In the Withlacoochee State Forest near the River Trail area at Ridge Manor I found this old windmill. It was in an old pasture that runs by the Windmill Loop trail. Now I know where that trail got got it's name...
Old Pioneer Windmill
This windmill could be from the early settlement once in this area called "Oriole" which was nearby the old town of "Croom" Both were pioneer towns in the mid to late 1800's up until the early 1900's before vanishing. These areas now located in the Withlacoochee State Forest contain some remains leftover from those places.
This windmill seems to be sitting in what used to be a pasture, I saw old fence posts surrounding the area along with fallen remains from the windmill scattered about. You could spend a lot of time searching back here and who knows what you could find. It is finding things like this that will inspire you to learn about the history of these places and it adds another layer of adventure to your hikes! Comment if you would like to find out more.
On a recent hike in Half Moon Wildlife Management Area in Sumter County I found some very old graves back in the forest. It was quite the adventure finding them since I was unsure of the exact location. It took a lot of walking on trails and forest roads to finally reach the site. It is called "Alto Cemetery" Alto is one of the many communities that no longer exists in Sumter County. Located north of Rutland and west of Oxford near the Withlacoochee River, all that is left is a cemetery. It is believed that the community was settled around the 1870's.
Alto Cemetery
Along the way I found some interesting areas and saw a beautiful wilderness. Just off a forest road back there is the old site of the "McKinney Flatwoods" homestead. There is a sign nearby that tells about this history and who once lived there. Not much remains of the homestead just some debris laying about. Although it is still fascinating to look around and experience the history, I imagined what life what must have been like for the family. The family lived there from around 1916 to 1945 time frame. The McKinneys raised cattle until the combined effects of screw worms and World War II forced them to sell the land for watermelon and sod production.
McKinneys Homestead Site
The Carltons acquired the land in 1969 for cattle ranching; they used existing fields and converted sections of palmetto scrub to improved pasture. A hunting club also leased the area from the early 1980s until the state purchased the Carlton Half Moon Ranch in 1989 in an effort to help preserve the water quality of Withlacoochee and its tributaries. In May 1992, the then-Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission entered a lease agreement with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and an additional 4,021 acres were added to the management area. I really enjoyed exploring this area I feel there is much left to discover so I look forward to returning. I posted a couple links below to help you find out more on this area. Be sure to check out my videos below as well from the some of the places I saw there. If you have any questions or would like to leave more information feel free to leave a comment. Resources Half Moon WMA Half Moon-Gum Slough SWFMD My Hike/Route
One of my more memorable hikes was in the Ocala National Forest near Lake Delancy just north of the campground area is a short but neat historical trail known as Davenport Landing Historical Trail. It is several miles back off of Forest Road 74 from the main road S.R. 19. From the parking area you can access the trail and it leads to a former 19th century steamboat port, where riverboats headed up to Silver Springs would stop for fuel and supplies. Along the way, you'll learn about middens along the Ocklawaha River and encounter a Civil War-era gravesite if you look hard enough.
Ancient Indian Mound
The landing area contains an ancient mound site that is said to be dated from 500 to 1200 years old. Though humans have been present along the Ocklawaha River going back 12,000 years. The mound has a fence around it and it is meant for observation only. You'll notice the informative kiosks where you can read about some of the history. The mound was first excavated by Clarence B. Moore in 1894. He was an American archaeologist and writer. He is more commonly known as C.B. Moore. He studied and excavated Native American sites in the southeastern United States.
Informative Kiosk
Thomas Cassidy Fillyaw lived from 1830 - 1873 and is buried on the banks of the Ocklawaha River he was the Landing Master. He was a confederate soldier who survived the war and you'll find a lot of history on him and the landing at the kiosk.
This is one of my favorite areas to see because of the scenic wilderness and the rich history. Nearby is The Florida Trail and Lake Delancy. I also saw lots of wildlife while hiking in the area including a couple Florida Black Bears. Lots to see and learn about when you visit here! I posted some links and videos below if you have any questions or input on this place feel free to leave a comment.
Deep within Goethe State Forest in Levy County there is an ancient giant cypress tree. It is known as the Goethe Giant and it is 9 ft in diameter, 105 feet tall, and 342 inches in circumference. This amazing tree is located off of the Big Cypress Boardwalk Trail.
Trailhead Area
Boardwalk Trail
To find the trail, follow SR 121 east from US 19 or west from CR 336 and look for Cow Creek Road, a dirt road leading north from the pavement at the forest’s western edge. It’s in great shape for passenger vehicles. At the first fork, stay right. Drive 3.2 miles north on the dirt road to the parking area on the left. You'll see a trailhead with a sign that says Big Cypress Trail, a kiosk and picnic table. The trail is really shaded and is very lush and green. The trail is short only about a quarter mile or so and you will eventually come upon a boardwalk that was made from the trees harvested in this forest. Follow this boardwalk to the end and you will encounter this giant cypress.
The tree is massive and there are similar large trees nearby in this forest but this one is the highlight. I took some time here to reflect upon the history and imagined the countless others that passed by and touched it over the centuries. I hope it will be here for many years to come for others to see and experience. Stand at the base of it and look straight up you will be amazed!
Goethe State Forest was named for J.T. Goethe from whom most of the land was purchased under Florida’s Conservation and Recreation Lands (CARL) Program in 1992. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, much of the original old-growth pine and cypress was harvested. Railroads were built by lumber companies to haul out the timber and evidence of raised railroad beds can still be seen in Goethe’s flatwoods. The remaining residual timber was allowed to grow and some interplantings were conducted during the years under J.T. Goethe’s ownership. Although most of the old growth timber was harvested, small areas of longleaf pine still remain in the forest with some trees reaching over 200 years of age. The giant cypress tree here was left alone by the logging companies because it had defects and was not suitable for harvesting. Well that is good news because today we can still enjoy this rare beauty. Many trees this old around the state have either been destroyed or have been harvested. I posted the coordinates, a link to my hike that I tracked and videos below as well. Enjoy!
Hello folks, Florida Trailblazer here checking in! I took some time off of the trails to sit down with my friend Venerina Conti for an interview on here morning radio show. It was a blast talking about the trails and beautiful Florida Wilderness. I hope everyone enjoys it and that it inspires others to get outside and explore nature! Click here to listen to the interview
While hiking recently we had a few magnificent wildlife sightings and wanted to write about them here. In Ocala National Forest if you are lucky you can sometimes spot a Florida Black Bear and in this case we were blessed with such a sighting of not just one, but two! Read on...
Long Leaf Pine Tree Forest
It was near Lake Delancy in The Ocala National Forest heading southward on the Florida Trail towards Grassy Pond. It was in here in the middle of this section where we spotted a larger bear and it's cub by it's side. This area of the forest is mostly upland pine forests with rolling hills and mixed with scrub habitats throughout, perfect for bears and they are known to be here.
Florida Scrub Habitat
It was just past the scrub habitat where we saw these two bears. As we entered this part of the forest I knew if we were going to see bears this would be the perfect place.
The trail began to narrow with thick hammock and shrub plants on either side. Perfect for animals to hide in and as we came around a bend it was just up ahead about 75 to 100 feet or so where we saw a little bear walking against the brush on the trail it must have came out of. Then a moment later a larger adult bear come out next to it, this most likely was the mama bear. The smaller bear huddled up against the larger bear and both starred at us from a distance.
The feelings of fear and excitement rushed over me have you ever felt so vulnerable in nature? I did in this case and felt a fear like none other as I knew at any moment the larger bear could rush us to protect it's cub. With the narrow trail backwards was the only escape. Though perhaps it sensed that we weren't a threat as we both kept our distance and peace.
Florida Black Bears on Trail
Just as we spotted both bears together we hurried to get our zoom lens ready for snap shot. It was just then that a coyote jumped out in front of us! It darted across the trail about 10 feet ahead into the surrounding woods. It happened so fast I just caught a glimpse. It was large with gray and white coloring. Was it following the bears? We weren't sure, but just after this we managed to get a picture of the bears right before they slipped off into the forest.
Florida Black Bears on Trail
I reflected back on the sightings and can't help but feel truly blessed by nature for this sighting even though it was scary, I feel it was a great and valuable experience.
The Florida black bear is the largest native land mammal in Florida. It is believed that at one time there were as many as 12,000 black bears living throughout Florida. Today only about
1,500 black bears remain.
Kiosk at Trailhead of Rice Creek Entrance (SR 100)
Rice Creek is named after the fields of rice and indigo harvested here in the 1780s, by British loyalists Thomas Forbes and William Panton. They fled from the American Revolution in Georgia to Florida, then a British colony. Applying for a land grant, they received land west of modern-day Palatka. Using servants to ditch dikes and build drainage canals, they established fields of rice and indigo here.
Wooden Trail Bridges
This forest extends south from State Road (SR) 100 to just south of SR 20 in Putnam County, approximately six miles west of Palatka, Florida. On this hike we began at the Trailhead off of (SR) 100, you turn into a side dirt road to access this trailhead. You'll notice a sign there as you enter. From the parking area as we began I noticed how beautiful the early morning skies were against the backdrop of the treeline. You'll notice a lot of pines here and it taints the air with a nice pine scent. They still have some areas here where they harvest the trees. The temperature was a nice 65 degrees or so and sunny skies, perfect for hiking! Winter time is known as our main hiking season here in Florida because the weather is so nice. In the beginning you'll notice a trail kiosk, here you can find out more about the history of the place and view a map of some of the trails as there are many here.
Florida Trail Kiosk
From the kiosk we hiked down the forest road to the split where the white trail is. You'll see a trailer here sitting on the trail to your right. That is the path we took and this leads you down along the white trail and eventually you will come to an intersection for the Florida Trail. You'll see a mailbox and kiosk where you can sign into the Florida Trail log book. Here you can hike north or south and this hike we traveled southward.
Rows of Long Leaf Pine Trees
You leave the pine forest area and enter a dense cypress swamp hammock. The trail is narrow and crosses by and over many creeks and ditches. Many areas have boardwalks and wooden trail bridges to help keep your feet dry. Along these areas take a look in the distance and notice the beautiful cypress trees, listen closely you may hear woodpeckers, hawks and owls in the distance. I remember the sun rays shining brilliantly through the trees, a slight cool breeze and the sounds of nature around me, quite peaceful.
Old Cypress Tree 8th Largest in Florida
On this section of trail we hiked about 2.5 miles or so until we came upon the boardwalk that leads you the 8th largest cypress tree in Florida. It may be ranked 7th currently but either way this massive tree is a sight to see! You will walk the boardwalk to the end where there is an observation deck with a couple benches. It is here where you'll see ahead of you the huge cypress tree off in the swamp a short distance. This tree measurements are 107 feet tall, 24 feet 9 inches in circumference, and a crown spread of 48 feet by 42 feet. You can't miss it, it is the one with the thickest trunk in the surrounding trees. This was just one of the highlights of this hike and this tree is amazing to glance at it. I pondered at it, wondering how old it was and how it survived here in this forest for so long. After all this area has been plundered and harvested for hundreds of years. Glad to know that actions have been taken to preserve this tree as their aren't many left here in Florida. If you go here please take care not to damage the tree.
Hoffman Crossing
From here we continued on the boardwalk into the swamp and eventually came upon "Hoffman Crossing". This is one of the longest boardwalks I've been on and it goes for a half mile or so and is very narrow but sturdy just be cautious. It is a beautiful part of the hike as you traverse above the swamp floor and experience a dense cypress swamp around you.
Raccoon in a Tree
It is hear where we saw some wildlife. I saw a big deer in the brush, but quickly ran off upon hearing us walk on the boardwalk. Make sure to look up in the trees, it was high above us on a nearby tree we saw a pretty raccoon just hanging out, literally. After snapping some pictures we continued on the boardwalk towards the end of it. At the end we saw some wild turkeys crossing the trail just ahead.
Rice Creek Hilton Camping Shelter
This trail takes you further on the Florida Trail but also branches off to a white blazed trail, we took this white trail as it loops back to the main trailhead. Along this white trail you'll notice a small blue spur trail with a camping sign hanging on a tree. We took this back to discover the Rice Creek Hilton camping shelter just a short ways back in the forest.The “Rice Creek Hilton” is a screened shelter popular with backpackers, with a non-potable pitcher pump adjoining it, with a fire ring and picnic tables. Such a nice shelter for to take a break at or set up camp!
From the shelter along the white trail it was a wider path and was lined with rows of long leaf pine trees, made for a pleasant hike back as the sun was setting and the air was cooling down. Eventually made it back to the trailhead and kept thinking of how much more there is to explore here! So many trails and forests to immerse yourself in. This place will have you coming back for more, this is just one hike I plan on many more visits here. I hope you get a chance to explore this place! I posted some videos below.
