Graham Swamp West – Florida Hikes

Making two loops round two ponds throughout the floodplain of Graham Swamp, the Crimson Path existed properly earlier than the Graham Swamp Path got here into being.

Now Graham Swamp West serves as a trailhead for each. The hardpacked bike path loops the north finish of the swamp to connect with a community of paved paths.

Trailhead statement deck

The Crimson Path delves into the swamp itself, dropping via a gradient of sand pine scrub via hardwoods to the floodplain.

Outdated-growth bushes tower over the basin of a stream dividing the pair of loops in a jungle-like habitat.

Mountain climbing within the floodplain

Assets

Overview

Location: Palm CoastLength: 1 mile loopTrailhead: 29.53766, -81.20580Address: 1125 Outdated Kings Hwy, Palm CoastFees: FreeRestroom: NoneLand supervisor: Flagler CountyPhone: 386-313-4020

Open daytime. Leashed pets permitted. Anticipate mosquitoes.

Venomous snakes have been noticed right here. If both alligators or snakes are on or close to the path, flip again if attainable reasonably than bushwhack round them.

Instructions

Hike

Beginning in entrance of the trailhead statement deck, flip to the appropriate of the kiosk adjoining the overlook to seek out the entry level for the Crimson Path.

Start by following the south edge of a big blackwater pond. Stunning sand bluffs on the far shore host a forest of sand pines.

View from second deck

Pause to soak up the view from a second statement deck, this one giving a greater take a look at open water and the habitats surrounding the pond.

Descend from sand pine scrub into darkish hammock of sweetgum and loblolly bay, assembly a path junction at 0.2 mile at a mattress of netted chain fern. Bear proper.

Path junction

Dropping right into a floodplain forest, rise onto a small ridge underneath the shade of southern magnolias.

Parallel a tannic creek from which cypress knees protrude. Squishy darkish soil is a reminder the path can flood.

Wood bridge

Search for an historic cypress with a large double-width trunk. Close to a big cypress stump, a wood bridge that’s seen higher days spans a creek in a low floodplain.

Proceed via a mucky swale, gaining elevation by leaving the creek behind. Yaupon holly crowds the understory.

Ascending from the floodplain

Emerge into an oak hammock with clusters of noticed palmetto. The forest ground is dotted with coontie, a local cycad with brilliant purple seeds.

Transition into sand pine scrub, with silk bay alongside the needle-strewn footpath. The sky opens up forward over the second pond.

The second pond

At 0.3 mile flip left to comply with a loop clockwise across the pond. Underneath cedars and oaks draped in Spanish moss, parallel the pond’s rim.

Inside a scrim of younger purple maples and wax myrtle, the water laps uncomfortably near the footpath.

Nearness of the sting

A couple of third of the best way across the pond, the hall shifts a bit additional into the coastal hammock.

There seems to be a junction at a clearing, however it’s unmarked. For lack of blazing, go it by and stick with the trail alongside the pond.

Sand pine shoreline

Transition into sand pine scrub across the two-thirds mark of this loop, with extra open views throughout the water.

The sky opens to the left, revealing one other pond past the pines. At a curve a half mile into the hike, a worn aspect path leads left for a fast take a look at it.

The third pond

Their form and lack of a rim of marsh make us assume this trio of ponds had been quarries dug into the limestone bedrock of Graham Swamp.

The Portland Cement firm had a plant close by within the Nineteen Fifties and Nineteen Sixties, so it’s extremely possible.

West aspect of the pond

Beneath the sand pines, proceed across the rim of the pond to finish the loop round it. Returning to the junction, flip left to retrace the connector.

A gradual descent via dry habitats results in the damp soil of the hammock. The big, showy oaks, magnolias, and palms are extra apparent from this course.

Huge bushes within the floodplain

Cross the wood bridge and proceed between the cypress and bay bushes to ascend to the preliminary junction on the first pond at 0.7 mile. Flip proper.

Squeeze via a hall of noticed palmetto adjoining a baygall the place sweetbay tower overhead. Framed by oaks, the primary of a number of panoramas open up.

Pond view

Treading near the water’s edge, cross a bridge over the outflow of the pond. Bridged by a plank previously, it was a trio of logs on our go to.

Hemmed in by dense vegetation, the footpath narrows considerably. Royal and cinnamon ferns line a shaded opening onto the lake beneath the bay bushes.

Log bridge

Crossing uneven terrain, climb out of this bayhead right into a sand pine scrub above the north finish of the pond.

Curving left, comply with a straightaway underneath tall sand pines with a dense understory of scrub oaks. From this excessive bluff, catch a pair glimpses of the pond.

Sand pine scrub

At 0.9 mile, meet the well-trammeled floor of the Graham Swamp Path. Flip left.

Skirt mud puddles on the hard-packed pathway underneath the pines. Sand pine scrub frames one last take a look at the pond from the path.

Graham Swamp Path

Simply previous the Bike Route signal, the Graham Swamp Path emerges on the Graham Swamp East trailhead, finishing this mile hike.

When you didn’t take the time to stroll out on the statement deck on the trailhead earlier than the hike, accomplish that now for its sweeping perspective on the pond from its west aspect.

Remark deck at trailhead

Path Map

Discover Extra!

Study extra about Graham Swamp Protect

Graham Swamp Protect A freshwater swamp forest lower than two miles from the Atlantic Ocean, Graham Swamp Protect is the place Bulow Creek rises to stream south.

Video

Mountain climbing Graham Swamp West

Slideshow

See our photographs from Graham Swamp West

Close by Adventures

Palm Coast Linear Park A metropolis park, Linear Park is centrally situated but hidden inside an historic hardwood hammock bounded by the eastbound and westbound sides of Palm Coast Parkway.

Graham Swamp East Mountain climbing Path A surprisingly rugged hike alongside a ridgetop threads between two sides of a mountain bike loop on the japanese aspect of Graham Swamp Protect.

Official Web site

Articles collectively researched, written, and photographed by Sandra Pal & John Keatley, authors and publishers of FloridaHikes.com.

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