It’s an enormous distinction to the extra standard facet of Rice Creek Conservation Space, the place the Florida Path crosses a prolonged boardwalk and a number of bridges within the Rice Creek Swamp.
On the west facet of the swamp, the 9-Mile Tract showcases restoration sandhill and baygall communities.
This separate tract encompasses the sting of an upland ridge on the Penny Farms Formation.
Sloped terrainThe path system consists of a 0.9 mile red-blazed loop, linked to a 1.2 mile yellow-blazed linear route.
The shorter path explores successional hardwood forests and planted pines, passing a picnic spot alongside the way in which.
Branching off close to the midway level of the crimson loop, yellow blazes lead northward, following a surprisingly stark transition zone between moist and dry habitats.
Sandhill habitatSources
Overview
Location: PalatkaLength: 3.5 milesTrailhead: 29.626972, -81.794194Address: 594 SR 20, PalatkaFees: FreeRestrooms: NoneLand supervisor: St. Johns River Water Administration DistrictPhone: 386-329-4404
Open 24 hours.
Instructions
Hike
Beginning on the northeast nook of the parking space, observe a sandy pathway previous the map kiosk and right into a blended forest of pines, turkey oaks, and cabbage palms.
Reaching a fork within the path at 0.2 miles, flip left to start a clockwise trek across the loop.
Trailhead kioskIn a brief distance, crimson markers point out a pointy flip the place the path crosses an open forest ground coated in deer moss.
The pathway climbs a mild slope whereas curving to the appropriate, reaching an entry highway lined with rowed pines at 0.4 miles.
Deer moss amid leaf litterTo the left, a picnic bench sits close to the sting of a sandhill lake, overlooking an open, grassy expanse.
The path turns eastward in a tenth of a mile, following a hall flanked by planted slash pine because it begins to descend contoured terrain.
Prairie overlookReaching a junction at 0.7 miles, flip onto the Yellow Path, crossing underneath excessive pressure powerlines earlier than winding northward once more.
Yellow blazes cleared the path northward, flanked by pines to the left, and a dense mixture of hardwoods to the appropriate.
Path junctionThe broad, graded pathway continues in a principally straight line for 0.8 miles earlier than reaching a small rectangular loop close to the northern boundary.
From this level, observe yellow path markers again to the path junction, and switch left to finish the crimson loop.
Sandhill ridgeAnother dip to the east is adopted by a steep ascent topped with delicate sugar sand.
Because the soil turns into extra xeric, publish and turkey oaks dot the panorama as soon as once more, exhibiting a little bit of fall colour in early winter.
On the finish of the loop, take a left to observe the method path for an additional tenth of a mile earlier than reaching the trailhead.
Oaks displaying fall coloursPath Map
Discover Extra!
Video
Mountain climbing the 9 Mile Tract at Rice Creek Conservation Space
Close by Adventures
Path Map (PDF) Official Web site
