Withlacoochee Forest “Citrus A” Loop – My First Panther Track! – Week 5

Fern covered Oak by 5 mile pond by Riverbanksoutdoorstore

For my ninth Trailwalker hike, I challenged myself by choosing a moderately long trek through hilly terrain.  I hiked Citrus Loop “A” Trail in the Withlacoochee State Forest on Saturday September 9th. Beginning in the Mine Holder Recreation area of the Withlacoochee State Forest, I set out for my longest trek yet as a solo hiker.  The trail is estimated to be 8.5 miles of sand hill forest.  As I enter the trail I immediately notice the rare endangered sand square flowers.  I am already delighted as I snatch a few photos.  I turn and to my surprise there is a giant Florida Rosemary Bush almost 15 feet across!  “That has to be at least 100 years old!”  I tell myself.  What an extraordinary feat  for a bush that is extremely susceptible to the Florida Wildfires.  That tells me this area has evaded a wild fire for over 100 years!  Amazing!  I take a few more photos and mosey on my way.  I notice another slightly smaller Rosemary bush a few more feet into the trail.  What do you know a Rosemary Scrub….One of the rarest of the Florida Habitats.  I am excited!  I cannot wait to see what else this forest has in store for me.

Red Basil Wildflower

I stroll along up and down the hills from sand hills to pine forests.  The fall wildflowers add vibrant color to the underbrush.  Between the pine forests patches of Blazing Star, Paintbrush, Golden Rod, and dog tongue are loaded with butterflies.  Spicebush Swallowtails, Longtail Skippers, Yellow Sulfers, Satyrs, and Gulf Fritillaries flutter about.  I spend several minutes shooting these flying flowers as they skip from one plant to the next gathering nectar.

I look down in the sand trail.  A set of large paw print stays on the trail for a few steps and leaves again.   That looks like a cat track.  Could it be?….Yes I see my first panther track.  I later verify with fellow hikers that there have been Panther sightings in these parts.  What an exciting place!  I wonder if I will get to see him while I am here……

As I reach the 5 mile pond, which happens to be dry today, the trail takes me into a mature Live Oak Hammock.  Here I take a brake on a log as I savor the cool shady air.   I notice the live oak arms are high, forming a cathedral like canopy with a carpet of dried oak leaves covering the forest floor.  What a wonderful place!  I spot a primitive campsite.  Obviously others have felt the same way.  I now feel I have bonded with others that have previously entered this space.   Unfortunately the Oak Hammock was short lived and the trail soon puts you back out into the sand hills and into the sunshine again. 

As I trek up and down the pine ridges, it starts to take a toll on my calves.  I rest once more, as I finish the trail just before dusk.  I can’t help but feel a sense of pride that by completing 8.5 miles on my own and my ninth Trailwalker hike.  This was one of my favorite hikes to date….One more hike to go to achieve my Trailwalker badge……the journey continues…..

View more photos of Citrus Loop A 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), Etoniah State Forest (wk 3),  Buck Island Pond (wk 4)

 Link to this page

 Link to this page