52 Hike Challenge

Hike #12: Hickory Point Recreational Park

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Lakes, Uncategorized

Hike #12, 52 Hike Challenge: Hickory Point Recreational Park, Tavares. Opened in 1992, Hickory Point lies adjacent to Little Lake Harris (off State Road 19). I wandered out to the fishing pier for a view of the lake and then took a stroll along the boardwalk and nature trail, looping around several times. It was early on a Sunday morning, so absolutely no one was around and even though the boardwalk lies next to a huge sand volleyball complex it definitely feels like you’re out in the middle of the wilderness. Very cool! Distance: 1.6 miles.

Hike #11: Rainbow Springs State Park

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Attractions, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Rivers, Florida Springs, Florida State Parks, Uncategorized , ,


Hike #11, 52 Hike Challenge: Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon. We had an awesome time wandering around Rainbow Springs State Park yesterday.  One of Florida’s oldest tourist attractions, Rainbow Springs (formerly known as Blue Springs) once featured “underwater cruise boats,” a raft adventure, animal park, rodeo arena, swamp garden, Rainbow Queen Paddleboat and monorail. In addition, portions of the long-forgotten movie, Tarzan and the Brown Prince (1972) were filmed here. The attraction closed in 1974 and the state purchased Rainbow Springs in 1995. Today, the park offers swimming, canoe/kayak rentals, campground, picnic areas, butterfly garden, waterfalls and nature trails, as well as a concession stand and gift shop. Remnants of the old zoo can also be viewed near the butterfly garden. Rainbow Springs State Park is located three miles north of Dunnellon on U.S. 41. Distance: 1.2 miles.

Hike #10: Gemini Springs Park, DeBary

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Birding Life List, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized , , , ,


Hike #10, 52 Hike Challenge: Gemini Springs Park, DeBary. We had a nice stroll around 210-acre Gemini Springs Park this morning. The springs are actually closed to swimming due to high bacteria levels (but that makes the park all that more peaceful for those of us who just want to wander around and explore!). The park features a small campsite, fishing dock and playground, as well as several nature trails. Located at 37 Dirksen Drive (off U.S. 17/92), Gemini Springs Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset; admission is free. Wildlife sightings: American White Ibis (No. 5 on Birding Life List), Bobcat, Red-Shouldered Hawk (No. 6). Distance: 1.5 miles.

Hike #9: Econ River Wilderness Area

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized ,


Hike #9, 52 Hike Challenge: Econ River Wilderness Area. Surrounded by bland subdivisions on all sides in Oviedo (3795 Old Lockwood Road), the 240-acre Econ River Wilderness Area is a welcome oasis! I have to admit I got lost a few times (make sure to pick up a trail map at the entrance!) and some of the trail was flooded, but I eventually made it to the river. A very scenic and relaxing hike! Distance: 2.7 miles.

Hike #8: Osprey Trail & Beach Walk, Honeymoon Island

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Islands, Uncategorized , , , , ,


Hike #8, 52 Hike Challenge: Osprey Trail and Beach Walk, Honeymoon Island State Park. We walked along the Osprey Trail until we came upon an impassable flooded area. However, during our brief hike, we spotted an osprey soaring overhead, as well as two osprey nests. Did not see any gopher tortoises or eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, both of which make the pine flatwoods portion of the island their home. We will return another time to finish this trail. I also walked along the beach, which was very scenic. I spotted many shorebirds. Distance: 3 miles.

Hike #7: Hidden Waters Preserve, Eustis

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized , , , , , , , , , , ,

 


Hike #7, 52 Hike Challenge: Hidden Waters Preserve, Eustis. Nestled off Country Club Drive in Eustis (take East Crooked Lake Road off 441), Hidden Waters Preserve is a hidden gem encompassing 90 acres and featuring a sinkhole lake called Lake Alfred at its center. Visitors can experience six distinctive hiking trails: Lake Alfred Trail (0.6 mile), Hammock Trail (0.2 mile), Ravine Trail (0.4 mile), Prickly Pear Trail (0.3 mile), Longleaf Pine Trail (1.5 miles) and Gopher Tortoise Trail (0.2 mile). By the way, the Preserve was formerly known as the Eichelberger Sink. The elevation change from the edges of the Preserve to the bottom of the sink is 90 feet. Keep an eye out for gopher tortoises (didn’t see any this time out). Hidden Waters Preserve is open daily from 8 AM until sunset. Wildlife sightings: Cooper’s hawk, rabbit. Distance: 3.4 miles.

Hike #6: Green Springs Park, Enterprise

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Parks, Florida Springs, Florida Wildlife, Uncategorized , , , , ,


Hike #6, 52 Hike Challenge: Green Springs Park, Enterprise. Encompassing 36 acres near the north shore of Lake Monroe, Green Springs Park boasts one of Florida’s few green sulfur springs (note: swimming and fishing are not allowed!). We enjoyed strolling on both the paved and natural trails that wind through the park, which also features scenic overlooks, a playground and picnic pavilions. Green Springs Park also serves as a trailhead for both the East Central Regional Rail Trail and Spring-to-Spring Trail. A “hotel for invalids” was built at this site by Cornelius Taylor in 1841 as one of the first health spas in the Sunshine State. Tourists were attracted to the springs in the belief that they could cure various ailments. In the late 1800s, Green Springs was part of a huge estate built by wine importer and steamboat magnate Frederick deBary. Distance: 1.2 miles.

 

Hike #5: Trimble Park, Tangerine

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Hiking Trails, Florida Parks, Uncategorized , , , ,

 


Hike #5, 52 Hike Challenge: Trimble Park, Tangerine. A very peaceful park to hike on a Sunday morning, Trimble Park on the Harris Chain of Lakes in Tangerine (population: 2,865) offers several lakeside trails and a boardwalk shaded by ancient oak trees. I saw numerous alligator and snake warnings along the trail, but did not view either on this particular hike. By the way, author Pat Frank (1908-64) wrote his classic 1959 post-apocalyptic novel Alas, Babylon (1959) while living in Tangerine. Distance: 1.8 miles.

 

 

Hike #4: Moses H. Cone Memorial Park & Grandfather Mountain

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Uncategorized , ,


Hike No. 4: 52 Hike Challenge: Moses H. Cone Memorial Park and Grandfather Mountain. We hiked briefly at Moses H. Cone Memorial Park yesterday but the rain, thunder and lightning thwarted our goal so we had to abort the hike after just 0.5 mile. However, earlier in the day, we visited Grandfather Mountain, crossed the famous Mile High Swinging Bridge and scaled the immense rock formations on the other side. We also checked out the nature habitats for a distance of approximately 0.5 mile. Total Distance: 1.0 mile.

 

 

Hike #3: Palm Island Park

reweidman50 52 Hike Challenge, Florida Hiking Trails, Uncategorized , ,


Hike #3, 52 Hike Challenge: Palm Island Park, Mount Dora. A true hidden gem in Mount Dora just south of the downtown area, eight-acre Palm Island Park is located on Lake Dora and features a boardwalk, hiking trails and picnic pavilions. Alligators are abundant (although I did not see any during this visit). Distance: 1.0 mile.