Crocadoodledoo at Circle B (a 6+/- Mile Hike)

Yay Circle B!! Circle B Bar Reserve is located at 4399 Winter Lake Road (SR 540) in Lakeland, FL. For Google maps use Polk’s Nature Discovery Center, Discovery Drive, Lakeland, FL. There are no fees to enter or park at Circle B.

Here’s the deets—

Let’s meet at 830am in the second parking lot on the right after entering the park (near the lost bridge trail). Note you will pass a small parking lot close to the gate - keep going to the next lot).

Circle B is a great park to see wildlife, especially alligators and birds. It is a popular park for this reason and it is also free. We will walk at a moderate pace, however there will be opportunities to stop and observe the wildlife.

We will do most trails or parts of them with a little overlap, depending on what is open. I'm hoping we can do the following: start with a dry piece of lost bridge, then proceed to treefrog, windmill whisper, wading bird way, eagle roost, marsh rabbit run*, alligator alley*, lake trek, and finish with lost bridge. This final piece of lost bridge may be wet and it’s worth getting your feet wet but since this is at the end of the hike, you can choose to opt out. The planned hike is about 6 miles in duration.

* On July 26, all of marsh rabbit and a portion of alligator alley was closed.

Overall, this hike is an easy one but there can be a lot of sun on some of the trails so wear a hat. We may encounter some wet or muddy conditions before we get to the lost bridge and in those instances, we will power through. This is a rain or shine event :) unless there is a threat of lightning.

When coming on this hike, please bring 2 liters of water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, and whatever else you might need to be comfortable. Be sure to wear proper footwear (closed-toed shoes, preferably hikers). Dogs are not allowed at Circle B.

For more information about Circle B, please visit https://www.polk-county.net/park/circle-b-bar-reserve/.

For this hike, you will need at least 2 liters of water, snacks, bug spray, sunscreen, a hat, hikers (no sandals or walking shoes), and anything else you deem necessary for your comfort. You might also want to bring a ground cloth to sit on during the snack break. There are porta-potties near the parking lots and there are restrooms with running water near the Nature Center.

My number on the day of the hike is 813-713-2492.

I am asking that everyone signs up (no guests) so everyone can agree to the waiver and agree to the following conditions:

ASSUMPTION OF RISK
YOUR ATTENDANCE AT A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.

Possible risks from participation include, but are not limited to: injury from a trip and fall, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, dehydration, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, and falling trees.

I am not a professional guide, just a volunteer for the group.

Any questions or concerns, please comment below. Thanks.