Aripeka Sandhills Preserve – Florida Hikes

A part of the bigger Weekiwachee Protect, Aripeka Sandhills Protect is a joint effort by Pasco County and the Southwest Florida Water Administration District.

It defend over 200 acres of pure communities amongst remnants of mining operations.

Ridge of limerock spoils

A sandy ridge on the southern finish of the property descends in direction of swampy hammocks that drain in direction of the salty waters of the Gulf of Mexico, lower than two miles away.

The path system presents two loop choices, with the northern route offering extra panorama selection and an elective climb onto the limerock spoils.

Prominatory above a former limerock pit

Assets

Overview

Location: HudsonLength: 1.6 milesTrailhead: 28.417778, -82.658444Address: 18000 Aripeka Highway, HudsonFees: FreeRestrooms: NoneLand supervisor: Southwest Florida Water Administration DistrictPhone: 352-796-7211

Open half-hour earlier than dawn to half-hour after sundown. Leashed canine welcome.

Instructions

Hike

Beginning on the northwestern nook of the parking space, observe a crushed shell pathway previous the trailhead kiosk, rounding a bend flanked by cabbage palms.

Wildflowers emerge from a area lined with wiregrass to the west as a distinguished hill comes into view forward.

Trailhead fence

Keep to the suitable on the first junction of paths, following the path because it traces an fringe of a small lake bordered by two tall mounds of limestone and clay.

Whereas the official route branches off to the left in one other hundred toes, an apparent social path curves in direction of the bigger rock pile, climbing in direction of a steep ridge on the high.

Limestone mountain

Whereas the air isn’t thinner on the summit, the limestone mountain does present panoramic views of the protect.

Fastidiously descending the opposite aspect, flip left, following the grassy shoreline to a slight dip within the path that will require wading throughout relying on latest rains.

View from the highest

Ascending ever so barely, the pathway enters a scrubby sandhill habitat the place sand pines, hog plums, and wooly lupines emerge from stark white soils.

The sand takes on a yellower tint whereas crossing an open space to a bench manufactured from logs on the subsequent path intersection.

Scrubby sandhills

Turning proper, a grassy pathway bordered by dense shrubs leads northward, passing the darkish, glassy waters of a small wetland alongside the way in which.

At 0.6 mile, the path takes a pointy flip onto a raised berm heading in direction of the northeast nook of the loop.

Cypress knees within the swamp

Nearing one mile, a path marker signifies a flip to the south, the place the trail follows fence traces of neighboring properties for 0.2 miles.

Curve westward throughout excessive floor dotted with turkey oaks and paw paws.

Rising from the woods subsequent to the outdated quarry, flip left to observe the path for an additional quarter mile again to the parking space.

Beautyberries on the path marker

Path Map

Discover Extra!

Be taught extra about Weekiwachee Protect

Weekiwachee Protect Named for the river defining its northern boundary, the 11,000-acre Weekiwachee Protect is a mining restoration space fringed with pure habitats.

Video

Climbing Aripeka Sandhills Protect

Close by Adventures

Path Map Official Web site

Alongside along with his spouse Chelsey, Chris Stevens shares out of doors adventures on Instagram and Fb as @sunshinestateseekers and is a co-host of a podcast about Florida’s outside, 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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