From: Joey Barkhouse [mailto:foxnphoebe@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 06, 2011 11:11 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: First Hike of the new season Inglis Island--September 17

 

Hi Ramblers,

I am scheduling the hike now because I will be away until early September.

I plan to scout out some new locations in the Fall, but for September we will be going to a familiar locale.
We will meet at 8 AM and start hiking at 8:15 AM on Saturday September 17.

Inglis Island is formed by the barge canal, Lake Rousseau, and the Withlacoochee River.   Inglis Lock, between the lake and the canal is on the north, and  Inglis Dam (at the lake and the river) is at the recreation area on the south side. 

 

This is a very easy place to walk.  The lakefront trail is flat and wide and mostly grassy.  It traverses a variety of landscapes including waterfront, meadows, hammocks and pine forests.  It has mostly open sections and some partially and fully shaded sections.  There are several lovely locations to contemplate the waterfront.

 

Directions:  From Crystal River, go north on Route 19 to Basswood Drive, which is the first right after the road from Red Level to Dunnellon.  Continue on Basswood and make a right on to Riverwood Drive.  The Inglis Dam recreation area has a large parking lot , which is a left turn off of Riverwood Drive.  From Route 19 it is three miles to the recreation area.   If you miss the turn on to Basswood Drive, you can continue up 19 and make a right turn on to Riverwood Drive, then go 2.5 miles to the recreation area.

 

If you come late after the group has departed, note that the island is accessible by walking across the dam, even though the road is blocked  and the signs are intimidating.  Just scoot around the left side of the roadblock by stepping over the guard rail and walk across the dam.  The sign is meant for vehicles, and not walkers.  

 

There is no rest room facility at the starting point, but there is one at the locks, about midway on the hike.

Please sign in on the participant sheet, which I will leave on my car --Nissan Rogue-- if  late, and also whenever you depart.   

 

Bring plenty of water, snacks, insect spray, and sun block.