Split Oak Forest WEA, FL

Split Oak Forest WEA is named for a spectacular 200-year-old live oak tree that split down the middle and survived.


Currently 1,689 acres, Split Oak Forest is one of the most biodiverse areas in Florida (868 species of plants and critters have been spotted in the WEA.) Terrain types include forested wetlands, freshwater marsh, hammock, pasture, pine flatwoods, sandhill, scrub, wet flatwoods, wet prairie, and disturbed.Unfortunately, Split Oak Forest is about to get 160 acres smaller, as the Osceola Parkway will soon be built across its southern reaches.

Trails
Split Oak Loop: 5.4 miles, with yellow blazes.
Center Trail: 0.9 miles, with white blazes.
Lake Loop: 0.8 miles, with blue blazes.
Florida Trail: 3.2 miles, with orange blazes. Co-located with Split Oak Loop from post K to L to A, then from A to G.

There are short spur trails to Lake Hart, Bonnet Pond, and Martin Pond -- the latter two with wood observation decks. (Sawgrass Pond also has an OP, but no trail.)

The WEA is absolutely riddled with old trails. I saw no "keep out!" signs, so you can customize your visit however you like.

Besides the main trailhead on Clapp Simms Duda Rd., Split Oak Forest may also be accessed from Moss Park via the Florida Trail.

Waypoints

Whatever you do, avoid any map with numbered waypoints! I can't find a letter-posted map online, that matches the trailhead kiosk map, so download this instead. These are the waypoints:

A: 0.05 mi. Just east of the trailhead.
B: 0.20 mi. Center Trail straight; yellow blazes left.
C: 0.83 mi. Wildlife rescue left; yellow blazes right.
D: 1.16 mi. Lake Loop left; yellow blazes right.
E: On Lake Loop, 0.3 mi. north of Split Oak.
F: 1.54 mi. Lake Loop sharp left; yellow blazes straight.
G: 1.78 mi. Florida Trail to Moss Park straight; yellow blazes right.
H: 2.37 mi. Center Trail right; yellow blazes straight.
I: 3.17 mi. Confusing four-way intersection; yellow blazes right.
J: 3.43 mi. Sawgrass Marsh deck right; yellow blazes straight.
K: 3.99 mi. Florida Trail sharp left; yellow blazes straight.
L: 4.34 mi. Yellow blazes sharp right, back to the trailhead in 1.0 mi.

2024-06-06 kingsnake