A conservation acquisition success story, Bellini Protect is the results of a number of companions coming collectively.
They embrace Polk County and Conservation Florida together with the protect’s namesake household.
When the practically 640 acre property went up on the market in 2020, Conservation Florida rapidly recognized its hydrological significance, and demanding habitat on the Lake Wales Ridge.
Waterfront on Lake MarionThe Bellini Household moved quick to purchase the land whereas different companies labored out the small print.
In 2024, the protect opened to the general public, full with a big parking space and intensive set of trails.
Trails are clearly marked with coloured discs on postsAssets
Overview
Location: PoincianaLength: 5.7 milesTrailhead: 28.072861, -81.516556Address: Lake Marion Creek Dr, PoincianaFees: FreeRestrooms: NoneLand supervisor: Polk CountyPhone: 863-534-7377
Open dawn to sundown. Leashed canines welcome.
Instructions
Hike
Staring the hike at a stroll via subsequent to a big steel gate, head westward towards a set of indicators flanked by gnarled oaks coated in Spanish moss.
Proceed straight, following blue path markers alongside Blueberry Lane, a large, sandy path lined with beautyberry, noticed palmettos, and a wide range of wild blueberries.
Path signageThe path winds southward by way of a scattering of bay and slash pines surrounded by dense patches of lyonia earlier than reaching an intersection at 0.3 miles. Flip proper.
A mild slope leads in direction of Lake Marion, the place the path crosses a small bridge earlier than reaching a bench alongside the grassy shoreline.
Bench alongside Lake MarionPersevering with northward, the distinct scent of vanillaleaf fills the air as swallowtails drift throughout the trail.
Though pines are scarce on this part, shining sumac, fetterbush, and goldenrod reveal parts of a pine flatwoods ecosystem that seems to be present process habitat restoration.
Reaching the subsequent junction at 0.7 miles, a flip to the precise leads again to the trailhead, whereas turning left heads deeper into the protect.
Goldenrod within the flatwoodsOn the mile mark, one other crossroads supplies the choice to shorten the hike alongside the Lakeview Loop or add one other 4.4 mile spherical journey alongside the Buck Rub Run.
Orange path markers cleared the path on the Buck Rub Run. Cross a canal earlier than climbing onto a sandy ridge topped with scrub hickory.
Winding northward, the path crosses two extra canals earlier than hugging a fenceline close to the street and rising on the fringe of a sand pine forest.
Wood bridgeOpening to an outdated pasture dotted with prickly pears, paw paws, and sun-bleached cow bones, marked posts point out the path because it crosses undulating terrain.
Meet starting of a loop at 2.4 miles. Flip proper to begin a counterclockwise circuit across the loop, the place a tough path leads by way of scrub oaks to the sting of a dry canal.
Outdated pastureReindeer moss covers the sides of the canal, and Florida rosemary thrives in xeric circumstances on the prime.
Throughout the sandy melancholy, a pine needle strewn pathway passes by way of shady stands of sand pines earlier than reaching the north finish of the loop.
There, it curves in direction of one other scenic bench overlooking Lake Marion.
Florida rosemaryColourful wildflowers adorn the western aspect of the loop, together with blazing stars, milkweeds, and blacksenna.
Closing the loop at 4 miles, proceed southward, retracing footsteps for one more 1.4 miles to the Lakeview Loop and switch left, returning to the trailhead in one other quarter mile.
Blazing star in bloomPath Map
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