Majestic Fern Covered Live Oak marks the trail
Croom Hiking Trail – This trail is a scenic 7 mile linear section of the National Scenic Florida Trail that follows along the Withlacoochee River from Hog Island to River Junction. The trail is well marked and begins at the Florida Trail Kiosk in the midst of the Hog Island Recreation Area. A soft cushion of pine needles makes the trail an enjoyable walk as it delves into an upland pine forest. Watch and listen for a family of Pileated Woodpeckers as the trail leads you around a bend to head toward the river. The oaks branches are covered with resurrection fern that seem to glow bright green under this shady canopy just after a rain. In the summer months, keep an eye out for Green Fly orchid blooms peering out from the fern covered branches. As the trail exits the Hog Island property, the sky opens up as it encircles the rim of a seasonal pond and then spits you out into a small section of sand hill habitat. Keep your eye on the sky as you trek through this clearing. A flock of Swallow tailed kites can be seen during nesting season gracefully circling the nearby farm fields. Soon the scenery changes to thick hardwood hammock as the trail jaunts periodically in and out of the river floodplain. At 4.2 miles the trail exits the forest as you enter the Iron Bridge Day use area. Spend a few moments to rest on a nearby picnic table and take in the view of the Withlacoochee River as it takes a 90 bend. It is here that the River begins to flow away from the trail.
Remnants of the Iron Bridge
The rusty piling protruding from the River and concrete anchors along the opposing riverbanks are remnants of a river crossing that once connected the forest. Look for a giant oak blanketed with resurrection fern and a bright orange trail marker that points the way back into the forest. Follow the trail for 1.5 miles through a forest mixed with hardwoods and pine. At 1.5 miles the trail turns onto a forest road to cross under the I-75 highway and then back into the forest. From here it is just a short trek to the primitive River Junction Campground where campsites along the River bluffs has a scenic view. As is typical of the Florida Trail, this trail is well maintained and well marked. In the fall this would make a nice backpacking or camping trip.
View more photos of the Florida Trail Croom Hiking Trail on flickr.
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