The Mountain Lioness: Walking the Rocky Bayou Nature Trail, Thanks to Colonel Fred Gannon

The Rocky Bayou Nature Trail

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

FL State Parks Quest 35/175

28 October 2018

Introduction

So, who's Fred Gannon? Specifically, Colonel Fred Gannon?

He was the Director of Civil Engineering at Eglin Air Force Base in the late 1950s who had the great idea to transform the military land into a public park.

And now for some backstory:
The U.S. Forestry Service ceded 800 square miles of land to the War Department in 1940. This package of land included the Gulf Coast's shoreline and the vast pine forests characteristic of North Florida. The military used this area during WWII for bombing practice and as a major site for gunnery.

About ten years following the war, Colonel Fred Gannon pitches the idea of converting the range into a park for public use. There had been extensive urban development post-war that prevented the bombing range's usability, so the Eglin Engineering group began the initial park construction with Colonel Gannon's proposed designs. They completed the road and trail work in 1966, which is when the state of Florida purchased the lands and incorporated it into the Florida State Park system.

Some believe that there are still test bomb remnants in the park...

Now about present day, according to the park website:

"Bring your own canoe or kayak or rent one from the park for a day of adventure exploring the wonders of Rocky Bayou and nearby freshwater stream. This rare community is a designated Aquatic Preserve. It is often possible to see dolphins and otters, as well as various migrant fowl, such as the rare trumpeter swan. With the occasional sighting of bald eagle, this trail is a favorite among bird watchers. Enjoy the tranquil and serene environment away from the noise and the hustle and bustle of everyday life."

Park Profile - Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

Region: Northwest
Year Established: 1966
Location

Physical Address: 4281 S.R.20 Niceville FL 32578
GPS: 30.495888, -86.432780
Google Maps
Distance from Tallahassee:

Phone: 850.833.9144
Fees:

$5/Vehicle with 2-8 people
$4/Single-Occupant Vehicle
$2/Pedestrians, Bicyclists
FREE with an Annual Pass (additional car passengers $2)

Hours: 08:00 - Sundown, 365 Days/Year
FL State Parks Website
FL State Parks Brochure
FT Ranger on Duty: Yes
Passport Stamp Location: Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park

The Gear

Google Pixel 2
Sony

Shoes: Hoka Hupana

The Story

I was on my way back from a wedding in Alabama practically on the AL/FL border. I revisited Gulf Islands National Seashore, the Live Oak Area, and then decided I'd go a little bit out of my way to hit up a new park. I'm doing pretty well at visiting most of the Florida Panhandle area state parks, only a few more to go. Several were devastated by Hurricane Michael. I arrived with not too much time to explore the park, but I was able to get a short hike in along the Rocky Bayou Nature Trail.

I didn't get a brochure when I showed the ranger my pass to enter the park, so I just followed the signs. The road forks, and I kept right due to the sign saying hiking was in that direction. If I had kept left, I would have reached picnic, playground, and pavilion areas, and then a boat ramp. I instead bumped into the campground.

Campground explore

I parked along the edge of the campground loop where there were signs saying not to park, but then there were lots of cars parked, and I had already driven all the way around but saw no other areas to park. ....so I parked. I walked a half loop around the campground. The North side is along the southern edge of Rocky Bayou.

Not too far down is a picnic pavilion, which in hindsight, those look like parking spots right in front of it.

I also walked down these steps to the bayou itself.

Right around the laundry/restrooms area is a sidewalk cut through that I took to get back to the hiking area. I also found a sign with a map and park/camping information finally.

Hiking

The park has three hiking trails. The Red Cedar Trail, adequately named as it hosts the popular red cedar tree, is on the West side of the park. Sand Pine Nature Trail and Rocky Bayou Nature Trail are on the East side of the park, sharing a trailhead.

The Sand Pine Nature Trail "follows the Eastern Shore of Puddin' Head Stream. This stream is a rare habitat unique to this area, which is a fragile ecosystem with several species of aquatic plants, such as the pitcher plant and Florida Anise".

Rocky Bayou Nature Trail - "The return loop of this trail follows the picturesque shoreline of the bayou. The park shoreline is home to our most fragile ecosystem, estuarine sea grass beds. It is often possible to see dolphins and otters, as well as various migrant fowl, such as the rare trumpeter swan. The occasional sighting of bald eagle, make this trail a favorite among bird watchers."

This post highlights the Rocky Bayou Nature Trail.

From Parking to the Trailhead

A sidewalk leads to a pavilion that looks over Puddin' Head lake/stream. A bridge then leads over the water to the trails.

Sand Pine - A small pine that only appears naturally in Florida and a small portion of Southeast Alabama. It grows on the well drained sandy soils that have taken over old sand dunes. The sand pine cones will not open and release seed unless they are heated by fire, making their existence dependent on fire. Human development is causing the sand scrub location, home of the sand pines, to become endangered.

Puddin' Head Lake is in the process of being restored into a healthy stream.

Bridge that keeps you from Puddin' Head Into the Stream

Views from the bridge:

Beautyberry and greenbrier await hikers on the opposite end of the bridge. Greenbrier is a sturdy vine that grows into a big tangled mess. The vine's tips are edible as are the roots, which taste like a bitter potato once peeled, mashed, and boiled. Beautyberry has beautiful purple berries, which I see all over the Southeast during Fall.

Rocky Bayou Nature Trail

The first thing I noticed when starting the trail counterclockwise was all of the growth on the forest floor. I'm assuming it's some sort of moss or lichen, although it looks pretty spongy.

I started noticing some mysterious numbered sign posts. I still have yet to find a resource that matches each number to something informative. This isn't the first time I've seen this phenomenon. Either I'm really oblivious or the project has yet to be completed.

I recently learned about the Streisand effect. Basically if you attempt to hide something or go out of your way to keep something secret, it has the unintended consequence of publicizing the information even more than if you had just kept quiet. Anyway, sort of related - this Restricted Area drives me to want to know more of what lies behind it. Maybe the "rumored" bomb remnants?

Bayou sighting ahead!

A cool tree trunk and some fun roots.

The middle third of the loop sort of parallels the bayou, visible in some places more than others.

Saw Palmetto - It wouldn't be a Florida State Park without it.
Florida Rosemary - An evergreen abundantly found in the pine scrub natural community on the dunes. While the plant smells good, it's not a true rosemary. Not interestingly, the flowers and fruits are insignificant.

At least I got to see a squirrel.

Strava View of the Area and Hike

Link to Strava Hiking Activity: Rocky Bayou Nature Trail

Trailhead and Sand Pine Nature Trail

After completing the loop, I sat down on the bench at the trailhead for a bit. I then walked a few meters along the Sand Pine Nature Trail before crossing the bridge back to reality.

Roar for More!

Hurdles

Without a brochure, I wasn't quite sure what I was doing. Winging it usually works out though. I found a trail to hike that wouldn't keep me out past sunset.

The Mountain Lioness

Walking the Rocky Bayou Nature Trail, Thanks to Colonel Fred Gannon