Deep throughout the Arbuckle Tract of the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest, a small day use space highlights the country McLean Cabin.
The cabin was primarily used for cattle farming operations, which passed off within the space for at the very least a century earlier than the state purchased the land.
The Cabin Trailhead is the place to begin of the Nature Loop Path. Previously the Previous Cabin Path, it immerses guests in an array of pure habitats.
The trailhead additionally supplies entry to a blue-blazed portion of the Lake Arbuckle Path, which connects to the bigger yellow loop with a number of backpacking campsites alongside its route.
Close to the north entrance of the forest, a drive-up campground provides extra choices for an in a single day keep.
Cabin TrailheadAssets
Overview
Location: FrostproofLength: 1.1 mileTrailhead: 27.679778, -81.416444Address: Rucks Dairy Rd, FrostproofFees: $2 per vehicleRestrooms: Vault bathroom at Reedy Creek CampgroundLand supervisor: Florida Forestry ServicePhone: 863-589-0545
Open dawn to sundown. Leashed canines welcome. Seasonal searching happens all through this forest. Verify forward earlier than you make plans for out of doors recreation.
Instructions
Hike
Beginning on the trailhead kiosk, head in direction of the cabin the place an indication supplies details about the construction and previous residents.
Previous the cabin, one other coated kiosk marks the start of the Nature Loop Path.
McLean CabinHead westward, following pink and blue blazed posts to a fork within the path and switch proper.
A well-worn path winds round an fringe of the oak hammock into sun-drenched scrubby flatwoods.
Pink and blue blazed submitCoastal plain staggerbush, hog plum, and lupine border the path because it descends barely alongside an historic ridge, coming to a pointy left flip at 0.2 mile.
Rising from the shrubby hall, a grassy path drops right down to panoramic vistas of a seasonal pond lined with sporadic pines.
Lupine in bloomAn info kiosk stands close to the shoreline of this wetland, describing the character of cutthroat seeps, an imperiled habitat.
It’s named for a species of grass that thrives in these particular circumstances. Proceed westward, tracing the perimeter of the marsh.
Cutthroat seepAt 1 / 4 mile, a brief facet spur results in an inviting bench below the shade of a lone stay oak surrounded by a grassy expanse dotted with pines and palmettos.
In 100 ft, flip left at a path junction the place the blue path branches off and pink blazes proceed alongside the loop.
Shaded benchThe path turns to the south, crossing a ditch on a small wood bridge earlier than passing a set of kiosks with details about pine flatwoods and flatwoods marshes.
A small spur subsequent to the second show provides spectacular views of the melancholy marsh.
Melancholy marshReaching 0.6 mile, comply with a sandy entry street as the encompassing habitat step by step transitions from flatwoods to clean.
Sand pine, gopher apple, and shrubby oaks line the stark white pathway for a brief distance.
Cross a low spot and shut the loop across the one-mile mark. Flip proper, following pink and blue blazes again to the trailhead.
Scrub habitatPath Map
Discover Extra!
Study extra about Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Atop the traditional sands of the Lake Wales Ridge, this huge state forest provides supplies hikers and equestrians an expansive community of trails. Video
Climbing Lake Wales Ridge State Forest Nature Loop
Close by Adventures
Path Map (PDF) Hunt Dates Reserve Campsite Official Web site
