Jackson Redground Trail in a Day

Jackson Redground Trail

Blackwater River State Park, Florida

February 2008

WANDERERS:  John, Lydia, Sharon, Steve.

SIGHTINGS/ IDENTIFICATIONS:  Homo sapiens (Boy scouts), Pine Warbler, Cardinal, Robin.

RUN:  20 miles in 24 hours.

Difficulty: 22.0 Difficult  http://www.nwhiker.com/HikeEval.html



RATING:  5.8/10 for red clay cliffs, bird sightings.


WEATHER:  Sunny, 60's Florida Winter Weather.

TYPE OF TRAIL:  Medium-dense Pine Forest.

WALK THRU:  Day 1.  My comrades and I had been waiting all week for a great cool weather hike we had been planning. Friday rolls around and we jump into my Kia Rio Cinco but before we even make it out of Pensacola, the car breaks down on the highway.  After a long and boring story we grab Lydia and Sharon's car and head out for the second time. We rendezvous with Steve, outdoor extraordinaire, at the parking lot before the bridge on Red Rock road.  It was already getting late, but we all hugged and took a few snapshots before we set off.  I knew it would be pitch dark before we got two miles down the trail but we were familiar with the area so we started along the dirt path.

Steve and John. Hiking extraordinaire's, separated at birth.

Sharon and Lydia Kirby. Yes, they are twins.

Night1.  The majority of our first day of hiking was actually done at night.  As far as night hiking goes, I think this is probably a great trail for it during the winter.  There are no mosquitoes, not too many huge wild animals that will eat you, and no big cliffs to fall off of.  The moon and stars shone bright in the sky and lit up our pine landscape.  Although our eyes adjusted to the night sky, it was still difficult to pick out the trail blazes.  For this reason we got lost a few times.  Nobody can see great in the dark unless you're half feline.

   At one point during the night hike, there was a rustle in the bushes next to the trail.  I ran from the sound screaming like a small child.  I believe Steve was the one who walked up to the bush to try and get a look at what could be the cause of the movement, but we never found out what it was.  It sounded like a wild boar to me.  Wild boars have tusks and are prone to charging, hence my running and screaming.  I have now decided it was either a Florida panther, wild boar, or the Southeastern Skunk Ape. 

  The four of us basically hiked five miles in the dark, over skinny waterlogged bridges and through dense brush.  After miles of this, we knew our camp and shelter were imminent.  We didn't want to pass it in the dark.  Steve barely spotted the shelter off to the left and we stopped for the night.  NOTE: If you hit a paved road after about 7 miles with a wide open field to the right, you have just missed the shelter.  The shelter is a little ways back, about a tenth of a mile.  

  Lydia, who was on her first over night backpacking trip, was also our designated bad-ass camp chef.  With no previous knowledge of back-country kitchen methods and an instinct for creation much larger than that of Thomas Edison, Lydia designed aluminum foil pouch meals for her first trip.  From my understanding, you throw a little sausage, maybe some chopped pepper and onion, sliced mushrooms, oil, garlic, and salt into some aluminum foil. Then fold it up and put it in a zip lock bag.  When you get to camp, make a fire, throw the aluminum foil pouch on the fire and your food is ready in no time. GREAT IDEA! As we laid around lazily next to the fire in our sleeping bags, we told stories, listened to coyotes howl, and sipped on hot cocoa. We decided to sleep outside under the stars.

Day 2.  Steve got up early for a little nature exploration hike as the sun was first coming up. He spotted a couple deer feeding and then reported his findings back at camp while we chowed down on some delicious blueberry pancakes (Anytime blueberry pancakes are mentioned in this blog, it should be known that I am talking about Bisquick shake and pour Pancake Mix. The pancakes are great for hiking and the container can be used to store trash in until you finish your hike.). 

Steve at the shelter.

Jackson Red Ground Trail Shelter 1.

  As we were packing and readying to leave, some boy scouts arrived bearing fire wood to replenish the pile at the shelter.  It should be noted that the Jackson Red Ground Trail shelters, which are of great importance to hikers, are built and maintained by the local boy scouts. Thanks goes out to them.

   We began the next morning on the trail like any next morning on the trail, with sore hips and shoulders.  As we hobbled down the trail, we spotted some interesting little yellow birds.  After some research, my best guess is that these were Pine Warblers.  Further along the trail we sighted some northern cardinals and robins.  We also heard the loud tapping beaks of woodpeckers in the trees above, although we didn't take the time to look for them.  Most of the area we hiked through had recently undergone a controlled burn.  Steve explained to us that the Forest Service drops little pellets from helicopters that create tiny fires.  The fire department stays handy to control any areas that might get out of control.  In a medium dense pine forest, these fires would occur naturally, but the fire department now does it yearly to prevent unwanted fires from destroying nearby houses.

   

   At the 10th mile marker, we decided to hike a little further to Bear Lake and then head back to Red Rock road.  We marched about thirty more minutes and arrived at Bear lake. The area seemed quite nice at first glance but the campsite further down the path was a little ruff.  It turned out to be a redneck riviera that came complete with mansion sized pop-up tents and 5,000 horsepower engines on ten foot bass boats.  The lake was actually more pond sized and I didn't see any bears. 

   The four of us adventurers settled down to nurse some blisters and eat a quick lunch.  After we filled our water bottles at the bathroom faucets, we forced our shoes on over some badly damaged feet.  Taking hiking boots off in the middle of a long day, good idea or bad idea?  So we headed back and the hike transformed into a battle of strength, stamina and determination. This was no longer a nature outing but a test of will.  After another 10 miles of hiking on a 13 mile day we kept walking because we knew the car was just ahead.  We raced the sun back to the car and arrived just before dark.  The Car starts.  BONUS!

Lydia nursing some ouchies.

TRAILHEAD:  From I-10, take the Avalon Boulevard Exit (Exit 22). Follow Avalon Boulevard to US 90. Take a right and continue to Burger King. Take a left at Stuart Street (Hwy 87). Go to Milton High School. Take a right across from Milton High School onto Hwy 191. Follow Hwy 191 north to Red Rock Road at Spring Hill. Take a right on Red Rock Road and proceed to the Red Rock Primitive Area/Canoe Launch. Trail crosses Red Rock Road .3 miles to the east. The south end of Jackson Red Ground Trail begins at the road crossing -- proceed north to enter this portion of the trail. The trail segment south of this crossing is the Juniper Creek Trail.

FOOD:  Trail Mix, Tin Foil Pouches w/ (Onion, Mushrooms, Peppers, Sausage), Blueberry Pancakes, Tuna with Crackers. Mayo and Mustard Packets. Syrup.

EQUIPMENT: Snow Peak Multi Compact Aluminum Backpacking Cook Set
Kelty Coyote 4750 Backpack (Nite Sky)
Kelty Light Year 20-Degree Sleeping Bag (Long)
Sierra Designs Lightning XT 2 Two-Person Ultralight Tent
Therm-a-Rest Trail Pro (Regular)
Petzl E91 PL Tikkina 2 Headlamp, Lime Green
MSR Pocket Rocket Stove
NALGENE Tritan 1-Quart Narrow Mouth BPA-Free Water Bottle,Slate Blue
Katadyn Hiker PRO Water Microfilter
Pack Rain Cover, Wool Socks, Rain Jacket, Map, Compass, First Aid Kit,

BODY CONDITION:   Sharon, Lydia, and I drove home. When we were ready to get out of the car it was impossible for us to walk. I was extremely sore and rested all the next day. I think on the way home Sharon cried and simultaneously stuffed her face with a whopper because she was so sore.  Steve who runs marathons and is in amazing shape called me the next day to tell me he was in fact sore as well.


LESSONS LEARNED: -You are capable of pushing yourself a lot further than you think, especially when you don't know how far you have hiked and you have to be some where the next day.
-Treat blisters before they get bad. If you wait your foot will fall off your leg.
-Never buy a Kia, worst car company in the world, I bought that car brand new and it lasted only 4 years before the engine blew. I had a warranty and they would not fix it.


SIDE NOTES: - Check for Hunting Season! Most of the trail runs through a state park however part of the trail goes through a well known hunting area. During certain times of the year it might be wise to wear orange and talk loudly when hiking. WARNING: It should be said that even in the state park the "NO HUNTING" signs have buck shots in them so keep an eye out for those crazy red necks. I have also found buck shot shells on the trail hiking through the state park.

MAPS/ CONTACT:  You can use one of two maps. 
-The Florida Trail Thru map PH1- Blackwater River can be found here.
http://www.floridatrail.org/OBM/Trail-Maps/105/Detailed-product-flyer.html

-There is a less detailed PFD version of the map which can be found here.  http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/panhandlewest/trails/blackwater_jackson_red.htm

-Blackwater River State Forest
11650 Munson Hwy
Milton, FL 32570
Phone: 850/957-6140