Thursday Hike at Little Orange Creek Preserve

Location: 24242 SE Hawthorne Road, Hawthorne FL 32640.
Leader: Leo Dugger
Time: Be ready to walk at 9:00 am- Arrive early to sign in
Description: The trail has small hills, is unpaved and in places it is sandy, bumpy with roots. The route we will be taking is about 3.5 miles. The trail passes thru swamp forests, marsh, sandhills, flatwoods and pine plantations. Some areas are undergoing habitat restoration. For the most part the trail borders the marshy edge of the creek. There has been a side trail added to the property that turns this hike into a semi loop route. There are now 2 elevated viewing platforms on the trail .
Bring your binoculars because it is prime water bird, plant and gator habitat.
Directions: Follow State Road 20 (SR20) east out of Gainesville for about 15 miles. After you go thru Hawthorne and have crossed the overpass you will see the Hawthorne Cemetery on the left and then you will cross the bridge over Little Orange Creek. As you approach the top of the hill after the bridge the trail head is on your left. Look for the sign and fenced parking area. Trailhead is about 1.5 miles after the overpass.
You must drive past the trail head entrance and make a U-turn at the next highway crossover at the Alachua/Putnam County line to get back to the preserve entrance.
We will meet on the North side of SR 20 in the Little Orange Creek trail head parking lot.
General Info: Bring water, binoculars, snacks, hat, bug spray The Little Orange Creek Nature Park is across the road from the trailhead. You may like to visit this park after our hike. The buildings may not be open but you can wander the grounds.
Bathrooms: No facilities
Dogs allowed: No-gators in the creek