The “Smiles for Miles” cache series are found along a wide road (Powerline/Railroad Grade) that cuts straight through a majority of the park (West to East) but can only privately be accessed via hikers and bicyclists. No motorized vehicles are allowed, with the exception of the park personnel and utility workers.
The road is access to several of the hiking trails to the primitive campsites (Bee Island, Honore, Panther Point, Oak Grove and Prairie)
The road is mostly hard packed but has patches of rocks, and soft sand that requires you to push the bike through. There are also some areas where water covers the road and you have to ride or push the bike trough it as well. But a majority of the road can be ridden by bike. A mountain bike with the larger tires is recommended for this run.
The trail should be accessed via the main road by the power line gate, but you can access it from the SE Powerline road or one of the other trails from the South, but if you do this make sure you get the proper parking pass at the main entrance “before” parking at the trailheads along SR 72 or you could get a ticket.
Also it is a good idea to let them know at the main gate that you will be hiking/biking this run just in case there is a problem so they can come and find you and/or notify the correct authorities in case of emergencies.
Either way you go, hiking or biking make sure to take lots of water to drink, some snacks to eat, lots of insect repellent, small medical kit (bandages, cleansing wipes etc.) and some form of communication (walkie talkies and/or a cell phone) to contact the ranger station in case of emergencies.
Of course also take the usual Geocaching items, swag for trading, pens (more than one in case the one dies) to sign the logs with, cache repair kits (extra logs and baggies) and of course a smile!
Some of the creatures I have seen out here while placing the caches, are alligators, turtles, wild turkeys, wild hogs, raccoons, white tail deer, bunny rabbits, various birds, sandhill cranes, osprey and even a river otter.
The trail from starting area along the main road to the far East end of the trail is about 10 miles long, and so round trip is around 20 miles. Also part of the Powerline section (just past the hiking trail) is under water so you have to either come around Ranch House Road/Bee Island trail (NW to South then East) and back to the Powerline, or come in from the SE Powerline (North on it and turn East) and get to it that way.
If you are planning to do it all in one day it is highly recommended that you get there when the park opens as it will take all day to do. And you want to be out of the park before dark as it gets REALLY dark out there. Make sure to take a flashlight as well just in case.
Permission to place caches in the park was given by Steve Giguere, Assistant Park Manager