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Category Archives: Backpacking
Spelunking along the Florida Trail, Citrus County.
I am drawn to the cave opening carved into a small limestone cliff. I spot an opening low to the ground that could only be entered by crawling. At this moment, I decided I am going inside to explore or spelunk. Spelunking is a word of Greek origin that means “the art of exploring caves.” Continue reading
Florida Trail: Hike the river bluffs of the Sopchoppy River in March to see wild azalea put on a show.
I was excited about seeing the pink blossoms but was not expecting to see very many…only single scraggly bushes scattered about. Well it was not long before we encountered our first Wild Azalea bush….desperate for a photo of this rare beauty….I climbed through a thicket of saw palmetto to get a close up. As we persisted, I was able to relax as the Wild Azales bushes were becoming more prevalent, the flowers fuller, and closer to the trail… Continue reading
Posted in Adventure Vacations, Backpacking, Camping, Florida, Florida Trail Adventures, Hiking, Nature Photography
Tagged Apalachicola National Forestl, B A Bowen Photography, Backpacking, Camping, eco-tourism, Florida Trail, Hiking, landscape photography, Monkey Creek, National Scenic Florida Trail, nature photography, outdoor adventure, photo journalism, Sopchoppy River, Wild Azaleas
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Hike Withlacoochee State Forest Annutteliga Hammock loops for a sampling of the challenging Brooksville Ridge
As I follow the loop around the back I begin to notice a pile of loose rocks and a dome shape over near a small Cedar Tree. I walk over only to find a small well that penetrates at least 15 feet down. The hole is lined by rocks with tree roots growing through the opening allowing enough room for only a small animal to fall. I use my headlamp to study the walls and floor. The walls are smooth solid limestone rock with periodic ripples and the floor is covered with oak leaves. I did not see any remnants of animal bones but I am certain that there are some hidden below the debris. Continue reading
Hiking the Citrus C loop offers challenging pine ridges with caves and large sinks.
The Citrus C Loop is a 13 mile trek located in the heart of the karst cartography of the Brooksville Ridgeboasting large sinks and at least one known cave entrance. There is parking available at the Mine Holder Campground, just a 1.5 mile hike off the loop. I chose to save a few steps and park where Forest Road 17 intersects the B Loop and hike down to the connector. The west side of the trail has challenging pine ridges that gave my legs a good workout as I ascended and descended the hills numerous times. I made my way past the B-C connector loop and entered an area that had been recently burned. There was not a pine needle left on the ground! Continue reading
Posted in Adventures, Backpacking, Camping, Florida, Florida Trail Adventures, Hiking
Tagged "Florida State Forest", Adventure Vacations, Backpacking, Camping, Citrus C Loop, Citrus C Trail Map, Citrus County, Florida, Florida Trail, Hiking, Withlacoochee State Forest Citrus Tract, Withlacoochee State Forrest
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Hike the Landbridge: Where recreation prevails over a history gone wry!
Follow the orange blazes from the Landbridge Trailhead off CR 475A for a 1.1 mile trek through the natural sandhill habitat common to Marion County. The trail to this historical bridge is maintained by the Florida Trail Association and is designated as part of the Florida National Scenic Trail, a continuous hiking trail that traverses the state. Expect to be in awe as you wander past several giant Live Sand Oaks, some of the largest in the state, dripping with grey Spanish mosses Continue reading
