www.floridatrail.org | FT Highlands | Trail, Hammock, Yates, Marsh, Bluff


	Join Our Mailing List
	» JOIN NOW

For Email Marketing you can trust

Home

Trail

Florida Trail

Central Florida Section Trails

FT Highlands

Length: 32.3 miles (linear)

This trail segment involves several road walks and three water management areas - Hickory Hammock, Basinger and Yates Marsh - acquired by the South Florida Water Management District for restoration of the Kissimmee River.

Grab and Go Hike: Hickory Hammock

Overview

Trail to Hickory Hammock campsite (Eleanor Bauer) From the end of Bluff Hammock Rd the trail runs south to the Hickory Hammock tract. It then extends across open pasture at the north end of the management area and meanders south within and along the oak/cabbage palm fringe bordering the floodplain to US 98 at Istokpoga Canal. Sightings of deer, hogs, bobcats, raccoons, fox, and armadillos are not uncommon along this reach of the trail. The area is also used by a variety of bird species including hawks, owls, caracara, sandhill crane, egrets, and herons. A campsite for backpackers with a fire ring and picnic table is available 2.5 miles from the Hickory Hammock trailhead.

Heading south from the Istokpoga Canal, the trail follows US 98 and SR 721 and crosses the Kissimmee River into the Yates Marsh tract. The trail there winds through open pasture and hammock areas within Yates Marsh and follows a graded county road past Platt's Bluff (unimproved county park/boat ramp) to CR 599. A blue-blazed trail leads to a primitive campsite with a fire ring in Yates Marsh. FTA and the South Florida Water Management District are working together to establish additional off-road segments as more lands are acquired for river restoration.

Map

35 Highlands-Okeechobee The northern end of this section is in Highlands County, a short distance west of US 98 on Bluff Hammock Rd. The southern end is on CR 599 (Platt's Bluff Road) in Okeechobee County north of SR 70.

Disclaimer: While FTA strives to maintain accurate information and is constantly updating its geodatabase, the trail and development along the trail corridor is constantly changing. The data has been collected from a variety of sources and accuracy varies. FTA provides this data for recreational purposes only and does not intend the data as a survey.

Centerline data Florida Trail System (c) 2007 Florida Trail Association, Inc.

Trailheads

Parking is available at Bluff Hammock trailhead, at the Hickory Hammock trailhead off US 98, 0.1 mile west of Istokpoga Canal, at the Yates Marsh trailhead at the end of Lofton Rd. and at the unimproved county park at Platt's Bluff north of SR 70.

Features

Campsites

Yates Marsh, Basinger, Hickory Hammock

Conditions

The trail traverses oak and cabbage palm hammock, pasture, and scrub with wet areas in rainy seasons. It passes a number of ponds and grassy depressions. There are many views of the Kissimmee River floodplain.

Precautions

Lock vehicles, and store valuables out of sight in a secure area. Sign trail registers. This section has recently been relocated to avoid the S65-D lock crossing. New trail is being developed between Yates Marsh and the Basinger Tract through Chandler Slough. Half of this the trail is complete, the other half is being built during the 2007-2008 hiking season. Follow blazes if they differ from the map in this section. If water levels are high, US 98 may be used as an official bypass.

Restrictions

SFWMD lands are open to seasonal hunting. Call SFWMD (800) 250-4250 for dates. Hiking and camping requires a use permit from SFWMD. P.O. Box 24680, 3301 Gun Club Rd., West Palm Beach, FL 33416-4680. Camp only in designated sites. Campsites are closed during hunts except for thru-hikers. Thru-hikers are also exempt from use permits. Pets must be on a leash. The Equestrian Campground is by reservation only. Call SFWMD for reservations.