Biking Florida's Abandoned Gator City: Fakahatchee & Picayune

[@DennisGonzalez101]

Very nice ride. I live 10 min from picayune and ride there a lot on the mtb trails. I just ordered my new gravel bike and as soon as it comes in I plan to do this ride you did but starting from picayune and I few I seen on your videos. Very nice. Liked and subscribed.

[@hankb1604]

Great looking mtn/gravel bike ride!

[@SFLNature]

Thanks!

[@2KV-iper]

The section of Jane's Scenic that is now off limits to vehicles, is the section where I have seen the most wildlife before they gated it. Panthers , bears, Turkeys, etc Picayune has deep water during rainy season on Stewart blvd from Desoto blvd to fakahatchee west entrance.

[@AlanWJohnson]

Great video. I ride that area beginning at the Picayune area but am thinking you began on the other side. I love it there and yes, it’s incredible.

[@SFLNature]

Yep! Started off on the east side in Fakahatchee. Any recommendations on when I should try Picayune again when the water levels drop?

[@AlanWJohnson]

@@SFLNature I’m new to this area and haven’t been to the Fakahatchee area yet. I rode the Picayune area just last week on the gravel and it was fine. I’m interested to learn the trails. I’ll be happy to send you a screenshot of my route via text or messenger if you would like. I just subscribed to your channel and perhaps our cycling paths will cross soon.

[@AlanWJohnson]

@@SFLNature I’m wanting to ride the entire distance from Picayune to Fakahatchee and back. The Picayune area was fine and from your video the Fakahatchee end was fine but the inner middle area in your video was wet. Hopefully as we head into the dry season it will be passable. I saw two bears on my ride and a panther was spotted earlier in the day but I didn’t see it.

[@SunshineAllDaywPugs]

Hello, can you post where you parked your vehicle and which tram gate # you went through? You used be able to drive Jane’s scenic drive into picayune before 2017, that was really nice. Now it’s permanently closed.

[@justlou4593]

Picayune was a great place to ride, camp,fish and hunt. Kind of bitter sweet that once that third pump sation comes online alot of the park will be pretty hard to access as it will be mostly under water. At least for those who dont have a buggy or a good.4x4 truck to get around. Spent a lot of time on those trails and in those woods.

[@astutenomad2879]

I've walked thru 3-5 feet waterways with a walking stick and walked right into a den of hatchlings, needless to say mama came right away. She came between me and her hatchlings. If the water wasn't brown then, it was after I got out of there LOL. 🤣🤣🤣

[@SFLNature]

Yep, that's a gator nightmare right there

[@fixitluis]

I rode around the perimeter of the pond last year and scared 6 gators back into the water, intense moment right there

[@Zeyev]

Super tour as well as history and ecology lessons. I was going to ask about the effect on hydrology of the artificially raised paths that double as levees. It looks like Mother Nature is reclaiming at least some of her natural drainage corridors. What about the rest?

[@paulesj]

Rode there many times. It's worth going back when it is drier. It does get deep in the winter though. :)

[@maumor2]

Good one, I have done that one twice once each way (but I did them one way, I got my wife drop me and then hours later pick me up at the other end) Never seen it with so much water but I have been there at the peek of dry season

[@lone-wolf1248]

I would totally live there for the rest of my life!!! I wish I could.....

[@tarancourchesne1947]

i love doing exactly what you do! out of curiosity (I don't really know what floridians do) what job to you have?

[@jasonmiles1151]

Fakahatchee Hilton. Hiked that a few times during the dry season though

[@philiphorner31]

Alligator 😍🐊?

[@JanBerges]

Nice video 👍🤙 Do you by chance have a map? Strava map? Thank you

[@SFLNature]

I do not, unfortunately

[@AlanWJohnson]

I attempted Picayune to Fakahatchee yesterday but the route I attempted became too loose and sandy so I need to regroup and find another route.

[@SFLNature]

Good luck! I'll probably try it again in the coming months

[@AlanWJohnson]

@@SFLNature I’ve been doing some research and may have another route to attempt. I’m stubborn and am determined to get through. I have seen a few articles online that evidently the roads and passage were easier several years ago.

[@jasonmiles1151]

So this would be the South Blocks?

[@memsitoab]

Good video, too bad about the flooding...guess that rules out an ebike trip.

[@dccopeland6447]

Why?

[@memsitoab]

@@dccopeland6447 who the hell knows. I gotta break this crack habit.

[@dccopeland6447]

@@memsitoab Good luck. That ain't nobody you wanna travel with in the Fakahatchee. 😆

[@stevechristmad6095]

The bear crosses miller about 7 am most weeks around Saturday

[@MiQBohlin]

Are these alligators harmless to humans?

[@SFLNature]

They are wild animals and apex predators, so they're definitely dangerous. However, if you are familiar with their behavior and keep a respectful distance, you should be fine.

[@MiQBohlin]

@@SFLNature That’s what counts for most wildlife. I can see in this episode that you seems to be very confident with these creatures. I’m confident with moose, reindeer, bears and lynx but I would be a bit more careful than you. However, this is your backyard 😉 🙏🏽thnx for sharing!

[@ryancalvert6727]

The gators are at a safe distance, they won’t just come attack you for no reason unless they are provoked. I find that if I am fishing on a shoreline and one starts swimming towards me, if I throw a rock or two in their direction they usually will turn around and leave

[@ryancalvert6727]

I see this was posted 3 weeks ago but is that when it was filmed? Is it still very wet out there? I’m heading down in about 2 weeks so just curious

[@SFLNature]

The video was posted the day after my ride. I assume the water level has gone down some because it's been pretty dry

[@kencrossman3634]

Would like to email you about the area ..

[@leegrayson7592]

Not abandoned, state took it away from people.

[@mdenisen]

Exactly