30 Days. One Epic Adventure.
A mountains-to-the-sea expedition along the Palmetto Trail
The Palmetto Trail is nearly 500 miles long and spans across the state of South Carolina. The trail extends from northwestern Oconee County all the way to the Intracoastal Waterway in Charleston County on the east coast.
The SC 7 Expedition is spearheaded by Tom Mullikin, a former U.S. Army JAG officer who has led members of the U.S. armed forces and veterans of the U.S. Army Special Forces community on various expeditions around the world.
Tom’s latest adventure, the SC 7 Expedition, is meant to raise awareness of floodwater prevention and resiliency across South Carolina.
So named “SC 7” to highlight the seven geographic wonders found in South Carolina:
- Chattooga River
- Jocassee Gorges
- Sassafras Mountain
- Congaree National Park
- Edisto River
- ACE Basin
- Bull Island
The month long expedition begins on July 1st. Join us!
The SC7 Expedition will be in BERKELEY COUNTY on JULY 20-24, JULY 30!
Tom, his followers and the SC7 expedition team will incorporate various modes of travel including hiking, biking and horseback riding to eventually reach South Carolina’s coast on July 30th.
Along the route there will be opportunities to discuss topics such as conservation, resiliency, adult and childhood fitness, outdoor therapy, floodwater-mitigation issues, natural resources and more to stimulate action long after the expedition ends.
Hikers, kayakers, climbers and nature enthusiasts are encouraged to join the expedition along the way to experience the amazing 7 Wonders found in our beautiful state!
Read more about the SC 7 Expedition, and find out how to participate along the way.
DAY 20
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR FRANCIS MARION at BELLE ISLE PLANTATION CEMETERY
Tuesday, July 20th
We will travel to Belle Isle Plantation Cemetery, the historic site of the burial ground of Francis Marion where we will have an official wreath laying ceremony at the site of the first Commander of the South Carolina State Guard and the Father of our Independence.
MISSION: Participate in a wreath laying ceremony at the gravesite Francis Marion at Belle Isle Cemetery.
DAY 21
LAKE MOULTRIE PASSAGE
Wednesday, July 21st
The scenic and popular Lake Moultrie Passage rings the eastern and northern shores of the 60,000-acre lake (third largest lake in South Carolina), and the panoramic views are spectacular.
Lake Moultrie was created in the early 1940s by the South Carolina Public Service Authority. Its effluent is the Cooper River, and it is dammed by the Pinopolis Dam. It was named for Governor William Moultrie. The Passage includes pine forests and dike systems rimming the lake then south through Bonneau Beach and continuing to the trail head of the Swamp Fox passage.
MISSION: Hike the Lake Moultrie Passage of the Palmetto Trail beginning at Trail marker 5 at Bonneau Beach and ending at the Hwy 52 Trailhead.
(5-mile hike)
DAY 22
HIKE and EXPLORE CYPRESS GARDENS
Thursday, July 22nd
Cypress Gardens is a 170-acre preserve and gardens located in Moncks Corner South Carolina. The centerpiece of the garden is the 80 acres blackwater bald cypress/tupelo swamp, surrounded with both boat and foot trails.
MISSION: Hike and explore the trails through the swamp and gardens.
(3.5-mile hike)
DAY 23
HIKE and EXPLORE FORT FAIR LAWN REVOLUTIONARY WAR FORTIFICATION
Friday, July 23rd
“Fort Fair Lawn is probably the most pristine, intact, original American Revolutionary War fortification in South Carolina, if not the country,” said Doug Bostick, Executive Director for the SC Battleground Preservation Trust. Of the more than thirty forts constructed in South Carolina during the American Revolutionary war, only two remain in their original condition: the Ninety Six National Historic Site and Fort Fair Lawn.
MISSION: Hike/explore the grounds of the historic Revolutionary War Fort.
DAY 24
SWAMP FOX PASSAGE – CANOE WADBOO CREEK
Saturday, July 24th
The Swamp Fox Passage is the longest section of the cross-state Palmetto Trail. The passage traverses four distinct ecosystems through Francis Marion National Forest, including swamps made famous as hideouts of Revolutionary War hero Francis Marion. Mature long-leaf pine forests are home to the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Grassy savannas with abundant wildlife border Dog Swamp and Turkey Creek, and a cypress pool footbridge offers excellent views of the impressive Wadboo Swamp.
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.
DAY 30
COOPER RIVER – BLACKWATER DIVING
Friday, July 30th
Our final exploration of the expedition will be black water diving for fossils in the Cooper River in South Carolina’s low country. Sunlight can only penetrate 10 or so feet into the tannin colored river and hence the name blackwater diving. Black water diving in South Carolina is a dream come true for fossil collectors. Fossils and artifacts erode from the river banks and accumulate along underwater gravel beds strewn about the river bottom anywhere from 20 to 50 feet below. Many of the fossils are fossil shark teeth, including the famous Megalodon shark, and its predecessors. This is one of the best places on earth to find a fossil megalodon shark tooth.
MISSION: Explore the blackwater of the Cooper River via SCUBA to search for Megalodon shark teeth fossils.
