organizations, Upstate Forever, is gearing up for their annual Preservation Ride.
The Preservation Ride is a great way for cyclists of all ability levels to get together and ride some of the most scenic and spectacular routes in the Upstate of South Carolina. The courses weave their way through the rolling horse and farm country of northern Spartanburg County, while the longer 75 mile route offers the challenge of climbing Skyuka Mountain Road in North Carolina.
Click here for more details, including entry fees and important registration information.
The routes: The 75 Mile Route, featuring rolling hills with an optional climb up the challenging Skyuka Mountain, starts at 8:00am The 40 Mile Route, featuring rolling hills with a few tougher climbs, starts at 9:00am
The 20 Mile Route, featuring rolling hills, is a beginner-friendly route and starts at 9:00am
Final routes will be marked by September 14.
Ft. Jackson Work Day
Saturday, Sept. 20
 We hope you'll consider joining us for one of the upcoming trail maintenance days on the Fort Jackson Passage of the Palmetto Trail. All work days run from 8 a.m. until noon, and the group meets at the Westin Lake Recreation Area on Leesburg Road. Rakes, gloves, and water are provided, but please bring lunch and any tools that may be of use.
Kayak Trip from Echaw Creek to McConnell's Landing on the Santee River
Sunday, September 29th at 9 a.m.
 Echaw Creek is primarily bordered by cypress swamp and contains some of the largest and oldest cypress trees you will see in Berkeley County. Wildlife is abundant in this area; visitors will frequently spot white tailed deer and wood ducks. Along the way you'll stop by Battery Warren, which is a half mile from where Echaw Creek joins the Santee River. Battery Warren is a picturesque stop with nice river views from the original earth mounds of the Civil War fort as well as plaques which detail the fort's history.
Cost:
PCF Members:
Renting gear (kayak, PFD, paddle) $35
Using your own gear $20
Non-members:
Renting gear $45
Using your own gear $30
Fall Calendar now available
Our fall calendar is now available. We have plenty of adventure planned through the end of 2013! Here's a quick overview of upcoming trips:
-Kayak/Camping Trip on Lake Marion
October 12th-13th 9 a.m. -Ladies Hike on the Awendaw Passage of the Palmetto Trail
Sunday, October 13, 2013
-Guided Hike on the Saluda Mountains Passage of the Palmetto Trail
October 19th 9:30 a.m.
-Dark Bay Kayak Trip
November 2nd 9 a.m.
-Ladies Bike Ride on the Fort Jackson Passage
Saturday, November 9
-Guided Hike on the Wateree Passage of the Palmetto Trail
December 7 at 9:30 a.m.-Ladies Hike on the Swamp Rabbit TrailSaturday, December 14
Volunteers needed to clear South Fork of the Edisto River
 The Bamberg County Chamber of Commerce is interested in working with individuals and groups interested in promoting the recreational uses of the portion of the Edisto River that forms the border with Orangeburg County. The Chamber believes the South Fork of the Edisto River can be a popular destination for paddlers. However, the river first needs to be cleared of limbs and trees that are blocking paddlers' ability to navigate this stretch of the Edisto.
A Canoe & Kayak race will be held from Bobcat Landing to Brabham Landing. on Saturday, Oct. 26.
If you are interested in volunteering to help clear the river before the race, please contact Archie Thompson of Berkeley County Blueways at ilike2kayak@juno.com
|
|
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.
Sparkleberry Swamp Kayak Tour
Sept. 19, 2013
10 a.m.
 Join us for a relaxing paddle through Sparkleberry Swamp. Steve Collum, who knows all of the hidden treasures of the swamp, will guide the group into some of the most remote areas of the swamp, where you're sure to see some wildlife. This trip is great for beginners, and Steve will go over some basic paddling skills before we get started. The paddle will last for approximately 2 hours. Afterwords, we'll stop at Batton's in Wedgefield for a local lunch. You've got to try the gator bites!
Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets will be provided. Limited transportation will be available for this trip. Please call for more details and to register. You can also choose to meet the group at Sparkleberry Landing at 10 a.m.
Things to bring: water bottle, waterproof camera, money for lunch, bug spray.
To register, call our office at (803) 771-0870 or email Kari Hanna.
|
September Links  -Check out this fun list of 23 Simple and Essential Hiking Hacks. We need to try the tip about pitching your tent into the wind to avoid mosquitoes. The simple firestarters are great, too! - This amazing story in the Greenville News was picked up all around the state. Wow! Thanks to Nate Cary and the rest of the folks at the Greenville News for taking some time to highlight the Palmetto Trail, from its origins to our current efforts to finish the trail.
|
Pinterest Picks
Check out some of our favorite pins this month. Click the pictures for a link to see more of PCF on Pinterest.
 | | Back to basics: how to build the perfect campfire. |
 | Cool graphic on the National Scenic Trails. We'd love to get this designation for the Palmetto Trail!
|
 | We can't wait for beautiful fall hikes like this one.
|
|
|
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!
|
|
Contact Info
722 King Street
Columbia, SC 29205
(803) 771-0870
|
|
|
|
|
