Probably the largest continuous hiking trail in the local area, Fort Braden is part of the Lake Talquin management area and is comprised of three loops. The west loop is 3.2 miles, the center is 2.6, and the east is 3.2. For the mathematically disinclined, this sums to an even 9 miles. The trailhead starts you at the convergence point of the center and western loops, but to get to the east one you will have to hike. The normal couple-of-dollars-per-car-with-manual-paybox rules apply. There is an equally expansive equestrian trail at this site, and there are points where the the two trails intersect (briefly, but watch out for those droppings).
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January 18th, 2010

As usual it can be both easy and hard to get here. Drive west on Pensacola until it turns into Blountstown, and wait for Coe Landing on the right. After that there will be some sparse signage and a turn-in to the parking area. More than likely, you’ll see trucks with horse transports attached. You’re in the right place—just pay your fee and drive in.
Continue reading…

Tags: hiking, tallahassee | Categories: The Great Outdoors |
Posted: Tuesday, March 2, 2010 | No Comments »

West of Tallahassee lies the Lake Talquin state forest. The area actually includes quite a few hiking trails, but there is a small trail near a recreational area that I decided to explore with a friend.
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December 21st, 2009

Driving west on Blountstown highway, you eventually come to a road called Jack Vause Landing. If you follow it down there is a part of Lake Talquin with a big waterfront area, a pavilion, and a short “interpretive trail”. When I see the words “interpretive trail” I naturally think about traipsing through the woods performing interpretive dance, however this is not the intended definition. Nor is the reality, which is usually more along the lines of “This is a really short trail, so you better do a lot of wandering around if you want to be out here for an hour.” Continue reading…

Tags: hiking, tallahassee | Categories: The Great Outdoors |
Posted: Sunday, February 7, 2010 | No Comments »

Elinor KP has dedicated hiking trails, bike trails, horse trails, mixed trails, and also includes the Forest Meadows sports complex. The trailheads are aligned such that you can cross over into Maclay’s Lake Overstreet trail if you wish (especially useful when biking). There are three main loops with some crossover trails, comprising around 6.5 miles.
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November 7th, 2009

My friends and I had a lot of fun hiking in this area. It’s always nice to have dedicated hiker trails, as they’re usually much more interesting. There are many areas where one can wander off the path and explore the trees and creeks and plant life. Like most parks in Florida, water runs all through the forest. Some of the creeks were older and dried up, but others were flowing. The path usually follows along the sides of these creeks, but if you’re not afraid of a little mud you can ease up next to them for a better look. Continue reading…

Tags: hiking, tallahassee | Categories: The Great Outdoors |
Posted: Thursday, February 4, 2010 | No Comments »

One of the first places outside of Tallahassee that I went hiking. Leon Sinks is an interesting hike that meanders through a series of sinkholes. There are two loops with a crossover trail, comprising around 5 miles of great hiking.
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October 18th, 2009

I hiked this trail with my friend and hiking buddy Isaac. Like most of the parks around here, there was a small entry fee per vehicle, but believe me when I say it’s worth it. The trail starts almost immediately presents you with a sinkhole to stare down into. Some of them are shallow, some are deep, some are dry, some are full of rushing water fed by underground springs. Continue reading…

Tags: hiking, tallahassee | Categories: The Great Outdoors |
Posted: Wednesday, February 3, 2010 | No Comments »

I try to go hiking whenever I get the chance. Tallahassee has quite a few trails, but some are better suited for hiking than others. I’ve decided to post some reviews of the trails that I’ve been to.
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October 25th, 2009

When I entered the park, I went to a rec area and spotted a “nature trail” and I began there. I met a snake halfway down, but the path was really, really nice, and eventually opened up to a lovely area to view the lake, where I found this pair of underwear on the ground.

I can only hope there is an amazing story to go along with them. Unfortunately, this is also where the trail terminated—a mere 0.4 miles from the beginning. So I had to turn back, get in my car, and find the real trails further down the road. When I got to my car I realized I was covered in little…things. Little red bugs, like the kind you might find in Spanish moss. I had a hell of a time brushing them off.

This area is really beautiful. More Georgia and Carolina looking trees, big lakes and birds and wildlife too. Sadly, this trail was a boring 4.1 miles of hard clay and sand that wore my feet out. The trail starts with a smashing view of some high-voltage power lines, and then you follow some tire tracks to the trailhead. The path has the appearance of being driven over by a truck with a plow every few months. The whole time I was just walking and walking, and the path was just flat and dead. Perfect if you’re a bicycle or a horse (or you are riding one), but for a hiker it wasn’t so great. They label these trails as “multipurpose”, but that’s kind of a stretch I think. Continue reading…

Tags: hiking, tallahassee | Categories: The Great Outdoors |
Posted: Friday, January 15, 2010 | No Comments »