Florida Trail Association – Choctawhatchee and Western Gate Chapters

Activities July/August 2010

Courtesy http://choctaw.floridatrail.org

Activity Participants Please note: Contact the activity leader well in advance for more information and/or to reserve your place (Space is limited.) Unless instructed otherwise by the activity leader, each participant should bring: day pack, plenty of water (recommended minimum, 2 quarts), sun protection (hat, glasses, screen), insect repellent, lunch and or snacks, adequate clothing for the forecast, and comfortable, sturdy close toed shoes with socks. Long pants, work gloves, and extra water are recommended for work hikes. Activity leaders may deny participation to anyone who is inadequately prepared.

The Western Gate Chapter (western area) and Choctawhatchee Chapter (eastern area) span a longitude difference greater than 80 miles. All activities are open to the public unless noted otherwise. Read More…

Posted under Kayak/Canoe, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking

Bikers along the new path at Camp Helen State Park. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Path provides scenic views and bike path along Lake Powell

By Don Schroeder
Friends of Camp Helen State Park

The cooperation between the State of Florida and the local community that gave birth to Camp Helen State Park more than a dozen years ago remains alive and well! This same working partnership was on display March 30 in the dedication and opening of an environmentally friendly tramway and hiking path under the Lake Powell U.S. 98 Highway bridge opening up the 55-acre portion of the park north of the highway.

Camp Helen State Park is at the west end of Bay County right up against the Walton County line, and runs from the Gulf of Mexico up to Lake Powell, one of the world’s largest dune lakes.

Gulf Coast Community College, Panama City, which led the way in convincing the State of Florida to save the 183-acre plot for a park, also secured a federal grant of nearly $1 million to build the tramway. The college hopes to use the park for environmental study and to continue partnership with the park.
Read More…

Posted under Birding, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Parks, Trails/Hiking

This outdoor interpretive will focus on tracking animals and finding out how many are in an area any what type with avid tracker Mike Townsend. Meet at the Day-Use parking lot off Hwy 30A and be sure to wear sunscreen and boots.  Be ready to hike at least 2 miles. $6.00 entry admission into the park

Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A.

Call (850) 267-8330 for more details. Located in Santa Rosa Beach, the park is located 1/4 mi. south of U.S. Hwy 98 on western end of Scenic Hwy. 30A.  ::MAP::

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking

Waterfall at the base of the steephead at Shoal Sanctuary. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Trails, sculptures and serenity await the nature lover in Mossy Head

Tucked away off the beaten path in north Walton County there is a unique outdoor experience for nature lovers called the Shoal Sanctuary.

Located on 50 acres of trails, sculptures and serene vistas, proprietors Robert and Chris Larson welcome visitors to their retreat dedicated to sharing the beauty of the outdoor experience and appreciation of Mother Nature’s gifts.

Recorded history dates back to the 1830s. The property is believed to of been along the path of the “Trail Of Tears.” After the U.S. government’s “Indian Removal Act,” Cherokee, Seminole, Creek, Timuquan, Muskhogean, and Apalachee were forced migrate west,  and lore sites a leg of that journey along the old Indian footpath now called Crowder Chapel Road near the retreat. Local Native Americans have said that Shoal Sanctuary was once a ceremonial gathering place.

In 2000, the Larson’s acquired 35 acres of land adjacent to their existing 16-acre property, and began a reforestation project blazing trails and developed the retreat along their Shoal river property. Long-leaf pine, ash magnolia, Torreya pine and other native trees have been planted to restore the land as the Larson’s participate in Florida’s Forest Stewardship program.

Read More…

Posted under Eco tourism adventure, Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking

Campbell Lake at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Take a hike along a coastal dune lake at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

Come and join the park folks for a hike. Visitors will be guided down the paved bike path leads you to a rare, pristine coastal dune lake for a 3.5 mile hike where park rangers will discuss coastal dune lakes.  Park at the Day-Use Area off Hwy 30A. $6.00 entry admission into the park.

Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A.

Call (850) 267-8330 for more details. Located in Santa Rosa Beach, the park is located 1/4 mi. south of U.S. Hwy 98 on western end of Scenic Hwy. 30A.  ::MAP::

Posted under Nature, Outdoor Family Fun, Trails/Hiking

Dunes at Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

Take a hike and learn about the dune ecosystems

Come and join the park folks for a hike. Visitors will be guided down the paved tram path to get to the beach where they will  learn about the plants and animals that live in a dune ecosystem and then walk back on the tram path.  Park at the Day-Use area off Hwy 30A. $6.00 entry admission into the park.

Call (850) 267-8330 for more details. Located in Santa Rosa Beach, the park is located 1/4 mi. south of U.S. Hwy 98 on western end of Scenic Hwy. 30A.  ::MAP::

Posted under Nature, Trails/Hiking

Justin Hansen hugged by family after rescue.

Rapidly rising water created dire situation for two hikers in Walton County

Eglin Air Force Base Reservation, FL (January 21, 2010) –  Two Crestview men survive rapidly rising floodwaters from this morning’s heavy rainfall by climbing a tree on the Eglin Air Force Base Reservation.

At around seven o’clock this morning, 32-year-old Justin Hansen and his friend, 26-year-old Ray Coles Jr., were leaving their campsite when they found flash flood waters breaching the banks of several tributaries.

Within minutes, the water was up to their necks.  That is when the two friends began climbing trees to avoid being swept downstream.  Hansen and Coles used a cell phone to call 911.   The Walton County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center was then able to get a location by using the cell phone’s GPS and mapping feature.
Read More…

Posted under Trails/Hiking

New improvements to trail head include parking, picnic pavilion and restroom with solar panel.

Parking, picnic area and restroom at western trailhead on Satinwood Drive

The U.S. Forestry is developing the trailhead on the west end of Point Washington State Forest Greenway Trail on Satinwood Drive in Santa Rosa Beach.

Parking is now available for 10+ cars and includes a picnic area pavilion, and bathroom for users of the Longleaf Trail system.
Construction should be finished by Jan. 31. ::MAP::

For a related story with the local area hiking trails, Click here
For more information about the Point Washington State Forest Greenway trail, you may contact 850-267-8325

Posted under Trails/Hiking

One of the recently planted food plots on a closed road in the Point Washington State Forest. Lori Ceier/Walton Outdoors

U.S. Forestry and FWC plant grasses to stimulate turkey brooding habitat

The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, in Point Washington and the Florida Fish and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are working together to promote wildlife brooding habitats in the Point Washington State Forest. 18 food plots have been planted on closed road areas throughout the Forest.

Working with cost share funding from the National Wild Turkey Federation, Forestry and FWC started with warm season grasses in July 2009, with brown top millet, sorghum, pearl millet and iron-clay peas planted. In December, the cool season was planted with clover, wheat, rye and oats.

Eastern portion of food plot map in Point Washington WMA.

“The planting is for young turkey brooding habitats,” said Fred Robinette, District Wildlife Biologist for FWC. “The plots also encourage quail and dove feeding, however take a few years to fully develop. In March, April and May when these grasses go to seed, it provides excellent bugging for the birds,” Robinette continued.

The benefits are two-fold as the plots also provide excellent feeding for sub-tropical migrating birds as well as good feeding for deer.

The plots are spread out along the closed roads and range in size from .2 acre to 2.5 acres and approximately 16 ft. wide, with more than 18 acres planted. Read More…

Posted under Birding, Hunting, Nature, Trails/Hiking

Travel safe and wear bright colors while hiking

A reminder to hikers in the Point Washington State Forest and the Florida Trail on Eglin Reservation, general gun season is Nov. 26-29, 2009 and Dec. 12, 2009 – Feb. 17, 2010.

For Point Washington Wildlife Management area Click here
Choctawhatchee River Wildlife Management area Click here
Layfayette Creek area Click here
Eglin information from Florida Trail Association Click here

Posted under Hunting, Trails/Hiking