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Posts Tagged ‘corbettwildlifemanagementarea’

A Waterlogged Trek Along the OTL Trail–Corbett WMA–Powerline Road Eastward (07/11/2024)

Posted in Hiking, Southeast, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on September 16, 2024| Leave a Comment »

With all the heavy rains we had this summer, I expected a wet trail. However, I did not expect a day of water aerobics!

A Very Wet Hike Through Corbett

With two sections of the Ocean to Lake (OTL) Trail left to hike, I did not want to let a little rain get in my way. I began my hike on Powerline Road just south of where the OTL crosses it. I walked along the road, turned east onto the trail, stepped over a gate, and began my hike. The dry trail gave me hope, as I entered the pine forest.

However, very shortly after I began my hike, I came to water—and not the kind that I could walk around. So, I began sloshing, my snake radar on high alert for snakes and any other water-loving creatures.

Hopeful for a Dry Hike

Other than the noise I was making, my hike was quiet. Bromeliads and air plants clung to the cypress. Birds flew from tree to tree. I emerged from a cypress strand onto a short section of somewhat dry trail and completed a bug and critter check on my legs, trail runners, and arms. Clear so far!

I continued on the now narrow trail into a pine forest, (a bit overgrown, so don’t forget to spray your clothes). I crossed a buggy road or two and then I was back in the water. The tea-stained water was difficult to see through at times, and after a while, I stopped trying. I was making enough noise to scare away anything lurking beneath the surface (I hoped!).

Hopes for a Dry Trail–Dashed

I stepped onto dry trail the last half mile to the canal. I passed a couple medium sized hogs as I made a turn—one black, one brown. They scurried away when they saw me. I stopped under some pines just past the Little Gopher Canal for lunch and a break before heading back.

My four-mile hike back was hot, but I managed to find a couple shady dry spots to stop and rest. My average time was considerably longer than normal but the water aerobics had slowed me down. The trail was about 80% wet and the water rose anywhere between my ankles to my knees.

I have nearly completed my section hikes of the OTL. I have one section remaining—about six miles one way, so a twelve mile hike total.

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Beautiful Savannah Views and Old Buggy Roads on the OTL-South Grade Road Westward (05/24/2024)

Posted in Hiking, Southeast, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on July 3, 2024| Leave a Comment »

I stepped onto the narrow trail ready to enter the pine forest. The temperature in my car as I parked showed 82 degrees, and my weather app predicted it to reach 90—which of course means that it will feel like 100 plus. Another hot Florida spring day on the OTL.

Narrow Winding Trail

It was quiet as I hiked along the winding trail. Although I heard lots of birds, the animals had opted to stay somewhere cooler–smart. Saw palmetto reflected silver in the hot sun and bromeliads clung to tall cypress trees. Everything was still.

Hazy Day on the Savannah

I enjoyed this part of the OTL; there was something comfortable about the old buggy and forest roads I walked along. I hiked past the grassland/savannah which appeared hazy in heat. I came across very little water or hog destruction on the trail.

I made it as far as the canal, just past the Little Gopher Campsite. When I had problems finding the blazes to continue, I took it as a sign to turn around. I stopped at the campsite and lunched on the ground in the much-appreciated shade of the pines. The campsite had benches around the fire pit, but they were out in the hot sun–a much better choice on a cool day.

I returned to my car after an eight-mile hike, ready for the bumpy, dusty ride to the Corbett entrance. I’ve completed about 52 of the 62 miles of the OTL thus far, with about 10 left to go. I’m getting there!

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Exploring the Mystical Corbett Wildlife Management Area – OTL Trail East from South Grade Road (05/07/2024)

Posted in Hiking, Southeast, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on June 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Another five miles completed! With less than fifteen miles remaining of the Ocean to Lake (OTL) Trail, it has become more difficult completing large sections at a time. For the remainder, I will need to hike out-and-backs.

Slash Pines Reaching to the Sky

On this day, I hiked ten miles total through the Corbett Wildlife Management Area —five miles out and five miles back. I parked on South Grade Road, a very dusty, bumpy road, and I headed east into the forest, immediately sensing something magical and mystical as I wove my way through the twists and the turns of the slash pine and cypress forest, the “Hole in the Wall.”

Far Out promised me that I’d be wading through water in this area, but the trail was dry (That was okay with me.). Birds called from the trees, and orange blazes, like breadcrumbs, led me in the right direction. I love shade. This was one of the prettier sections of the OTL Trail that I have hiked. Small green ferns sprouted from the recently-burned earth, colorful wildflowers stood out against tall green grasses, and bromeliads clung to cypress trees.

Spring Flowers Along the Trail

I took the recommended side trip to Bowman Island (also dry) and sat in the much talked about plastic chair for lunch, staying far away from the fire pit and all the hornets buzzing around it-eh. Back on the trail, I continued my hike towards the prairie (also dry).

The day was too hot for wildlife, and I was feeling the heat. I passed my mark from my previous hike, and turned around. I’m a snacker when I hike—dry apricots, banana chips, chick peas, cheese, and nuts. I always bring lots of water with me, but I could tell on this hike, I needed more electrolytes. With no bench in sight, I stopped for a break, settling on the ground, looking up into the tall pines shading me. Just what I needed!

Back at my car, with about fifty-two miles of the OTL completed, I began planning for my last two OTL hikes!

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Eyeglass Pond and Wetlands Walk on the Ocean to Lake Trail (04/15/2024)

Posted in Hiking, Southwest, tagged , , , , , , , , on May 12, 2024| Leave a Comment »

I had just over 20 miles remaining of the 62-mile Ocean to Lake Trail, and I have gotten to the point where I need to hike the dreaded out-and-back to complete the miles as there is a lack of Uber drivers in these remote areas for a drop off. So, I parked at the south entrance of the Corbett Wildlife Management Area and was on the trail shortly after 9:30. I had already hiked to the east from here, so on this day, I headed west, first on the dirt road and then following the trail into the woods.

Passing Through a Recent Burn Area

In the first mile, there was evidence of a recent prescribed burn—and then—Eyeglass Pond, the wetlands walk. (By the way, the bench before the pond is the only bench on this section of the trail.) I did see a sign for a wetlands bypass, and (briefly) considered taking it as I thought about the creepy crawlies in the water, but I needed to complete the OTL Trail, and I saw the orange blaze in the distance, right in the middle of the wetlands area. So, off I wet, sloshing in knee-high water, keeping an eye out for unwelcomed guests in the tall grasses on either side of me.

Crossing Eyeglass Pond

Regardless of the wet trail, I enjoyed this portion of the OTL. Tall, straight slash pines reached up to the sun, and reflected their beauty in the grassy wetlands surrounding them. I had to be careful not to lose a sneaker in the sometimes-deep mud, and there were several other areas where avoiding the water was not an option.

Painted Reflections in the Pond

I hiked to approximately 25.85 mm, 5.25 miles from the Corbett South Entrance, not quite to the junction with the Blue Trail to Bowman Island Camp. On the return, I did opt for the wetlands bypass—partly out of curiosity and partly to avoid the potential critters I somehow avoided on my hike west. Surprisingly, the bypass did not take me far out of the way.

I have 16.85 miles remaining to complete the OTL. For my next hike, I’ll leave my car at the South Grade Road and hike and out-and back to where I left off.

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Ocean to Lake Trail, 3rd Section, Corbett Wildlife Management Area to Beeline Highway (05/18/2023)

Posted in Hiking, Southeast, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on May 31, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Having learned (the hard way) that Uber will not drop off or pick up in these remote areas, the logistics of my next hike became my priority. In the end, my daughter dropped me at the South Gate to the Corbett Wildlife Management Area at 2:45 PM—yes, a late start, but it stays light until after 8:00 now. I thought I might get some late afternoon clouds and see some wildlife.

Hot Open Hiking Path

I hiked north to connect to the Beeline Highway where I had ended my previous hike on the OTL—a five-mile hike—and then an additional one and a half miles to the parking lot at the Loxahatchee Slough Natural Area by way of the Loxahatchee Loop Trail where I had left my car.  

I didn’t know what to expect and wore my usual long pants and long-sleeved SPF top to protect me from sun, sand, bushes, and critters. The trail, which appeared to be a service road for the wildlife area, was wide open with little or no shade—with the exception of one mile along Beeline Highway and the short distance to get to the Loxahatchee Loop Trail to the parking lot. It was a HOT hike.

New Growth After Controlled Burn

My first stop was just over three miles into my hike, and with not a bench or log in site, I sat on the ground in a tiny piece of shade under a sand pine. No doubt I would have appreciated this trail much more on a cool, fall day. I had forgotten the pair of shorts I typically pack “just in case,” and I came very close to using my knife to cut the legs off my pants. It was that hot.

Complaints aside, the beauty of my surroundings awed me—saw palmetto, sand pine, cocoplum, flowers, and tall grasses. Ahead of me, three dark animals hurried across the trail—perhaps wild boar, as there was some evidence. Scrub jays, woodpeckers, herons, cardinals, swallow tailed kite, red shoulder hawk flew from tree to tree.

Beautiful and Scenic Hike

Around mile four, my hope for clouds arrived along with strong winds and a downpour of rain. Be careful what you wish for. However, there is something mysterious and beautiful about rain in nature. I found a little protection from the wind and rain on the side of a large saw palmetto. I arrived at Beeline a soggy hiker, trying to avoid the splash of the cars and trucks as I crossed the small bridge. On the other side, God rewarded me for my patience with a gorgeous rainbow.

This was my third section of OTL and my least favorite so far—although I had a beautiful and scenic hike for the first four miles. I arrived at the parking lot about 6:15 PM—about 3.5 hours—soaking wet and happy I had thought to throw a sweatshirt and pair of sandals in my car (reminder: next time, add sweat pants!).

Rainbow on the Beeline Highway

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