"Sparkleberry Swamp lies at the
headwaters of Lake Marion, a part of the Upper Santee Swamp formed
by the junction of two mighty river systems, the Wateree and the
Congaree." Between them, these rivers drain more than 15,000 square
miles of watershed into 16,00 acres of swamp with Cypress and
tupelo trees standing in tannin-stained black water and are
dripping with Spanish moss.
"Even with the right equipment Sparkleberry can be a little
intimidating for novices. With the myriad channels and watercourses
that wander everywhere, it would be easy to get lost. Many of the
"trails" that have been marked with spray paint on the trees lead
to dead ends. Varying water levels, which can fluctuate several
feet or more, can completely alter the swamp’s appearance and lead
to more confusion. However, GPS technology has now made it possible
for even first-time visitors to explore Sparkleberry with
confidence.
Visitors should note that the swamp changes dramatically with
the season: the dark-tunneled tupelo slough full of green duckweed
in July turns into a sunlit bare opening in January. The delicate,
light-green, feathery foliage of bald cypress signals the beginning
of spring, and fall is quite beautiful as the cypress needles start
turning a rusty brown and provide stunning reflections off the
black water. These seasonal changes can make Sparkleberry a
mysterious, difficult to-navigate wilderness. But they also make
the swamp an amazing and varying experience throughout the
year."
John Cely South Carolina Wildlife Magazine
Warning: It is a high
probability that you will encounter one or all of the following
creatures during this cache hunt:
Ants
Wasps
Bees
Spiders
Snakes
Turtles
Fish
American Alligator
Please be Aware of your of
your surrounding and use caution remember you are in their
"house"!
Congratulations to reconnoiterer
for being the First to Find and to post a picture of themselves
with a sparkleberry bush!