Seminole Ranch - Old Trail Notes

Seminole Ranch Conservation Area

31-Aug-2003: Went back out to survey the area for a possible geo-cache site. Almost stumbled over an alligator while hiking the Florida Trail. I thought he was dead until I saw his eyes open up. I gave him a wide berth, but he didn't seem to be interested in me.

10-Aug-2003: All of the bridges along the Florida Trail have all been replaced. Judging from the quality of the work and the materials used, I suspect the county or state constructed them. Very nice job! Most of the trails were underwater with the white trail being the worst. In some places I had wade through 3 feet of water for nearly a half-mile. Not a good time to go hiking. There's now a primitive campsite along the Florida Trail just north of SR 50. It has a covered picnic table, but no fire ring. Only thru hikers can camp there.

09-Jun-2001: Most of the horse trails on the north side of Seminole Ranch west of Hatbill Road are in good condition. The levees have recently been mowed, but you may still run into some thick patches of grass. The trails are amazingly dry (no standing water or mud bogs). The temperature was a scorching 92º F and there is absolutely no shade on these trails. I was expecting lots of mosquitoes but surprisingly there were none.
13-May-2001: The blue blazed side trail along Echo Road is completely overgrown. It appears to be abandoned. The orange blazed trail section along Wheeler Road is in good condition. If you decide to head out towards the St. Johns River make sure you bring plenty of bug spray. The mosquitoes will eat you alive.
18-Feb-2001: Except for a few down trees, the Florida Trail is in excellent condition. You can expect to see lots of cows now that the neighboring grass lands have been reopened for grazing.