Well Kept Secret - Ochlockonee WMA

A bench beckons the weary trekker while the trail invites further adventure on the Sweet Gum Trail

A little known secret exists in Northwest Leon county, the Lake Talquin State Forest Ochlockonee River Wildlife Management Area. Few of our neighbors realize that this valuable outdoor recreational resource is right in our own back yard, in fact it forms the Western boundary of the Lakewood area neighborhoods. Residents of Northeastern Leon County enjoy such outdoor recreational resources as Maclay Gardens State Park and the Overstreet and Phipps properties with hiking, biking and equestrian trails.

Many of our neighbors are understandably envious, but we do have a similar if not quite as grand, outdoor recreational opportunity in the The Ochlockonee River WMA.

Our neighborhood makes up much of the Eastern boundary of the area with Tower Road marking the Northern Boundary. Interstate-10 dissects the North/South sections and the wonderfully canoeable, and natural Ochlockonee River provides the western boundary.

Area Map
Click to enlarge
Part of the Lake Talquin State Forest, the areas 2,800 acres offer exciting potential as an enhancement to our neighborhood.

The area is easily accessible on a fat-tire bike or on foot by exiting the neighborhood on Snoopy Lane and turning right on Stoneler Road.
Gas pipeline easement leadsto the river
The gas pipeline easement leads to the river and could provide pedestrian/cyclist access in future.
Stoneler runs right into the area and connects to the sand roads that form two major loops in the Ochlockonee River WMA. Some neighbors have been known to reach Stoneler Road via an unofficial access point at Calcutta Court.

The gas pipeline easement that traverses our neighborhood also slices through the area, and provides cyclist/pedestrian access directly to the Ochlockonee river. Many cyclist and hiker neighbors that enjoy the area long for access from the Western area of the neighborhood. Perhaps the pipeline easement will provide future access, but right now the only access point is Stoneler road.

The roads themselves provide excellent cycling, hiking and jogging facilities but they also lead to little known trails through the woods and a fire break tracing the Western edge along the Ochlockonee River.
Around the bend on Cemetery Road
The sand roads invite the gentle trekker
Except for the Sweet Gum Trail the trails are primitive and unimproved and lead to secluded meadows in the high ground areas and to the river in the low areas. A visit to the trails, meadows and riverbanks is most often rewarded with sightings of wildlife including deer, turkeys, ducks, hawks, gopher tortoise, owls and alligators.

Registered motorized vehicles (with license plates) are allowed only on the named roads shown in the map. Unlicensed motorized vehicles, such as four-wheeler ATBs and motor bikes are prohibited from the area entirely, including the roads. To report violators call the Division of Forestry at 922-2103.
Spiders are absent in winter

The trails are most enjoyable in the cooler winter months, especially after the first frost when the weeds are down and the spiders and mosquitoes are gone. Unfortunately the cooler winter months also bring hunting season. Hunting is only allowed during the daylight hours during specified seasons and only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (Saturdays and Sundays only Mar. 19 - Apr. 24). Only shot-guns and muzzle loaders are allowed (no carbines or rifles). Recreational use is restricted off the main roads when hunting is allowed. Current hunting seasons are: January 7. 2004 through Mar. 6, 2005, (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only) (Small Game). March 19, 2005 through April 24, 2005 (Saturdays and Sundays only) (Turkey). Regulations on hunting is available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at: www.myfwc.com. Regulations Pamphlet (PDF) More information on the WMA is available from the Florida Division of Forestry at :http://www.fl-dof.com.

The fire break trail
The fire break is accessible from the Southwestern most corner of the Old Cemetery Road loop on the South end and intersects the gas pipeline easement on the North. The first frost knocks down the weeds, watch for herds of deer and musters of turkeys along the fire break.
An intriguing spur off the firebreak trail

Look for this passage off the West side of the fire break, it leads to a secluded slough of the Ochlockonee river where one often finds ducks and an occasional alligator.

A secluded slough off the firebreak trail

Just one of the rewards of hiking the firebreak and finding the slough passage is a stand of beautiful cypress trees.

Wood ducks live here

Approach the slough quietly and you may be treated to the sight of a raft of sitting ducks, perhaps the colorful wood ducks that were raised in this wood duck house.

This grassy meadow is just that in drought conditions but in periods of normal rainfall it is a mysterious, darkwater pond. Only the most observant trekkers will be rewarded with a peek at the jewel of the Ochlochkonee WMA, Cypress Pond.

The Ochlockonee at the pipeline easement
The view up-river at the point where the gas pipeline crosses the Ochlockonee river. This point is accessible by following River Road to the barricade and continuing West toward the river by hike or bike.
A vista from Cherry Point Bluff above a slough on the Sweet Gum Trail. The trail is accessible from cherry point road.

Please enjoy the natural experience offered by the Ochlockonee Wildlife Management Area but please remember to:

"Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints"


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