Beloved Long Leaf Scrub
 Pepper and I first learned of Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park when we rode the first leg of the Suncoast Trail. A wide vista of long leaf pine and palmetto scrub appeared on our left as we moved north along the Suncoast Trail. A dogleg led us to a spur, which, in turn, led us down an inviting path and out onto the pine scrubland. We ended up riding 25 miles that day, twice what we planned. We were sore and tired and enjoyed ourselves immensely. We knew we would be back.
We returned to the Park via the main entrance, located at Wilderness Road, which is off of Starkey, 4 miles north of State Road 54. I was impressed with the number of parking lots and pavilions, each in it’s own little green space. We pulled into Parking Lot 8, which has restrooms, water fountains, an eight-table pavilion, a horseshoe pit and a large covered sign with information on the parks inhabitants. There is no water on the trail, so be sure to top off your supply before you start. A narrowish paved path leads a short distance to the main paved trail. Traffic was heaviest near the parking lots/trailhead. Pedestrians, small children, dogs, bladers, bikes and beasts can fill the trail to capacity.
The pavement was well maintained; there were no potholes, major cracks or sunken sections. Some areas of the park showed signs of burn/fires, a requirement for maintaining a pine scrub habitat. The trail is 6.7 miles and takes you through primarily long leaf (new growth) and palmetto scrub, with hardwood hammocks and wetlands dotting the terrain. There are posted notices that the trail is built without elevation, so parts are prone to flooding after rains.
Around halfway, the trail narrows for a short stretch, and enters a hardwood hammock with a small marshy center, complete with cypress trees. This cool canopy offers a pleasurable contrast from the openness of the scrubland. But hammocks are just islands in the scrub sea, and surprisingly small, and you are quickly back out among the long leaf. This is classic Florida terrain. Bulldozed and destroyed across most of the state, the small pockets that remain are to be kept for future generations to enjoy in its natural state.
The trail branches off in a few places, but they are well marked on the way out. The trail also curves delightfully, taking an almost meandering route through the scrub. The three-foot height of the palmettos allows you good visibility, and oncoming traffic is spotted well in advance along these open sections of the trail. Soon you round a curve, and there is the intersection with the Suncoast Trail. From there you can go south to State Road 54, about 4 miles. Or you can pedal north, to State Road 52, around 6 miles by my reckoning.
If I had to find fault with Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park, it would be one sign on the return. The sign directs you to the Day Area, not making a reference to the Bike Trail as all the other signs in the park do. It may sound like a no-brainer, and it wasn’t a problem for us, but it could confuse someone.
We enjoyed ourselves even more on this second trip to the Park. We saw many birds and an old and large gopher tortoise. Rest Areas alternated between covered seating to simple benches and are abundant. The facilities are top notch, and ingeniously woven into the park. Pepper and I look forward to riding in this Park many times.
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