
Bird’s eye view aerial of Fisheating Creek at Ingrams Crossing dry season edition.
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So if a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step, then a new site begins with the first post! What better way to fire off this site than with a 3 day, 36 mile through-hike of beautiful Fisheating Creek in Palmdale, Florida..
I’ve been wanting to do some real adventure hiking, and joined up with the excellent folks who are the Happy Hoofers, a local chapter of the Florida Trail Association. It was a real pleasure to meet and spend some quality time hiking, camping and exploring with this great group! Special thanks go out to David D, Dave R, Larry & Chris .. actually everybody for their leadership, patience, company and for all that filtered river water!! 😉
The Fort Center area has a lot of history and there have been some major Native American archaeological digs there. It’s a great place for day hiking!

Aerial near Fort Center at Fisheating Creek WMA
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I’m showing one small thumbnail, but there were many life-size Cow dung patties in this section!
We saw lots of cows, hogs, some deer and several Swallow-tailed Kites flying around.
It was nice and quiet too, no machinery noises.

Aerial of Cypress Dome and gator hole at Fisheating Creek WMA
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Our feet were dry until we had to cross this small bog on the fringes of Cowbone Marsh.

Dashing across the mostly dry Cowbone Marsh inside Fisheating Creek WMA
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The wild growing oranges looked inviting so I ate one. I’ll say it was juicy and “refreshing” though not bred for sweetness! I felt the vitamin C boosting, the acidity was overwhelming. I can see why they grow so well here, being full of seeds .. but a little seed never hurt anybody! 😉

Aerial of Rock Lake camping area at Fisheating Creek WMA (Paradise Lake)
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Dry season at Fisheating Creek WMA
http://www.awakenthegrass.com
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After a day of peaceful hiking we had to sprint across Hwy 27 with trucks barreling down.
Just across the higway are the remains of the Tom Gaskins Cypress Knee Museum which was once a main attraction here. Today, (sadly) it has the look of a crackhouse..

Somebody had their fun with the lettering .. 😉
The Fisheating Creek Outpost store sells water, drinks, snacks and also has a boat launch ramp with canoe / kayak rentals available.

Squirrel’s eye view of Fisheating Creek boat launch in Palmdale, Florida
at fisheatingcreekoutpost.com
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Along our route (and a must when visiting FEC) was a stop at the famed tree swing. Well at least one of us was able to play Tarzan! 😉

Tarzan on the famed tree swing at Fisheating Creek .. thump chest as you let go!
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A woodpecker’s aerial view through Cypress forest along Fisheating Creek
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Several long segments were along the perimeter fence with Lyke’s Bros property – which was just recently plowed over for a fire break.
If you’ve ever tried walking across a freshly plowed field – you know!

Bird’s eye view aerial of Fisheating Creek at Ingrams Crossing dry season edition
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Entry into Platt Branch WEA
Platt Branch is mostly scrub / pine type habitat and we walked on sandy dirt tracks. Platt Branch is a great place for birding, but the deep sandy trails can be challenging.

Maybe Coyote tracks ? Platt Branch WEA
A pre-shuttled vehicle awaited us, tired hikers (Thanks Chris & David D!)
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Enjoy!
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© 2013 Flex Maslan / Awakenthegrass.com / digital029art.com. All original photographs, artworks and music in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Flex Maslan, unless otherwise noted. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.
All rights reserved.
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DISCLAIMER:: The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so be prepared and use good judgement before venturing out!
With that said..
Blessings friends!