Upper Pithlachascotee River Loop

This is an easy hike with mossy and rooted trails with beautiful trees, mash areas and fields. The Preserve is dominated by 69 acres of bottomland forest associated with the Pithlachascotee River and a small tributary - Ryals Branch - that crosses the site. The other natural communities are sandhill, upland mixed forest, and freshwater marshes. Protected wildlife species documented or likely to occur include the gopher tortoise, Florida mouse, gopher frog, little blue heron and snowy egret. The Preserve has 5 Geocaches as well as 2 miles of trails including a 1,500 ft boardwalk. This is a preserve, which differs from an active park by having low-impact amenities and natural resource based recreational facilities. The parking lot is packed shell and includes one ADA parking space. The nature trails are packed earth except for the wooden boardwalk. There are no asphalt or concrete surfaces. The building is open by appointment only, and when in use is wheelchair-accessible. For more information please visit: http://www.pascocountyfl.net/index.aspx?NID=657