Location: Myakka River State Park
Trailhead (Google Plus Code): 6MWQ+H9 Myakka City, Florida
Hike Length: 2 miles
Time Estimate: 1- 1.5 hoursNotes: Typically a very quiet trail with opportunities to see wildlife. Not the prettiest trail, but many things of interest as you walk next to a cattle ranch.
- Butterfly Orchids – There are butterfly orchids, typically in the live oak trees — they bloom in May.
- Cabbage Palm Hammock – Wander around the debris strewn Cabbage palm forest. This is an interesting ecosystem that can tolerate flooding — notice the water line on the palm tree trunks.
- Cattle Ranch – A cattle ranch nearby will give you a chance to study local bovines and perhaps see cattle egrets.
- Egrets – Very popular location for local egrets: snowy egret, great egret and reddish egret.
- Myakka River – This hike will give you an opportunity to see the Myakka River, and that typically also means an opportunity to see alligators.
- Reptiles – Look for cooters (turtles), soft shell turtles, and gators in ditches and along the shore… and walk quietly.
- Robins – The trail is a popular hangout for flocks of robins during the winter.
- Smilax Vine – Notice the smilax vine growing along the path. The fresh tips of the vine are edible and popular food for deer.
