Hike To Mt. Weeki Wachee in Weeki Wachee Preserve

A favorite place of mine for nature photography, hiking and biking. The preserve is a former lime rock quarry that has turned into an 11,000-acre nature preserve. After mining operations ceased in the mid 90s. It was set to become a large residential waterfront community. Then, the Southwest Florida Water Management District saved it by purchasing the property and started their conservation efforts. Now, the deep quarries are filled with water and the spoil mounds are now forested which makes for a unique and scenic landscape. The preserve is well known for its Florida Black Bear population but, they're elusive and stay deep in the forest. The preserve is also part of The Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail. If we're lucky, we may see an endangered Florida Scrub Jay. The hike will be approximately 8 miles and somewhat of a lollipop route.

This will be a causal, relaxed hike and meant for us to take in the sights. We will meet in the parking area and start right at 8:30a so, please get there in enough time to prepare your gear. There is no fee and there are no restrooms at the trailhead. I typically park along the fence that parallels Osowaw Blvd. (see the push pin on the map). The trails are multi-use, mostly wide and flat, lime rock base, hardpacked, with some soft sections of clay & sand. Expect to be in full sun as there is very little canopy for shade on the trail so, please be prepared. We will walk along and around many of the lakes, some low ridgelines; we'll take a few short ins and outs to take in the views and this can also serve as short breaks. We'll also see the telltale signs of the storm surge of Hurricane Helene. The highlight of the hike will come, approximately, at the 5-mile mark. Where we will CONQUER Mt. Weeki Wachee. :-) At the top, you'll be rewarded with an unobstructed 360-degree view of the preserve and surrounding area. Here we will take a longer break and enjoy this beautiful spot. Then we'll make the final leg to the trailhead and end our journey.

Please make sure of your fitness level and that you can complete this distance. You'll need to bring at least 2L of hydration (no hydration...no hike...no exceptions). Other items that you may need; snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, sturdy hiking boots/shoes, good hat, insect repellant, ground cloth for sitting, and whatever makes you comfortable out on the trail.

On day of the event feel free to text or call: 813-442-1615

Afterwards, if anyone has interest to replenish those spent calories and rehydrate. We can go to the Drunken Mullett 3306 Shoal Line Blvd., Hernando Beach, FL 34607. Just 5 minutes down the road. Home - The Drunken Mullet of Hernando Beach.

YOUR RSVP TO ATTEND A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.
If you bring a guest who is not currently a member of Suncoast Outdoors, you have assumed such liability for that guest. Your guest is free to join our group and register individually, thereby releasing you from any such liability.
Possible risks from participation include, but are not limited to:
Injury from a trip & fall, drowning, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, falling trees.

I am not a professional guide but a volunteer for the group.