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Description:
Several hiking
trails of varying lengths provide access to the oak scrub, pine flatwoods,
sandhill, hardwood swamp and longleaf pine/wiregrass habitat associated with
the Lake Wales sand ridge and the Tiger Creek watershed. The Jenkins Trail
follows Tiger Creek. The George Cooley Trail is a loop trail that goes
through scrub, hardwood swamp, pine flatwoods and cutthroat seeps. The
cutthroat seep--dominated by cutthroat grass--is a moist habitat that
periodically dries out. The Pfundstein Road trails provide access to Patrick
Creek and a longer loop trail into an area called the central highlands.
Watchable Wildlife:
Check year round for
gopher tortoises, sand skinks, red-bellied and red-headed woodpeckers and
otters. Short-tailed hawks and swallow-tailed kites may be seen in the
summer.
Ownership:
The Nature
Conservancy
Contact:
(863) 635-7506
Directions:
The three main
trails have trailheads at different locations. Reach the George Cooley and
Pfundstein Road Trails by taking SR 17 south from Babson Park. Take a left
on Murray Road and go 2.2 miles to a left turn on Pfundstein Road. Follow
signs to the two trailheads. Reach the Jenkins Trail by traveling 9 miles
east from Lake Wales on SR 60. Take a right at Walk-in-the-Water Road, go
3.5 miles to Wakeford Road and turn right. The parking area is at the end of
the road.
Related Sites:
Other Central Florida Wildlife Sites
Florida State
Parks |
Wildlife Viewing Site
