Florida Hikes and Other Outdoor Information

Pine Lily Preserve

This area was purchased in order to preserve the native landscape and flora of this special spanse of Florida. It is managed by Orange County, as one of their “Green Place” locations. The total area is only 431 acres, so it is hard to get lost in it. Though the size of the preserve renders it to be smaller than most, it does contain a number of eco-systems – from pine scrubs, oak hammocks, cypress areas, palmetto “ponds” and pastures. Like much of old Florida land, this place also has hidden spoils hinting of its history. I managed to poke around a far portion of the preserve. First walking all the trails and then venturing out to explore for historical relics of old time Florida. Commonly in this type of area, you can find remnants of days gone by. However in Pine Lily, it appears that the original structures have been destroyed for some reason. The preserve is bordered on the South by Hal Scott Preserve, on the East by RT520, on the West by CR13 (some of it is the old dirt road) and on the North by Long Branch Preserve. During my visit I did see a few deer and some tracks of other wildlife.

Pine Lilies
The preserve is named after the beautiful Pine Lily, also known as the Catesby Lily. The blooms vary in color from yellow (a fairly rare color) to almost red, but most are a brilliant orange with darker spots near the base of each petal. The petals themselves have extremes in the amount of spotting present. Each flower is 3-4 inches across and remains open for about a week. They attract a variety of pollinators, but seem to be pollinated mostly by large swallowtail butterflies. They bloom from July through September. Their blooms are becoming rare in Florida, so if you do spot one in the palmettos, cherish it!

General Trail Information
The trails are generally very nice and definably family friendly. They are wide enough so you can walk through without getting tattooed by saw palmettos. In most cases the blazed trails are very well maintained by the county. There are two sets of main trails; these are blazed with red arrow metal tags. There is a short loop about half way into Pine Lily Preserve which is blazed with blue arrow metal tags. In just about all cases the blazes are attached to wooden posts positioned at respectable intervals. The red trail actually goes in two directions from the parking area located on CR13. The main trail heads to the east, through a gate into the heart of the Pine Lily Preserve. The secondary leg starts around the entrance to the parking area and heads south down into the Hal Scott Preserve.

Red/Blue Trail East
This is the main trail at it heads into the center of the Pine Lily Preserve going east through a gate. The trail is marked with posts which have red arrows on metal tags. The trail leads out to a small loop at the end and then you head back to the parking lot. You will pass through a number of eco-systems as you hike the trail. From pine forests, to palmetto “ponds”, to oak hammocks. The red trail is mainly an old road, so size and following it are no problem. There are a couple of spots where water may flow over the trail. The county has brought in small rocks to preserve the trail. When you encounter the wet areas, stop and look around for some wildflowers. These areas are where you should find the largest concentration of wildflowers in the preserve. What you can expect to see will depend on what month of the year you make your visit. There is a small blue tagged trail loop off the red trail. It is about halfway up the red tagged trail. You can do the loop while going out the red trail or do it on your way back on the red trail. I elected to do it on the way back, a little warmer and nicer on the cool day I visited the preserve. It a well maintained trail, passing through different eco-systems in its own right. I entered an oak hammock, then an open scrub pine, palmetto area. This is a nice short loop, worth every extra step. Don’t bypass it!

Red Trail South to Hal Scott Preserve
This section of the red trail starts around the entrance to the parking area, at the old powerlines. As you begin the trail you will hike right along side the powerlines, and then through a lot of palmettos. Eventually you will emerge onto a manmade berm which was either old CR13 or an old railroad bed. It is a nice place to hike as you will be looking out over the pine scrub and palmetto “ponds” which align it. The trail comes out in the Hal Scott Preserve, at a very large, still active canal. At this point you can elect to either head back to the parking area, or continue westward on the north side of the canal. This will bring you to the red trail in the Hal Scott Preserve. Needless to say, you would be in for a very long hike if you decided to take the loop red trail in the Hal Scott Preserve before heading back to the Pine Lily Preserve parking area. You can read more about Hal Scott Red Trails at my Hal Scott write-up - Hal Scott Preserve
Note:
During a visit to the area in April 2012 I took the red trail south and then ventured west along the Hal Scott canal over to the Econlockhatchee River area. I then found remnants of an old road through the palmettos heading north to Long Branch Preserve which I took (there is a red trail under the powerlines which also leads into Long Branch). After exploring Long Branch Preserve for a while I found a fireroad which took me back to the Pine Lily parking area. See my tracks listed below under WIKILOC Hikes.

General Exploring
The trails give you a very good glimpse of the Pine Lilly Preserve, but if you want to see more you can follow some of the old roads/game trails which crisscross the 431 acres comprising the preserve. This was an old ranch once upon a time before the county acquired it. As with most of these old pieces of property in Florida, if you look hard enough you will find something! The day I visited the preserve I ventured around somewhat, finding remnants of old buildings, old dumps, cement markers etc. This I believe was just scratching the surface. I suspect that within time, like a lot of Florida history, it will be bulldozed into oblivion. If you do attempt to venture out to do some exploring, I highly recommend that you purchase and become an expert with a handheld GPS unit. If you should find something interesting, email me about it or post a comment to this page.

Here are some of the GPS reference coordinates -
• Parking Area - N28 31.718 W81 05.784
• Trailhead of Red Trail into Preserve - N28 31.718 W81 05.775
• Trailhead of Red Trail down to Hal Scott Preserve - N28 31.712 W81 05.794
• Blue Trail Crossing Red Trail -N28 31.654 W81 05.317
• End of Red Trail – N28 31.661 W81 04.719

In summary –
• This is a conservation area/nature preserve – no hunting is allowed
• Comprised of 431 acres
• Contains 5 miles of blazed roads/trails
• Connects to Hal Scott Preserve, so you can venture in that large area
• Next to Long Branch Preserve, so you can go include those trails into your exploring

My trail maps can be viewed/downloaded at Wikiloc –
• Pine Lily Preserve Red Trail to Hal Scott Preserve Click Here
• Pine Lily Preserve Red-Blue Trails Click Here
• Pine Lily to Hal Scott to Long Branch Preserve and back Click Here

Photos (Click to Enlarge)
Pine Lily Preserve Parking Area Sign

One of The Trees Found in the Pastures

Red Trail/Road View in Pine Lily Preserve

Blue Trail Through The Palmettos

Manmade Pond

Red Trail/Road Going Down to Hal Scott Preserve

Canal In Hal Scott Preserve

Lake Lizzie Conservation Area

This conservation/nature area is owned and maintained by Osceola County. It is comprised of 984 acres with several Eco-Systems. There are two distinct trailheads. One is located off of Bass Road for access to the North Loop. The second is located off of Old Melbourne Highway for the WP Tyson Trail Head. The WP Tyson Trail Head will give you access to the Marsh Loop and the Lake Lizzie Loop. On the Kiosk the write-up for the area states there are 14 miles of natural trails, 6 miles of which are marked. They do not actual use “blazes” to mark the trails, but instead use signs. The trails in most cases are mainly just old rustic roads that nature has reclaimed; some are quite sandy and can be a little tough on the calves. The parking area off of Old Melbourne Highway is very nice, with even a restroom. It is a fine place to start and end your hike. The parking area off Bass Road was just a grassy pasture the day I hiked there. They do provide a picnic table and an information station at that location. You can access the whole area from either parking location. I recommend enjoying the southern section of the conservation area from the Old Melbourne Highway parking area and then using the Bass Road parking area to experience the the northern loops.

For those of you with a sporting spirit there are a number of GEOCaches and a couple of Terracaches located throughout the conservation area. That was my main reason for visiting the Lake Lizzie Conservation Area. You may or may not have heard of the sport of GEOcaching. If you haven’t tried either of those electronic treasure hunting games, I highly recommend you do. You can read more about “caching” at
http://tomchoma.blogspot.com/2011/01/geocaching-general-information.html
http://www.geocaching.com
http://www.terracaching.com

I first visited the southern section of this conservation area. There is a very nice parking area located right off Old Melbourne Highway. The county has provided two information stations at this location. This certainly was designed to be the main access to the Lake Lizzie area. There are two trailheads located here. You can elect to venture out on either one; both will take you on loop trails, which in most cases are just old roads. The scenery is very nice, you will encounter open scrub land, scrub pines and oak forests as you venture along the trails/roads. The Lake Lizzie Trail will take you out to the powerlines, then along the edge of the conservation area, along private property. You will see Bay Lake through the trees from the trail; if it is dry enough you can venture over to the lakes edge once you pass by the private property. At any time you can find a trail/road which will bring you back to the parking lot if you so wish. Once you hit the powerlines again, you can venture up that road until you find the branch off which leads to Lake Lizzie and the picnic areas provided by the county. The Lake Lizzie area is very pretty, with some beautiful oaks, some covered in spanish moss. You can venture down to the lakes edge, even getting your feet wet if you so desire. As with any lake in Florida, there could be a big alligator lurking in the water weeds! The picnic area is quite extensive, some sections are covered while others are open. A restroom is located here. I recommend that you plan a day visit to the conservation area and keep this area in mind when you break for lunch. From the picnic area you can elect to explore additional sections to the north or find one of the other trails/roads which will take you back to the parking area. As I’ve mentioned before, many parts of the trails/roads are sandy, so it can be a little hard on the lower legs after a while. Also on a sunny day the white sand reflects the sun and that can drain you also, bring plenty of liquids. You can elect to take the Marsh Loop Trailhead from the parking lot (west end of parking lot). This trail/road will take you to another eco-system, which I’m sure you will enjoy seeing. As with other parts of the conservation area, if it is the wet season, some areas might not be assessable. Visit the area in both the wet and dry seasons to get a look at seasonal Florida.

The day I visited the conservation area I elected to drive up to the northern parking area off Bass Road to get a look at that section. The parking area off Bass Road is just a big field, with an information station and a picnic table. Nothing fancy there when I visited the area in Dec 2011. There is one entrance to the conservation area. Once into the area you can elect to venture down any trail/road you desire. If you elect to go east, you will pass through a beautiful pine forest which will take you to the powerlines. You can follow the powerline road north, where you will get some views of Trout Lake to the west. Further up north you will encounter some more scrub areas. I enjoyed this section very much. You also can head west, along a sandy trail/road, through a true Florida scrub! The trail/road will eventually take you to Lake Lizzie, where you will find a nice oak/Spanish moss area. There are some views of the lake itself. If you follow the trail you will come to the main picnic area provided by the county. The trail will loop back to the parking area, so consider just following it.

There is a very interesting orienteering and GPS course created by Eagle Scout Trevor Haydel located just inside the conservation area’s Bass Road parking area. What he has done is to create a course that you can use either a compass or a GPS to follow. You will find the first sign at N28 14.885 W81 9.811 – from there you must find each of the next sixteen points. It is an excellent way to gain experience using either a compass or a GPS unit. I believe everyone who ventures out into this type of area should carry a GPS unit. I thank Trevor for his excellent idea and his superb way of presenting it. The course will be there for a very long time – give it a try!

In order to enjoy all aspects of the conservation area, I suggest you make a few trips. You should park at the Old Melbourne Road parking area a few times and the Bass Road parking area at other times. You will find it a convenience to access the same areas from both parking places at times, no big problem. The day I hiked the areas I didn’t see any wildlife, but I’m sure they are lurking just out of sight because it is a no hunting conservation area and that normally means an abundance of wildlife. There were a few wildflowers, but not that many – certainly disappointing for me.

Here are some of the GPS reference coordinates -
o Old Melbourne Road Parking Area: N28 13.655 W81 10.721
o Bass Road Parking Area: N28 14.939 W81 09.869
o Marsh Loop Trailhead: N28 13.669 W81 10.732
o Lake Lizzie Trailhead: N28 13.636 W81 10.672
o Bass Road Trailhead: N28 14.909 W81 9.836
o Start of Orienteering and GPS Course: N28 14.885 W81 9.811
o Picnic Area: N28 14.525 W81 10.448
o Lake Lizzie View: N28 14.530 W81 10.504

In summary –
• This is a conservation area / nature preserve
• No hunting is allowed
• Comprised of 984 acres
• Has 14 miles of roads/trails winding around within it – 6 miles have signs on them
• Views of Lakes Lizzie, Trout and Bay are available
• There are a number of GEOCaches and a couple of Terracaches located with the area
• A huge picnic area is located near Lake Lizzie
• There is a orienteering and GPS course created by Eagle Scout Trevor Haydel on the trail
• Two major parking areas are provided

Rich Eginton has provided excellent trail maps for your reference – use “Click Here” to take a look at them
~ Lake Lizzie Red Trail Click Here
~ Lake Lizzie View Click Here
~ Lake Lizzie & Trout Lake Click Here

Some Pictures (Click to Enlarge) -
Area Information -

Sandy Trail Section -

Green Trail Section -

Powerline Trail -

Eagle Scout GPS Course -

Lake Lizzie Picnic Area -

Oak Tree Covered With Spanish Moss -

Charles H. Bronson State Forest

The Charles H. Bronson State Forest is a vast place to visit and an under-utilized gem for the sporting hiker/trailblazer, casual hiker, biker and equestrian. Its total landmass is 9,754 acres, with multiple access points, including the St Johns River. The main entrance is at the end of Phillips Road which is off N Christmas Road. The land is under the control of the Division of Forestry, while hunting is controlled by the Florida Wildlife Commission. If you elect to enter the area from the Phillips Road parking area expect to pay a $2.00 entrance fee per person. The area is divided into three tracts: Joshua Creek Tract, Turkey Creek Tract and Clonts Tract. The whole area is crisscrossed with numbered and unnumbered roads. Hunters with a quota permit are allowed access to drive the numbered roads during hunting season. At the time of this writing, the land is being subleased to cattle ranchers, so a fair amount of cattle roam the land. I have hiked most of the area, both using the roads and also wandering around in the woods and pastures. The variety of objects and ecosystems you will encounter in this State Forest is truly amazing. You will encounter just about every species of wildlife that is available in this segment of Florida. Most of the areas can be accessed by hiking or biking. Being an avid hiker, the only tread that hits the pathways I am on is on the soles of my boots. There are a number of very picturesque creeks which cross the property. Bikers and equestrians have miles and miles of roads at their disposal to explore and enjoy. As in all cases, blazed trails are to be only used by foot traffic. As I mentioned, hunting is allowed quite a bit during the winter season. I know I avoid the area during hunting season. Check my WMA Hunting Information Calendar for the current hunting schedule. Embedded in the State Forest are a few private parcels of land; they are well marked, I suggest you stay off private property.

I have hiked the area many times, covering up to 13.5 miles during each visit. You can hike for miles and miles (as of this writing, I have hiked over 167 miles). If you decide to wander and not follow the blazed trails it is best to start at the main parking lot at the end of Phillips Road. From there you can head North on road #1 or head East on road #1 (road #1 is a loop, so you could start and end on it). If you head north you can branch off road #1 into one of the large pasture areas. Upon venturing into those areas you will encounter more of the remnants of the old cattle ranch which occupied the area before the State of Florida took over. You will see many cattle feeders, all kinds (wooden, concrete, steel and some new modern ones). There also are a number of windmills positioned throughout the area. These were used to pump water from wells to provide water for the cattle. You also will see different ways that the cattle people handled water in their fields. That included digging small canals, and constructing small dams on some of them to hold the water. If you look around you will see evidence of how the ranchers / farmers utilized American ingenuity to irrigate their fields. There also are a number of artesian wells scattered throughout the property – I’m sure they will be capped someday. You also might see evidence such as large pumps to pump well water and a huge system to pump water from the St Johns River. If you head east from the parking lot and then branch off road #1 you will hit a fence which cuts off the wetlands from cattle wandering. It seems the cattle are restricted from that area. After crossing the gate you will hit a classic Florida wetland area. There are swamps, cypress domes and of course, water. Like much of cultivated Florida, you will see how cattle people built canals to drain some of the wetlands. As you get closer to the St Johns River you should enjoy the wetlands quite a bit. The only problem is of course, water! If you try to enter these areas during the wet season, you will encounter some pretty wet areas. By heading northeast you can work your way out to the St Johns River area. There are some very interesting things to see while wandering around the river area. There once was an extensive dike and canal system near the St Johns River, but the SJRWMD has removed them to restore the river. There are a number of documented Indian mounds that you might like to visit. There also are a number of undocumented mounds which most likely are also Indian mounds. As I mentioned earlier, you will encounter man-made canals all over the place. Most of the canals can be jumped over, but many are so big that getting across during the wet season could be a real challenge. The State has replaced one main bridge which can be used to head into the Northern section of the area (Clonts Tract). As you venture into different areas you will see a number of cedar trees cut down. We did come across an area with sliced cedar wood that was left from a sawmill. There also was an old sawmill saw blade nearby. This looked like a spot where they processed all the cedar trees that were cut down. Also if you look closely in many areas you will see remnants of old time Florida turpentine processing. Turpentine raw materials were extracted from pine trees into red clay pots. I have seen the marked up trees and some pieces of the red clay turpentine pots. In all cases, please do not disturb any historical items or even think of taking anything for a “souvenir”!
During my hiking around I did encounter hunters, hikers and even some local landowners. Most everyone seems to be getting along, although the local landowner (who also leased the land for his cattle) had some stories about destruction of the area by some unruly people. Please be sure to protect the land and not abuse anything while you’re out and about. I always try to remember a small plastic shopping bag to use to pick up any litter I might encounter (even I have littered by accident). I believe in the motto, “leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but photos”.

The state has provided a large parking area at the end of Phillips Road. There is at least one picnic table available for the public in the parking area. You will find a very informative station in the parking area. The State Forest is a quota hunting area so be cautionary of hunters. Check hunting dates when deciding to go hiking in the area, I suggest that you always consider wearing bright clothes while visiting this State Forest.

The local FTA chapter, with help from the SCA and other area chapter members, have constructed a beautiful section of the Florida National Scenic Trail System (FNST) which passes through the Joshua Creek Track. Access points are available from the Seminole Ranch/Orlando Wetlands and Chuluota Wilderness Area. There is an access point at the Phillips Road parking area, that is a short blue blazed connector trail. All trails are very well maintained and blazed. The FTA group and the SCA constructed bridges over major creek crossings and some low water areas to make the trail a little friendlier. I know you will encounter some wet areas during the wet season or after heavy rains, so be aware of that. If you should encounter major water down at the entrance at the Seminole Ranch Conservation area, there is a white blazed trail you can follow which will takes a dryer route, eventually connecting up with the FNST orange trail. They also will be constructing a white blazed loop trail that breaks off and reconnects to the orange blazed trail forming a loop in the Joshua Creek Tract. This will start down at the Orlando Wetlands or from the orange trail up near Chuluota Wilderness Area (blazed blue up there). I suggest you do your homework before attempting these trails, determine where you want to enter and exit them as the distances can add up. The total length of the trail between Seminole Ranch Conservation Area and Chuluota Wilderness Area is about 8 miles. You also have to hike quite a distance into either of those areas to get to the Joshua Trail. The day we hiked it we used two cars - it would have been a 20 mile hike if we had entered at the Seminole Ranch Conservation Area parking area on Wheeler Road, hiked up and over to the Chuluota Wilderness Area and back. By parking a second car at the Phillips Road Parking area the hike was 11 miles. A certain amount of the marked roads are crossed, so you can exit at different places. Your GPS might be your best friend out there. Remember, the blazed trails are for foot traffic only; no bikes or horses! These trails are a wonderful way to see the area; the creators/workers did a magnificent job!

Here is a list of some of the items I have encountered while out hiking the area - note, some items are disappearing, so no assurances of sighting them in the future:
• A number of ecosystems – wetlands, palmetto scrub, oak forests, cypress swamps and pastures
• Many types of mammals – deer, hogs, armadillos, river otters, bobcats
• Many types of birds – Sandhill cranes, wading birds, bald eagles, owls, turkeys and a large population of songbirds
• Old farm equipment – now deserted and rusting away
• Remnants of old businesses – Cedar plank making, turpentine harvesting and palm tree harvesting
• Cattle support items – artesian wells, windmills, cattle feeders (wood, steel and concrete), man-made ponds
• All kinds of cattle – every kind of cattle seems to appear and disappear
• Old homestead items – buildings, barbwire fences, footings, garbage, wells
• Old irrigation items – pumps, large pipes from the river
• Creeks – a few natural creeks cross the area
• Indian Mounds – both documented as well as undocumented
• Old home and 2 old hunting cabins– a couple of buildings once used by hunters
• Private Land – There actually are some private homesteads embedded in the State Forest. These are posted in most cases, be aware of them and stay out of them.

Some GPS Reference Points –
• Main Parking Area off Philipps Road – N28 35.513 W81 02.540
• Hunter Access Gate off Curryville Road – N28 37.645 W81 03.351
• Gate to Pastures – N28 36.792 W81 01.836
• Old Farm Area – N28 38.261 W81 03.420
• Wetlands Gate – N28 35.260 W81 00.417
• Bridge Over Canal – N28 38.979 W81 01.893
• Indian Mound Areas – N28 39.148 W81 01.141 - N28 37.837 W81 00.794 - N28 38.529 W81 01.084
• Old House and Hunting Cabins – N28 35.595 W81 01.497 - N28 35.127 W81 01.032

My hikes can be viewed/downloaded at Wikiloc –
• FNST Orange Trail Click Here
• FNST White Alternate Dry Trail Click Here
• FNST Phillips Road Blue Connector Trail Click Here
• Road Hiking and Visiting of St Johns River Mounds Click Here
• Road Wandering Click Here
• Road 1/2 & Side Road Click Here

Blazed Trail GPS Coordinates -
• FNST Orange Trail Entrance – Seminole Ranch – N28 35.017 W80 58.791
• FNST Orange Trail Entrance – Chuluota Wilderness Area – N28 36.789 W81 02.569
• FNST Blue Trail Connector – Phillips Road Parking Area – N28 35.526 W81 02.538

Here are some external Links you might be interested in –
• My hike can be viewed/downloaded at - WIKILOC Hike - find the Charles Bronson Hikes in the list
• Hunting information can be found at my hunting calendar - WMA Hunting Information or my going to www.tinyurl.com/techunt

Some Pictures (click to enlarge) -

Some of My Wandering Around Charles Bronson (Many Hikes) -

Main Entrance -

Parking Area -

Maps and Information -

Curryville Road Entrance -

One of The Windmills In The Area -

One of Road/Trails In The State Forest -

Trail Map From FTA

Triple N Ranch WMA - Hiking from RT192 Entrance

Triple N Ranch WMA (Note: WMA is Wildlife Management Area, seasonal hunting is always allowed in this type of area) is located in Osceola County off RT192. It is comprised of 16,295 acres of many ecosystems, mainly pine flatwoods. As the name implies, the property was originally a ranch, so it is crisscrossed with dirt roads. If you look around you will find remnants of the old ranch, but they are disappearing as each day passes. Flowing through the middle of the ranch is the Crabgrass Creek. There are three very well blazed trails found within the ranch. Being that it is a WMA, hunting is allowed frequently. At different times, entering Triple N for hiking and biking while hunting is going on is ok, but I don’t recommend it if there is any large game hunting going on. If the road gate which leads into the area from RT192 is open, stop and check with the local FWC agent before attempting to enter the area. If you elect to use one of the other entrances, make sure you check the hunting calendars before going in. When hunting is going on, hunters have access to the whole area, so you never know where they might be. There is no charge to use Triple N Ranch. The state provides plenty of parking, picnic tables and a restroom at the entrance on RT192 (during hunting season, picnic tables might be scarce). If you elect to bike the area, stay on the many roads which crisscross the whole ranch. You will certainly see more of the area than you ever could hiking around it. The local FTA has created three trails for hikers to use. Each of the trails is well blazed with different color paints to show you where to go. In all cases, certain parts of the trails overlap one another, so you can see blazes for all three trails at certain times. Each trail will be described in detail later in this posting. As I mentioned, you will encounter a variety of ecosystems while venturing around the area. It is mainly made up of Florida scrub; palmettos, grass and pine trees. Florida Scrub can be quite pretty, but being that it is mostly located in sunny open areas, you must prepare for that. The area I liked the most was the Crabgrass Creek area which runs through the ranch. This is a classical creek, swamp area guaranteed to meet all your expectations. The creek can be very relaxing and quite beautiful if you appreciate this form of nature. I have hiked all the blazed trails, as well as explored the Crabgrass Creek corridor, other creeks which flow in the area and the surrounding scrub. I always warn visitors to be prepared for the two things nature might throw at you out there, mosquitoes and the sun! I have encountered both of them and it can make a visit a little uncomfortable if you are not prepared – have bug spray and sunscreen available. You should always be able to see some wildlife during a visit; I have seen deer, hogs, turkeys, hawks, vultures and songbirds. The ranch sub-leases the land to local cattleman, so spotting cattle or what they leave behind is a sure thing. If you should encounter a cow, don’t worry, it is more scared of you than you of it – they will disappear before your eyes! One thing that surprised me was the remains of slaughtered hogs killed during a recent hunt, not a pleasant site. If you should come across some hog carcasses, just ignore them and continue on. If you hike the orange blazed trail you will encounter a section in the Crabgrass Creek section dedicated to Cathi Riley. Cathi spent a good deal of time creating that trail; she is no longer with us.

Trail Information -
• Flatwoods White Blazed Trail (1.5 miles) – This is a short, true loop, that winds through the pine flatwoods and palmettos; a certain portion of trail is a dirt road. It is a very nice, short hike. A portion of the trail to the East is shared with the orange and yellow trails, so you will not only see white blazes, but also orange and yellow. Just concentrate on the white blazes and you will be fine.
• Crabgrass Creek Loop Yellow Blazed Trail (2.5 miles) – As the name of the trail implies, the only loop section of the trail is down at Crabgrass Creek. You find the trailhead right outside the parking area; it is shared with the orange and white blazed trail. You will follow it down to where you enter the Crabgrass Creek Corridor (along with the orange trail, so both blazes are present). Stay to the left to enter Crabgrass Creek. You will then follow the yellow blazes through the woods (some might be faded, so if you don’t see the next one, backup and check around). The FTA has provided a wooden bridge to cross the creek. Eventually you will come to a road, bear to the right and then follow the road out of the creek corridor, watching for the yellow trail blazes to right. Don’t get confused with the orange trail, which branches off to the left and continues along the creek. The trail will now intersect at the spot you entered the creek corridor (this is the end of the loop portion of the trail), just follow the yellow blazes back to the parking area. Depending on the season, the creek area may be wet and buggy.
• Triple N Loop Orange Blazed Trail (7.5 miles) – This loop takes you out and around the Triple N Ranch. You will pass through pine flatwoods, oak groves, palmettos, grass and a creek corridor. It is a true loop, starting outside the parking area on RT192. You can start the hike from either the East or West sides, I highly recommend you start from the West side because that is the more open section and does get hotter as the sun gets higher in the sky. A certain section of the trail (East side) is shared with the other two trails in the area so you will at times see three sets of blazes (orange, yellow and white), just focus on the orange ones. About a third of the trail passes through the Crabgrass Creek corridor, this to me is the prettiest section. There is a small trail (blazed blue) which leaves the orange trail in the creek corridor section which will take you to a picnic table. Here you can take a break and eat your lunch if you so desire. At times you might not spot the next blaze, just go back to last blaze found and look around. Also note that the Cathi Riley dedicated section of the trail can be found in the creek corridor section of the trail. Depending on the season, the creek area could be wet and buggy. A fair portion of the trail is open, so make sure you wear some sunscreen.

Some GPS Coordinates -
• Main Entrance (off RT192) – N28 07.836 W81 01.239
• All Trailheads – N28 07.818 W81 01.221
• Blue Trail Start/End – N28 06.664 W81 01.711
• Picnic Table – N28 06.778 W81 01.829
• Cathi Riley Dedicated Trail East/West - N28 07.102 W81 01.162/ N28 07.039 W81 02.509
• Footbridge – N28 07.150 W81 01.019

You will find more information here –
• My hikes can be viewed/downloaded at –
~ Flatwoods White Blazed Trail Click Here
~ Crabgrass Creek Loop Yellow Blazed Trail Click Here
~ Triple N Loop Orange Blazed Trail Click Here

Some Pictures (Click to Enlarge) -
Information and Signin Area -

Trail Information -

Multi Blazes On Trail Going Out -

Trail View In Crabgrass Creek Corridor -

Trail View In Crabgrass Creek Corridor -

Picnic Table Off Blue Trail -

Trail Through The Grass -

Trail Through Palmettos -

Loop Road -

Palmetto "Lake" -

Prairie Lakes Unit

Prairie Lakes Unit is 8,000 acres of very pretty Floridian landscape, an oasis within the vast Three Lakes WMA (Note: WMA is Wildlife Management Area, seasonal hunting is always allowed in this type of area). The Three Lakes WMA encompasses over 62000 acres; its northern border is up off RT441, while the southern border is almost down to RT60. Three Lakes WMA gets its name from the three large lakes that exist within its borders. Considerable hunting is done in sections of the WMA, so stay informed and hike wisely. Prairie Lakes is located approximately in the middle of the Three Lakes WMA, with areas on Lake Marian, Lake Jackson and Lake Kissimmee.

The entrance to Prairie Lakes Unit is off Canoe Creek Road. You must stop at the station just down Prairie Road to pay the required entrance fee. As you enter the area you will see open areas of palmettos (palmetto “lakes”). This is what you will experience in many areas in this and the surrounding Three Lakes WMA. The Scenic Florida Trail runs through the whole area, from down in the southwest corner up to RT441. The Prairie Lakes Unit not only has the orange blazed Florida Trail running through it, but as have white and a blue blazed trails you can hike. The whole area is crisscrossed with roads you can drive, bike and hike on. There is a boat launch available for Lake Jackson, if you so wish. There are a number of primitive campsites available for the public; permits to use them are required. On Lake Marian you will find an observation platform to observe the lake and its activity. On Lake Jackson a multi-story observation tower is provided for some very scenic views of the lake. At both observation areas you should be able to see a wide variety of lake area wildlife. I have seen alligators, deer, armadillos, limpkins, hawks, hogs, wading birds and different songbirds throughout the area. I’m told that there are a lot of bald eagles in the WMA, but as of this writing they have eluded me and my camera lens.
I have hiked most of the blazed trails found in Prairie Lakes Unit, they are all very nice. All trails are very well blazed, but at times they seem to disappear. I had to double back a few times.

Here are some of my trail observations -
• Scenic Florida Thru Trail – trail marked with orange blazes. This is not a loop trail; it runs right through Prairie Lakes Unit. Other trails in the PLU actually are made up of part of this trail. I have elected to just follow it from a spot where it enters PLU in the South, up to the North. You will encounter a variety of ecosystems while hiking this trail. At least half of this trail will be in the sun, so be prepared with a hat, sunscreen and water.
• White Trail/Orange Florida Trail Loop South(8+ miles) – this trail starts below the parking area on Prairie Lakes Road. Just walk the road a little ways south and you will see the sight referencing the trail and the Lake Marian Observation Platform. The trail exits on the other side of the road, being a loop; you can start the hike from either side. I recommend entering on the Lake Marian side. The first part of the trail is blazed using white paint. The trail is very pretty in that section, with oaks and Spanish moss. You will come to a branch off which will take you to the Lake Marian Observation Platform. The view from the platform is worth the short hike to it. As you continue the hike you will find bridges crossing the canals in the area. Eventually you will come to the Florida Trail orange blazes and from there you will follow those blazes the rest of the way. Along this section of the trail will encounter some different ecosystems. Eventually you will arrive back at the road where you started. The Dry Pond Primitive campsite is located on this trail.
• White Trail/Orange Florida Trail Loop North (6+ miles) – This trail begins and ends at the central parking area. The trail winds along a canal and then up through the woods, passing near Canoe Creek Road and then looping back down to the parking area. You will encounter at least two different ecosystems; a pretty wooded section will lead you into open palmetto “lakes”. It can get wet in some areas; walkovers are provided to help keep your feet dry. I hiked this loop in Jan 2014. It is comprised of large sections of open palmettos - which are not my favorite hiking ecosystem.
• Lake Jackson Observation Trail (.7 miles) – this is a short hike which will take out to a multi-story observation tower. The trail is blazed white for your reference. One small section passes through the woods if you elect to take it. The observation tower gives you a beautiful view of Lake Jackson. At times it is used by the local buzzard population, so expect some droppings from them. It is worth the short trip to enjoy the view.

The hike I enjoyed most is the White Trail/Orange Florida Trail loop. The woods and canals are very picturesque – if you do one hike in this area, do this one.

Some GPS Coordinates -
- Main Entrance – N27 55.674 W81 7.379
- Fee Pay/Information Area – N27 55.658 W81 7.493
- Trail Access Central Parking Area – N27 54.432 W81 08.004
- White/Orange Trail Loop (Lake Marian Observation Platform) Start/End – N27 54.366 W81 08.060
- Orange Loop Trail Start/End - N 27 54.420 W 081 08.013
- Jackson Lake Observation Tower Loop Start/End – N27 53.420 W81 10.524
- Dry Pond Primitive Campsite – N27 54.419 W81 09.291

Here are some external Links you might be interested in –
• My hikes can be viewed/downloaded at –
White Trail/Orange Florida Trail - South Click Here
White Trail/Orange Florida Trail - North Click Here
Lake Jackson Observation Tower Trail Loop Click Here

Some Pictures (Click On Picture to Enlarge)-

Information Station/Check In Area

Entrance to Lake Marian Loop

Lake Marian Observation Platform

Trail View Through Spanish Moss Covered Oaks

Reflections In Canal Next to Trail

One Of the Bridges Over A Canal

Econlockhatchee River Corridor – Hiking, Kayaking and Boating

The Econlockhatchee River starts down below RT528 on private land. Much like the St. John’s River that it feeds into just below RT 46, The Econlockhatchee also flows south to north. I have been fortunate to be able to hike major parts of it, kayak a small section and powerboat yet another section. Your ability to enjoy each of those activities depends on the height of the river. In order to do any good kayaking or boating, the river must be at a reasonable level. To the contrary, the area must be pretty dry and the river reasonably low to enjoy a day of hiking. The river is a beautiful place to visit. Some sections reside in a State Forest, with the surrounding area pleasantly remaining unoccupied land. Other sections are bordered by major housing developments; but because they have been kept back in most cases, you are awarded the serenity of being alone in the woods. The area provides many scenic places to visit, the vastness of the cypress trees, and their artistic knees alone are worth your time. As I mentioned, plan to hike around the river during dry times and kayak the river during wet times. If you are into GEOCaching, there are a number of caches to be found all along the river, with the highest concentration within the Little Big Econ State Forest.

Hiking
I have hiked the river area in four different sections.
From RT528 to RT50
• This section can be explored by entering the Hal Scott Preserve (Entrance: N28 29.169 W81 05.823). It is a vigorous hike down to the river from the parking area, where you have the option to venture either up or down the river. There are a couple of bridges which can be used to cross the river if it is high. I have been down by the river when it wasn’t too high and you could find a log to use as a makeshift bridge to cross. Many sections are tough to access; unless there has been a recent burn you may find the palmettos can be quite thick. [See individual write up on Hal Scott Preserve for more extensive details of that area.]
• I have only ventured half way up to RT50, but I assume you could walk along the river the remainder of the way.
From RT50 to RT419
• There are a number of places you can enter to get to the river around here. Once into the river corridor you can walk along the river right up to RT419. Some areas are marked “private”, and it is not apparent who is the proprietor of this land area along the river.
• You can enter from right around RT50 and work your way north. I have never done this, but I understand it is possible for kayakers.
• You can enter from the Econlockhatchee Sandhill Conservation Area (Entrance: N28 35.262 W81 09.347). This conservation area borders a fair section of the river; you can get down to the river from a number of spots. The road which runs under the power lines I would suspect is the easiest, but I have gotten to the river using a number of paths. [See individual write up on Econlockhatchee Sandhill Conservation Area for more extensive details of that area.]
• You can enter from the Econ River Wilderness Area (Entrance: N28 36.828 W81 10.444). This is a county park with trails leading right down to the river’s edge. Once at the river you can go North or South to explore. I have entered from this area a few times. See individual write up on Econ River Wilderness Area for more extensive details of this area.
From RT419 to Snow Hill Road
• There are a number of places you can enter the river in this section. Once you have gained access you can hike along the river.
• You can enter directly from RT419 an explore that section.
• You can enter through the Little Big Econ State Forest, there are a number of ways to get into this State Forest – here are two- Barr Street Entrance: N28 41.226 W81 09.569, or Snow Hill Road Entrance: N28 41.011 W81 07.038. This is a very pretty section of the river, many trails can be found on both sides of the river. There is an interesting bridge about halfway between the two roads which you can use to cross if you so wish. Being this is a popular area; you can expect to encounter a number of outdoor enthusiasts as yourselves.

Kayaking/Boating
You can kayak many parts of the river at different times. I have kayaked it around the Little Big Econ Forest, entering under RT419. I have seen that other people have kayaked from around RT50, going north up to RT419 and beyond. You also can put a kayak in at Snow Hill Road and kayak a very nice stretch north to RT46. In all cases you will have to have a plan for the end of the trip, going “up” the river could be impossible. Depending on the time of the year and how high the river is will govern what sections you can kayak. Areas below RT419 can require a lot of getting in and out because of the trees littering that section. The Little Big Econ State Forest Section above RT419 is fairly open, but shallow during the dry season. The section from Snow Hill Road to RT46 is normally pretty high and easy to boat. I have used a small powerboat in the section above Snow Hill Road. I’m sure that at different times of the year, the river would be fun to canoe.

I encourage you to set aside some time to explore at least one section of this river. It is a beautiful place to spend all or part of the day. As I wandered around, I couldn’t help but feel that civilization wanted to claim this river area to produce more homes. If you look closely you can see where man has already started to destroy sections with pollution. There is no way I would consider eating a fish which managed to survive in that river, I guarantee you.

Some GPS Locations –
• Hal Scott Preserve Entrance – N28 29.169 W81 05.823
• Econlockhatchee Sandhill Conservation Area Entrance – N28 35.262 W81 09.347
• Econ River Wilderness Area Entrance – N28 36.828 W81 10.444
• Little Big Econ State Forest (Barr St) Entrance – N28 41.226 W81 09.569
• Little Big Econ State Forest (Snow Hill Rd) Entrance – N28 41.011 W81 07.038

Map of Econlockhatchee River Corridor (click to enlarge)

Here are some external Links you might be interested in –
You can see other pictures of the areas at (click on to use)–
• Hal Scott Preserve
• Econlockhatchee Sandhill Conservation Area
• Econ River Wilderness Area
• Little Big Econ State Forest
• Econlockhatchee River Area

Some of my trips can be viewed here (click on to use) -
• Hal Scott Preserve
• Econlockhatchee Sandhill Conservation Area
• Econ River Wilderness Area
• Little Econ River Hike / from Barr St to Lockwood Rd
• Econ River Kayaking - Snowhill Rd to RT46

Some Pictures (click to enlarge) -

River View -

Bridge Over River In Hal Scott -

River View -

Powerline Entrance From Econlockhatchee Sandhill Conservation Area -

River View -

Seminole Ranch Conservation Area – Hiking

This conservation area resides between the St Johns River and Hatbill Road and is part of the Seminole Ranch WMA, [located on the West side of the St. Johns River]. The Seminole Ranch Conservation Area is as the name implies a “conservation area”, meaning that hunting in the area is not allowed. I have hiked, explored, photographed and GEOCached the area a few times, enjoying every minute. You can enter the area from the St Johns River, but the established entrance is along Hatbill Road. There is a large parking area/entrance provided on Hatbill Road, with additional entrances found from different spots along Hatbill Road. I have hiked in from a few different spots. There is a boat launch down the end of Hatbill Road, as well as one of the few developments found in this section the St Johns River. The SJRWMD has a “group camping area” on the St Johns River for public use. I’m not sure of the procedure to use this campsite, so I suggest you get in touch with the SJWMD if you wish to use it.

The conservation area is huge, so exploring it will take at least few trips. I have encountered water at different times, so take that into consideration when you prepare for your visit. As I mentioned, the conservation area runs from just below RT46, down along Hatbill Road to the end of Hatbill Road. Most of the area is located on the west side of Hatbill Road, but there are some interesting sections on the east side of the road. During my expeditions I have entered the area from three different locations. Each area was quite different from the other. In no case were there any blazed trails, just old dirt roads and game trails to follow.

The following are a set of coordinates denoting the areas where I entered the Seminole Ranch Conservation Area and descriptions of my experiences --
1. Just below RT46, above Lake Ellis (N28 39.337 W80 56.389). Comprised of both open areas and dense woods, this section was pure pleasure to wander around in, very picturesque. A huge bald eagle’s nest was spotted in a tall pine tree near the road. We found an old dump, littered with old bottles and cans. We also found remnants of what I was told was an old hunting lodge (Southmere). There were footings and some old concrete foundation relics. Also, down on Lake Ellis there were pilings from an old dock. In the stillness you may hear bygone echoes of a fisherman’s yarn within the breeze. Some sections were quite swampy, so we had to work around those. As you wander around and investigate this area, you are guaranteed to find more items of historical interest. I found this section intriguing to say the least. There is a private gun club across Hatbill Road, so gunshots you may hear will be from there as hunting is not permitted within the conservation area.
2. Main Parking Area, heading North (N28 37.148 W80 57.943). There is a road leading out of the parking area which will take you down by the St Johns River and then back up by a small lake towards Lake Ellis. I ventured off this road a few times to explore some of the game trails. I also placed a couple of GEOCaches in that area. Depending on which roads you elect to take you can venture up pretty far north or as I did, take one of the roads to the right and loop back to the parking area. I had to cross some water and then hiked back on part of Hatbill Road because there were no other roads/trails going south. When I got back down near the parking area I ventured into the woods along a road and found another very pretty section to explore. You do have to be careful when anywhere along the St Johns River, as SJRWMD has a very liberal hunting policy, meaning that the presence of hunters is always a possibility.
2. Main Parking Area, heading South (N28 37.148 W80 57.943). This area of the conservation area can be accessed by heading out the road from the parking area and taking a small foot bridge to the left into the woods. You will notice a nice trail, with a primitive campsite (Cabbage Palm) to the left. The trail will take you down to the Baxter Point Area – this is a small development on the river. You can explore the woods around Baxter Point or head out to Hatbill Road. Down Hatbill Road you will find a gate to a campsite provided by the SJRWMD. Camping is allowed there, but by permit only. Heading back you should encounter a number of old cattle related historical items – from an old area used for shipping cattle, to small pens used to hold cattle. You also will find along Hatbill Road the remnants of an old structure once used by the Florida Department of Agriculture. Like many strange things encountered during my exploring in Florida, the exact history seems to be lost forever.

I hope I have given you the impression that there is a lot of area to explore in this section of the Seminole Ranch Conservation Area. There are all kinds of roads to venture on, as well as trails in some areas. As I mentioned, none of the trails or roads are marked, so I suggest that a GPS be an essential companion. By visiting this area you will have the opportunity to see a variety of ecosystems. I hiked the area, but a bike certainly would get you around faster. I have visited the area a number of times, there is no way you could see the area in one trip. Being that it is so close to the river, expect to encounter water in many sections during the wet season.

In closing I would like everyone to be aware that there is an old Indian Mound out there called “Baxter Mound”. It seems that William Bartram stayed on the mound twice while visiting the area in the 1700s. The development is located on “Baxter Point Road”, but the actual location of the mound seems to be a mystery. If you know anything about it, please let me know. I have created a web document about my findings, if you wish to read it – click here

Some GPS Locations –
• Main Parking area – N28 37.147 W80 57.946
• Ellis Lake Parking (Along Road) – N28 39.337 W80 56.389
• Bald Eagle’s Nest – N28 39.268 W80 57.054
• Old Clubhouse? – N28 39.359 W80 57.356
• Old Dock – N28 39.309 W80 57.361
• Primitive Campsite – N28 37.153 W80 58.108
• Baxter Mound Area? – N28 36.938 W80 58.221
• Old Fire Tower Remnants – N28 36.906 W80 57.900
• Cattle Processing Pens – N28 36.917 W80 57.852
• Boat Launch – N28 36.343 W80 57.729
• SJRWMD Group Campsite – N28 36.585 W80 57.863

Here are some external Links you might be interested in –
• You can see other pictures of the area at - Seminole Ranch Conservation Area Pictures – you could try the “Launch Slideshow” function to loop through them
• Loop hike from main parking area can be viewed/downloaded at - Loop Hike From Main Parking Area
• Hiking Above Ellis Lake can be viewed/downloaded at - Lake Ellis Area Hike

Some Pictures (click to enlarge) -

Information Station -