Defending a major remnant of longleaf pine flatwoods, this 71 acre protect lower than three miles from downtown Venice surprises.
Past its not-so-inspiring entrance alongside a boundary fence, wildflowers flourish amongst wiregrass.
Longleaf pines and wiregrass dominate the uplandsLongleaf pines rise close by of a mangrove-lined stream. Gopher tortoises are in residence; watch for his or her burrows within the sandhills.
Among the many uncommon flora discovered right here is endemic Florida milkweed. That is additionally one of many northernmost outposts for pond apple bushes.
Pawpaw blooming beneath the pinesSources
Overview
Location: VeniceLength: 1.6 milesTrailhead: 27.115447, -82.417472Address: 1500 Pinebrook Rd, VeniceFees: FreeRestroom: NoneLand Supervisor: Sarasota CountyPhone: 941-861-5000
Open 6 AM to sundown. No canine. Cyclists welcome. Parking is proscribed.
Instructions
Hike
After reviewing the map on the kiosk, comply with the grassy highway past it, paralleling the farm fence.
Skipping the trail behind the primary treeline, take the mowed path that bears left off this straightaway at a Y junction into the pine flatwoods.
Like most forests near this coast, it bears scars of the heavy winds of the 2024 hurricane season.
There have been uprooted bushes, snapped-off trunks, and diminished foliage within the higher branches of the oaks on our go to.
Entrance kioskCurve by way of a sea of noticed palmetto and bracken fern in the direction of a line of cabbage palms.
Drop by way of a despair behind the palms, a channel that generally fills with water.
Due to that risk, a secondary path off the fenceline path meets this footpath on the east facet of the ditch.
Palm-lined dipAt 0.2 mile, a 3rd path joins in from the fenceline path at Marker 26, offering 3 ways to achieve the bench dealing with a canal.
Considered one of many dug within the heyday of draining Florida marshlands, it interfered with the pure circulation of Curry Creek.
The properties on its reverse shore are largely obscured by forest.
CanalProceed in an easterly arc into the longleaf pine flatwoods, the place majestic pines rise excessive above a textured understory.
In spring, the ivory blossoms of pawpaw draw consideration. A line of wax myrtle and bay bushes are a reminder that freshwater rises right here, just a few miles from the Gulf.
Wax myrtle and loblolly bayCabbage palms stake a declare to the sting of a wild part of the canal. A low despair within the grassy path marks one other seasonal drainage earlier than a slight ascent.
Meet the junction at Marker 18 at 0.4 mile. Flip left to remain on the perimeter loop.
Marker 18 junctionSeasonal wildflowers peep from the wiregrass that dominates this nook of the flatwoods, together with roserush, wild bachelor’s-button, and Florida milkweed.
Descending in the direction of Curry Creek on a sandy curve, soak up a view of the marsh under. A bench offers a perch for birding alongside this mingling of habitats.
Descent to marshStrolling alongside the winding waterway, climb into the sandhills, the place low bush blueberry intermingles with newly spouted oaks.
Scrub oaks body views of the creek. Wiregrass carpets the open patches of understory. Making a pointy proper at Marker 25, parallel Curry Creek upstream.
Paralleling the creekA bit of over a half mile into the hike, make a left at Marker 21 and plunge by way of a tributary of the creek.
It could be mucky or a wade, relying on current rains and the time of yr.
Connector at Marker 21Climbing to the T intersection with the outermost loop on this chain of three, bear left.
Begin a clockwise circuit of probably the most substantial stretch of wholesome longleaf pine flatwoods within the protect.
Amid the pinesIt’s an immersive stroll amid a wildflower-dotted island of uplands bordering the creek, longleaf pines towering overhead.
A 3rd of the best way across the loop, winding waters are outlined by large leather-based fern and younger mangroves.
Feeder streams create microclimates ideally suited for uncommon plant speciesCurving away from the creek basin, comply with a straightaway which then sharply turns away from a gate.
That’s a future entry level to the growth of the protect. Established in 1923, the adjoining Edmonson Dairy is the place the creek’s recent water rises.
Briefly parallel a fence alongside a rural homestead earlier than one other immersion in longleaf pine savanna. Reaching the top of the loop, flip left to exit it.
Again gateClimb by way of the tributary basin, assembly Marker 21 once more at a mile. Flip left to proceed alongside the outer perimeter of the path system.
Whereas nonetheless among the many pines, it’s near the protect fence on this facet of the loop, inside view of neighboring farm buildings and houses.
Marker 20 sits subsequent to a bench dealing with away from them in the direction of the pines. Focus your consideration into the flatwoods as the trail grazes previous a canine coaching facility.
Bench at Marker 20At 1.2 miles, Marker 19 adjoins the nook of the protect fence and marks a choice level for the return journey to the trailhead.
It’s 1 / 4 mile straight again to it when you keep subsequent to the fence. Longleaf habitat adjoins the south facet of the fenceline path
Nevertheless, the north facet seems into neighboring rural properties. So make a proper at Marker 19 to stroll by way of a phenomenal stretch of longleaf for a tenth of a mile.
Marker 19 junctionReturning to the acquainted junction with Marker 18. Make a left to retrace your route into the protect in far more pure environment.
Utilizing any of the three paths curving north past the preliminary canal-facing bench at Marker 26 returns you to the trailhead for a 1.6 mile hike.
Returning in the direction of the Marker 26 benchPath Map
Discover Extra!
Video
Climbing Curry Creek Protect East
Slideshow
See our images from Curry Creek Protect East
Close by Adventures
Path Map (PDF) Official Web site
Creator of 45 books, Sandra Good friend established FloridaHikes.com in 2006 to develop on the sector analysis she’d accomplished for her first six climbing guides. She has been honored with lifetime achievement awards from the Florida Path Affiliation and the Florida Out of doors Writers Affiliation.
