Today I arrived very early at the northern terminus of the Bulow Woods Trail. Since I discovered a small portion of this trail was open, I decided I had to explore it again, after about 8 years absence! Given these woods suffered severe damage during at least three hurricanes in recent history, it took a while for a portion of the trail to be opened. My photos only give you a tiny peek at the magnitude of what the job clearing some of these huge trees would have entailed. This is an area of extremely ancient Florida hammock, a rare ecosystem that is being mowed down in many places and replaced by suburban housing developments. Bulow Woods is, fortunately, protected by the State of Florida and is a state park. No camping is allowed.

Portions of the trail were damp and a bit muddy but nothing my Keen waterproof boots couldn’t handle. In some areas, the trail was strewn with fallen leaves of various shades. There is quite a selection of hardwood trees in the forest, both deciduous and evergreen. Also stands of tall thin shrub holly can be found. Various grasses and ferns complete for space in the understory. There are tons of young and old Cabbage Palms punctuating the canopy, most of the time shorter than the hardwood giants.

Having arrived so early I had the forest to myself, again. I only encountered the occasional squirrel and two feral black pigs who quickly ran off through the underbrush. In some of the damper spots on the trail, the wild pigs have been digging alongside and across the trail itself.

The open portion of the trail is only 1.5 miles, making a 3 mile round trip (RT). The trail is flat, but filled with roots and takes some concentration so as not to trip. I’m used to trails like this and muddier in the Pacific Northwest. Bulow Woods is low-lying and the terrain is flat save for areas where the canal, Cisco Ditch, was dug out. Piles of dirt lie parallel to the ditch along much of its length. All the waterways are filled with tannin-dyed water, a dark tea color.

Several years ago, I hiked the entire loop in this area. Portions of it were extremely damp, edging on a swamp. This area is still closed right now and the trail to Cisco Ditch is closed, too. I estimate there was at least another mile or so to reach the Ditch, but not today.

When I returned to my vehicle I encountered the first people of the day, both parties having dogs on leashes. I gave them a short report about the pigs so they wouldn’t be tempted to unleash their animals. A grown wild pig can kill a dog.

So, another hike completed and I was home around 10 a.m. just in time for a late Sunday breakfast.

Hope you enjoy the photos. The weather was cloudy. I didn’t color correct any photos today.

Eliza