Parks and Trails Sub-Categories

Munson Hills Area

3 galleries with 430 photos.

Updated: Sep 16, 2009 1:51pm PST

Tom Brown, Cadillac, & Piney Z Area

19 galleries with 5695 photos.

Updated: Jun 07, 2009 2:58pm PST

Fern Trail Area

5 galleries with 1688 photos.

Updated: Apr 23, 2009 2:32pm PST

Phipps, Red Bug, Maclay & Overstreet Area

2 galleries with 850 photos.

Updated: Apr 17, 2009 3:54pm PST

Parks and Trails Galleries

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 "If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks http://www.tallahasseetrails.com/

St. Marks River State Park Prep

Please scroll waaaay down past all this text to see maps, photos, etc! ...

Updated: Feb 10, 2009 7:56am PST

St. Marks Trail North Extension : Please scroll waaay down past all this text to view the photos. Uh, I left my "real" camera behind. So we're left with these toy camera snaps of a work crew doing cleanup for - well, I think it's best if I let Tallahassee – Leon County Planning Department's Steve Hodges describe it: "This Saturday, July 19th, at 9 a.m., a small group of FSU environmental service students, organized and led by Misty Penton, will gather at the SE corner of Gaines and Lake Bradford to pick up trash along a City-owned trail easement. This easement is intended to be the final trail connection between the City's Lake Elberta Park and the FSU stadium that will connect the St. Marks Trail to FSU. We're looking for additional volunteers to help clean up this corridor. Following the cleanup, City Parks and Rec staff will clear and grade the trail, and hopefully put down a hard surface. City staff are working with CSX to clean up a small storage facility along the easement, and other City staff are working to secure additional property that will connect the trail to the crossing at Gaines and Lake Bradford. This is an important link in the local greenway system, and its opening is closer than it has been in years. Come if you can, and help extend our urban trail system. Bring gloves, closed-toe shoes, bug spray, and drinking water. We'll be done by noon, barring bad weather. Ride your bicycle to this event if you can." And an afternote from Steve: "Approximately a dozen or more people showed up to help pick up trash along this trail corridor. In an hour and a half, we picked up many bags of aluminum cans, bottles, plastic, general trash, four or five bicycle frames, a large truck tire, and all kinds of assorted debris from an old homeless camp. Yay team! A BIG thanks to Misty Penton, who organized the FSU Environmental Service group, and Chuck Goodheart, who brought a City truck and trailer with bags, gloves, pails, trashpickers, and other tools. City Parks and Rec is going to contract out in a month or so the clearing of a portion of this corridor. The contractor will clear a minimum 20' area while trying to save as many large trees as possible, grub and shred, and grade the trail area flat. We hope to be able to put down a hard surface sometime this fall. We're also working to secure land or easements to legally connect the northernmost end to Gaines and Bradford where there is already a crossing. Some folks from the apartment complex on Stearns Street that is being renovated into live-work units have offered to adopt this trail corridor. We hope that people will start using it eventually, and we'll continue wrapping this section into the Lake Elberta trail project. Opening up new trails in the urban area is sometimes simply just a series of problems to be solved among many others, but it can be done with enough cooperation." The specific area cleaned up in these photos was a ~440m corridor. Couple shots of Lake Elberta Park are included as well. I'd like to get back for more shots when the trail construction begins. As to what we removed, can anyone say container deposit legislation?! With a gallery full of shots, you may find it easier to navigate if you change the gallery "style" (top right) from "smugmug" to "all thumbs." Or "slideshow" (very cool for sequences) or "filmstrip" or . . . you get the idea, it's configurable by you. I usually like "journal." 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 "If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks http://www.tallahasseetrails.com/

St. Marks Trail North Extension

Please scroll waaay down past all this text to view the photos. Uh, I ...

Updated: Jul 20, 2008 10:20pm PST

IMBA/SORBA 2007 Trailbuilding School Weekend : Scroll down past all this annoying text to view the photos. Photos 1-205 from Friday, 14 Dec at Forestmeadows, Red Bug Trail. http://www.imba.com/ Trail Care Crew of Anna Laxague, Jason Wells and Moxy http://www.sorba.org/ Co-sponsoring organization, Executive Director Tom Sauret and Events and Promotions Walt Bready http://www.imba.com/tcc/1997/debut.html What's this IMBA SORBA TCC stuff? Read about the first TCC from 1997 - they were Conyers GA's Jan and Mike Riter from SORBA! http://www.talgov.com/parks/index.cfm Sorry I can't find an appropriate parks link, but TPRD's Chuck Goodheart is The Bomb, and his Trail #1 Lisa Cole is a total RockStar. We are indeed blessed here in Tallahassee. All the visiting representatives mentioned how unique our situation is to have folks like Chuck and Lisa. Oh yeah, and Jim Schmid: http://www.fs.fed.us/ Jim Schmid!! As best I can tell, without Jim Schmid, we have no assembly of National trail talent for this visit. He may not take credit, but I think he deserves a whole heapin' helpin! http://www.hgbco.com/ Primary Tallahassee bike shop sponsor, organization, Friday social/dinner, goodies, dug deep into the wallet, both money and time - Thanks Todd May, owner! http://bikesunshine.net/ Additional Tallahassee bike shop goodies - thanks Ed Holt, owner! http://www.cccyclists.org/ Tallahassee's long time cycling organization, here through it all 2007 work focused on sections of Red Bug and Magnolia Trails: http://tallahasseetrails.smugmug.com/gallery/3810811 (Red Bug Trail, reroute/addition south of #56/Boardwalk) http://tallahasseetrails.smugmug.com/gallery/3269787 (Magnolia Trail, "Gun Range" sections south of #22 and #28) 2006 IMBA/SORBA photos here: http://tallahasseetrails.smugmug.com/gallery/2220071 With hundreds of shots, you may find it easier to navigate if you change the gallery "style" (top right) from "smugmug" to "all thumbs." Or "slideshow" or "filmstrip" or . . . you get the idea, it's configurable by you. I usually like "journal." 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 "If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks http://www.tallahasseetrails.com/

IMBA/SORBA 2007 Trailbuilding School Weekend

Scroll down past all this annoying text to view the photos. Photos 1-2 ...

Updated: Dec 20, 2007 9:08am PST

Econfina Wildcattin' : Photos from my 20 Nov 2007 trek with The Kentucky Wildcat to this gem of a trail. We get in a ~10M run (5M out and back) on these sweet singletrack trails along Econfina Creek. To the powerline and back, if that makes sense to anyone. It appears our route duplicated the hike done 10 days earlier by the FTA's Panhandle Chapter. GPS track of our run is here. GPS tracks are always short of reality. My Garmin Edge 305 (a "bike" GPS sort of stapled to the top of my head - see last photo in gallery) showed 15.99Km (100m less than a full 10M) before I uploaded the file to MotionBased. It clocked in at 10.26M on MotionBased. Go figure. I use GPS for mapping not measuring, anyway. Btw, this did include a bit of off-trail, in the creek activity. Load that .kml file into Google Earth for a far better view. We put in at the Scott Road (east) TH, maybe 80M or so west of Tallahassee. From Tallahassee, take I-10 west to Hwy 231 (Exit 130), south on 231 something like 13M to Scott Road. If you miss Scott Road, you'll almost immediately see Hwy 167 on your left. Turn right (west) onto Scott Road (dirt) and follow orange trail marks ~3M to the east trailhead. To read more about this area and see maps, check these links: http://myfwc.com/RECREATION/cooperative/econfina_creek.asp http://panhandle.floridatrail.org/our-trails/ http://www.nwfwmd.state.fl.us/recreation/econfinacreek.html http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide/regions/panhandlewest/trails/econfina.htm With hundreds of shots, you may find it easier to navigate if you change the gallery "style" (top right) from "smugmug" to "all thumbs." Or "slideshow" (very cool for sequences) or "filmstrip" or . . . you get the idea, it's configurable by you. I usually like "journal." 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 "If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks http://www.tallahasseetrails.com/

Econfina Wildcattin'

Photos from my 20 Nov 2007 trek with The Kentucky Wildcat to this gem ...

Updated: Nov 22, 2007 11:18am PST

IMBA/SORBA 2006 Trailbuilding School Weekend : An assortment of shots taken at the 3 days worth of trail fun, 8-10 December. Thanks to: 1) Kristin Butcher and Ryan Schutz (IMBA Trail Care Crew), for delaying their end-of-year vacation one more week to be with us. I need to give credit to whoever at IMBA is picking the TCCs. Coupla' crazy kids - we love ya! http://www.imba.com/tcc/2006/index.html 2) Jim Schmid (Trail Manager, US Forest Service) for arranging the IMBA Trail Crew visit. 3) FOTL (Fat of the Land, Tallahassee's SORBA Chapter), host club. Scot Benton (president), Dave Rohe (VP). http://art.fsu.edu/fotl/ 4) Cathy Briggs (USFS), for informing us about land use issues in the Apalachicola National Forest, which of course includes the Munson Hills area. Changes/restrictions are a-comin' folks. You need to be aware, and defend your turf: http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/florida/projects/documents/nepa/nepa.shtml You particularly want to view the document on that page under the Apalachicola National Forest section titled "Scoping Letter for Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use." 5) Tom Sauret (SORBA Executive Director), for traveling down from Georgia with boxes of swag! http://www.sorba.org/ 6) Adrian and his fine folks, for the continuous FOOD! 7) The Lakes at San Marcos apartments (4660 Woodville Hwy, adjacent to St. Marks Bike/Ped Trail and Munson Hills Bike Trail), for once again allowing us the use of their Community Room: http://www.lakesatsanmarcos.com/s/homepage 8) John Harvey, for organizing and leading the Sunday bike ride. And for doing his best to tip me off to photo ops! What's this IMBA SORBA TCC stuff? Read about the first TCC from 1997 - they were Conyers GA's Jan and Mike Riter from SORBA! http://www.imba.com/tcc/1997/debut.html FEEL FREE to change the gallery "style" (pull-down menu top-right of the page). That'll help navigate through the ~260 shots. If you do not change the gallery style, be aware you'll be wading through 18 gallery pages. My favorite is "journal" style. Please send me any ID/corrections/suggestions for this gallery. 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 "If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks http://www.tallahasseetrails.com/

IMBA/SORBA 2006 Trailbuilding School Weekend

An assortment of shots taken at the 3 days worth of trail fun, 8-10 De ...

Updated: Jan 31, 2007 8:50am PST

Maps, Aerial Photos & Park Flyers : SCROLL waaaaaaay down past all this annoying text to see some maps. My old ClubPhoto site was "bought/absorbed" by WinkFlash. The ClubPhoto albums were allgedly restored, but captions and descriptive text were lost. I think you have to register to see the photos. I may even have to "invite" you to make the photos visible. Forget it! I've kept copies of (almost all) the photos. The zillions of captions were not saved, that's what I get for not transferring that data. Another option is the Internet Archive's WayBackMachine. Here's a link to my dead ClubPhoto site. My GPS MAPPING beginning April 2007. Try entering the trail name in the search box of my MotionBased account. Another tip when viewing someone's MB page is switch the "Results per Page" from the default 20 to 100. Looking at just 20 at a time is tedious if they have a few hundred tracks. DEFINITELY get Google Earth! Then load the .kml file from any MotionBased track into Google Earth. All free, and very helpful. Email me if you can't figure it out. Many others in the Tally area (along with zillions around the world) have been using the MotionBased site to upload their workouts and meanderings. Those unfamiliar with our local trails might find the tracks useful. I frequently zig-zag all over a trail system during a ride/run. If you zoom in tight on such a track, you can get a good look at what's there. My (eventual) plan is a more organized track of each local trail. Photos/videos as well. By all means, feel free to contact me with suggestions, requests. I wanted to at least get an assortment of trail resources transferred over from the old site. So I'm posting these admittedly (mostly) dated items which may be of use to newbies, visitors, and the "Where the heck is Blair Witch Trail" types. Note that the aerials are from way before the "Google Earth" days. These are the now defunct park/trail albums (aka photo galleries) I had on the old ClubPhoto site. ALFORD GREENWAY PARK (2 galleries) See the official County Parks link here. CADILLAC TRAIL (3 galleries) ELINOR KLAPP-PHIPPS PARK - see also Red Bug Trail and Forestmeadows (3 galleries) FERN TRAIL - see also Governor's Park FORESTMEADOWS PARK & ATHLETIC CENTER - consider it the "gateway" to Red Bug Trail, E.K.Phipps Park/Lake Jackson area, and the Overstreet/Blair Witch/Maclay Gardens State Park trails GARDEN OF EDEN TRAILS aka Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve - see also Torreya GOOSE POND TRAIL GOVERNOR'S PARK - see also Fern Trail IMBA TRAIL BUILD DAYS - see also Cadillac, Magnolia, Red Bug, Lafayette Heritage LAFAYETTE HERITAGE PARK - see also Cadillac Trail. MAGNOLIA TRAIL - in Tom Brown Park, see also Goose Pond Trail, Cadillac Trail. MICCOSUKEE GREENWAY PARK - see my Cross Country race galleries, as many local races were held here. And see the official County Parks link here. MUNSON HILLS & PAPER CUP TRAILS OVERSTREET & BLAIR WITCH TRAILS - aka Maclay Gardens State Park. RED BUG TRAIL - see also E.K.Phipps Park, Forestmeadows Park & Athletic Center. SAN LUIS MISSION PARK (2 galleries) TORREYA STATE PARK - see also Garden of Eden Trail (3 galleries). Probably worth your while to visit the following local government links as well: http://tlcgis6.co.leon.fl.us/website/Parks_SDE/viewer.htm http://www.co.leon.fl.us/parks/greenways.asp http://www.talgov.com/parks/parks.cfm Having trouble navigating all these photos? You might try changing the gallery "Style" (top right) to "All Thumbs," "Journal," take your pick. 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 "If I fall you're going down with me" - Trail running advice from my Dixie Chicks http://www.tallahasseetrails.com/

Maps, Aerial Photos & Park Flyers

SCROLL waaaaaaay down past all this annoying text to see some maps. M ...

Updated: Apr 14, 2006 9:40am PST