Hell Hole Swamp and Washo Preserve

In conjunction with the annual Hell Hole trip in Francis Marion National Forest, we’ll be visiting Washo Reserve on Saturday, May 29th. The Washo Reserve is approximately 1,040 acres and owned by the Nature Conservancy and co-managed with the SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Washo is surrounded by the 24,000-acre Santee Coastal Reserve, last visited by SCAN in February 2019. The Washo Reserve includes a 200-year-old freshwater cypress lake and a cypress-gum swamp. This area contains one of the oldest known wading bird rookeries in continuous use in North America. Egrets and wood storks nest there in large numbers.

The property was once part of a network of plantations managed for rice fields. The Civil War and an 1898 hurricane brought an end to that era. The Santee Gun Club was founded the same year. Eventually, the Club expanded its Charleston County land holdings. Included in the thousands of acres was Washo Reserve. In 1974, the Club donated over 24,000 acres to The Nature Conservancy. The Conservancy in turn deeded most of the land to SCDNR but retained the most ecologically sensitive area. The deeded land became Santee Coastal Reserve and the retained area Washo Reserve.

In 2013, the Nature Conservancy, SCDNR, and volunteers installed a new water control structure to designed to manipulate water levels and manage new cypress growth. New cypress trees were planted, many within dead cypress stumps. An aquatic-approved herbicide was applied to the aquatic weeds to increase the amount of open water around the wood stork nests.

Wood storks typically nest from March until September so we should be able to see a few wood storks out there if they’re cooperative amongst other wading birds. Bring your zoom lenses or binoculars and lots of bug spray! Just like Hell Hole, long pants and long sleeves are strongly recommended this time of year. There is an approximately 2-mile loop trail that includes an 800-foot boardwalk. The path is relatively easy but the boardwalk does have a few boards that appear to be a little “soft” so watch your footing if you venture out on it.

Following the visit to Washo Reserve, some may prefer to venture out into the 24,000-acre Santee Coastal Reserve while others may prefer to explore our favorite portions of the Francis Marion National Forest that we have not seen in a year (or two).

There will be no organized dinner, but participants are encouraged to bring their own food to the Hell Hole Campground and enjoy a relaxed evening around the campfire.

Directions:
Washo Reserve
Lat: 33.153815 Long: -79.366758

From Mount Pleasant, take US17N towards McClellanville for approximately 32 miles Take a slight Right onto S Santee Rd, travel for approximately 2.8 miles Turn Right onto Santee Gun Club Road (mostly dirt) Once on Santee Gun Club Road, travel for approximately 2.5 miles.

From Georgetown, take US17S for approximately 16.5 miles. Turn left onto S. Santee Rd, continue down S Santee Rd for approximately 1.5 mile. Turn left onto Santee Gun Club Rd and travel for approximately 2.5 miles. Parking is available to the left just past the Santee Coastal Campground by the open fields.