Florida Trail Through the Oak Hammock
Florida Trail - Green Swamp West – Mc Neil Trail Head
It was one of those rare cold Florida mornings where the temperature had dipped into the 40’s so I was dragging my feet getting outdoors to hike. My intention was to hike the Florida Trail in the Green Swamp. It is early November and hunting season is in full force in the State Forests and WMA. Fortunately the section I had planned to hike is in the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve and should be fairly safe for recreation.
Shortly after noon I arrived at the McNeil Trailhead (28 deg 18.876, W082 deg 03.369) that lies just north of the Withlacoochee River on the West side of CR 471. To my surprise there were several vehicles in the parking lot from early morning hikers and a group that is overnight camping.
I start out on the trail that takes you through a mixed hardwood forest where I spot Cutleaf Spleenwort growing out of an oak Tree. These are giant epiphytic ferns that are common only in Central Florida and a treat for me to encounter. The rains from the recent cold front had rejuvenated the reserrection ferns that blanketed the oak branches. It has been my experience that only the older established Oak Trees can sustain a lush garden of these hearty ferns. The trail continues out into a pine forest that is still mixed with hardwoods. Soon the elevation changes and I am up in a young Oak hammock. The under story is lit up with the bright green saw palmettos and silvery Spanish mosses dangling from the trees. The long corridor resembles a cozy tunnel as I trek through the Oaks. As this first hammock comes to an end, the trail opens up to a pond surrounded by sand hill habitat that is common in the Green Swamp. As I stand along a high bluff, I notice several young gators sunning themselves along the banks. I must be close to Gator Hole I say to myself as I reference my map.
Gator Hole
The trail lead me back into an Oak Hammock with a pine forest on the East and a wet prairie on the right. I come upon several tents along the trail. This must be the party at Gator Hole Campsite (28 deg 18.806, W 082 deg 04). What perfect site for a camp! The Oak Hammock in the sand hill was perfect protection from the sun and wind but not too far from a water source. I greet them as I snap a few photos and search for the next trail marker. The Oak hammock lasts for another half mile or so and before the trail spits you out onto forest road. Here I look up to see two white tail bucks pounce over the trail and into the adjacent grasslands.
On the forest road, I pay close attention to the trees are clearly a restoration effort as they perfectly spaced with a thick under story of saw palmetto. The only navigable corridor is the Florida Trail. In the distance I spot a large wild hog with little white tusks 500 feet up on the trail. He saw me first. As quick as I could get my camera ready, he had disappeared into the thick brush. I continue on as the corridor soon comes to an end and I am out into an open meadow. The trail jumps off and on the forest road again. Back into a meadow sprinkled with purple colored grasses, I cross a small footbridge over a dry creek and then I am back into a meadow. I pause to take a photo of a Liatris in bloom then scurry up the trail a little further to admire the golden rod blooms. Here I spot a another large feral hog foraging through the meadow. I try to capture a few photos but the feat is difficult as he is moving in thick grasses. He makes his way over to the liatris flower I photographed just moments ago. He pauses as he finds my scent and then in a hustle scurries back into the brush not be to seen again.
I was disappointed that I did not get a good photo but relieved that we did not have an encounter. Several hikers have told me stories of hogs charging them. I continue on through a another thinner pine forest and soon find myself resting enjoying a carmel covered apple on in the shade of a mini Oak hammock. My goal was to hike to the River Road interconnect however it was getting late in the day. I was 5 miles out and was hoping to get back to the trailhead before dark. Only one mile short of my destiny, I decide it was best to turn back and complete the trail another time from the north. The trek back seemed much quicker. I stopped to exchange hog stories with a remote camper, and again with a family of four young kids. These little boys have not idea what a cool camping trip they are experiencing right now! As the sun starts to set, I pick up my pace.
Returning to my truck just before dusk, I am tired but quite satisfied of the days hike along the Florida Trail.
Wild Hog
The National Scenic Florida Trail bisects this Wilderness Preserve that is in the heart of the Green Swamp. Hiking, camping, backpacking, biking, horseback riding, birding, and wildlife photography are some of the recreational opportunities available for this area. Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve has several of Florida’s habitats including sand hills, Oak Hammock, Pine Forest, Flatwoods, shallow cypress ponds and river swamp. The Green Swamp provides the headwaters to four of Florida’s large rivers: Peace, Hillsborough, Withlacoochee and Ocklawaha.
The Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve is maintained by South Florida Water Management in Brooksville, Florida.
Click here to view more photos of the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve on flickr.
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