Current Outings
May 29 & 30: Canoe/kayak Edisto River
Overnight in Colleton State Park—Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, an easy downstream paddle of the ‘black-water’ main stem of the Edisto River, with overnight camping reserved with the facilities of Colleton SP. We’ll meet Saturday morning at the park, shuttle to the put-in, approximately twelve-miles upstream, paddle back to the park and camp. On Sunday morning, we’ll paddle an additional nine-miles downstream, maybe more. This may also be done as a single day’s paddle trip on either day. This trip is suitable for families with children. There will be a $5-10 cost for camping and bus shuttle(s). Provide your own boat and camping gear, or have an outfitter provide you (a list is available, send an email for details, but keep in mind that this is a busy weekend and availability is limited). Participation is limited, send an email to
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Saturday, June 05: Bicycle Tour of Savannah
We will drive to Charleston's sister city and ride around the waterfront and Forsythe Park and explore the historic city squares. Later, we will tour Fort Pulaski. If there is interest, we might throw in a side trip to the Savannah Wildlife refuge OR plan to dine on the riverfront before heading home. Contact Starr Hazard at (843)881-8902 or via
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Saturday, June 12: Garus Landing to North Bull’s Island Sea Kayak Trip
This is a moderately-serious paddle from the landing to Bull Island. We will walk from the North to the bone-yard and back along the dikes. We may get to see Sandwich- and black terns as well as the general beauty of a sea island in late Spring. We will ride the ebb tide out and hope for pleasant winds on the return. This is a longish paddle. Contact Starr Hazard at (843)881-8902 or via
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Saturday, June 26: Kayak Black Creek into North Fork Edisto River
Paddle where most boats can’t go! We’ll put in at State Road #245 (Hartley Quarter Road) outside of Pelion and paddle approximately seven-miles down a remote creek that’s often the width of a kayak, ending on the North Fork Edisto River at Highway 302. Due to swift flow, narrow width, and vegetation, this is moderately difficult for kayaks about ten-feet long. If you are able to maneuver your kayak well, fit enough to get over any downed tree trunks (there were only a few) and are unafraid to get into the water, this will be a short easy workout for you. Participation is limited, send an email to
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Saturday, June 26: Shem Creek to Morris Island Tour de Harbor Tour and Moon Rising Show
We’ll ride the tide from Shem Creek past Crab Bank and Castle Pinckney. We’ll loiter through the day on Morris Island, cross the channel near low and take up position near a lee shore to watch the moonrise from on the water. Bring lots of sunscreen and water. This is a non-protected open water trip for experienced paddlers and may include after-dark navigation. Weather permitting. Contact Starr Hazard at (843)881-8902 or via
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Saturday, June 26: Canoe the Tyger River
We are canoeing a section of the Tyger River in Union County on Saturday, June 26, 2010. This section of the River goes near the Rose Hill Plantation, an antebellum mansion. We plan to stop and take a half-mile educational walk up to see the plantation, a South Carolina State Park. The Tyger River goes through National Forest lands, so it is very much in a natural state.
The Tyger River is an easy paddling river; we can accommodate beginning paddlers as long as you are reasonably fit. Dennis Chamberlain and Norm Sharp, both experienced canoeists, are also coming on this trip. We are making arrangements to rent canoes and equipment for anyone who needs gear. Because of the logistics involved, sign-up by Sunday night, June 20 is mandatory. Please call Eric Thompson at (864)297-6015 to sign-up for what should be a nice summer canoe outing.
Saturday, July 10: Kayak circumnavigation of Sullivan’s Island
This is a long half-day kayak sampler for novices (i.e., not beginners). Participants will experience open water, beaches, clapotis, favorable and contrary currents, breaking waves, tranquil inland waterway passages, views of historic forts, numerous picturesque bridges and much, much more. Contact Starr Hazard at (843)881-8902 or via
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Sunday, July 25: Canoe/Kayak/swim a section of the Black River
Come cool off on the river with a relaxed paddle pace and stops to lounge on sand and allow the river flow over you and wash the heat away. Contact Starr Hazard at (843)881-8902 or via
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Saturday, August 21: Kayak from Cherry Point Landing to Deveaux Bank and Back
This is lovely paddle that begins and ends in the protected waters of the Intercoastal waterway and heads out the Edisto River to a bird colony and barrier island. Dolphins, sea turtles, shrimp boats and terns, terns, terns will probably highlight this journey. Contact Starr Hazard at (843)881-8902 or via
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Saturday, November 13 (subject to change): Bicycling the Wateree Passage of the Palmetto Trail
We’ll cycle about fourteen-miles in two sections of the Palmetto Trail between Poinsett State Park and North to the Wateree River. Besides the state park, we’ll go into Manchester State Forest and Wateree Swamp towards the river. The morning trip will be up to seven-miles on elevated flat converted railroad bed through the swamp towards Wateree River. We’ll then move to Poinsett SP, where we’ll do a more path-sized “mountain bike” section of the Palmetto Trail before heading onto the dirt roads of Manchester SF. You don’t need to take the whole thing on, either the easy morning half may be done, or the more moderate afternoon half. Send an email to
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Past Outings:
Sunday, January 10, 2010: Paddle/hike North Williman Island
The Williman Islands are the crown jewels of the Ace Basin National Estuarine Reserve. After a very short paddle across Wimbee Creek, we’ll spend the day on foot circumnavigating the north island through forest and marsh. Rubber boots, or a willingness to get your feet muddy and wet, are essential. This is an all day walk, sometimes through mud and marsh grass, so participants should be in reasonably good shape. Call Bill Turner at (843)571-3503.
Saturday, January 16, 2010: Coastal Bird Watching Trip.
On this trip to Huntington Beach State Park, we’ll take a six mile hike along the beach. It is a fabulous opportunity to view northern birds in our southern climate. We’ll watch for rabid birders and hope to see cormorants diving, loons swimming, purple sandpipers piping and a host of wonderful waterfowl and sea gulls. We could possibly take a side to trip to Brookgreen Gardens for a quiet winter tour of the sculpture gardens. If there’s interest, we could overnight in a car camp. Contact Starr Hazard at (843)881-8902 or by e-mail at
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Saturday, February 20, 2010: Santee Coastal Reserve.
We will hike the Santee Coastal Reserve trails. The hike is around nine- to ten-miles (1.9 miles in the marsh loop and 7.2 miles on the rice dikes). It's not a trivial distance so be prepared to walk for a while. Available at SC Trails. We hope to see eagles, wood storks, swans(?), osprey, lots of mud hens and assorted dabbling ducks. There may be jasmine in the woods, and the sun will bring the 'gators' and possibly snakes out to warm. There may be deer, wild hogs, frog choruses and much, much more. Call Starr Hazard at (843)881-8902 or contact him via e-mail at
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Saturday, February 27: Bear Island Walk.
We’ve usually hiked the western (Ashepoo River) side of this 12,000 acre refuge. This time we’ll cover the east side, traversing old rice dikes and fresh water marsh impoundments full of all sorts of wading birds and waterfowl. We’ll take a seven- to eight-mile walk in big sky country. Call Bill Turner at (843)571-3503.
Saturday, March 20: Cycling the Moultrie Passage of the Palmetto Trail.
We'll see miles of trail, potentially significant numbers of HUGE alligators, breeding ospreys and such. There will be mud, single track trails, sandy beaches and stretches of urban riding to enliven our journey. Contact Starr Hazard at (843)881-8902 or by e-mail at
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Sunday, March 28: Cycling at Bonneau Ferry.
This is a fourteen- to sixteen-mile ride at a leisurely pace through this state refuge on the Cooper River. Along the way, we’ll visit the eighteenth-century Strawberry Chapel and cemetery, the remains of the Commingtee Plantation house, an old rice mill on the river, a couple of nice ponds, and a few other scenic sights. Geared mountain- or hybrid-bikes are recommended. Call Bill Turner at (843)571-3503.
Saturday, April 3: Hike in Congaree Swamp National Park.
This is a seven- to nine-mile walk in South Carolina’s only national park. This park near Columbia has some of the last remaining stands of virgin bottomland hardwood swamp left in the southeast. It is particularly pretty in early Spring. Call Bill Turner at (843)571-3503.
Sunday, April 25: Rimini Swamp Canoe/Kayak Trip.
From year to year, this is consistently our most widely acclaimed and requested trip. Unique in the state, the cypress tupelo swamp at the headwaters ofLake Marion will just be greening up for Spring. Call Bill Turner at (843)571-3503.
Saturday, May 15: Bicycle tour of Hunting Island State Park.
We will drive to Hunting Island State Park and spend the day hiking through the islands sites. Contact Starr Hazard at (843)881-8902 or via
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