Riverbanks Adventure Forum

Etoniah State Forest: A Treasure to find the Endangered Etoniah Rosemary Bush in Full Bloom! Trailwalker Week 3

// December 3rd, 2009 // Adventures, Florida, Florida Trailwalker, Hiking

 

Florida Trail ET by Riverbanksoutdoorstore

 

Etoniah Rosemary in Bloom by Riverbanksoutdoorstore

 

Hiking the Long Leaf Trail in the Etoniah State Forest, turned out to be a nice finale to end this Labor Day Holiday weekend.   This was my seventh Trailwalker trek on Sunday, Sept 5th after camping and a three mile night hike at Gold Head Branch State Park the night before.  Arriving at the trailhead was an adventure in itself and  I paid my dues getting there.

After scouting the Trailhead the day before, I knew that Holloway road was washed out from the harsh Florida rains and a rough ride for any vehicle. Coming from the west  I noticed a Detour, CR 315 to Bellamy Road to Coral Farms to Tinsley.   I tried to take Coral Farms Road and ran into a Road Closed sign a few miles in.  I had no choice but to drive back to the rough Holloway Road.  From the rains the night before, the country road was comprised of red Georgia- like clay and was wet, muddy, and washed out.  I had to keep the tires turning at a fairly swift pace over the lumpy, pitted surface for fear they would have been left spinning in the slick wet brick colored clay.  Ka-jiggidy jiggidy jiggidy.. was the sound from the old body of the 94 Chevy while bumping and sliding, as the rear swayed to and fro like a fishtail.  Upon reaching the trailhead on Tinsley Road, the runner on the passenger side bottom of my truck had torn from all but two screws and both exhaust pipes were hanging dangerously low as they had vibrated loose from the metal brackets.   The truck was in sad shape….

Determined to enjoy my last day in the outdoors, I decided to deal with the condition of the Chevy after I returned from my excursion.  The weather was so beautiful that it easy to enjoy the hike and immerse myself in my surroundings and forget about the condition of my truck.  The Long Leaf Pine trail is also part of the Florida National Scenic Trail and was a joy to hike as it went up through Pine covered sandhills, down near sinkholes, and wound around mature Live Oak trees in the Scrubs.  The fall wildflowers were a nice mural of color against the bright blue sky in the open sandhills.  The 2.2 miles went fairly fast as I made my way to the unexpected pleasure at the east end of this trail.  The rare Etoniah Rosemary bush was in full bloom!

The Etoniah Rosemary (Lat. Conradina etonia) bush is a Federally endangered plant and is only found in Putnam County. Typically found in white sand scrub with sandy pine and shrubby oaks, they tend to thrive in open areas with sunlight rather than in a crowded scrub. The Etoniah Rosemary is a member of the Mint family and can grow to a height of 5 feet with delicate lavendar and white flowers randomly blooming about the bush.
The 1 mile loop at the end of the Long Leaf Pine Trail leads you through this magical habitat.  There is an informational  sign at the beginning of the loop that advises the hikers to please hike around the plant in the center of the trail.  It heads warning that this plant is special and endangered.  I felt very fortunate to find the rare Etoniah Rosemary bushes in full bloom and fragrance.  What an absolute treasure to find such a rare plant in its finest state!

I finished the loop in awe as I retraced my steps back to the trailhead.  What an unexpected delight!  And a great way to end a Holiday weekend.  Back to my truck, I tore the runner from the last two screws and tossed it in bed of the truck.  I just missed the window for the “Cash for Clunkers” rebate and had a small feeling of remorse that proved to be short lived.  “It will all work out somehow.”  I told myself.  Right now I just wanted to enjoy the memories of the natural treasures of which I was fortunate enough to encounter today.  I couldn’t help but contemplate, if it had not been for the Trailwalker program, I would have never ventured over to this forest to see these wonderful sights.  This 5.5 mile hike was one of my longer hikes and to date was my most enjoyable.  How can I top this trip?  The journey to Trailwalker continues….. 

More photos of the Longleaf Pine Trail on Flickr.

Other related Trailwalker posts: Goethe (Week 1), Lake McKethan (week 2), Holly Hammock (week 2), Johnsons Pond (week 3), Oxbow Nature Trail (week 3)

Guide Books: 50 Hikes in North Florida, author Sandra Friend