The first guided walk that I tagged along on as an official volunteer was a hike out to the
Harry Hampton bald cypress. Harry Hampton was one of the main initiators of the grassroots movement that saved the Congaree floodplain from the saws in the '50s. This tree is the tallest cypress in the park and is the current state champion. It's called the Harry Hampton tree because the most well-known photo of our dear Harry is of him posing by this tree :
The tree is located off trail a ways in the Harry Hampton gut, just a bit south of wise lake:
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| X marks the spot |
We managed to stay pretty dry and clean on our way in to see the tree. While there, our fearless leader, Ranger Corinne, gave her best "Harry Hampton pose".
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| Ranger Fenner poses by the Harry Hampton tree |
The trip back to the VC turned out to be quite sloppy (and very soppy), but everyone made it back in good spirits. It was great to get to spend some time with one of the celebrated Giants of CONG!
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