🌿 Hike of the Month – D Ranch Preserve

### 🥾 September Hike of the Month – D Ranch Preserve

📍 Location: D Ranch Preserve, 2655 Reed Ellis Rd, Osteen, 32764
🗓 Date: Sunday, September 14, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM Start
📏 Distance: Approx. 2.2 miles
👣 Difficulty: Leisure – flat and well-marked trails
🐾 Pets: Allowed on leash
♿ Accessibility: Trail surface is natural and uneven in places, may not be suitable for all mobility devices
🌼 Group Limit: 25 participants
📍 Parking Coordinates: 28.798241, -81.147272

🌳 Trail Description:
D Ranch Preserve is a hidden gem newly opened to the public in 2025. Managed by Conservation Florida, this 476-acre property along the Lake Monroe floodplain was once a working cattle ranch. Today, it’s a showcase of habitat restoration and community-powered stewardship. A network of well-marked loop trails winds through seasonally flooded wetlands, pine flatwoods, and recovering uplands, offering multiple route options for all levels.

This time of year, expect to see late summer wildflowers in bloom, including goldenrod, chaffheads, and blazing stars. Our hike will begin on the red trail and meander through a mix of green, yellow, and orange loops for a casual 2.2-mile walk. Those interested in going farther can continue onto the blue loop.

💧 What to Bring:

• Plenty of water
• Sunscreen and bug spray
• Comfortable shoes for varied terrain
• Optional: trekking poles for added stability

☀️ Weather & Conditions:

• Mostly exposed trails with pockets of shade
• Potentially muddy or flooded areas depending on recent rainfall
• Hot and humid — please plan accordingly

📣 Notes:

• This is a family-friendly and beginner-friendly hike.
• If you’d like to learn more about the property and its restoration, we’ll share some fun facts along the way!
• Space is limited to 25 hikers — please RSVP via Meetup to save your spot.