Torchwood Hammock Preserve – Florida Hikes

John J. Pescatello Torchwood Hammock Protect was acquired by the Nature Conservancy in 1989 to guard uncommon pure habitats within the Decrease Keys.

The property protects practically 244 acres, though the hammock solely exists in a small space on the south finish.

Inconspicuously marked with indicators on a chain-link gate, it’s straightforward to miss this scenic path and its diversified tropical landscapes.

Entrance gate

Assets

Overview

Location: Little Torch KeyLength: 0.4 mileTrailhead: 24.654361, -81.387833Address: Pirates Rd, Little Torch KeyFees: FreeRestrooms: NoneLand supervisor: The Nature ConservancyPhone: 561-744-6668

Open dawn to sundown. No pets allowed. Name The Nature Conservancy for entry if the gate is locked.

Due to the presence of poisonwood timber, it’s best to keep away from touching any of the crops within the hammock.

Instructions

Hike

Strolling via the protect gate, observe a well-defined rocky footpath lined with dense shrubs that step by step enhance in top whereas heading down the path.

Slender torchwood timber border the slender hall alongside white stoppers and gumbo limbo.

A member of the citrus household, torchwood is a number plant for swallowtail butterflies, producing aromatic white flowers practically year-round.

Torchwood with identification tag

Keep to the left at a fork within the path, noticing how shortly the foliage modifications whereas approaching the ocean.

Grasses and salt tolerant succulents carpet the forest flooring as buttonwood and mangrove timber change into extra outstanding.

Habitat transition

Because the path winds out in direction of a coastal berm, curious canals intersect the trail, remnants of previous mosquito management initiatives that noticed drainage channels reduce straight into the limestone.

A skinny layer of slick marl mud covers the bottom as markers paved the way previous tree skeletons with gnarled, sun-bleached limbs.

Bridge over an outdated channel

The path opens to a large clearing at 0.2 miles, the place a bench and dedication plaque sit in a tidally flooded ecosystem amongst the mangroves.

From this quiet spot, backtrack 200 toes and switch left on the subsequent junction to discover the opposite facet of the loop.

Plaque and bench within the salt flats

Tidal flats shortly transition to hardwood hammock with a slight rise in elevation, shading the trail because it weaves via a dense jungle with limestone pavement.

A big poisonwood tree with an identification tag arches over the path earlier than the loop concludes, the place a brief stroll leads again to the trailhead.

Tropical rockland hammock

Path Map

Discover Extra!

Video

Climbing Torchwood Hammock Protect

Close by Adventures

Official Web site

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