Introducing the state of South Carolina, as you’ve never
seen it before! This summer my family teamed up with the SC7 group and Kidding Around Greenville
for the month-long South Carolina 7 Expedition – adventuring our way from the
mountains to the sea, stopping at epic sites along the way. The expedition is
named South Carolina 7 for the seven wonders explored on our journey, including
National Geographic-recognized ecological areas, historical sites and other
natural wonders. The SC7 Expedition invites hikers, kayakers, nature
enthusiasts and your family to enjoy the beauty of South Carolina and the great
outdoors! Preparations are already underway for the 2022 expedition next
July - are you in?
What is South Carolina 7?
The first SC7 expedition took place in July of 2020,
following the Palmetto Trail across the state to highlight the ‘Carolina 7,’
seven geographic wonders unique to the Palmetto State. The purpose of the
expedition was to bring attention to the natural marvels that need our
protection, and the multitude of outdoor adventures that await us in our own
backyard.
Along the way the expedition discussed topics such as
conservation, adult & childhood fitness, outdoor therapy,
floodwater-mitigation issues, and more. In 2021 the SC7 grew to include a
“family expedition” aspect, and the public was invited to join in on the fun of
exploring the state that we call home – from the mountains, to the sea!
Our first encounter with SC7
A little over a year ago, my kids and I set out on a hike
with SC7 one hot July day in Congaree National Park. My son Z had just been
born, and while we had been out hiking with him, I didn’t know what to expect
from the expedition. It turns out I shouldn’t have worried, because as we
wandered in the shade of some of the largest trees in the state, we made new
friends, saw plenty of cool things, and had an incredible summer adventure. (Read about that hike here!)
Afterward, I promised my children that we would make the
effort to explore more over the next year; my husband and I have lived in SC
for twenty years, but have seen surprisingly little of these gorgeous places.
This year, as the expedition expanded to bring families
along on the adventure, I teamed up with local family website Kidding Around
Greenville as their SC7 correspondent; if you couldn’t join us out on the
trail, we brought the trail to you! As we hiked and paddled our way across
South Carolina during the month of July, we shared articles, photos, videos and stories about the places we visited; here is a snapshot of the adventure!
The South Carolina 7 Journey 2021
Day 1: OCONEE COUNTY – “Garden of the Gods”
MISSION: Hike the Oconee Passage of the Palmetto Trail,
3.73 miles.
The Oconee Passage of the Palmetto Trail begins in Oconee
State Park and ends at Oconee Station State Historic Site, a backcountry
military garrison and trading post that dates to the 1790s. A spur trail leads to Station Cove Falls, a
majestic 60-foot, tiered cascade.
Alternate plan: Hike to Station Cove Falls from Oconee
Station, 1.6 miles.
Day 2: STUMPHOUSE & ISSAQUEENA
MISSION: Explore Stumphouse Tunnel and Issaqueena Falls,
and hike a portion of the Ross Mountain Passage Trail from the Stumphouse
parking area to Ross Mountain Road, 3.0 miles.
Stumphouse Tunnel is an historic railroad tunnel for the
Blue Ridge Railroad, and just to the south is 100-foot Issaqueena Falls. We hiked
3 miles along the Ross Mountain Passage Trail, a connecter from the Stumphouse
Mountain Trail to the Oconee Passage, after which we explored the tunnel and
falls.
Alternate plan: Bring a picnic to enjoy at Stumphouse
Tunnel Park, then head across the road to Yellow Branch Falls for a three-mile
roundtrip hike to a gorgeous waterfall.
Day 3: EASTATOE PASSAGE
MISSION: Hike the Eastatoe Passage of the Palmetto Trail
beginning at the Keowee Toxaway parking area and ending at Dug Mtn. Angler Access
parking area, 4.6 miles.
Starting on Natural Bridge Trail, this hike climbs through a
mountain forest in the acclaimed Jocassee Gorges, crossing two new bridges
including the brand-new Zeke wilderness trail bridge!
Alternate plan: Park at Dug Mtn. Angler Access parking
area and hike in-and-out to Zeke bridge, 2 miles. Or, head to Long Shoals
Wayside Park for a natural waterslide adventure!
Day 4: ROUNDTOP MOUNTAIN
MISSION: Hike the Round Top passage of the Palmetto
Trail, 5.0 miles.
This adventure will begin along the Foothills Trail, then
take the Roundtop Mountain Passage of the Palmetto Trail to Sugar Likker Road.
Along the way will be the Rock Mountain overlook; the view of its rock face can
only be seen from this specific vantage point!
Alternate plan: Drive all the way up to the summit of
Sassafras Mountain, and have a picnic at one of the picnic tables after
exploring the summit and observation tower - see Day 5.
Day 5: SASSAFRAS MOUNTAIN – “Roof of the Palmetto State”
Mission: Hike from Chimneytop Gap Trailhead to Sassafras
Mountain along the Foothills Trail, 2.1 miles.
Sassafras Mountain is the highest point in South Carolina,
at 3,533 feet above sea level, earning it the title of 1st Wonder of South
Carolina! Our hike began at the
Chimneytop Gap, and climbed some 1,200ft in elevation to the summit of
Sassafras and the new observation tower.
Alternate plan: Hike to Beech Bottom Falls, a moderate
1.7-mile hike to a viewing platform for the 100-ft waterfall.
Day 6: JOCASSEE GORGES
MISSION: Hike the Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op (Jocassee
Gorges) Passage of the Palmetto Trail, 5.0 miles.
The Jocassee Gorges were named among the “50 of the Last
Great Places” by National Geographic, earning the title 2nd Wonder of South
Carolina. Here, the clear waters of Lake Jocassee wash the base of the
seemingly endless ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “Jocassee” is a Cherokee
word meaning “Place of the Lost One.”
Alternate plan: The Blue Ridge Electric Co-Op Passage starts in Table Rock State Park, which boasts stunning trails such as Pinnacle Mountain, Carrick Creek, and Table Rock Trail. The Foothills Trail can also be accessed from the Park. Spend the day at Table Rock,
including a swim in Pinnacle Lake or splashing at the Carrick Creek trail
waterfall.
Day 7: CHATTOOGA RIVER RAFTING
MISSION: Raft the Chattooga River
Famed as the location of the movie Deliverance, the
Chattooga River is the crown jewel of southeastern rafting offering the best
and most challenging whitewater in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountain region.
The Chattooga was named a National Wild and Scenic River in 1974, earning it
the spot of 3rd Wonder of South Carolina. There are various outfitters that
have Chattooga River rafting packages for children as young as 8.
Alternate plan: Head to Burrells Ford for a day exploring
waterfalls, or to Bull Sluice on the Chattooga River to get your feet wet and
watch some adventurous paddlers running the rapids!
Day 8: MIDDLE SALUDA PASSAGE
MISSION: Hike from Jones Gap State Park to Rainbow Falls
and back, 4.0 miles.
Continuing our exploration of the Jocassee Gorges, we hiked
the Middle Saluda passage of the Palmetto Trail to Rainbow Falls, one of the
many scenic waterfalls in the area.
Alternate plan: To skip the steep climb to Rainbow Falls,
hike to Jones Gap Falls instead, 3.5 miles.
Day 9: KINGS MOUNTAIN NATIONAL &
STATE MILITARY PARKS
MISSION: Explore the historic battlefield, and hike the
Battlefield Trail, 1.5 miles.
Step back into history at Kings Mountain! The battle of
Kings Mountain was fought on October 7th, 1780, and was an important American
victory during the Revolutionary War; it was the first major patriot victory to
occur after the British invasion of Charleston.
Alternate plan: Head to the living history farm at Kings
Mountain State Park and check out the two-story farmhouse, barn, smokehouse,
carpenter/blacksmith shop, sorghum mill and cooker, corncrib, and cotton gin.
Or if you’ve got some epic views in mind, head to neighboring Crowders Mountain
State Park.
Day 10: CROFT PASSAGE HIKE
MISSION: Hike the Croft Passage of the Palmetto Trail,
3.5 miles
The Croft Passage is a roller coaster for hikers, cyclists,
and equestrians that passes through historic Croft State Park. The day’s
adventure will take hikers to and around Lake Johnson.
Alternate plan: Hike the 1.5-mile Nature Trail instead,
stopping for a break on the banks of Fairforest Creek.
Day 11: GLENN SPRINGS PASSAGE HIKE
MISSION: Hike the Glenn Springs Passage of the Palmetto Trail, 5.0 miles.
In the 19th century, Glenn Springs was known for the health
benefits of its mineral waters. Now listed on the National Register, the
historic district includes 20 buildings from 1840-1940 as well as the site of a
popular resort hotel.
Alternate plan: Visit Glendale Shoals Preserve, a 13-acre
natural area on the site of a former mill that has trails, a dam, a waterfall,
and the trestle of an old railroad that now serves as a pedestrian bridge.
Day 12: BLACKSTOCK BATTLEFIELD/MUSGROVE MILL
MISSION: Hike the Blackstock Battlefield Passage of the
Palmetto Trail, and explore Musgrove Mill Battlefield and Historic Site, 1.6
miles.
Blackstock Battlefield is situated along a remote section of
the Tyger River, where Revolutionary War patriots defeated the British in 1780.
Nearby, the vastly outnumbered Patriot militia outlasted the Loyalists in a
surprising victory in the bloody Battle of Musgrove Mill. Blackstock
Battlefield is the newest addition to Musgrove Mill State Historic Site!
Alternate plan: Cool down at the Horseshoe Falls swimming
hole, after hiking the 1.7-mile Musgrove Mill Battlefield Trail to learn about
the 1780 battle.
Day 13: ENOREE PASSAGE HIKE
MISSION: Hike the second portion of the Enoree Passage,
4.5 miles.
The Enoree Passage of the Palmetto Trail contains 36
continuous miles of trail in Sumter National Forest, linking Newberry, Laurens,
and Union counties.
Alternate plan: Visit Rose Hill Plantation State Historic
Site to learn about important themes and key events in South Carolina’s
history: the cotton boom, secession and Civil War, slavery and sharecropping,
emancipation and the fight for civil rights. Tour a plantation home, walk the
historic landscaped grounds, or take a short hike through the forest to the
Tyger River.
Day 14: NEWBERRY PASSAGE HIKE
MISSION: Hike the urban portion of the Newberry Passage,
from milepost 5 to milepost 2, 3.0 miles.
The Newberry Passage of the Palmetto Trail takes the visitor along shaded
sidewalks passing antebellum homes: Newberry College (founded in 1856), several
historic buildings such as the Old Court House and the Opera House and a
renovated Main Street with shops, cafes, bars & ice cream parlors.
Alternate plan: Head to Ninety Six National Historic
Site, where the 18th century comes alive. This site is managed by the National
Park Service, and interprets the history of the area: the Cherokee Indian fight
to keep their land, the struggle of the settlers in the harsh backcountry, two
towns and a trading post, and two Revolutionary War battles that claimed over
100 lives.
Day 15: PEAK TO PROSPERITY
MISSION: Hike the Peak to Prosperity Passage from Hope
Station to the Alston Trailhead, 3.5 miles.
A total of 14 wooden trestles cross Crims Creek along the
Passage that crosses through the heart of the area knows as the Dutch Fork. The
highlight of the Peak to Prosperity Passage is the Broad River trestle, an 1890
railroad bridge that spans 1,100+ feet and offers fantastic views.
Alternate plan: Bring a picnic and a fishing pole for
some time at the Alston trailhead; you can still take in the views from the
Broad River trestle, without much of a hike.
Day 16: FORT JACKSON PASSAGE HIKE
MISSION: Hike the Fort Jackson Passage of the PalmettoTrail from milepost 11.5 at Century Division Road to the McCrady Army National
Training Center trailhead, 4.5 miles.
Fort Jackson was established in 1917 to answer the call of
WWI. The Fort was named in honor of
Major General Andrew Jackson, a native son of the Palmetto State and seventh
president of the United States. Today the installation covers 52,000 acres and
is the Army’s largest basic training center. This passage offers a great
diversity in both plants and animals.
Alternate plan: Head to Sesquicentennial State Park for a
day of fishing, hiking, and even a splash pad. This park offers canoeing, bike
trails and camping.
Day 17: CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK – “Redwoods of the East”
MISSION: Hike the Weston Lake Loop Trail through Congaree
National Park, 4.4 miles.
Congaree National Park contains the largest remaining area
of old growth bottomland hardwood forest in the United States, along with the
tallest known specimens of 15 species! The Congaree is currently home to six
national champions, and 23 state champion trees, earning it the title of 4th
Wonder of South Carolina.
Alternate plan: Spend the day on the water, kayaking the
Cedar Creek Canoe Trail.
Related articles:
Day 18: HISTORIC CAMDEN
MISSION: Hike the nature trail at Historic Camden site,
and explore the history and the battlefield sites.
Camden was essential to the British plan to control SC, but
soon after the fall of Charles Town and the defeat at Waxhaws in May of 1780,
the Patriots suffered a devastating loss at the Battle of Camden. Although
disastrous for the American cause, it ushered in changes in military leadership
that altered the course of the war.
Alternate plan: Visit Historic Camden, the 18th-century
property of the city’s founder Joseph Kershaw and the fortified Revolutionary
War-era town occupied by British General Cornwallis and Lord Rawdon’s men from
1780-81.
Day 19: SANTEE INDIAN MOUND FIELDS
MISSION: Kayak from Carolina King Retreat & Marina to
Santee Indian Mound and Fort Watson Site, and explore the Santee Indian Mounds
at Fort Watson, approximately 2 miles.
The Santee Indians were part of the Mississippian culture,
living along the Santee River for thousands of years. The mound located on the
Bluff Unit at Santee National Wildlife Refuge served as the ceremonial site and
a burial for the Native American tribe, and is estimated to be at least 1,000
years old. At the end of the 18th century British troops used the site as an
outpost, as it provided an elevated vantage point overlooking the Santee River
and the road to Charleston.
Alternate plan: Explore Santee State Park and Lake
Marion! The park is known for the fishing, but there’s plenty more to do,
including biking and hiking trails, and pontoon boat tours of the flooded
cypress forest on Lake Marion.
Day 20: MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR FRANCIS MARION at BELLE ISLE PLANTATION
CEMETERY
MISSION: Participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the
gravesite Francis Marion at Belle Isle Cemetery.
Belle Isle Plantation Cemetery is the historic site of the
burial ground of Francis Marion. Also known as the Swamp Fox, Marion served in
the American Revolutionary War and is considered one of the fathers of modern
guerrilla warfare.
Alternate plan: Visit Lewisfield, the 1774 Plantation
that was the site of a major skirmish between British and Patriot forces during
the Revolutionary War.
Day 21: LAKE MOULTRIE PASSAGE
MISSION: Hike the Lake Moultrie Passage of the PalmettoTrail from Bonneau Beach to Hwy 52, 5 miles.
The Lake Moultrie Passage follows the eastern and northern
shores of the 60,000-acre lake, which was created in the early 1940s by the
South Carolina Public Service Authority.
Alternate plan: Enjoy Lake Moultrie by picnicking at
scenic Overton Park, or hiking and biking in the Sandy Beach Wildlife
Management Area.
Day 22: CYPRESS GARDENS
MISSION: Hike and explore the trails through the swamp
and gardens, 3.5 miles.
Cypress Gardens is a 170-acre preserve and gardens located
in Moncks Corner South Carolina. The centerpiece of the garden is the 80-acre
blackwater bald cypress/tupelo swamp, surrounded with both boat and foot
trails.
Alternate plan: Explore Audubon’s Francis Beidler Forest,
the 18,000-acre bird and wildlife sanctuary known for containing the world’s
largest virgin cypress-tupelo swamp forest; enjoy thousand-year-old trees,
wildlife, and the quiet flow of blackwater, all from the safety of a 1.75-mile
boardwalk. Or, head a little further south to Caw Caw Interpretive Center, the
former rice plantation that today is managed as a low-impact wildlife preserve
with over six miles of trails including elevated boardwalks through wetlands.
Day 23: FORT FAIR LAWN REVOLUTIONARY WAR FORTIFICATION
MISSION: Hike/explore the grounds of the historic
Revolutionary War Fort.
Of the more than thirty forts constructed in South Carolina
during the American Revolutionary war, only two remain in their original
condition: Ninety Six National Historic Site and Fort Fair Lawn.
Alternate plan: Explore Old Santee Canal Park, the
195-acre park that commemorates the building of the first true canal in America
and showcases the area’s extensive history and habitat. Visitors to the park
will see Stony Landing House, built in 1843, and can hike four miles of
boardwalks that meander through the quiet backwaters of Biggin Creek and its
surrounding swamp, making Old Santee a popular destination for bird watchers,
hikers and paddlers.
DAY 24: SWAMP FOX PASSAGE – CANOE WADBOO CREEK
MISSION: Explore the Wadboo Swamp from the Fox Passage of
the Palmetto Trail via canoe along Wadboo Creek Canoe Trail from the canoe
launch near mile post 43 to the intersection with SC 402.
The Swamp Fox Passage traverses four distinct ecosystems
through Francis Marion National Forest, including swamps made famous as
hideouts of Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion, the mature long-leaf pine
forests that are home to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, and grassy
savannas with abundant wildlife.
Alternate plan: In addition to canoe and kayak trails,
Francis Marion National Forest offers hiking, biking, and motorcycle trails,
and even rifle ranges and a boat launch. For a map of recreational
opportunities, visit the USFS page. (https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/scnfs/recarea/?recid=47055)
Day 25: AWENDAW PASSAGE HIKE
MISSION: Hike the Awendaw Passage of the Palmetto Trail
from the boat launch at trail post 4 to the Buck Hall Recreation Area
Trailhead.
Awendaw Passage is the coastal terminus of the mountains-to-sea
Palmetto Trail, traversing maritime forest with scenic vistas of the Lowcountry
salt marsh along Awendaw Creek, emerging to palmettos at the Buck Hall
campground.
Alternate plan: Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge
houses a rich history across the refuge’s maze of tidal creeks, marshes, and
barrier islands, and provides a wide range of recreation including fishing,
wildlife viewing, interpretive tours, environmental education, hiking,
shelling, and beach combing.
Day 26: BROOKGREEN GARDENS
MISSION: Explore and hike the numerous nature trails in
the preserve.
Brookgreen Gardens is a sculpture garden and wildlife
preserve, located just south of Murrells Inlet. The 9,100-acre property
includes several themed gardens with American figurative sculptures placed in
them, the Lowcountry Zoo, and trails through several ecosystems. Opened in 1932, Brookgreen is built on four
former rice plantations, taking its name from the former Brookgreen Plantation.
Alternate plan: Just across the road from Brookgreen
Gardens is Huntington Beach State Park with its beaches, sea-breeze camping,
surf fishing and some of the top bird-watching on the East Coast. Visit
Atalaya, the picturesque, Moorish-style winter home of Archer and Anna Hyatt
Huntington, or head to the park’s freshwater lake to search for alligators.
DAY 27: EDISTO RIVER
MISSION: Kayak the Edisto River from Mars Old Field
Landing to Givhan’s Ferry Landing, 6.4 miles.
The Edisto River’s name originated from the word edisto, the
Native American word for “black.” It refers to the dark color of the river,
caused by the decaying leaves and other plant material. The Edisto is
considered the longest free-flowing blackwater river in the United States and
is home to numerous rare, threatened, and endangered species such as the red-cockaded
woodpecker, southern bald eagle, wood stork, loggerhead turtle, and short-nosed
sturgeon. The Edisto River is the 5th Wonder of South Carolina.
Alternate plan: Get a taste of the Edisto River at
Givhans Ferry State Park, where you can hike the 1.5-mile River Bluff Nature
Trail, or go for a swim to cool down before settling in at a campfire at the
tent campground.
Day 28: ACE BASIN
MISSION: Explore the Ace Basin via ferry.
The Ashepoo, Combahee and Edisto Basin (abbreviated ACE
Basin) is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries along the Atlantic Coast of
the United States. The 350,000 acres are known for the marshes, wetlands,
hardwood forests, and riverine systems, earning it the title 6th Wonder of
South Carolina.
Alternate plan: There are 14 public parks, preserves and
wildlife management areas to choose from in the area, including several state
parks and the Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge. Visit the
refuge office, a former rice plantation house built in 1828, which is one of a
few antebellum mansions that survived the civil war in the ACE Basin area and
today is on the National Register of Historical Places.
Day: 29 BULL ISLAND
MISSION: Explore the natural wonders and historic
significance of Bull Island via Charter Boat.
Bull Island is one of South Carolina’s most beautiful and
remote places. The largest of four barrier islands found within the Cape Romain
National Wildlife Refuge, Bull Island is a 5,000-acre maritime forest with
fresh and brackish water impoundments and a beach area. The six-and-a-half-mile
uninhabited island remains virtually untouched and is home to countless
wildlife and endangered species and has a world-renowned reputation for its
bird life, earning it the title 7th Wonder of South Carolina.
Alternate plan: Head to the Sewee Visitor &
Environmental Education Center for everything from interactive exhibits
featuring forest to sea ecosystems, to a live endangered red wolf viewing area
with scheduled feeding and interpretive programs!
Day 30: COOPER RIVER
MISSION: Explore the blackwater of the Cooper River via
SCUBA to search for Megalodon shark teeth fossils.
The final exploration of the expedition will be black water
diving for fossils in the Cooper River in South Carolina’s Lowcountry. For this
portion of the expedition you must be certified in scuba, however that doesn’t
mean you can’t head out on your own to do a little beachcombing…
Alternate plan: Shark teeth and fossils can be found on
most of South Carolina’s beaches, and even inland along rivers, streams and
drainage areas. Some beaches might offer better opportunities than others so it
pays to do some research ahead of time, and hiring an outfitter or charter can
help ensure a great time for your family.
Another option is to visit the sharks themselves at the
South Carolina Aquarium overlooking the Charleston Harbor. The Aquarium is home
to more than 10,000 plants and animals including North American river otters,
loggerhead sea turtles, alligators, great blue herons, owls, lined seahorses,
jellyfish, pufferfish, green moray eels, horseshoe crabs, sea stars, pythons,
and sharks. The largest exhibit is the Great Ocean Tank, which extends from the
first to the third floor of the Aquarium and is the deepest tank in North
America!
Higher Ground
Coming soon is the documentary “Higher Ground,” exploring
South Carolina’s Seven Wonders and the Local Impact of a Changing Climate.
Filmed during the 2020 expedition, “Higher Ground” premiered during the 2021
expedition; you can watch the “Higher Ground” trailer on vimeo. For more
information on how to view the feature length film, please visit the SC7
website.
SC7 Expedition Trailer from SC National Heritage Corridor on Vimeo.
How to join the expedition?
First, visit the SC7 website to see what upcoming events
have been planned. In the coming year SC7 is planning to have the largest
litter pick-up in the history of the state, as well as work on rebuilding the
reefs along the coast. July 2021 is already in the works, and will feature
events hosted by local organizations throughout the month.
You can also join the expedition by hitting the trail now,
and experiencing South Carolina’s wonders for yourself. Check out the Digital Field Guide; it lists trailheads, park entry costs and other important information. Make
sure the hike is within your family’s abilities, and pack as needed to stay
hydrated and comfortable. If it’s a one-way hike, you might need to figure out
a shuttle or make the decision to hike only halfway and then return to the
trailhead the way you came. And don’t forget to invite a friend or two along
for the adventure!
If you have kids looking to join the fun, download the
Outdoor Adventure Book that features additional trail descriptions, activities,
and information pertinent to the sights along the way. Your family might also be interested in the Flora & Fauna Guide, that contains descriptions of some of the common wildlife you might see on your adventures. And then all that’s left
is to have fun!
The Adventure Continues…
There is so much to do and see in South Carolina that it
will take far longer than just a month to get to it all. And, while it is
exciting to join an expedition to explore your way across the state, it can be
just as thrilling to discover new places with your children and family. It is
our hope that the destinations featured here can serve as an outline to get you
started, a framework for travel and exploration across the state!! Happy adventuring, South Carolina!
Follow the South Carolina 7 Expedition on
Facebook
SC7 on Instagram: @sc7wonders
Check out this article on the 2021 expedition that appeared
on the National Park Service website: Exploring the Palmetto State's Seven Wonders
SC7 was also featured in this article: Palmetto Pride and SC7 clear nearly 2,300 pounds of trash in July
You'll find my guide to the Palmetto Trail here.
Portions of this article first appeared on Kidding Around
Greenville as See South Carolina’s Top 30 Beautiful Natural Spots thisJuly with the SC7 Expedition.
Never snorkel alone
