Ride Our Nations Trails: Part IV
Take
a Journey through Florida’s National Forests on horseback.
By Georgia Brown
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winters and sunshine make the trails in the Apalachicola,
Osceola and Ocala National Forests a horseman’s dream
from October through April. On horseback, in a carriage or
on foot, the state’s National Forests provide an amazing
look at the original Florida.
Trails meander through forests and around lakes and wetlands,
passing through a variety of breeding grounds for birds and
animals. Waterfowl and migratory birds—a total of 470
species live or migrate through the state—are especially
easy to observe during the dry season. Don’t miss the
opportunity to enjoy the water sports in the National Forests.
All year visitors enjoy fishing or paddling the many lakes
and rivers, and a plunge into a crystal clear spring cannot
be any better than after a sunny day on the trails.
Trails may appear easy because the terrain is mostly flat,
but they bring their own set of challenges. During dry spells
the porous sandy trails become deep and difficult for horses.
Fortunately, Florida’s forest roads, railroad grades,
fire brakes and old hunting roads provide trails 6 to 8 feet
wide that are ideal for driving carriages or riding side-by-side.
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Apalachicola National Forest
Horseback riders are welcome almost anywhere in the Apalachicola
National Forest, which is the largest in the state with nearly
582,000 acres of rolling sandhill forests and wetlands. Two
rivers, the Ochlocknee and Apalachicola, carry a steady supply
of fresh water from the Panhandle to estuaries on the Gulf
well-known for Florida shellfish and seafood. The Forest is
home to the largest concentration of red-cockaded woodpecker
colonies in the world and its wetlands and prairie savannahs
create diverse ecosystems for migrating birds.
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The
Vinzant Riding Trail is the only designated horse trail in the
forest, located 20 miles west of Tallahassee. The 30-mile trail
through mostly flat pine forest has two overlapping loops open
to hikers and horses only. It is considered easy with occasional
low wetlands, one stream to cross, and some sections on roads.
The best seasons for camping are spring, when flowering trees
are in bloom, and fall, especially from October to Thanksgiving.
Overnight dispersed camping with horses is allowed in the general
forest and at some primitive hunt camps; however, cleaning up
after horses is expected and appreciated. Horse trailers may
be parked on any forest road (except where prohibited) as long
as they do not block traffic.
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| Osceola
National Forest |
The
Osceola National Forest is a mosaic of peaceful woodlands separated
by pine ridges and old cypress and bay swamps. When it was created
in 1931 it had been cutover and heavily burned. Today approximately
2,000 acres is managed for recreation and the protection of
water resources and wildlife, which includes prescribed burning
to lessen the threat of wildfire.
Horseback riding in the Osceola is an opportunity to journey
quietly through open pine flatwoods and wet, scenic bays. Four
interconnected loops offer approximately 50 miles of trails
from the West Tower trailhead where there are campsites, horse
corrals, drinking water and a flush toilet. Dispersed camping
with horses is also allowed in the Forest.
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The
five-mile Green Trail over grated roads is the easiest. The
20-mile Red Trail is the driest and has a midpoint cutoff that
saves 10 miles. The 20-mile Blue Trail meanders on an old railroad
grade across pine flatwoods and around cypress swamps along
the western boundary of the Big Gum Swamp Wilderness. During
wet periods the 16-mile Gold Trail that crosses Robinson Branch
can be deep and is therefore not recommended for novices.
Horses can’t go through swamps, but while visiting the
Osceola don’t miss exploring the wetlands on one of the
twenty boardwalks. These barrier free trails make the deep woods
accessible for nearly everyone and reveal the habitats of the
gopher tortoise and red-cockaded woodpecker. One boardwalk near
the Olustee swimming beach tells the story of a sawmill community
that thrived during the timber era of the early 20th century.
Ocala National Forest
Springs made the Ocala National Forest the most popular National
Forest in Florida. It was created in 1908, but tales of crystal
clear springs have lured adventurous tourists since the 1800s.
Water from deep in the Florida Aquifer feeds more than 600 sandy
lakes and ponds. Located between the Ocklawaha and St. Johns
Rivers 18 miles northeast of Orlando, it covers 389,000 acres.
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Several recreation areas offer swimming, snorkeling and paddling
experiences. Juniper Springs Run, a popular four-hour paddle,
begins as slightly more than a few inches deep in a sub-tropical
ecosystem and soon passes bluffs topped by moss-draped oaks.
Near the end your canoe passes through wide, flat wetlands where
alligators are common, so forget swimming. Instead, take a dive
into mammoth Alexander Springs, which produces 80 million crystal
clear gallons of water per day. It’s always 72 degrees.
Many trails for hikers and equestrians pass through the Big
Scrub in the center of the Ocala National Forest, an area of
lakes, sand pine scrub and grassy prairies. The hard life of
early homesteaders is described in books by Marjorie Kennan
Rawlings, The Yearling, Cross Creek (also made into films) and
South Moon Under.
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Ocala 100-Mile Horse Trail, named for the endurance ride that
introduced many riders to the forest in past decades, is located
in the southern part of the forest. Motorized vehicles are prohibited
here and riders follow a labyrinth of colored blazes on trees.
The 40-mile Flatwoods, 40-mile Prairie and the 20-mile Baptist
Lake Trails can be accessed from forest roads at many points
for shorter rides. Remember many intersections look alike and
can be confusing, a situation that may mean you ride extra miles
on your horse or become lost.
The
LAM (Lake/Alachua/Marion) Trail, marked with yellow blazes,
stretches 34 miles from Doe Lake to a point north near Eureka.
The Swim Pond horse trailer parking area is the only developed
parking facility available at this time, but riders can park
alongside a forest road where trails cross.
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Primitive tent camping is allowed throughout the forest except
during deer hunting season. You may have to bring water for
yourself and the horses. Horse trailers can be parked on any
forest road, but do not leave valuables in your vehicle. There
are also developed campgrounds for riders who want to camp in
a rig or motor home.
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The
Doe Lake Recreation area is a favorite among riders and campers.
There is a sandy beach on the lake where riders can swim with
their horses. The site features a club house that is a fully
restored, old Civilian Conservation Corps dining hall that overlooks
Doe Lake. Additionally, there is a bath house with showers and
hot water for all of the comforts of home. The Doe Lake Recreation
area is closed to the public so you must camp with a horseback
riding club. Triple B Riding Club, the Sunshine State Horse
Council and the Altoona Trail Riders are several of the clubs
that reserve the camp regularly.
It’s a good idea to go with a guide on your first experience
in these woods. JnB Horse Haven Farm, a rehab and training center
for horses located eight miles west of Altoona, is the Ocala
forest's permitted outfitter. Guided trail rides on smooth riding
gaited horses depart every morning at 9 and 11 a.m. all year.
Independent horse owners are welcome to join the trail rides
and use the tent sites and picnic areas on the farm. Motor homes
and large rigs can use Big Bass Lake Campground nearby. |
The Ocala 100-Mile Horse Trail
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Finding Your Way
Whichever National Forest you choose, be smart and stay alert
when riding new trails. Carry a good map and compass because
many trails and roads look alike in Florida’s flat pinelands.
Although trails are well marked by blazes, on a cloudy day it’s
easy to become disoriented and go the wrong way. And cell phones
don’t always work in the forest. Tell someone your riding
plans and when you will return.
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Lately
more riders and hikers are packing handheld GPS tracking devices
that use the Global Positioning System (a group of 24 satellites
that transmit precise radio signals) to determine their precise
location. Even when you think you know the trails, you can get
lost.
J.L. Williams, a trail rider with years of experience, said
it best, “We are all subject to getting turned around.”
He always carries a magnetic compass as backup. “In deep
forested areas and near sink holes electronics can fail. Orient
yourself before you go into the forest and note on your map
whether forest roads are dirt or paved.” When J.L. shows
up at a rides, his trail mates greet him with some degree of
relief. They know there won’t be any lost riders this
trip.
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A
horse & rider enjoying the Prairie Trail in the Ocala
National Forest.
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Helpful
Links & Numbers |
Fires
in National Forests |
National
Forest Service www.fs.fed.us
Apalachicola NF 850-926-3561
Osceola NF 386 752-2577
Ocala NF 352-625-2520
Triple B Riding Club www.triplebriders.org
Sunshine State Horse Council www.sshc.org
Altoona Trail Riders www.altoonatrailriders.com
Southern Trail Riderswww.SouthernTrailriders.org
JnB Horse Haven Farm 352-821-0794
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Florida
has recently had severe fire conditions in all three
forests that caused trails to be closed. Be sure to
call and check for updates on closures before your
visit.
Florida receives the most lightning of any state.
Wildfires caused by lightning strikes are as much
a part of the National Forests as the plants and animals.
The Ocala National Forest has had some devastating
fires throughout history. The Big Scrub fire in 1935
burned 35,000 acres in 4 hours. On Black Friday, May
17, 1985, four separate fires races across the forest
burning 12,000 acres. Lightning strikes are also the
main cause of wildfires in the Osceola National Forest.
Fire plays an important role in the life-cycles of
trees and plant communities. Many species are able
to survive, regenerate and thrive in a fire-prone
environment. Fox squirrels, gopher tortoises, scrub
jays, red-cockaded woodpeckers, wiregrass and longleaf
pines all depend on fire. Periodic prescribed fires
are the only means we have to reduce the threat of
property damage from wildfires.
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| Escape
the Heat: A favorite pastime in the Ocala National Forest,
for both horse and rider, is a refreshing swim in Doe
Lake. |
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Georgia
Brown is a freelance travel writer who frequently writes
about horses. She raised horses for several years and
learned many life lessons while competing in dressage
and distance trail riding with a gentlemanly Arbian
Stallion that live to the ripe old age of 33. She currently
lives in Sarasota, Florida. |
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