Wednesday Walk in the Ocala National Forest: Rodman to Lake Delancy
| Yesterday I met up with old friends Bob (LWOP) and Bonnie Coveney to jump in on one of Rachael and Lou Augspurg’s famed Wednesday Walks on the Florida Trail. It’s been a tradition for them to lead these outings each winter, attracting friends who don’t have a 9-5 job to head into the woods for a group hike bookended by fine hospitality. When we arrived, the coffee was on and the munchies were out. | |
| Once shuttles were arranged, the hike started at Rodman Dam. It had been a couple of years since I’d been out this way, and the last time I visited, the trail was ravaged by ATVs near Penner Pond. Not so this time. I’d say the new Centennial Trail System for ATVs that the USDA Forest Service designed in conjunction with the user groups is a roaring success, based on how pristine the Florida Trail was between Rodman Pool and Lake Delancy. I remember fielding the pained emails, letters, and phone calls about destruction of the forest through this area by reckless riders. It’s a delight to communicate that NOW is the time to visit this spectacular section of trail. There are intimate moments, ducking beneath low-hanging branches of sand live oaks in the scrub forest, and then there are breathtaking moments, when you realize just how far you can see and just how small you are within the longleaf pine ecosystem that seems to go on forever. It evokes Bartram’s Travels, days of a pristine Florida, felt as you walk through these grand forests. This is a must-hike destination, restored by the fine efforts of the Forest Service. I can finally recommend this hike. Go! |
Hi,
Researching some hiking in the Ocala National Forest, I came upon this website. We will be back to Florida in October and would like
to hike once we arrive. We belong to the Adirondack Mountain Club here in upstate NY during the summer months and look forward to
doing some hiking when we are in FL from Oct. to May. Thanks for a reply. Linda Lashley PS the Wed. walkers is very appropiate as we also
hike and walk on Wed. while here in central NY.
Linda, the Wednesday Walks are a lot of fun and occur in different places around the state. In Central Florida, they are run by Rachael and Lou Augspurg and are open to Florida Trail members. You can learn more about the Florida Trail Association at http://www.floridatrail.org. I’m sure when Rachel has her series set for next January, she’ll share it with me to post on the website. Hope you can join the group!