The 110 acre Captain Forster Hammock Preserve was purchased in the
mid 1990s by Indian River County with cost-share funds from the
State Conservation and Recreation Lands Program. The property was
purchased to conserve natural and cultural resources on the site.
The Preserve contains maritime hammock, coastal strand and wetland
plant communities. It borders Jungle Trail, a State designated
greenway and a byway of the Indian River Lagoon National Scenic
Highway. The Preserve contains one of the largest remaining coastal
maritime hammocks on Orchid Island. The site was home to Captain
Frank Forster, one of the first Orchid Island residents who
homesteaded on the barrier island growing winter vegetables and
fishing along the Indian River Lagoon. Seasonal tours are offered
and self-guided walks are a great way to see a remnant of "old
Florida." Trails are easy walking and are open from 8am until
sunset.
This cache is the 1st in a series of scenic hiking tours along
the Space Coast. The hikes will vary from short (1/4 mile) to long
(2 plus miles) with a traditional ammo can at the listed
coordinates. For the most part there will be little or no
bushwhacking to reach the cache.
The cache is located about 45 feet off a main trail at the base
of an oak tree. The distance to the cache from the parking area is
a little less than 1/2 mile.
PARKING COORDS: N27 45.068 W080 24.014 on Jungle Trail
Rd.