Named after a cattle ranch that once existed on this property, Circle B Bar Reserve. This property was purchased to protect the floodplain of the lake and to restore the Banana Creek marsh system. Much of property was converted to pasture, but remnant wetland communities can be found along Banana and Saddle creeks. Largest remnant natural communities are oak hammocks and various forested wetlands, primarily found in northeast corner of property.
Ongoing restoration projects for the Banana Creek marsh system, which runs through the center of the property, and for an area of scrub on the southern portion of the site will restore much of the original hydrologic function of the lands. The scrub restoration will benefit the numerous animals that utilize both wetlands and uplands during various phases of their life cycles.
While hiking the trails you may see a variety of birds, including bald eagles, wood storks, great blue herons and many other wading birds, as well as vistas across Lake Hancock and Banana Creek Marsh. Take a walk along the banks of Lake Hancock and you will see many alligators.
Polk’s Nature Discovery Center opened November 1, 2008 and provides information and discovery opportunities about Polk County’s unique water, wildlife and wilderness resources, as well as the associated cultural heritage and nature-based recreation opportunities on environmental lands in Polk County. The Nature Discovery Center has several amenities including picnic pavilions, wildlife observation viewing platforms, boardwalks and several multi-use trails. The Reserve is open daily, year-round, from 6:30 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. Standard Time and until 8:30 P.M. during Daylight Savings Time. Dogs are no longer allowed in the preserve because of the number of alligators present. This area may become wet during the rainy season. Don’t forget the insect repellent and water. Be careful and enjoy the area. Be advised that there are always risks associated with visiting nature preserves.
For anyone not familiar with Letterboxing there is a log in the box for you to sign and stamp (with your stamp), then you stamp your own log or paper (with stamp that is in the box). If you do not have your own stamp, then stickers or handrawn artwork is acceptable. DO NOT TAKE STAMP WITH YOU; IT IS NOT A TRADE ITEM!!!
This geocache is a part of the Trek Ten Trails 2012 program. Participation in that program, while a lot of fun, is not required to log this cache here. Trek Ten Trails 2012 program marks the fifth year of the Friends of the Parks Foundation’s call to explore the outdoors in Polk County. Five new nature trails have been added to the program’s first four years of trail hike locations throughout Polk County. Each nature trail includes geocaches with a self-inking stamp for validating your visits to at least ten of the featured trails. To be eligible for the prize drawings you must find the five new treks and any other five from the first four years. You can choose which trails you visit, and of course you may trek them all!
New game cards, which participants stamp and return to be entered into the year end prize drawings are available at the Friends of the Parks website, OUTPOST 27 CACHE and LAKE WALES DEPOT CACHE. Validated game cards must be mailed by mid October 2012 to be eligible for prize drawings and a certificate of completion. Trek Ten Trails 2012 program maps, game cards and other information about each of the featured nature trails may be downloaded from the Friends of the Parks website. Check out our Profile for more details. The Friends of the Parks Foundation will host our 2012 Trek Ten Trails program Grand Finale Celebration at Circle B Bar Reserve in November 2012.
Please sign in at the information board in the parking lot near the trailhead, and note that you're there to geocache. Polk County's Environmental Lands Program is receptive to caching. Signing in shows that you appreciate this. Please be respectful of this property, its vegetation & wildlife. Make sure you grab a map of the area at the trailhead. Minor bushwhacking may be required at the cache site, please stay on designated trails until you reach the search area.
This cache was placed with the assistance of the
Florida Geocaching Association