Tiger Creek Preserve North – Florida Hikes

Defending practically 5,000 acres of scrub, sandhill, and expansive wetlands surrounding a pair of tannic seepage streams, Tiger Creek Protect is a hit story in land preservation.

Within the early Nineteen Seventies, the Nature Conservancy teamed up with close by conservation pursuits together with Bok Tower Gardens to guard and restore the extremely uncommon habitats discovered right here.

Prairie atop the Lake Wales Ridge

Partially constructed by Florida Path Affiliation volunteers, an expansive path system crisscrosses undulating topography, tracing tall bluffs alongside the protect’s namesake creek.

Footpaths climb desert-like relict dunes topped with bushes and shrubs properly tailored to arid situations.

Xeric hammock at elevation

From the Wakeford Rd Trailhead on the northeast nook of the protect, the 2 largest loops are simply tied collectively.

The Creek Bluffs Loop and Highlands Loop showcase a wide range of gorgeous landscapes alongside this 7.2-mile hike.

Far junction of the Highlands Loop with the Pfundstein Trails

Sources

Overview

Location: Lake WalesLength: 7.2 milesTrailhead: 27.831333, -81.456611Address: 8373 Wakeford Rd, Lake WalesFees: FreeRestrooms: NoneLand supervisor: The Nature ConservancyPhone: 863-635-7506

Open dawn to sundown. No pets or bicycles permitted.

Instructions

Hike

Starting at a lined bench with maps and detailed details about the protect, stroll in the direction of a pair of indicators indicating two instructions to start out mountain climbing alongside the Wakeford Path.

Staying to the best, comply with white blazes alongside the Palmetto Path because it cuts throughout a inexperienced sea of noticed palmettos earlier than reaching a sandy entry street at 0.2 mile.

Trailhead bench

Numerous grasses line the vast pathway alongside lyonia, pawpaw, and gopher apple because it meanders throughout a scrubby atmosphere dotted with longleaf pines and sand stay oak.

At a half mile, the path winds down a fast descent to Tiger Creek, the place it crosses the scenic run on a bridge and boardwalk with a wire handrail.

Tiger Creek

Water-loving vegetation thrive alongside the creek, standing in sharp distinction to the encompassing dry habitat because the path climbs a switchback main up from the western financial institution.

Flip proper on the subsequent sandy street to succeed in the pink blazed Creek Bluff Loop in one other tenth of a mile.

Make one other proper as the trail begins to hint an fringe of the bluff, offering spectacular views of the water-filled valley under.

Bluff overlook

Close to the mile mark, an inviting bench sits atop a sandy ridge alongside the creek, providing a quiet spot to relaxation as the present ripples by.

Shortly after, the path begins to ascend away from the water, crossing a large open xeric pine prairie and reaching a brief connector path at 1.8 miles.

Head westward alongside this path for a tenth of a mile to succeed in the Highlands Loop.

Path junction

Turning to the best, comply with orange blazes as they lead down a hall lined with clusters of shrubby myrtle oaks and an occasional turkey oak.

The path begins a roller-coaster of steeper climbs across the 3 mile mark because it traverses a collection of ridges topped with scrub hickory and Spanish moss-covered oaks.

Scrub hickory

The path begins to show eastward earlier than crossing a brief boardwalk at 4 miles and rounding the southern shore of a scenic prairie pond.

Distinct ribbons of vegetation circle the sloped land across the water, transitioning from oaks to palmettos, then grass. Wading birds choose via the shallows.

Prairie pond

Proceed previous a junction with the Pfundstein Path at 4.5 miles, staying on the orange blazes and crossing a ditch earlier than climbing northward via xeric hammocks alongside the ridge.

At 5.7 miles, the path reaches Trisha’s Peak, a excessive level with lined benches overlooking a panoramic view of contoured landscapes.

The place the Highlands Loop ends at 6.4 miles, comply with the connector path over to a brief stretch of the Creek Bluff Loop, reaching the Wakeford Path in one other half mile.

Shelter view

Crossing again over Tiger Creek on the bridge, keep to the best to discover the Sugar Sand Path.

Comply with the southern portion of the white blazed route, returning to the trailhead in 1 / 4 mile.

Sugar Sand Path

Path Map

Discover Extra!

Study extra about Tiger Creek Protect

Tiger Creek Protect Edward Bok’s “Jungle,” a deeply folded panorama between Tiger Creek and Patrick Creek south of Lake Wales, is protected by The Nature Conservancy as Tiger Creek Protect.

Video

Climbing Tiger Creek Protect Wakeford Rd Trails

Slideshow

See our images from Tiger Creek Protect North

Close by Adventures

Path Map (PDF) Official Web site

Alongside together with his spouse Chelsey, Chris Stevens shares outside adventures on Instagram and Fb as @sunshinestateseekers and is a co-host of a podcast about Florida’s outdoor, The Florida Madcaps. An avid hiker and camper, Chris serves as a Trailmaster and a board member for the Florida Path Affiliation.

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