The Osprey Unit straddles I-4 between C.R. 557 and U.S. 27. Hilochee is within the Green Swamp, a critical hydrologic resource, encompassing the headwaters of the Withlacoochee, Little Withlacoochee, Ocklawaha, Hillsborough, and Peace rivers and serving as a major recharge area for the Floridan aquifer. This 6,093 acre property is open for wildlife viewing, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, and hunting. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are best on non-hunting days in the fall.
Hilochee has offers excellent opportunities to view butterflies whose numbers peak in the fall. The best time to observe butterflies is between around 10:30 in the morning and 3:00 in the afternoon. You can also see a variety of birds including anhinga, great blue heron, great egret, little blue heron, green heron, wood stork, bald eagle and (of course) osprey. Early morning visitors will hear a choir of frogs.
This cache is located within the Hilochee WMA Osprey Unit. Visitors should be aware of seasonal hunting and must abide by all area regulations while on the area. No Daily-Use Fee. Check the FWC Website for hunt dates: https://myfwc.com/recreation/lead/hilochee/planning-your-visit/
The Osprey Unit is open to public access year round but only from 1½ hours before sunrise until 1½ hours after sunset, except during the small game season when public access is allowed at anytime beginning 1½ hours before sunrise on the first day of the season until 1½ hours after sunset on the last day of the season. During periods when the area is closed to hunting and scouting, public access other than by foot, bicycle or horse is prohibited. Don't forget the insect repellent and water. Be careful and enjoy the area. Be advised that there are always risks associated with visiting nature preserves.
NOTE: Trail may be flooded in wet weather.
This is a Letterbox Hybrid cache. For anyone not familiar with Letterboxing, there is a log in the cache for you to sign and stamp (with your stamp), then you stamp your own log or paper (with stamp that is in the cache). If you do not have your own stamp, then stickers or hand drawn artwork are acceptable or if you do not have your own stamp, you can just sign the log. DO NOT TAKE THE STAMP WITH YOU; IT IS NOT A TRADE ITEM!!!
This geocache is a part of the Trek Ten Trails 2020-2021 program. Participation in that program, while a lot of fun, is not required to log this cache.
New validation game cards that participants stamp are available at various locations and are listed on the Friends of the Parks website and OUTPOST 27 CACHE. Trek Ten Trails 2020-2021 program maps, game cards, and other information about each of the featured nature trails may be downloaded from the Friends of the Parks website. Check out our Profile for more details.
Placed with permission. FWC permit #GEO-39695.
