T.M. Goodwin WMA - Broadmoor Marshes

Overview
The T.M. Goodwin Unit is a 3,870-acre wetland restoration project in the upper St. Johns River basin. It is a public waterfowl hunting area. Development was funded by a number of hunting organizations, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on land owned by the SJRWMD. The whole project falls under the Three Forks Marsh Conservation project. Like all the areas in the Three Forks Project, it is mainly just an assortment of levees surrounding marshes. I have visited the area a number of times, both as a hiker and a birder driving around the levees. You can hike and bike around the levee roads whenever the main gate is open. As far as driving around, there was a limited schedule as of 2014. It might have changed since I wrote this, so you might want to check before going out there. The driving schedule as of 2014 is limited access on Mondays, access to the Broadmoor Marshes on Thursday (9am to 4pm). During hunting season you will encounter mainly duck hunters, trying to get that elusive duck that might come to their calling. I recommend that you check and take heed of the hunting schedule. Hunting must stop at 1:00 pm.

Directions
The main way to get to the entrance to this WMA is off Babcock St in Fellsmere. From the north, take I-95 to Malabar, Exit #173 (Old Exit #70). Turn left (east) on Malabar Road to Babcock Street (SR 507). Turn right (south) for about 11.5 miles until you intersect the C-54 Canal. Turn right (west) on south side of canal (Fellsmere Grade – dirt road) for about 6.5 miles and follow signs to the T.M. Goodwin WMA. Vehicle access to the levees is allowed on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, weather permitting (if roads are wet, no vehicles are allowed). On Mondays there is limited access, you can only go up to an old pumping station and the tower area. When there is a traffic cone in the roadway, don’t continue pass that (it is a little deceiving because they leave the cones out at other times, but not the middle one). On Thursdays they allow you int what is called the “Broadmoor” area. This section is where you will have access to the ponds with most of the birding activity. You can drive around the ponds. The only thing you have to be careful of is fellow birders etc who may take up the with of the narrow roads. When we visited the area there was an office trailer located at the entrance. The people there provided us with some updated information about the area. If you visit during business hours, stop in and say “hi”. There is a large information kiosk located at the entrance. If you are lucky, there may be some brochures provided there also.

Area Information
This area is comprised of levees and roads, totally out in the open. When looking down one of the long levee roads, you can get a feeling that it never ends. The marsh areas created by the levees hold a variety of wildlife. Depending on the time of the day you visit the area will depend on what you see. Wildlife, as in most cases, are more active early and later in the day. There can be some beautiful wildflowers to be found if your there on the right day. Some of the water lilies are spectacular! There is an observation tower provided a few miles in. This tower provides you with a 360o view of the area. Management has provided a covered picnic table area near the tower, so you might want to bring your lunch out with you. There is a small pond next to the observation tower which states that it is a boat launch. I really don’t know much about that. We did see a variety of wildlife in the marshes next to the levees, from wading birds, to songbirds to some very large alligators. This was in November, I’m sure during some warmer times you would see even more alligators. As with all of the Three Forks Marsh area, you can just get so far before it is a wise idea to turnaround in your walking. If you elect to bike it, than there are miles and miles of levees you can visit. Once the SJRWMD completes construction out there (told in 2014, maybe), you will be able to travel from the Thomas O Lawton Recreation Area off of Malabar Road all the way down here. This would be a great thing if and when SJRWMD opens the area, you should contact them to see if they are moving forward on opening the area.

Summary
• The area is mainly just a collage of crisscrossing levees – many have roads on them
• There is no natural shade, except clouds
• There is a nice observation tower located a few miles out from the entrance
• Small pavilion with picnic tables can be found near the observation tower
• The type of wildlife you will see is the classical marsh type, wading birds, alligators etc
• Waterfowl hunting is allowed in the area, but must stop at 1:00 pm
• Water lilies and other flowers may be found in the marsh areas
• Levee walking can get boring, so I recommend actually considering biking it
• You are allowed to drive the levees on Mondays and Thursdays (limited access even on Mondays) , check with management
• Bring plenty of water and sunscreen

Here are some of the GPS reference coordinates -
• Babcock Street Turn Off - N27 49.365 W80 36.427
• Entrance to T.M Goodwin Area - N27 49.631 W80 42.524
• Observation Tower - N27 50.716 W80 43.527
• Boat launch near tower - N27 50.728 W80 43.458
• Boat launch near pump station - N27 51.966 W80 44.463 • Road closed to vehicles here on Mondays - N27 51.977 W80 44.494
• Entrance to Broadmoor Marsh Area to vehicles (only on Thursday) - N27 52.163 W80 44.778

My trail map can be viewed/downloaded at Wikiloc –
Click Here

Photos (Click to Enlarge) - To See All Area Photos Click Here

Information Station -

Levee Road View -

Observation Tower -

View From Observation Tower - Picnic Area -

Boat Launch -

Canal and Clouds View -

Entrance to Broadmoor Marshes (cones means it is closed this day) -

Levee Road View -

January 2014 - Broadmoor Marshes Rules -

Isle of Pine Preserve

This is another of the “Green Place” preserves created by Orange County. The preserve is reported to consist of 464 acres and was formally known as “Hampton Bay”. It was originally part of a Florida Homestead before developers purchased it. In turn Orange County purchased it from the developers and created Isle of Pine Preserve. It is bordered on the West by Lake Mary Jane as well as a canal, and on the other three sides by private property. All surrounding property is private and very well protected, so don’t cross any fences. I know that Desert Ranch owns much of the adjourning property and they do not take kindly to trespassers. Orange County’s Moss Park is just across Lake Mary Jane. Because much of the preserve is wetlands, there are two access points, one at the end of Lake Mary Jane Road and the other at the end of Lace Bark Pine Drive. Parking is provided at both locations – more details about that later.

Natural Communities/Eco-Systems - Technical
I found this information about the area while doing my research - Isle of Pine Preserve is composed of nine different natural communities, consisting mainly of basin marsh and mesic flatwoods, in addition to scrubby flatwoods and basin swamp. Main canopy species on the property include slash pine, longleaf pine, cypress, and black gum. Understory species include saw palmetto, gallberry, fetterbush, and shiny blueberry. Other species commonly found on the property include several species of St. John’s wort, redroot, and wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), as well as several listed plant species. Poorly drained soils are found on the west and south portions of the property. Cypress domes, basin marshes, and basin swamps are located throughout the preserve. On the western portion of the property a large basin swamp is directly adjacent to Lake Mary Jane.

Natural Communities/Eco-Systems - My Observations
I spent a couple of days exploring the preserve and found much of the variety of natural communities mentioned above. The major problem is that there are wetlands in the preserve, mainly over near Lake Mary Jane. You can just get so far before you hit major mucky areas. The local hog population likes the muck, but it always forced me to turn around. Depending on the access point you use, you will encounter two different worlds. One area is mainly the wetlands, while the other is mainly dry scrub lands. Because the preserve is not that large, you can wander from one eco-system to another. Once you hit the wetlands, you are pretty well done going any further in that direction. I never did find a way to get from the Eastside to the Westside without exiting the preserve and driving to the other access point. There are a few pretty ponds on the East Side of the wetland area. I enjoyed my lunch at a larger one. I did see some deer, turkeys and songbirds during my visits. There was a lot of hog activity in the area, hog trails and rooting, but I never came across an actual hog. They were there, but like most wildlife, they avoid people most of the time. Because of the wetlands, you might expect to hit mosquitoes at different times of the year, so be prepared.

I did find a few areas and items that I felt were part of the old homestead which I am sure existed here once upon a time. That section consisted of cleared areas in the oaks, as well as some cinderblocks and wooden relics. As it seems with all Florida historical items, many things have gotten bulldozed under or burned out. I always feel someday this will be regretted by the powers to be when they want to know more about the county’s history. I did spot a few pine trees in a couple of areas which were used a long time ago to harvest sap with which to make turpentine. Just look for pine trees with major cuts in their sides. Usually if you look closer you will find a piece of metal in the cut used for the pots etc. If you do decide to try and venture West you will just hit wetlands. The tall pines along the trail are quite impressive.

Trails Overview
Orange County has marked two trail systems in the preserve, a green trail and a blue trail. In order to use either elected trail, you must park at the access point for that trail. I found it almost impossible to get from one trailhead to the other without exiting the preserve and driving to the access point for the other trail. The green trail is accessed from the parking area at the end of Lake Mary Jane Road The blue trail is accessed from the parking area at the end of Lace Bark Pine Drive. Both trails are blazed using metal tags with directional arrows on posts. Both trails are mainly old homestead roads, so don’t expect to find nice trails wandering through the woods. There are no dogs, no bikes, and no motorized vehicles allowed on these trails. Horseback riding is allowed on the blue trail. There is no hunting allowed in the area, but as always, be alert to what is going on around you. The county would like you to stay on the trails, but at times the urge to do some wandering might set in. There are some old roads and game trails off the marked trails which I did give a look at times.

Green Trail
The green trailhead is at the end of Lake Mary Jane Road. There is some question about parking at that spot, so that could be a problem. I have been told that this is a walkin entrance only. There are houses on both sides of the entrance area. The complete trail is only about 1 mile in length, out and back. There is an off trail which takes you to the edge of Lake Mary Jane, where you will get some views of the lake. That section of the lake is not developed, so you will see some of the old lake. The trail winds up a small incline to where it just ends and you have to turn around. If you even tried going further than what seems the end of the trail you will encounter wetlands – depending on the time of the year you visit will dictate how much water you would encounter. When I visited the preserve in Jan 2012 there wasn’t any signs marking the end of the trail, you will just have to realize it. The last sign pointed me into the woods, which certainly was wrong. You have to turn around and head out. About .6 miles up the green trail there is a little spur off of it, you have to look for the blazed posts. This is a small loop which will take you over near Lake Mary Jane. There was a tree down across the trail when I did the loop, but looking around I did find the trail. If you are lucky you might spot some wading birds and water lilies in bloom while at the lake. So bottom line, though the green trail is short, it is a nice trail to walk.

Blue Trail
The blue trailhead is at the end of Lace Bark Pine Drive. There is a nice parking area provided by the county. Here you will find an information station, providing you with information about the area. This is also the entrance for the equestrian people. The complete trail is a loop only about 1.83 miles in length. The trail is actually just an old farm road. Some parts are packed down providing comfortable walking, while other parts are comprised of “sugar” sand, which can be cumbersome to walk in. The trail is almost completely in the sun, so take that into consideration. You can find some shady spots off the trail, which will provide some relief. The county has provided a picnic table on one spot of the trail and a metal bench on another part of the trail. I used these for two of my many breaks on the sunny day I visited the preserve. Between the sun from above and the sun bouncing off the white sand, I was a little warm. I suggest sunscreen and plenty of liquids on this short hike on a sunny day. The road is bordered on the outter side by oaks, scrub pines and wetlands. On the inner side there is a large area of palmettos. I did venture off the main loop road onto another old farm road to get a feel of the rest of the preserve. You can only go so far East or South as you will run into barbwire which marks the border of the preserve.

Summary
• Isle of Pines Preserve is conservation area, no hunting is allowed
• The preserve isn’t that big, but it does contain a wide variety of eco-systems
• No dogs or bikes are allowed, but horses are welcome
• The trails are well blazed, so if you stay on the trails you will not get lost
• The preserve is bordered by either water or fences
• I do recommend a GPS to allow you to always know where you are
• The two trails have two different personalities – one is treed in, in a damp area while the other is a scrub pine environment
• Both trails are pretty short, you don’t get a real feel of the environment
• Access to the two trailheads can not be made from one spot, you must enter at the two different locations
• There is a major residential area nearby, so you might encounter some of the locals

Here are some of the GPS reference coordinates -
• Parking/Trailhead of Green Trail into Preserve - N28 21.722 W81 10.345
• End of Green Trail – N28 21.323 W81 10.294
• Lake Spur Off Green Trail – N28 21.377 W81 10.337/N28 21.488 W81 10.381
• Major Pond In Woods off Green Trail – N28 21.497 W81 10.267
• Parking/Trailhead of Blue Trail into Preserve - N28 21.713 W81 09.800
• Picnic Table on Blue Trail - N28 21.660 W81 10.006
• Bench on Blue Trail - N28 21.251 W81 09.759
• Turpentine Trees Off Old Farm Road – N28 20.950 W81 09.655


My trail maps can be viewed/downloaded at Wikiloc –
• Isle of Pine Preserve Blue Trail Click Here
• Isle of Pine Preserve Green Trail Click Here

Blue Trail Parking Area (End of Lace Bark Pine Drive) -

Blue Trail Views -

Bench on Blue Trail -

Green Trail Entrance (End of Lake Mary Jane Road) -

Pond Off Green Trail -

Lake Mary Jane View -

Green Trail -

Little Big Econ Wildlife Management Area (WMA) – Kilbee Tract – Brumley Road

General Information
This writeup is about the section of the Little Big Econ area known as the Wildlife Management Area (WMA), with access points off RT46 (Kilbee Tract) and Brumley Road. Do not confuse it with the Little Big Econ State Forest, which is mostly west of Snow Hill Road. They are both known as the "Little Big Econ", but they are like night and day as far as access goes. They are both under the overall control of the Division of Forestry, but the hunting is controlled by the Florida Wildlife Commission in the WMA section. It also seems [by the amount of cattle which roam the WMA] that the people who lease public land also have a lot of control over this area. This vast piece of property is bordered on the South by the Charles H Bronson State Forest and Brumley Road, on the East by the St Johns River, on the North by RT 46 and on the west by Snow Hill Road, as well as private property. The Econlockhatchee River runs through the property. There are a number of ways to access the property. I have entered the property from many points on the Econlockhatchee River and I also have crossed a bridge over a canal which links the Charles H Bronson State Forest (CHBSF) to this property. One of the main functions of this bridge is to allow Equestrian Users into the property so they can use the trails marked for them. I am told there is a public access point on Snow Hill Road which I am not aware of.

There are two entry points where the Division of Forestry has installed iron gates, thus restricting access unless you want to climb over the gate. [Figuratively, it seems that this should be O.K. to do so] The access point on RT 46 is labeled “Kilbee Tract” and there is a nice parking area provided there, complete with a picnic table. The gate there allows you access to all of the property north of the Econlockhatchee River. The other access point is at the end of Brumley Road. This is the only walk-in access point to the property south of the Econlockhatchee River, except the river itself or entering after a very long trek through CHBSF.

Area Information
This is a huge, beautiful piece of property. It is comprised of approximately 10,279 acres, located in eastern Seminole County and named after the little and larger Econlockhatchee Rivers. You can find out more about the history of the area by searching the web. You can tell if you look around enough that it once was an old Florida homestead. There are still some remnants of the previous owners, but time, natural erosion, and just plain destruction are burying what history is left. The old fence posts and barbwire are still around in many cases. You might see an old pen which they used to capture hogs I assume. There are all kinds of ecosystems represented on the property, as well as a wide variety of wildlife. The major ecosystems represented include mesic, scrubby and wet flatwoods, scrub, sandhill, marsh, and a variety of hydric forest types. I would imagine that you will see just about every local species of wildlife available in this area if you looked hard enough. The FWC has numbered the main roads, so if you just stay on those you will see plenty. There are a number of old homestead roads which crisscross the property, as well cattle trails to explore if you so wish. The area south of the Econ River is mainly pristine forest, it is wonderful. The section to the north of the Econ River is much more open in many sections; this was where most of the homesteading took place. There is no way to cross the river except by boat or I guess you could swim it, but after seeing some of the huge gators in that river, I wouldn’t recommend it! The Econ River itself is a beautiful thing in its own right. When you get down by the river you will run into cypress swamps and also magnificent oaks, draped in Spanish moss. Depending on when you head out to visit the area, you can expect to find the sights, sounds, scenery and overall environment different each time. In the dry season you can access just about everywhere, most feeder creeks and tributaries are dry and passable. During the wet season, it is entirely different world. The creeks and tributaries are flowing quite briskly and many sections turn into lakes. The mud can be so bad you will just sink and get stuck. I have visited the property during both the dry and wet seasons, I wouldn’t miss either one – both show you wonderful things!

No matter what it takes, I highly recommend that you take a little time and enjoy this beautiful spot. If you are not a hunter, make sure you stay away from the property during their time there, you both will be safer. The FWC publishes a nice brochure which addresses the hunting activity there, as well as my hunters’ calendar – see below. You should always wear bright colors in any outdoor area if possible. It doesn’t help with wildlife viewing, but it is safer! Also, because the area is so vast, I highly recommend that you carry a handheld GPS unit with you – your smartphone with a GPS will do, as there is cellphone coverage all over the property – our world! If you should spot some trash around, consider picking it up and taking it out. The hikers creed…. “take nothing but photos and leave nothing but footprints”

Notes
I had reported earlier that there were some restrictions about access to this property. I have been informed that as of March 2012 that the Department of Forestry has become more "general public" friendly - that is very good news. They have opened at least the Brumley Road parking area for the general publics use. If you encounter any access problems, I encourage you to visit or call the Florida Forest Service, Little Big Econ State Forest, 1350 Snow Hill Road, Geneva, FL 32732, Telephone: 407/ 971-3500.

Here are some of the GPS reference coordinates -
• Rt 46 – Kilbee Tract Entrance - N28 42.915 W81 02.935
• Brumley Road Entrance - N28 39.899 W81 04.128
• Bridge From Charles H Bronson State Forest - N28 40.292 W81 03.376
• RT 46 C.S. Lee Boat Launch on St John River - N28 42.870 W81 02.148
• Snow Hill Road Entrance - **Not Sure At This Time**

In summary –
• This is a Wildlife Management Area - hunting is allowed
• All the land is leased for cattle usage, so don’t be surprised to see plenty of them
• Prescribed burns, as well as natural forest fires, can occur at anytime, so be careful of that
• Be careful of major cow “pies” around the area
• Really, two parcels of land – split by the Econlockhatchee River – no bridge at this time
• Old Florida Homestead Land – should see some remnants of it
• All kinds of wildlife can be spotted
• Equestrian Trails Have Been Marked
• Access is questionable from certain locations – check with Division of Forestry

My trail maps can be viewed/downloaded at Wikiloc –
• Little Big Econ WMA - Kilbee Tract - Wandering Click Here
• Little Big Econ WMA South Of River Venturing Around Click Here
• Little Big Econ WMA into Charles Bronson WMA to St Johns River Click Here

Some External Links You Might Be Interested In –
• My Google Hunting Calendar Click Here
• FWC Hunting Brochure (PDF) Click Here
• Division of Forestry Webpage Click Here

RT 46/Kilbee Tract Entrance Sign

Marked Road in Kilbee Tract

Old Fence Posts Down by River

Old Pen Found in Kilbee Tract

Old, Muddy Road in Kilbee Tract

Entrance Area at End of Brumley Road

Old Road in Brumley Road Section

Econ River View

Econ River View

Long Branch Preserve

You must travel to and enjoy this gem of a spot. It is a little known area that is waiting to be discovered by those who will appreciate its character. This area was purchased in order to preserve the native landscape and flora of this special spanse of Florida. It also was purchased to preserve a corridor along the Econlockhatchee River where wildlife could travel safely from north to south. It is part of the Orange County “Green Place” program. The land is managed by the St Johns River Water Management District. It is not that large of an area, so no need to fret about getting lost. 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 domes, palmetto “ponds”, forested wetlands and pastures. The name of the preserve is taken from the Long Branch, which is a tributary of the Econlockhatchee River and passes through the property. Long Branch also flows through the Pine Lily Preserve. Depending on the season, Long Branch could be completely dried up or found flowing nicely. 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 Long Branch Preserve, it appears that the original structures have been destroyed for some reason. I did find some remnants of the homestead which once made up the area, wooden items and barbwire mainly. Looking at old satellite views, I did see some of the old structures. The preserve is bordered on the South by Hal Scott Preserve, on the East by CR13, on the West by the Econlockhatchee River and on the North by private property. The times I visited the area, I saw several deer and even some turkeys. There always seemed to be a songbird, as well as Pileated Woodpecker flying around. In the wet areas, especially down near the river, you will find a variety of wildflowers and butterflies.

Red Trail
Beginning at the gate to the preserve [located on CR13], the county has created a well blazed trail that heads west. The county has elected to use red triangle tags on posts to blaze the trail. Conveniently they are located on wooden posts placed along the trail, making them pretty easy to follow. The trail is actually an old farm road in most cases, allowing you to walk abreast with a friend as there is no real narrow trail to follow. When I visited the preserve, a portion of the trail had been chewed up in order to create a fire break. Those sections of the trail were a little hard on the calve muscles. The first section of the trail takes you through some small oaks and other hardwoods and an area of scrub pines and palmettos. You will emerge onto old Parton Farms Road for a short distance. The trail then heads into a section of very large and beautiful oak trees. Upon exiting the large oaks, you will work your way up to a large set of powerlines which cut through the property. After the powerlines, you will enter the loop of the trail. I enjoyed this area the most; it is a very pretty section of the trail. The trail/road passes through a number of eco-systems, as well as passing some of what was the old homestead which once resided here. There is a woodpecker study area right near the trail. The State monitors large woodpeckers by setting aside areas in which they provide nesting holes in pine trees. You can always spot them because the study pine trees have a large white paint band around them. Around the loop you will come to three ponds next to the trail, I’m assuming these were all made by the farmers who worked this area. You will notice game trails around the ponds; these are watering holes for the local wildlife. I will also assume that there might be a gator or two around them at different times, so be careful. The trail comes close to the Econlockhatchee River, but you cannot see any part of it from the trail. If you wanted to go down near the river you will have to leave the trail, following one of the old farm roads that wind down to the river. Two things you will notice from the trail which will make you aware that this was a community once upon a time; one is the wooden electric poles, still strung with electric wires which provided power to the homestead. The other is barbwire, still around the area. Always be careful of rusty barbwire, if scratched by it you could get Tetanus (lock jaw) (I get a Tetanus shot to protect me from that every 10 years). The trail, then loops back to the powerlines through what was an old pasture. You then head back to the main gate, using the same trail you came in on. The total distance is about 4 miles.

Exploring/Looking Around
The Long Branch Preserve does have a lot of private property around it, so always be aware of your location and show courtesy to what belongs to others.. Once you get out by the major powerlines, you can head south into the Hal Scott Preserve. If you follow the road south which runs under the powerlines, you will come to the Hal Scott red trail. Because the three preserves (Hal Scott, Pine Lily and Long Branch) are connected at different points, you could hike a portion of all three in a single day. Another area you can venture into is the cypress swamp which runs along the Econlockhatchee River. Depending how wet it is, you can get right up to the river. When down by the river, always be aware of deep muck, as it can grab and hold you. I’m also told that there are some gators in that river, so just keep your eyes open. I love cypress swamps, so of course I spent a fair amount of time wandering around that section of the preserve. There are a few oak hammocks around the preserve, which contain some magnificent oak trees. Being that it was an old homestead, you might find something from the old homestead. Do not disturb or take any historical items from the preserve, it is against the law. If you’re into GEOCaching, there are a few of those to find. All in all, you can visit just about all the major sections of the preserve in a single day, as the total area is quite manageable.
Note:
During a visit to the cypress swamp near the Econlockhatchee River in April 2012 I came across a few more very interesting historical items. I found an old animal pen which was so old that the trees where growing over the wire. I also found footings and wooden structures which looked like part of a major walkway which lead from dry land down over the swampy area to the river. It seems the original landowners built this walkway to gain access to the river. There may even have been a dock on the river or a footbridge over the river once upon a time. If anyone knows about any of these items or more about the history of the area, please tell me about it!

Here are some of the GPS reference coordinates -
• Pine Lily Preserve Parking Area - N28 31.718 W81 05.784
• Trailhead of Red Trail into Preserve - N28 31.931 W81 05.895
• Start of Red Trail Inner Loop - N28 31.715 W81 06.969
• Powerline Road Down to Hal Scott Preserve - N28 31.716 W81 06.961
• Old Walkway Down To River - Starts At - N28 31.631 W81 07.602
• Old Animal Pen - N28 31.521 W81 07.607

In summary –
• This is a conservation area/nature preserve – no hunting is allowed
• Contains 4 miles of blazed roads/trails
• Connects to Hal Scott Preserve, so you can venture into that large area
• Next to the Econlockhatchee River, so you can get some nice views of the river and cypress swamp

My trail maps can be viewed/downloaded at Wikiloc –
• Long Branch Preserve Red Trail Click Here

Photos (Click to Enlarge)
Long Branch Preserve Entrance Area Sign

Main Trail View

One of the Many Deer I Have Seen

Trail Cuts Through Some Magnificent Oaks

Clouds Over Trail (A little Choppy This Day)

One of the Three Ponds Along the Trail

Cypress Tree Along The Econlockhatchee River

Beginning of Inner Loop of Red Trail

Remnants Of Old Walkway To River (My Guess)

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 -