The Hydric
Hammock is a lowland forest plant community with sand, clay and
organic soils often layered over a limestone base rock. This forest
is characterized by both temperate and tropical vegetation and is
rarely threatened by fires as it tends to retain its water for the
longest period and has Little Charlie Bowlegs Creek to collect the
slower drainage of water and send it north out of the park to the
Peace River. Here in Highlands Hammock there are some of the
largest oak trees, and two separate stand of cabbage palm. One
stands above, the second stands below it is an obvious vertical
distinction between the remains of the 1960 hurricane and the 2005
hurricanes. Over an estimated 75% of the leaf cover was removed by
the high hurricane winds from the forest canopy. The sunlight
hitting the forest floor right after the storm, triggered growth in
all the remaining palms giving them what they needed to start
gaining height. The canopy has closed in again, with the leaves of
the board leaf trees. This dense leaf cover serves to keep the
inside of the hammock moist and balances the temperature changes,
like a natural air conditioning system.
This geocache is
placed in Highlands Hammock State Park with the permission of park
management. All locations must be approved by the Volunteer
Geocache Coordinator Sarah Straub (DTISarah@gmail.com) and adhere
to the guidelines set by the park for geocache
placement.
Vehicles are not
permitted to park on any roadway within the park boundary. All
vehicles must park within designated parking areas. The park is
open from 8:00AM until sundown, 365 days a year. The admission fees
are as follows: $6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra
passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual
Entrance Pass. Camping is available in the park as well.
Highlands
Hammock State Park's Website
For more
information about accessing cache locations please visit the ranger
station to view a copy of Essential Eligibility Criteria for
Geocaching at Highlands Hammock State Park.
Please remember
to cache responsibly and stay on designated trails.