Pineland Hiking and Biking Trails Mar...Pineland Hiking and Biking Trails South Florida's pinelands...
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Pineland Hiking and Biking Trails South Florida's pinelands are islands of higher, infrequently flooded ground dotted with dense stands of broad-leaved trees and shrubs, and surrounded by thousands of acres of open wet prairies. Most of the pines in this area were logged before the establishment of Everglades National Park in 1947. Roads created by logging, fire roads and old farm access roads have created a 43 mile (69 km) network of paved and primitive trails through the _ pinelands. Closed to vehicular traffic, most of these trails are simply two ruts in tl}e limestone bedrock. They are ideal for long, leisurely hikes, and a few are open for bicycling. Trail Access Pinelands Ecology Wilderness The Long Pine Key picnic area, 6 miles (10 km) from the main entrance, provides parking and easy access to the pineland trails. You may also park on road shoulders near the gates where trails meet paved roads. Emergency access to the area may be necessary so please avoid blocking the gates. Hikers can easily get around or under the gates. The pinelands are the most diverse habitat in Everglades National Park, consisting of an open south Florida slash pine forest with an understory of saw palmetto and over 200 species of subtropical plants. They are also one of the last refuges for the elusive Florida panther. Fire is an important force in maintaining the pineland habitat. Historically, fires, ignited by lightning, burned through the pine forests every 4 to 7 years. Most pineland trails are within the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness Area. To minimize impact in wilderness areas, motorized vehicles, bicycles and pets are not permitted. Bicycles are allowed on paved roads, the Long Pine Key Nature Trail, and the Old Ingraham Highway. EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA Many sections of the pineland trail system are not suitable for hiking during the summer months due to abundant mosquitoes and mud. The Old Ingraham Highway is a good alternative with year-round access. This former road is ideal for extended hikes and bike trips. If you wish to walk or bike the entire road, be prepared for a 22 mile (35 km) round trip. Those fires kept the forest floor clear of fast growing hardwoods that would otherwise overtake and replace the pines, destroying the diversity of the understory. Since many wildfires must now be extinguished for the safety of visitors and local residents, the National Park Service replaces them with prescribed burns when conditions permit safe, manageable fires. Please remember, all plants and animals are protected. Disturbing or feeding wildlife is illegal and can be dangerous. Wilderness camping is allowed, but a permit must first be obtained at the park Entrance Station. Please pack out your trash. Printed through the generosity of the Everglades Association Printed 3/2005
Transcript of Pineland Hiking and Biking Trails Mar...Pineland Hiking and Biking Trails South Florida's pinelands...
Pineland Hiking and Biking Trails
South Florida's pinelands are islands of higher, infrequently flooded ground dottedwith dense stands of broad-leaved trees and shrubs, and surrounded by thousands ofacres of open wet prairies.
Most of the pines in this area were logged before the establishment of EvergladesNational Park in 1947. Roads created by logging, fire roads and old farm access roadshave created a 43 mile (69 km) network of paved and primitive trails through the
_ pinelands. Closed to vehicular traffic, most of these trails are simply two ruts in tl}elimestone bedrock. They are ideal for long, leisurely hikes, and a few are open forbicycling.
Trail Access
Pinelands Ecology
Wilderness
The Long Pine Key picnic area, 6 miles(10 km) from the main entrance, providesparking and easy access to the pineland trails.You may also park on road shoulders near thegates where trails meet paved roads.Emergency access to the area may benecessary so please avoid blocking the gates.Hikers can easily get around or under thegates.
The pinelands are the most diverse habitat inEverglades National Park, consisting of anopen south Florida slash pine forest with anunderstory of saw palmetto and over 200species of subtropical plants. They are alsoone of the last refuges for the elusive Floridapanther.
Fire is an important force in maintaining thepineland habitat. Historically, fires, ignited bylightning, burned through the pine forestsevery 4 to 7 years.
Most pineland trails are within the MarjoryStoneman Douglas Wilderness Area.To minimize impact in wilderness areas,motorized vehicles, bicycles and pets are notpermitted. Bicycles are allowed on pavedroads, the Long Pine Key Nature Trail, and theOld Ingraham Highway.
EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA
Many sections of the pineland trail system arenot suitable for hiking during the summermonths due to abundant mosquitoes and mud.The Old Ingraham Highway is a goodalternative with year-round access. Thisformer road is ideal for extended hikes andbike trips. If you wish to walk or bike theentire road, be prepared for a 22 mile (35 km)round trip.
Those fires kept the forest floor clear of fastgrowing hardwoods that would otherwiseovertake and replace the pines, destroying thediversity of the understory. Since manywildfires must now be extinguished for thesafety of visitors and local residents, theNational Park Service replaces them withprescribed burns when conditions permit safe,manageable fires.
Please remember, all plants and animals areprotected. Disturbing or feeding wildlife isillegal and can be dangerous. Wildernesscamping is allowed, but a permit must first beobtained at the park Entrance Station. Pleasepack out your trash.
Printed through the generosity of the Everglades Association
Printed 3/2005
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