Field Trip: Withlacoochee State Forest
https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Withlacoochee-State-Forest
Leader: Bev Hansen
Where to Meet: The intersection of Croom Road (CR-480) and Forest Road 7 in Withlacoochee State Forest (Croom Tract) is a prominent, open area on the south side of the road, featuring a wooden fence and acting as a key access point. It is located 7 miles east of US-41 and serves as a trailhead, featuring a horse corral, pavilions, picnic tables, and restrooms. On some maps that area is called Smith Prairie Trailhead Parking Area. It costs $2 per person.
Please contact Francesca DiCosmo (fieldtrips@stpeteaudubon.org) for arranging car pooling (if you want a ride, or want to drive others).
What to Expect: We will be walking through some dense brush
What to Bring: Long Pants, Closed Toed Shoes, Hat, Binoculars, Water, Insect repellent, Sunscreen
*****ADDITIONAL INFO******
You need to be at the location by 7am (or earlier). If you wish to use a bathroom earlier,
There are three options:
1. If coming on I-75, from the intersection of I-75 and SR-50, turn east on SR-50. There is a McDonalds on the right for a bathroom stop.
2. Drive about a mile to the second traffic light at the intersection of Croom-Rital Road going north and Kettering Road heading south. Turn left onto Croom-Rital Road. The bathroom is on the right soon after the first right and then left turn on that road.
3. When you reach the intersection with Croom-Nobelton Road, continue straight on Croom Road, rather than turning right. In several miles you will see the coral area on the south side of the road. If you are heading for the bathroom at Tucker Hill, that's another mile west of the meeting sight. This is the least preferable bathroom choice because some Saturday's big biking or racing events meet at Tucker Hill. I had said in my last note that this bathroom is not unlocked until 8 a.m., but that policy has evidently changed and it now may be open all night.
It is important that folks arrive at 7 or earlier, so we can get in position before the RCWs leave their roosting trees.