Hidden Hammock #8 Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The Hidden Hammock Trail and caches can be accessed from the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, Pine Flatwoods Trail on the north end and from the Old Datsun Trailhead on the south end.
The Hidden Hammock Trail winds through an area chopped up by drainage ditches. These ditches move water out of areas that used to be biologically productive swamps and marshes and dump polluted water into the Charlotte Harbor Estuary. Until a few years ago, this part of the preserve (the Hammock) was inaccessible (Hidden) because of the ditches and thick growth of Brazilian pepper (BP) trees. BP was brought into Florida in the late 1800’s for use as an ornamental plant. In natural areas, it has displaced native plants and the animals that depend on them. It has become a great nuisance throughout the state and millions of dollars are spent to eradicate it. These trees, among many plants called collectively “exotic and invasive”, thrive in areas that have been disturbed. Preserve staff and the Friends of Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserves (FCHAP) have constructed bridges across the ditches to access these areas for resource management and cleared portions of the areas infested by BP. With the BP gone, some of the Hammocks look good, with some shady oaks and many airplants growing throughout the area. Future restoration work will include more clearing of BP and filling in the ditches which will send cleaner water to Charlotte Harbor.
The caches are all ammo cans and they are all within 50 feet of the trail. On some caches, I took a LOT of time getting good coordinates. It can be tough with some very thick tree canopy. Locations were selected that should allow a “NO BUSHWHACKING” experience. Pick the clearest routes as you approach GZ. There is the possibility of contact with Poison ivy and some very thorny plants if you choose the wrong route. After logging your find, please take the time to make sure the caches can’t be seen from the trail. However, remember, these are supposed to be 1.5 difficulty. Distance from trailhead and flooding in the summer get these caches a 2 ½ terrain rating. Remember, we can’t mow when the trail is underwater!
The Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center is located on Burnt Store Road, 1 mile south of U.S. 41. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday. The Old Datsun Trailhead is 2 ½ miles south of U.S. 41. Both sites have walk through gates for dawn to dusk access to the park. I put in a lot of SWAG for the kiddies, a few really cool TB's and some Great American Cleanup t-shirts too. FTF gets 2 Florida State Park Day passes. This cache was placed with permission of the Florida Park Service. For information about placing caches in THIS state park, please contact BufferBoss.
For further information about the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center: www.checflorida.org
For further information about the Charlotte Harbor Preserve State Park: www.floridastateparks.org/charlotteharbor
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