New Year's Day Hike - The 2019 Version

January 01, 2019

New Year's Day Hike - The 2019 Version

I never did write about our New Year's hike last year (although now I have), but we had another hiking day today. This year it was a drop-off, pick-up hike, so I was the driver and Wayne was the hiker. He started at the Cypress Creek Natural Area, followed the Jesup Trail, crossed a couple of cow pastures, did a portion of the Ocean-to-Lake Trail, connected to the Jonathan Dickinson State Park trail system, and met me at the picnic area there. That's a total of 8.88 miles.

Since this trail has a tendency to be under water during the rainy season, he's been waiting months to do it. There was one canal to cross without a bridge (6-inch deep water) but the rest of it was dry as a bone. Earlier he had done a portion when he was slogging through ankle deep water the entire way, so he was grateful that wasn't the case this time.

We were quite surprised when we arrived at the trail head to find a full parking lot, but a quick Google search enlightened us. The Florida Trail Association hosts an annual New Year's Day hike. We think, however, that they took a different route.

the start of the hike

the end of the hike

I greatly prefer being outdoors in January as opposed to August and thoroughly enjoyed our barbecue and time to relax and read. What a great way to start the year!