BIG BEND SCENIC BYWAY
The Big Bend Scenic Byway is a journey of 220 miles that loops through four counties and takes you from the sandhills, to the Gulf of Mexico, along with wandering through our forests with their watersheds and variety of habitats. You can drive, walk, bike, kayak, or horseback ride to explore portions of this naturalist's dream. You'll encounter rare pitcher plant savannas, virgin pine and cypress stands, as well as the longleaf pine forests.
There is an excellent guide created by the Forest Service, entitled Guide to the Big Bend Scenic Byway, that is a must have to make your journey along the byway a true experience in nature. There are two components to the byway. The Coastal Trail, and the Forest Trail. Each is divided into three segments: east, central, and west. Most of the byway travels along two-lane roads through rural communities, and open countryside. Keep in mind that there are few biting insects from late fall to early spring. Whenever you go , take insect repellent with you, sun screen, and water.
The eastern portion of the Coastal Trail takes you through St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, including the lighthouse This part begins at the intersection of US 98 and CR 59 (Lighthouse Road, and ends at US 98 where it meets Hwy. 319. San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, and definitely do a visit to the Wakulla County Welcome Center. Stop at the Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratory before continuing on to Bald Point State Park, and the Leonard's Landing with its roadside kiosk display on clam aquaculture and sea grass beds This portion takes you 48 miles.If you travel the Coastal Trail, central, which is about 23 miles, you'll visit Camp Gordon Johnston Museum, along with the Crooked River Lighthouse. Starting at US 98 and US 319, winding through the forest on 375, across Hwy 20, to 283, and 267 by Wakulla Springs, taking 98 through Panacea, and on to St. Teresa. The western portion will guide you to John Gorrie State Park, Orman House State Park, St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, and the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve., which covers about 26 miles.You'll begin at the familiar US 98 and SR 65, and will end at the west end of Market Street in Apalachicola.
Traveling along the Forest Trail, eastern section takes you from the Natural Bridge Battlefield State Park, through the Edward Ball Wakulla It begins at the meeting of US 98 and SR 267, wanders south, turns north on 319 and follows 375 to Hwy 20, and back home.The central portion reaches from Mission San Luis de Apalache, through Silver Lake recreation area, Lake Talquin State Park, Ft. Braden Community Center, Sopchoppy High School and gymnasium, and the Ochlockonee River State Park. Begin by heading west on SR 20, and heading south on 375, which takes you through the Apalachicola National Forest, ending at 319, just past St. Teresa. All in all, this section covers about 70 miles, while the next portion will take you 25 miles. The western loop will include Tate's Hell State Forest with a stop at the Ralph Kendrick Dwarf Cypress Dome, the Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental area, with a stop at the Sand Beach Recreation area, and a visit to the Ft. Gadsden Historic site, along with a good tour of the Apalachicola National Forest. Starting at US 98 and SR 65, head to St. George State Park, then north through Carrabelle, following 98 back to town.
The natural history of the entire byway is unique. It includes our beautiful white beaches that are constantly being reshaped by waves, winds, and tides. The coastal strand is a long, narrow strip between the beach where vegatation can't grow, and the inland side where you'll find trees, shrubs, etc. Most of the plant species within the coastal strand are vines, grasses, and herbs. Huge storms can wipe out the plants, but they can begin again from the seeds blown in on the wind, or from animal droppings. Sand dunes form when the wind hits plants such as sea oats. These plants slow the wind down enough that the wind drops the sand its carrying thus building the dunes..
The salt marsh has ever changing boundaries. They adjust constantly according to storms, erosion, the normal ebb and flow of creeks, rivers, and sea level changes. Salt marshes aren' t really pretty but they produce a huge amount of dead plant matter, which tiny sea creatures break down, and that in turn feed the young of many fish and shellfish species. It's like a huge incubator of sea life.
The scrub is interesting. The Oak and Sand Pine Scrub grow on really old, deep sands that don't hold water. Along this corridor you'll find them growing near the coast on sandy ridges that overtime become inland communities.Saw Palmetto is another plant you'll find growing here. Scrub relies on fire to keep on being scrub. Prescribed fire is an important component of all Florida's forests.
Tidal Flats are the parts of shoreline that are protected from the waves we love to watch come ashore on the beaches. They are called mudflats by some folks. Many invertebrate animals live in and on the flats, providing food for many fish and birds. They are basically the gas station for migrating shorebirds.
Coasts and estuaries include the Apalachee and Apalachicola Bays where the fresh water coming from the rivers mixes with the salt water from the ocean. Here is where you find rhe shellfish, such as oysters. Apalachicola Bay is a type of estuary where the waves have enough strength to push sand into piles that create barrier islands. Along with the Apalachicola River's supplying sediments to the bay , the islands have built over the centuries. Estuaries are edged with beaches, salt marshes, or tidal flats. They include oyster bars, along with seagrass beds.
Mixed hardwood-pine forest and hardwood hammocks and forests include several plant species. With a moderate amount of moisture they almost never burn. As a result there are many different species of trees as northern forest, which serve as refuges for plant species and wildlife.
Sandhills resemble dunes along our beaches. They hold a variety of grasses and non-woody flowering plants, and provide habitat for woodpeckers, snakes, frogs, etc. You'll find small ponds and lakes within the sandhill areas. The Longleaf Pine grows well here. Due to logging and turpentining, the species almost disappeared. Thanks to massive efforts by the US Forest Service, the pine is being restored into the ecosystems of the sandhills.
Pinelands are the most abundant forest type in Florida. They occupy from 30 to 50 percent of the uplands.
Freshwater Marshes are rather small around the mouth of the Apalachicola River, and are also found around Lake Wimico on Bald Point. They serve as filters for stormwater runoff, and provide wildlife habitat.
Forested Wetlands help feed fish in bays. When trees lose their leaves in the fall/winter season, they are swept downstream, getting chopped up into small pieces through the flow of water. As a result they provide bite-sized nutrients to the animals in the estuary. These wetlands are usually called swamps. The Apalachicola River's floodplain wetland forest is 71 miles long, ranging from 1 to 5 miles wides. There are about 60 species of trees living in this area.
Alluvial Rivers are muddy, carrying lots of sand, silt, etc. , while Blackwater streams are more brownish in color. The color comes from the leaves that fall into the water. We call this tannic water. Seepage streams drain from ravines to join rivers and generally have clear or very lightly tinted waters. Spring runs, like the Wakulla and St. Marks Rivers, come from springs. They are clear.
Explore the Daycations pages in WIKI and put together a trip that includes the Scenic Byway and some of our other treasures.
