By David Yon,
This wonderful trail is a great example of what persistence and cooperative efforts can produce. The state of Florida, through the Trust for Public Lands, and a lot of local input (Friends of MCRG) acquired approximately 405 acres along Miccosukee Road from Fleischmann Road to Crump Road. The trails, 17 miles worth, now run from Fleishman Road to Crump Road and there is parking on Fleishman, Edenfield, Thornton and Crump Road. It is somewhere between 7 and 8 miles from one end to the other. There is water at Edenfield and Thornton Roads. Tallahassee residents have long been strong proponents of canopy roads and Miccosukee Road is the premier canopy road in the area. Huge live oaks, sweet gums and hickory trees cast their protective shade over the road and now this greenway. One of the unique aspects of this trail are the very nice views of wide-open pastureland and rolling hills. The open spaces created by these pastures create the opportunity for oak trees to spread out under the sun and grow to enormous size. Much of the trail runs along the Welaunee Plantation and you will see a fair number of cows enjoying the great outdoors. There is a map of the area at: http://www.leoncountyfl.gov/parks/greenways.asp#Trail. You can find a map of some cross country courses here.
Fleishman to Edenfield
There is now a nice trail head and parking at Fleishman Road with a port-a-let but no water. The Edenfield Road parking lot is located near the center of the trail and you can find water there. It is about 1.3 to 1.5 miles from one parking lot to the other and there are several trails and loops to run. One trail takes you through the middle of the property, showcasing the heavy tree cover and one takes you along the fence line along the property’s edge and gives more views of the pasture lands. The trails merge as you approach Edenfield providing terrific view of pastureland, oaks and just grand scenery.
Edenfield to Thornton
Keep going through the parking lot and head east. This loop is a bit longer than the west end especially if you loop around the field at the end. Running around the field at the end and taking the single track back, it took me about 28 minutes. After running across a field, you will enter the woods again and find a nice wide trail. You can follow the trail all the way to the east end of the trail. Here you will find parking and a huge field, which one day may become a sports complex. You can run a loop around the field, adding maybe 5 minutes to your run, and then head back toward the main parking lot. Alternatively, if you draw a line from the parking lot to a point in the woods where 10:30 would be on a watch, you will find the beginning of a single track trail that runs along the northern boundary of the park. This trail will merge with the main trail just before it reaches the East parking lot. If you are looking for this trail on the way back, you will find it just after you cross a relatively open stretch of rolling hills. Just before you enter the thicker woods, you will see a house or church on the left near the road. Off to the right will be the single-track trail. It will take you back to the parking lot by way of the north side of the park, near Welaunee Plantation. This trail still has a number of stubs and, as of June 11, is not well beaten down. But that will come soon enough, so don’t be afraid to use it.
Thornton to Crump
The trail now runs under I-10 all the way to Crump Road. It is approximately 4 miles one way depending on which trail you take. The trail crosses Miccosukee twice and has lots of splinters so you have to pay attention. The is a wide main trail and lots of single track for variety. It is different terrain worth exploring. You will find wooden bridges to cross and sometimes a creek, depending on the rain. There is a parking lot at Crump Road, but no water.