Jack Creek Tract, Lake Wales Ridge WEA

Encompassing a variety of ecosystems, the Jack Creek tract of the Lake Wales Ridge WEA protects over 1200 acres of scrub and the Lake Placid West Chain-of-Lakes watershed.

Wetlands on the south end of the property form Jack Creek, which flows into Josephine Creek before ending up in Lake Istokpoga.

These quiet trails are open to foot traffic only, where birds and deer are the most likely animal encountered by hikers.

white sand footpath in pines and saw palmetto

Hiking through scrubby flatwoods

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

South Florida Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

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Overview

Location: Sebring
Length: 3.9 mile loop
Trailhead: 27.380074, -81.424890
Address: 4501 Grand Concourse Road, Sebring
Fees: Free
Restrooms: No
Land managers: Southwest Florida Water Management District
Phone: 352-796-7211 ext. 4470

Open sunrise to sunset. Leashed dogs allowed.

Use sun protection as shade is very limited.

Directions

From the intersection of US 27 and CR 621 E in Lake Placid, head north on US 27 N for 6.4 miles before turning left onto Sebring Lakes Blvd N. In a half mile, turn right at Temple St. Continue for 0.1 mile as Temple St becomes Majesty Ave on a left turn. Majesty Ave becomes Byrd St. at a right turn in 0.2 mile. Byrd St ends in 0.1 mile at a left turn where the road becomes Grand Concourse. The trailhead is a small parking area to the left, immediately after crossing a bridge over Josephine Creek.

Hike

Starting at the entrance gate, head southward down an embankment adjacent to Josephine Creek.

Red-shouldered hawks cry overhead while following a raised access road past a concrete water structure with water roaring over the edge.

Trailhead

Descending from the berm in 0.8 mile and passing through a corridor of shady oaks, the trail opens to a panorama of scrubby flatwoods.

At the first intersection turn left to follow along an ecotone between dry and seasonally damp soils.

Scrubby flatwoods

A grassy corridor lined with fetterbush and coastal staggerbush sweeps westward, dotted with an occasional pine covered with smilax.

In the cooler months, gray catbirds flutter in the bushes, calling in a distinct meow-like manner.

Lyonia-lined pathway

Approaching the two-mile mark, scrub habitat becomes more evident with gnarled sand pines rising in the distance.

As the soil becomes drier, grass transitions to a white sandy pathway pocked with countless animal tracks.

Sand pines above a scrubby understory

Coastalplain honeycombhead, prickly pear, and sandhill St. Johns wort cluster close to the ground, all sporting buttery yellow flowers at different times during the year.

Florida rosemary flourishes in these dry conditions, surrounded by patches of white sand due a chemical the plant releases to inhibit growth of other vegetation.

Florida rosemary

As the trail rises to a high spot in the scrub, the characteristic call of Florida scrub jays can be heard among the dense shrubs.

They may come out to the edge to get a closer look at a passerby.

One of only a few birds endemic to the state, the Florida scrub jay is highly dependent on this specific habitat to survive.

Blue and white jay in puzzle of oak leaves

Florida scrub-jay

Although thunderstorms dump dozens of inches of rain on this delicate environment each year, the water drains quickly through the sand, resulting in desert-like settings.

Many of the plants are specialized to retain water and rebound quickly after lightning-induced fires that periodically sweep over the scrub.