2. Trail Build

St. Marks River State Park Prep

Please scroll waaaay down past all this text to see maps, photos, etc! 10 Oct '09 Work party 10am-2pm. Rain date 17 Oct. Some details are viewable in a September 24 story here. THIS GALLERY: 1) Preliminary user group meeting 7 Dec '08 with State Park management for this relatively new ~2600 acre addition to the parks system. 2) Photos from the 7 Feb '09 workday. GPS track of my meanderings. Fencing was installed to delineate some boundaries around the Tram Road trailhead, and a parking corral. When complete, this will allow easier public access. As of 14 Feb '09, there is still a chain with a combination lock blocking this trailhead. (14 Feb workday was cancelled/postponed.) Thank you to State Park representatives Barry Birch and Bert Hickey for patiently discussing the park's future with us. From the DEP 1Oct07 press release, "Currently, visitors can explore the property’s wildlife by hiking or biking on the park’s existing road system while the Florida Park Service develops the management plan and necessary infrastructure for the park." The park is located along the St. Marks river, between Tram Road and US 27. The south trailhead on Tram Road is located ~9.3M east of the CCSE/US 319 and Tram Road (County 259) intersection. Driving note: As you continue east on Tram Rd past the Tram Rd and Old Plank/WW Kelley Rd intersection, it's another ~2.4M, immediately adjacent to Bobby Godwin (dirt) Rd. Location of some existing park roads from a Jan '08 ride. The rangers related work afoot to add land to the park all the way south to Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park. It's my opinion this park desperately needs something like Econfina Creek's singletrack. Obviously, setting aside large chunks of undeveloped land is primary. However, to lure folks out here it will be mandatory to establish low impact trail along the river, with multiple river crossings. Southern Trailriders seem to have their act together better than any other user group on this. Check out new President Sue Noyes' excellent write-up in their Feb '09 newsletter. See p. 40 and 46 of this document for some recent assessment and funding info re this parcel. And here for more official type funding info. Excellent map in that second document depicting what was purchased, what remains to be purchased, and surrounding park/conservation areas. I don't know whether some/all of this info has been rendered moot by the "economy." The 161st park in the state park system has been open since Oct 2007. It remains in a relatively "raw" condition a year later. 2009 should see user groups working with park management to make the area more accessible, while maintaining a passive nature. Special appreciation to Southern Trailriders Association's Linda Vause and Sue Noyes for the loan of "Rex" as today's post-meeting equine buddy. Also attending this meeting were members of The Leon County Horsemen’s Association. Tiny video clip at gallery's end. I dropped the camera early in the ~7M ride. So nothing between that point and back at the trailhead. THIS SITE is private property, and doesn't necessarily represent any other individual or organization. You are welcome to download/use my photos for your private enjoyment, including printing them. Any other usage/linking must come from me in writing (email ok), with credit given. Questions, pre-scoldings, comments, ID, complaints? Thanks, John Kalin Email me TallahasseeTrails on YouTube. "If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks http://www.tallahasseetrails.com/
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  • Short "standing in place and turning side to side" video clip. If you look at the Google map from the 7Feb09 workday, I'm at the lower spur.

    Short "standing in place and turning side to side" video clip. If you look at the Google map from the 7Feb09 workday, I'm at the lower spur.

  • Short video clip with park area GPS track.

    Short video clip with park area GPS track.

  • Showing some of the existing multiuse trails from the Tram Road TH (south, bottom) to St. Marks River (north). No bridge is currently available for crossing to/from the US 27 trailhead. Map from this Jan '08 ride. Note this only shows some of the west side of the park. The park is also on the east side of the river.

    Showing some of the existing multiuse trails from the Tram Road TH (south, bottom) to St. Marks River (north). No bridge is currently available for crossing to/from the US 27 trailhead. Map from this Jan '08 ride. Note this only shows some of the west side of the park. The park is also on the east side of the river.

  • There's the potential that the park may be expanded southward to Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic SP. Natural Bridge is located downstream, lower left. It's that little white square with a "W" inside, along the bottom. Imagine that as a continuous park. Wow!

    There's the potential that the park may be expanded southward to Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic SP. Natural Bridge is located downstream, lower left. It's that little white square with a "W" inside, along the bottom. Imagine that as a continuous park. Wow!

  • My meanderings from the 7Feb09 workday from this GPS track. Check out the 3 longer spurs top right. They represent a few potential creek crossings.

    My meanderings from the 7Feb09 workday from this GPS track. Check out the 3 longer spurs top right. They represent a few potential creek crossings.

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    IMG_0710

  • I had prepared to pedal P-Snoop the Pugsley while everyone else made like equestrians. Surprise! The Pugsley is back on the car, and I'm about to saddle up on Rex.

    I had prepared to pedal P-Snoop the Pugsley while everyone else made like equestrians. Surprise! The Pugsley is back on the car, and I'm about to saddle up on Rex.

  • Rex, as viewed from atop the saddle.

    Rex, as viewed from atop the saddle.

  • Linda gives my spidermonkey legs a bit more room to stretch out. Next time, I'll give 'em even more room.

    Linda gives my spidermonkey legs a bit more room to stretch out. Next time, I'll give 'em even more room.

  • What could go wrong? Full MTB regalia including cleated shoes. Wonder how long it'll take Wrecking Ball to find this photo. Last time I was atop a horse, it was some midget pony circa 1960 at Thomasville Road's "Whittle's Pony Farm."

    What could go wrong? Full MTB regalia including cleated shoes. Wonder how long it'll take Wrecking Ball to find this photo. Last time I was atop a horse, it was some midget pony circa 1960 at Thomasville Road's "Whittle's Pony Farm."

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    IMG_0716

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    IMG_0718

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    IMG_0719

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    IMG_0720

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    IMG_0721

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    DSC_4594

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    IMG_0722

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    IMG_0723

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    IMG_0724

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    IMG_0725

  • Center of photo in the green parks jacket is Barry Birch.

    Center of photo in the green parks jacket is Barry Birch.

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    DSC_4596

  • With the notepad and green parks jacket is Bert Hickey.

    With the notepad and green parks jacket is Bert Hickey.

  • Rex and Tippy enjoy an apres ride snack.

    Rex and Tippy enjoy an apres ride snack.

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    DSC_4598

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    DSC_4599

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    DSC_4600

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    DSC_4601

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    DSC_4602

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    What could go wrong? Full MTB regalia including cleated shoes. Wonder how long it'll take Wrecking Ball to find this photo. Last time I was atop a horse, it was some midget pony circa 1960 at Thomasville Road's "Whittle's Pony Farm."
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    IMG_0718.JPG