Hike #17, 52 Hike Challenge: Crooked River Preserve. Clermont. Surrounded by sprawling development, Crooked River Preserve is a quiet and scenic oasis of wilderness that protects 64 acres of waterfront on Lake Louisa and along the Palatlakaha River. Crooked River Preserve is composed of several short trails that loop around and which hikers can knock out in about an hour: Cypress Trail, Titi Trail, Sink Trail and Fern Trail. Highly recommended! Wildlife sighting: Red-Shouldered Hawk. Distance: 1.7 miles.