You are about to enter A Pirate's Trail. The Long And Winding Road just happens to be way down past the Cypress area. But that does not mean it will be dry. If you know Cypress, you also know they need lots of water to survive. You will see. Depending on the time of year, you could be almost waist high in water, other times lower, or if you are very very lucky, none at all. You pick your poison. If you make it over the hump, then through the canal, you may have it made.
The outer rim hike for these caches happens to be 7 miles through some brutal country. You will start out on a soft sandy road that is usually covered with water. Then you approach the Cypress forest where the water marks are chest high on me. Later you will encounter the (what I call) the Serengeti. WOW !! What a view of flat expansive grasslands that contain some beautifully placed Palms. By flip of the coin, Matkat has the right to place the caches in the area. When heading North, it is back into the water area to take the long hike back to the parking area.
Please take lots of water. When Matkat and I finished, he had to give me my last drink. When I arrived home, I discovered I lost 7.6 lbs. You know that was all water weight. I was cramping badly. Beware!!
Cache is at the posted coords
Welcome to the Picayune Strand State Forest
The Picayune Strand State Forest (commonly known as the "Picayune") is in the heart of the Big Cypress ecosystem. The strand is comprised of 78,000 acres and designated as a forest conservation area.
Once slated to be a residential town, that ultimately failed, the area was purchased by the state of Florida and with the help of federal funds is being returned to its natural environment. As of this publication, the Merritt Canal has been filled in and many roads have been stripped of its old pavement. Much of the land in that area has been leveled. New vegetation is, or will, grow and the area will soon be back to the prior natural state.
The Florida Forest Service manages the Picayune and is very Geocaching minded. They and the forest ranger graciously approve all cache hides and the welcoming of cachers to come and see the best of Florida's natural habitat while chasing that elusive Geocache. Come early, stay late, and go home tired.
Enter the Picayune via Sabal Palm Rd. from Collier Blvd (Rt 951).
There is a small $2 fee required. An envelope for your fee can be obtained at the "Iron Ranger" in the parking area. Please place the receipt on the dashboard of your vehicle where it can be seen.
Please obey all forest guidelines so that you (and all others) will be able to enjoy these lands forever. Most of all......... be safe.
Keep a good eye out ahead as all of Florida's wild creatures inhabit the Picayune.
Pay special attention to Hunting Season dates and regulations by wearing the prescribed amount of orange.
One last reminder, there are more Burmese Pythons in here than you can shake a walking stick at. Ye must be keepin' yer good eye upon yer pirate paces. YO HO, YO HO
Happy Caching