San Felasco Hammock State Preserve
Distance:
7.0 mile round trip
Description:
State Preserve. San Felasco is noted for its diversity of plant and animal
life, rolling hills, bluffs, ravines, stream valleys, and sinkholes. The
two hiking trails- Spring Grove Trail and old Spanish Way each offer varied
hiking experiences.
Spring Grove Trial will take you through shady hammocks, pinelands, and sand
hills. Along the way you will see both dry and water filled sinkholes.
This trail is named after the town of Spring Grove, which in the early 1800's
was the county seat of Alachua County. the actual site of Spring Grove is
no longer known, but it is thought to have been located somewhere in this area.
The
Old Spanish Way will take you through shady hammocks, pinelands, and flat woods.
You will see many sinkholes and ponds and will pass through an area of pineland
that is currently be restored to its natural condition after being devastated by
a southern Pine Beetle infestation several years ago. This trail is named
for a 17th Century Spanish0-Mission- San Francisco de Potano, the site of which
is located in the eastern section of San Felasco Hammock.
December 2003
I couldn't find a book of hikes for northern Florida and ended up asking at
one of the few outdoor stores until I found someone who actually gave me good
directions. This was a very nice and easy trail located, in true U.S. fashion,
right next to an interstate. One of the signs at the entrance to the park
actually warns that you can hear the interstate from any part of the park and if
you get lost, simply listen for the interstate and it is on the west side of the
park.
Here's
the pics (Click on the picture to see full size):
These
are low res pictures. I can send you higher quality pictures if you want
them