Black Bear Wilderness Preserve Trail Loop
7.1 mi
Distance
4 hrs 24 min
Time
terrain
65 ft
Elev Gain
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Blackbear is my training trail! I’ve trained exclusively for my thru hikes on the AT, PCT, and next week the CDT plus many other great trails! The wildlife you can see doesn’t compare to any national scenic trails, you can see: wildly varied bird species, turkeys, deer, bear, wild hogs, raccoons, bobcats, otters, several snake species, alligators, manatees, the list goes on and on! Its a jewel and a special place I hike several times a week if i’m not off on a big trail! I also am compelled to volunteer here, pruning and clean up! Lets keep this trail special - pick up after yourself and others! Happy hiking! Catmando
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I have hiked weekly for the last 3 years in Central Florida and found Black Bear the prettiest of them all. Starting off in the parking lot, we saw 3 bears walking across the street and into residential yards! We saw gators of various sizes from a big mother, to 3~4ft adolescents, to newly hatched young. A Gopher tortoise sighting was a first for me on the hike. People behind me saw 2 otters on the bank of one of the algae covered ponds.
We hiked clockwise from the Michigan entrance. Palmettos covered the forest floor and mature palm, oak, gum, and cypress were everywhere. Footing along the trail was hazardous because of the roots. Be careful! The trail was very narrow in some parts making it seem like a jungle trail. The mature trees in the middle of the trail at the top of the dike kept everyone alert.
Toward the end of the hike, the river was on our left and glimpses of the water were frequent. This is where most of the boardwalks are located. This part of the trail felt like I was walking the forest bridges in Costa Rica searching for sloths. None here, of course, but wildlife abounds.
I will be back soon.
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