Florida Hikes and Other Outdoor Information

Econlockhatchee Sandhill Conservation Area - Hiking

At Econlockhatchee Sandhill Conservation Area 700 acres lay awaiting exploration. There is a red blazed trail leading out of the parking area on Lake Pickett Road that eventually leads to a yellow blazed loop trail. I not only hiked the trails during my visit, but also ventured out and around, exploring many of the old roads that crisscross the area. Venturing down along the Econlockhatchee River allowed for many photo opportunities.

Expect to encounter sandhills, mesic flatwoods, and scrubby flatwoods on the Eastern half of the property, floodplain swamp on the Western half along the Econlockhatchee River, and some patches of mesic flatwoods on the Western border. You also will come across a variety of plants, trees and wildflowers in the area. The wildlife you encounter will depend both on the time of the day, and the day of the year you elect to visit. The day I was there, my encounters included hawks, songbirds, some mammals and what I didn’t like, a 5ft diamond backed rattlesnake.

The blazed trails are about 3.5 miles in length. It is about .8 miles to the yellow loop trail from the parking area. Keep a careful eye out for the red blazes when around the powerlines, as that area is quite open and they can be hard to spot. Though it is always possible to become disoriented, getting lost on the trails in ESCA isn’t possible, as it is completely fenced in on most sides and the river is on another side. I used my GPS to track my movements throughout the area and it recorded that I explored over 7 miles. Most of my time was spent looking around scrub area I hope to get back and explore the river area further in the future. The part of the river area that I did venture into was just beautiful, as it seems are all sections of the Econlockhatchee River. Cypress trees, various vegetation, as well as wildlife are always abundant in river areas. A river otter frolicking in a small tributary provided a great deal of entertainment.

During my April visit I came across walkers, bikers and a couple on horsebacks. If GEOCaching is one of your fortes, there are a few of those in the area - some caches call for a little more of a hike than others. The blazed trails make this a very family friendly area.

As I mentioned earlier, I encountered a 5 ft+ diamond backed rattlesnake (off on one of the old roads, not on a blazed trail) - the sound of that rattle really startled me! I froze until I could determine where it was. Once the rattler determined that I wasn’t a real threat, it slithered away - I did get a picture of it before it left. So be keen to their existence and should you come across one, just respect their presence and everything should be ok. Some horses had gone by him just a few minutes before I arrived in its spot; I believe that is what really disturbed it.

In conclusion, when in the Orlando area consider this a great spot to visit. It is part of what is hoped to be connected areas along the Econlockhatchee River. It is pretty open and sandy in spots, so bring water and snacks and make sure you use sunscreen. Parking is free and there is an information kiosk at the start of the trails. No entrance fee required. Just remember to please, take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints!

Some GPS Locations

Parking area - N28 35.262 W81 09.347
Red Trail Off Powerline - N28 35.595 W81 09.304
Yellow Trail Start - N28 35.705 W81 09.329
Spotted Rattle Snake - N28 36.127 W81 09.059
Fence Line - N28 36.039 W81 08.956

Some hikes can be viewed/downloaded at -
WIKILOC Hikes

Map and pictures - click on them to enlarge

Area Sign

Information Kiosk

Colorful Trail

Oaks View From Trail

Fence Line

Trail View

River Area

Boundry Aerial View

My Tracks

Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) - Hiking

The Salt Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) encompasses more than 7,800 acres in Brevard County. It borders three lakes—South Lake, Salt Lake, and Loughman Lake. A former cattle ranch, Salt Lake WMA is now managed by the FWC. I have hiked it a number of times, spotting a variety of wildlife. Being a former cattle ranch, an inquisitive observer may encounter remnants from the old cattle days in Florida. This is a WMA area, frequented by hunting enthusiasts throughout the year. Fair portions of the trails are actually roads that crisscross the area. You will encounter a variety of ecosystem as you venture around, from wide-open scrub to dense oak hammocks. Down by the river there are pilings from an old dock, quite possibly used to ship out fruit that was grown in the nearby grove. A few orange trees are still flourishing in the area. There also is a documented Indian mound near the river.

I know of at least 4 ways to access the area, none requiring an entrance fee –

Main entrance: N28 38.401 W80 53.397 This entrance provides you with plenty of parking, as well as an information station
Dairy road entrance: N28 38.317 W80 52.480 This entrance provides you with a small parking area right off Dairy Road. It is a good spot to enter if you want to visit South Lake
Hatbill Road entrance: N28 37.853 W80 56.851 This spot off Hatbill Road will take you out to the observation tower/creek crossover. Be aware that you will have to cross another creek that can be quite wide (never very deep). I have found at times I could just jump it, while at other times it was up to my knees and I had to wade it (I did use large/heavy duty trash bags to keep me somewhat dry).
St Johns River: N28 35.923 W80 56.915 You can come in by kayak or motorboat. How far you can get in will depend on how high the river is

There are additional ways to get into Salt Lake; I have listed those I have experienced

As I mentioned, I have hiked and done some GEOCaching and Terracaching there. I have by no means seen anywhere near the complete area. I would suggest that maybe if you wanted to get deep into the bowels of Salt Lake WMA that you consider a bike. At certain times of the year, normally just before a hunt opens up, they let you drive the area; that could be interesting – of course this is just for off road vehicles. This is a WMA and hunters maybe present, so pay attention to the hunting seasons and I suggest always wearing bright colors.

From what I have explored, my favorite sections are the areas over by the St Johns River and the South Lake area. This does not mean I don’t like them all, but due to the area's vastness you really have to select a section and enter at the closest point to allow exploration time..

A large percentage of Salt Lake is open to the sun; so warm weather hiking can be pretty difficult. Most all the trails are roads and some of those are “sugar” sand. At different times of the year you might run into water in the lower sections.

As always, please leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photos. Please consider carrying a small plastic bag to use to pickup any trash that might have been dropped by someone else.

Some hikes can be viewed/downloaded at - WIKILOC Hikes

Map and pictures - click on them to enlarge
Area map

Powerlines

Road/trail to South Lake

Road/trail view

Road/Trail View

Small pond in middle of WMA

Road/trail out by indian mound

Oak tree on Indian mound

Pilings from old dock on the river

Moccasin Island Tract/River Lakes Conservation Area Hiking

Moccasin Island Tract is a wonderful place hike and explore. It is very close to Melbourne and other surrounding cities. Over the last couple of years I have been to just about every section open to the public. It is amazing where you can go if you have a general idea of the area and a good handheld GPS. I always have my GPS handy so I know where I am and where my car is parked. First you must get to the parking area, just go West on Wickham Road until the pavement ends, them follow the dirt road (right side - N28 13.813 W080 45.356) West for another few miles until you come to the above sign, continue on a short distance to the parking area (N28 13.796 W80 48.679). Make sure you observe the gate closing time (it closes 7 pm sharp), if you are not out at closing time you will be left in there! After parking the car and getting ready you will now have to decide where you want to go - South to St Johns River, a beautiful Oak Hammock. You can also continue out to the Persimmon Campsite (may have historical value, but not sure of it) and then loop into the conservation area (no hunting in this area). You could go North to the Lake Winder observation area or detour to the namesake of the area, Moccasin Island. You can wind your way West along the canal next to the parking lot - use the North side to get to the Moccasin Island Area or use the South Side to take you into the conservation area. No matter where you go you will have two options, use the roads and trails or venture off into some pretty interesting areas to do some exploring. Always be aware when exploring that at different times of the year, different areas take on different personalities. If it is wet season, there is water and muck in many, many areas. If it is dry season, you will have much more access, but the grass can be so dense that you just can not get into it. The most access I've had is when it is very dry and there has been a recent burn in the area. During one of those perfect conditions I was able to walk through the conservation area, out to Persimmon Mound, then down along the St Johns River up to Lake Winder and then back to the parking lot along the canal which runs next to the parking area, That trip was over 11 miles, but it was very, very pretty. Always be aware that alligators can be in any body of water (just because you don't see them doesn't mean they are not there) and snakes which can bite you (I have come across a couple of water moccasins during all my travels). Look at "My Hikes" in the "links" section to see some of my suggested hikes. Those are just the some of the hikes I have done.

If you would like some more information, send me an email with a question. As of 2/2011 I have hiked over 312 miles throughout the area, visiting it 34 times. You can see my average hike is around 9.17 miles. Some hikes with friends, others totally alone (cellphone coverage of the whole area makes me feel that much more comfortable). I have looked for and placed GEOCaches throughout the area, as well as looking for survey benchmarks. I have never encountered anything that I felt put me in danger, in all cases things avoided me! I prefer the south section below the parking area, actually the conservation area to the west of the barbwired cow pastures. The cow pastures on the west side of the road actually belong to the SJRWMD and are leased to the Duda cattle ranch. I met the SJRWMD land manager one day during my travels and asked him about crossing the pastures. He said as far as he was concerned I could do that, just respect the gates and cows. It is about .8 miles over to the conservation area which you can explore to your hearts content!

Some of the Points of Interest - GPS coords are provided for finding in Google Earth (Fly To) or any other mapping software

Moccasin Island Itself - Very nice spot to look around - N28 14.763 W80 50.487
Lake Winder Observation Platform - Just a spot to stop and look out over the area - N28 15.169 W80 49.905
Airboat Picnic Area - Great place to stop and have lunch - N28 12.451 W80 49.937
Persimmon Campsite - SJRWMD campsite - maybe be occupied - N28 13.138 W80 51.092
Conservation Areas - A very big, hunter free area - here is the one location in it - N28 13.444 W80 50.451
Canal Crossover - Only safe way to cross the canal in the conservation area - N28 13.508 W80 50.362
Oak Hammock Trails - Blazed trails for hiking - N28 12.508 W80 49.754
Gators Galore - Very high concentration of gators - tough to get to, be careful - N28 13.865 W80 51.500
Bald Eagles Nest - View from road - eaglets have been seen on the nest - N28 13.166 W80 48.614
St Johns River - The river borders the area so access is anywhere you might be able to get to it

Most of the "tract" is out in the open, so I feel it is mainly a winter hiking area. When hiking out there, always prepare yourself for a "sun filled day"! The surrounding pastures are still part of an active cattle ranch, so cattle are always present. At times they break through the fence and make it into the "tract" land. In almost all cases, they are as scared of you as you might be of them. In all my encounters, I just moved in on them and they moved out of the way. I think there are some bulls out there, but not really sure. If you encounter one who doesn't seem to have any fear in its eyes, avoid it at all costs. One thing you must always be aware of, the St Johns River area has the most open hunting season of any area around. There is an open season on something just about all winter long. I have found that early winter is the most active time. I always suggest that you wear something bright while anywhere in the area. Hunters are not a problem, just be aware of them and you will be ok. It seems they are there very early in the day and later in the day. If when you get to the parking area and observe a lot of vehicles in it, they may be all hunters. This area is part of the River Lakes Conservation Area, controlled by the SJRWMD. I highly suggest that you also use the WIKILOC layer in Google Earth to see some of the hikes suggested there. Use the search box to find Google Earth suggestions if you want some help.

I suggest that you review my hunting calendar (Hunting Schedule) to see if any hunting is scheduled in the area.

This picture will give you an idea where I have been and where you can go - click on it to see larger image -

I have seen a variety of wildlife while hiking around this area - deer, hogs, river otters, bobcat, coyote, armadillos, opossums, bald eagles, split tailed kites, caracaras, turkeys, snakes, gators, vultures, hawks, meadow larks, raccoons, white pelicans, sandhill cranes, all kinds of wading birds, all kinds of songbirds and what I believed to be the tail of a cougar. You can not consider them wildlife, but the cattle out there can be very impressive in their own rite.

Some pictures (click to enlarge)
Flowers along road back to parking area

My hiking supplies

Cattle/game trail through conservation area

One of the roads in the southern section

Area namesake - water moccasin

Bald eagles nest along road

Persimmon mound picnic table

Mud lake shelter in northern section (Lake Winder)

One of the frequent meadowlarks you will see

Oaks shelter down on St Johns River

Personal Locator Devices (PLD)

This entry is about technically advancing your hiking equipment with a device allowing you to summon help from the trail when you need it. I, like many people depend on my GPS and cell phone to summon help should the unexpected occur. Even in my area of Florida, with its abundance of cell towers, I have encountered areas with no coverage. Should an accident or an animal attack take place, I could be out of luck. My only hope would be that someone might come across me to provide assistance before the "worst case scenario" occurred. No one plans to experience a mishap or an emergency. You might be thinking, "need help? not me!". Well I know of at least three incidents where people needed to be rescued. First, was discovering upon returning to the car that the keys were missing. In a second situation, the person fell and broke a bone and could not move. Third, the person got stuck in muck so deep they couldn’t get out. In all cases they had cell phone coverage and a GPS, so by dialing 911 the sheriff’s department came out to save them. Now if they had been in a cell phone "blank" zone, they might not have been saved at all! ***Incidentally, the car keys were found without having to involve the sheriff. I have stumbled across many slithering creatures during my outward bound experiences. Some snake varieties were poisonous; water moccasins, diamondback rattlers, coral snakes, pigmy rattlers and they gave me a scare. I might have been unfortunate to be bitten by anyone of them - whether it would warrant a 911 call, I’m not sure. I also have been pretty close to some large gators that could have decided they didn’t like me. Oftentimes very large hogs have crossed the path in front of me, their behavior can be unpredictable. One of the worst things that I have encountered is Florida muck - you can find yourself stepping into it and not being able to get out - a very frightening feeling. The other is the random Cyprus tree knee. On these, I have stumbled and fallen "flat out" on a few occasions; always a little concerned I might become impaled as I am heading toward the ground. I was encouraged to get a Personal Locator Device (PLD), so I started researching the various designs. It seems the price range is quite extensive - from around $100 to thousands. I certainly didn’t want to spend a lot of money; it wasn’t as though I was going into the mountainous regions of San Bernardino or the Australian Outback! After reading reviews on the Internet I decided upon the following devices for a trial run. ***Disclaimer*** I am not a paid endorser of either product, only commenting on my direct experience with these devices.

Fast Find GPS Personal Locator Beacon - price $300

Spot 2 Satellite GPS Messenger - Price $149 plus $99 a year subscription fee

Both units use satellite systems as their communication method, not a cellphone network. Thus, if you can see the sky, you should be able to send out a signal. The "Fast Find GPS PLB" is a true PLD - it has one function and one function only - that is to send out an emergency signal when you are in trouble. You do have to do a little preparing before sending a signal, but it does work. The unit has to be registered with the IRBD before it can be used. So, if you get in trouble, pull the antenna out, push the button, help should be with you soon. It has a built in GPS and also sends out a beacon to the rescue people when they are in your area. Once used, it must be reset before it can be used again. The "Spot 2 Satellite GPS Messenger" is more of a "low class" PLD. It should do the trick, but I feel not as well as the "Fast Find" unit. For me there has been as much as a 20-minute delay from sending to receipt of the signal. So "buyer beware" if you believe 20 minutes may be of significance to you. It is very compact and does send all its signals using satellites. It has the ability to send out three message types (special buttons on the device) to a central computer. The central computer will forward those on to emails addresses and/or mobile phones of people you have defined in its database. One message might be used to report that you started/ended a hike to your friends. Another message might be used to report your location along the trail. Both message types contain the GPS location from where they were sent so the receiver can use that data to pinpoint your location. A third option is a message to send to a friend asking for help - this would be used if you wanted your friend to come and help you. The SOS / 911 function sends a signal for a rescue unit to come and help you. The SOS / 911 function is used in the event of a life threatening or other critical emergency to notify emergency services of your GPS location and that you need assistance. The GEOS International Emergency Response Center alerts the appropriate agencies worldwide - for example contacting 9-1-1 responders in North America and 1-1-2 responders in Europe. I ordered and looked at the “Fast Find" device, it is very complex and I feel it would get help if needed. The thing I didn’t like about it was the single use idea. I think that would be fine if I was using it on an occasional hike or mountain climb, but I would be using it many times. I sent it back and ordered a Spot 2 because I liked the idea that I could use it all the time, sending emails/Text messages to friends and family with status updates of my hikes. I have used it for a while now and find it to be a so-so device. You are never sure that after sending a message that it was actually sent. The email light flashes, but that just means that it is trying to send the email, not that it ever got sent. I actually had to return the first unit I had because it hardly ever connected to a satellite (test your unit extensively if you buy one). I did keep the second unit I received and do use it for reporting the status of my hikes. I hope I never have to use the SOS/911 function. So in conclusion, I highly recommend you consider owning one of these devices or any of the others out there. Adding "self security" measures can boost your confidence in your safety and elevate your hiking experience. It is a nice feeling knowing that you are connected "out there" and if the need arises, you can summon help. Cellphone coverage cannot be depended upon.

Read more about these two devices at -
Fast Find: http://www.fastfindplb.com/en/index.php
Spot 2: http://findmespot.com/en/index.php?cid=102

Wet Area Hiking - Remedies

Throughout my hikes during the winter of 2009-2010, it seemed I continually encountered water in my part of Florida. Wetlands seemed to appear where they had not existed before. I mean the fields had water in them, the woods had water in them and the small manmade canals had not only water but also muck to cross. Regarding the muck, it was so bad at times I thought I was going to get stuck for life – ugh! I normally hike in breathable hiking boots to minimize the heat retained in a heavier boot (heat = blisters). The wet areas became such a hassle/hazard; I decided to invest in a pair of good gore-tex hiking boots to keep my feet dry in areas of shallow standing water. The gore-tex boots worked very well until a manufacturing flaw was encountered and they began to leak. I just don’t’ like wet feet, for many reasons (trench foot being the worst case scenario). Once I had the flawed boots replace, they did the trick for the standing water, but were useless when I encountered water that was over boot level. Many times I elected to turn around and give up on a trail. I hate to give up, so I started looking for something light I could carry which would get me through knee deep water. My first attempts centered on plastic garbage bags. I went out and purchased some “flex” white ones – no luck, they just tore. I then tried “flex” black garbage bags, again no luck. My next attempt was 3-mil heavy weight black garbage bag – those worked pretty well and did the trick at least for a few “fords”. As I said, they “worked”, but just barely! If I had to trudge for a while they would spring a leak and I would feel that cold water rising in my socks. They also where somewhat cumbersome to carry after use – bulky!

My Garbage Bag Waders After Using (click to enlarge)-

My pursuit continued for a solution to ford the high water into the summer months. While channel surfing I came across a TV show about Alaska and I noticed a fellow pull a pair of boots out of his pack, slip them over his hiking boots and ford a stream – finally my solution! Using the Internet I found a company in Colorado that sold such a boot – Wiggy’s. I immediately ordered a pair – I had to have dry feet! Since receiving my “lightweight waders” I have used them a few times to cross small creeks and rivers, as well as trek through some pretty mucky areas. All you do is pull them out of your pack, slip them right on over your hiking boots and your ready! I have even shared them with hiking companions – after I cross, I pack them back in their sack, insert a water bottle in the sack for weight and toss them back across the stream to my friend. What a great feeling not to have to waste time hunting for logs or less wet / mucky areas to cross. The ease of sliding these on, to trek across the wet area and not having my course interrupted is immeasurable. They are extremely lightweight, dry quickly and re-pack into their compact carrying sack with ease. After using them, I carry them out for a while to dry, and then put them into the sack provided for use again if needed. When I return home, after a thorough washing with a garden hose, and some time spent drying in the sun, they are ready to be stored until the next trip.

Wiggy’s Lightweight Waders Being Used By A Friend (click to enlarge)-

As of summer of 2011, I can no longer recommend Wiggy’s lightweight waders for rougher area use, fine still to cross small water areas. They are not made for heavy-duty use, just short water/muck crossings. I was out GEOcaching and I encountered water on the trail. I pulled out my Wiggy boots and put them on. Well, there most have been a sharp twig in the water, as before I knew it I had a major slit in one boot and I had a very wet foot. I repaired the slit when I got home, but I didn't want that experience again so I went back to the Internet to look for other options. I found another company which makes boots which can be put on over hiking boots, that company is "NEOS". They call their line "overshoes", consisting of a river version and a trekker version. I purchased both of them because each has a different purpose. Both have a very good soles, tough rubber. The problem with both of them are that they are a little heavier and bulkier than the "wiggly" boots. I would try carrying the river version if I think I am going to encounter deep water, as they come up to the hip. The trekker version only comes up to the knee, but they do fit in my backpack very well, so those are the ones I carry if I expect some water. I did have to buy some bags to carry the NEOS in as they do not come with bags.

Option Summary -

3 mil garbage bags - will work, but very unreliable
Wiggy Light Weight Waders - very light weight, easy to carry and put on. The problem is that they are not that durable so you have to be careful.
http://www.wiggys.com/clothing-outerwear/lightweight-waders/

NEOS River Trekker Overshoe - very durable, but heavy. Good, solid sole. I feel they will allow you to cut through some minor brush.
http://www.muckbootsonline.com/NEOS_River_Trekker_Overshoe_Hipper_Brown_p/rtk8.htm

NEOS Trekker Overshoe - very durable, solid sole. They can be backpacked with little problems. These are the ones I now carry into wet areas.
http://www.muckbootsonline.com/NEOS_Trekker_Overshoe_p/trs7.htm

I'm sure there other options out there If you know of any, let me know.

In conclusion, some people can tolerate wet feet; but not me. When the going gets wet I now have my gore-tex hiking boots and "overshoes" to protect me from the ugly feeling (also, trench foot and blisters) of wet feet!

South Lake Conservation Area - Hiking

This is a small area (155 acres) located in Mims. It is made up of scrub, scrubby flatwoods, depression marsh, cleared trails and sandy roads. The sanctuary was donated to Brevard County as mitigation land and is managed by the EEL Group http://www.eelbrevard.com/. There are approximately 2 miles of hiking trails/roads. There are a number of scrub jay families living in the sanctuary, some relocated from the Melbourne Area. All trails are marked with arrows to assist you in finding your way around when hiking there. It is just about impossible to get lost in the sanctuary because roads and private property border it. There is only one access point with parking and that is located off Ford Road at N28 38.434 W80 52.583. There is an information kiosk there, with a layout of the sanctuary, along with trail maps.

Trails (click on it to enlarge)

As you walk around the trails you will encounter small sand hills and pass some depression marshes. The main area is just scrub, with a scattering of pine trees here and there. Along the edges you will encounter other types of trees. I am told that there is a nice variety of plants and wildlife in the sanctuary. The day I walked around I encountered a few families of scrub jays. Like most scrub jays I have encountered, they were very friendly, trying to land on my hat and camera. They are a lovely bird so please respect and protect them. Be forewarned it is against the law to feed scrub jays, you could be fined up to $200 if caught. The main trails are just sandy roads, but the EEL group has cleared some trails through the scrub that are very nice. There is no hunting in the area, so that is nice. There are many prescribed burns scheduled for this area, that could block access at any particular time. All in all I recommend that you take some time and visit this sanctuary. It is mostly very open so a cloudy day might be the best time to plan a visit. I walked every trail, discovering some very nice sites as I stopped and looked around. As always, please leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photos. Please consider carrying a small plastic bag to use to pickup any trash that might have been dropped by someone else.

Some pictures - click on a picture to enlarge
Information Area -

Trail out from information area -

Scrub Jay watching me -

Sand Trail -

Another trail view -

One of the hills to climb -

View my trails map - WIKILOC South Lake Conservation Area Hiking Trails> To learn more about using WIKILOC downloads, other areas, GPS’s etc, use search box in this blog for keywords like Wikiloc, Google Earth, GPS or an area name.

Favorite Spots - Hiking Areas

Many people have asked me where my favorite spots to go are. My number one area is the St Johns River where ever I can get to it. I have been to many parts of it from RT46 to down below RT192. I have hiked in from Canaveral Marshes up off RT50, Tosohatchee WMA (many spots) and River Lakes Conservation Area in Viera. When the water is low, the views are just beautiful. I also have been lucky enough to be taken on boat trips with friends. There are a lot of gators in the river, so kayaking just isn't that appealing. The Cypress trees which are found along the river are beautiful in their own right.

As far as other areas to hike, I really enjoy these; hiking a pretty fair portion of each -
Tosohatchee WMA - loads of trails and areas to explore
Tosohatchee South - Nice blazed trails, plus much areas to explore
Moccasin Island Tract/River Lakes Conservation Area - right near Melbourne and again loads of areas to explore
Canaveral Marshes - Some very pretty areas to explore, some marked trails
Charles H. Bronson State Forest - Massive amount of areas to hike
Seminole Ranch - Nice blazed trails in woods

You can find many of my hikes (trail hikes, not exploring) at WIKILOC Hiking Etc

Some other places I have hiked and enjoyed -
Bull Creek WMA
Three Lakes WMA
Buck Lake WMA
Salt Lake WMA Seminole Ranch WMA
Prairie Lakes Unit
Triple-N Ranch
Forever Ranch
South Lakes Conservation Area
Hal Scott Preserve
Seminole Ranch Consevation Area
Mills Creek Woodland
Beachside Sanctuaries
Grant Flatwoods Sanctuary
Chuluota Winderness Area
Orlando Wetlands

Details on any of these places can be found using Google.

Bull Creek (Herky Huffman) WMA - Hiking

The Bull Creek/Herky Huffman Wildlife Management Area, with its vast array of trails, will appeal to both the serious hiker and friends out for a casual walk in the woods. Those with a sense for genealogy might find themselves lingering in a very old cemetery. If you want see more of the area, there is the option of driving along a picturesque loop road that takes you down near a beautiful small lake. I have frequented this area, hiking many of its trails (though not all of them) and driven around the area to experience a variety of views. The only drawback for hikers and wildlife viewers are the times of the year that this area dedicates to hunting. It tends to be a popular sport so I suggest that you make yourself aware of the hunting schedule, and at all times be extra cautious.

Trails From RT192
From the parking area on RT192, pass through a gate and head out on the orange blazed Florida Trail, beginning on the right side of the berm just as you reach the bottom. As you follow the blazed trail through the woods, passing a small pond along the way, you arrive at the Jane Green Campsite established by the Florida Trail Association. At that site you will find a primitive camp area with a picnic table and a fire pit. There also is a hand water pump, but it is not recommended for use. From here you can head further south or elect to follow the Florida Trail. I normally follow the orange blazed trail to the west. On this trail you will come across three footbridges crossing Bull Creek. I have seen a variety of wildlife in that area - from limpkins, to owls, to a large alligator, to river otters frolicking in a creek. Eventually the orange blazed trail swings to the southwest. You can continue on that trail, looping back when you like (it does go all the way to Key West) or branch off and go to the very old "Crab Grass Cemetery". If you wish to do some more exploring, there are some white blazed trails that will take you out and around the area below where the cemetery is located.

Crab Grass Cemetery (Crabgrass Cemetery)
This is a very old cemetery located in the Bull Creek WMA. You can get to it by hiking in from RT192 or if you wish and have a hardy vehicle, drive in from the loop road. There is a sign on the loop road that will direct you to the cemetery. This cemetery has been referred to as the "Bull Creek Cemetery", but that is incorrect. The Bull Creek Cemetery is located down below Billy Lake, on the other side of Bull Creek. The only way I know of to get to that cemetery is from RT441. That area is private property so it is not available to the public. As of this writing there where 22 graves in Crab Grass Cemetery - oldest being 1883 to newest being 2000. A fence surrounds the cemetery; please display proper respect the dead and those that mourn them when visiting.

Loop Road
There is a road that loops around the center of Bull Creek WMA. You get to the road by entering Crabgrass Road off RT192. Just follow Crabgrass Road until you come to the entrance to the WMA. You must sign in and out at the main entrance. If it is hunting season you will notice much activity in the area. There are restrooms located in the area for your use. I’m not sure, but I assume anyone can camp there. Should you find out otherwise please post a comment. Park in the designated area and begin hiking the trails from there, either heading north or south. If you head south and follow the orange blazes you will come to the "Forever Ranch" (http://www.foreverflorida.com/) - that is another nice place to visit - it is not part of this WMA. The loop road itself is a dirt road, usually in pretty good condition. It does flood during the wet season, leaving many ruts and sink holes during the dry season that are rough on your vehicle. The whole area is open to the public, so if you wish to stop and explore, feel free to do so at anytime. The Florida orange blazed trail is near the road at times, giving you the option to stop and hike for a spell. Down in the southern section there is a road off the main loop road that leads to "Billy Lake" - see write-up below. The road loops as stated, and eventually you will get back to the entrance to the WMA.

Billy Lake
Billy Lake is actually a section of Bull Creek where you can stop and enjoy a very pretty Florida scene. You can launch a kayak there if you wish. I have been there a number of times, at times having the whole place to ourselves, while at other times sharing it with some "locals"! The only drawback that I find with the place is that I find myself picking up some of the litter left by people who just don’t respect the wilderness. I have explored the area, seeing a large variety of wildlife - birds, gators etc, as well as some beautiful cypress trees. Like any place near a creek, in the wet season you might not get that close.

Palmetto Scrub
There is any number of ways to explore Bull Creek, from the spots I mentioned to a parking area on Crabgrass Road. The parking area on Crabgrass road will give you access to the palmetto scrub, if you wish to explore that. You can also explore Crabgrass Creek from that parking area. Across Bull Creek There is a whole area of Bull Creek WMA which is hard to get to, but well worth visiting. The section I'm referring to is actually on the east/southeast side of Bull Creek. You can get to this section by crossing Bull Creek on the road found at N28 0.799 W80 55.668 (this road is normally closed so you have walk or bike it - it also can be underwater). If the water in Bull Creek is high, you will actually need a boat to get across it. You also can get into it from the dike out of RT192, again a bike might be the way to go because of the distance. Once into this area, you will find plenty of old roads to explore, as well as a variety of ecosystems. To the south you will hit barbed wire fences, do not cross them as the property is private owned by Deseret Ranch. The coords for the center of the section I have been in are N28 0.361 W80 55.446.

GPS Locations Note: can use in Google Earth "Fly to" box - just "copy & paste the coords to Google Earth to zoom to the spot