After a night spent camping at the Collier-Seminole State Park, I began my drive home, and I decided to fit in just one more hike. The Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park was not far away, with a website that claims it to be the largest state park in Florida with an “emphasis on the preservation of its natural character.” I did not want to miss this!
I turned off of State Road 29 and onto the Janes Memorial Scenic Drive, past the Visitor Center and restrooms which make up the “limited facilities” offered by this no frills park. The “Janes,” as the website warmly refers to this six-mile dusty road with holes and bumps that could easily complete with any city speed bumps, is the main access to the hiking trails. Driving down the road (slowly), it became clear that this park lived up to its goal to preserve its natural character, and it did not rely on RV campsites or children’s playgrounds to attract nature lovers. This park was big and wild!
I headed towards Gate 7, the West Main Tram Trail, a 4.5-mile out-and-back trail surrounded by swamp strands. The tram roads in the park are old logging roads built in the 1940s used to haul cypress logs from the swamp.
Although very buggy (Those babies can bite through steel!), I enjoyed my shaded hike through this beautiful, wild country. Swamp strands to my right and left were filled with cabbage palms and bald cypress cloaked in orchids, bromeliads, and air plants. The saw palmetto and ferns along the sides added a dash of brilliant green to the landscape. An occasional orange tree appeared to be out of place.
The skies and trees were alive with red-shouldered hawks, woodpeckers, and warblers. Ibis and herons waded in the water. Butterflies fluttered past me. Alligators sunned on the banks and rocks besides the trail, and yes, the mosquitos still bit me. Picnic benches invited hikers to pause and enjoy it all. On the return, about a half mile from my car, one gator had left his sunny rock and moved onto the trail. I spent fifteen minutes yelling and clapping my hands with no reaction from him. My “gator-gone” methods exhausted, I pulled out my phone and played Taylor Swift, Bad Blood, as loudly as I could. Slowly, the lazy alligator raised up and walked into the water. (Add that to your hiking list!)
I returned to my car and headed home, sorry I could not stay longer and hike another trail.
(Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. 137 Coastline Drive, Copeland, FL 34127. (239) 961-1925. Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fakahatchee-strand-preserve-state-park)