Wekiva Springs

We have finally had a reprieve from the upper 80's weather.  It's been a bit too warm for January in Florida.  Sure the northern tourists probably appreciate it, but when you get hot most of the year, you welcome the cool downs.  Today was in the low 70's.  Perfect for hiking.  Clif and I ventured out to tackle the north loop within Wekiva Springs State Park in Longwood.  In the winter you have to be selective as to where you hike because of various hunting seasons.  Being Wekiva Springs is a state park, we opted for this location.

             

We started at the parking area just north of Sand Lake (by the number 24).  We followed the white trail blaze (white circles), visiting 3 back country campsites along the way.  It was a long, but enjoyable hike, a 10 mile loop.  It was amazing how many ecosystems there were in just this short distance.

 

I always enjoy hiking through the canopies, so when we got to the trailhead to follow the loop around I was excited to see the shade.  It was short lived.

 

 

About 1000 feet we were out in the open.  As you can see we are not lacking in the Florida sunshine.

 

 

First stop was the Big Buck Campsite.  Great location, not too far from Rock Springs Run.  You can either hike in from where we parked, or canoe from Rock Springs State Park.

 

 

Plenty of room, and shady too.  It's about 1.7 miles by foot from parking area.

 

 

We thought we might see canoers on the river, but it was quiet.

 

 

Off to the next stop...Cozy Camp.

 

 

The hike was like being in a jungle.  We hiked through the flood area of the river.  At times it was muddy, but lots of fun.

 

 

Camp Cozy wasn't as cozy as Big Buck. 

But it was noon, and this is where we decided to have lunch.

 

 

It was a little bit longer jaunt down to the rivers edge.

 We had to be careful because of lots of gnarly roots.

 

 

The view wasn't as nice as at  Big Buck either.

So onward around the loop so we could head back to the truck.

 

 

 

Crossing one of the bridges, I spied this petrified bug.  It actually had a leaf growing out of it.

 

 

Next, we ended up going through a cypress swamp.

 

 

Shortly thereafter, back into the hardwoods of a pine forest.

 

 

Spied a nice deep sinkhole.  The tree across the bottom is probably a good 30 feet across.  No, we didn't opt to hike down to cross it.  That would mean we'd have to hike back out.  By this point in our journey, we had already hiked 7.1 miles and had nearly 3 to go.

 

 

Big Fork Camp was the last campsite on our way out.  It is only about a 1/2 mile from the parking area.  It is an esquestrian campsite. 

 

 

 

But for us, it was a good stopping point to view our map, and replenish our nutrients.  Food is more enjoyable to consume when you are out and about.

What a wonderful day to spend with a loved one.