This is Hike #24 in the book 50 Hikes in Central Florida, completed on February 20, 2023.
It was a cool and sunny morning when I set off down a wide, sandy road just before 10:30 am. There was no trail information at the parking lot, but after a few minutes I came to a kiosk with park information. I took a quick glance and set off again.
Soon I turned right to begin the White Loop. The trail looked like a strip of mowed grass.
I continued down this double-track trail surrounded by palmettos with no shade at all. The book indicated a spot to observe pitcher plants, but I did not see them. After almost two miles I arrived at a sign indicating the start of the Red Loop.
This was not part of the hike, so after a short walk down the connector trail I continued on the White Loop trail.
Soon the trail got as wide as a road and there began to be areas of standing water. After almost three miles I reached an intersection for a trail leading to the Curry Ford Bridge and the Yellow Loop beyond. I followed this trail to the bridge and just beyond.
The Yellow Loop also wasn’t part of the suggested hike, so I turned around and rejoined the White Loop. I turned right. At the next intersection I turned right to head down a side trail to the canal and group campsite.
Near the end of the canal was a new-looking hand pitcher pump. I tried it out and it pumped out cool, clear water. Here I met a woman walking her handsome German Shepherd and we chatted a bit (the woman, not the dog). Next, I visited the group campsite with its several towering trees (see photo at top and below) creating a shaded canopy. The campsite had a pavilion, grill, fire pit with several benches, and a picnic table.
After a short water break, I returned along the canal and then took the trail back to the White Loop. I turned right again. The trail soon became a wide, sandy trail again.
The trail passed a small pond which gave a last semi-scenic view. The intersection with the entrance trail meant I had completed the loop. I turned right and walked back down the sandy entrance trail.
All day the sun was fully out and the temperature had climbed to 78°F as I walked past the kiosk and arrived back at the trailhead a little after 1:00 pm. The hike had taken just over two and a half hours to complete the 6.3 mile loop (5.9 miles were given in the book).
Post-Hike Beer
On the drive back I stopped in the Port Orange location of Persimmon Hollow for a cold beer and some lunch.
