Never Ending Cycling Chronicles

If you have Google Maps installed, click on the hyperlinked or the blue globe to see the Green Pond Road Trailhead  or the Bay Lake Road Trailhead . This section of the trail starts at the Green Pond Road Trailhead. If traveling from the west out of Tampa, take Interstate 4 east to exit 38. Head north on Highway 33 (Commonwealth Avenue) through Polk City. If coming from the east out of Orland, head west on Interstate 4 to exit 44 north on Highway 559 which links up with County Road 557A. Take 559/CR 557A west toward Polk City. Head north (right) where the road intersects with Highway 33 (Commonwealth Avenue). You will continue north past Fussell Road, Deen Still Road and Poyner Road. Green Pond Road will appear on the west side of the road. Head west and, once you pass North Poyner Road, the trailhead will appear on your right just after the road curves due west.

The Trail:

As stated in my first post on the Van Fleet trail, temperature can be problematic depending on when you start your excursion. Check the current forcast for Polk City, Florida before heading out to the trail to be properly attired.

The Green Pond Road Trailhead is set in a rural area of Polk County. It has the only rest rooms in this 20 mile loop out and back so plan accordingly. It is also the only area with water in this loop so, again, plan accordingly. The trail is arrow straight and travels over level terrain.

At a few points along the trail, you will see concrete markers. These markers have been preserved from the original railroad that ran along this route. They mark the distance to Richmond, Virginia which, during the railroad’s heyday, was the northern terminus of this railroad line.

This is the wettest of the three trail sections I will review. You will be traveling through the Green Swamp watershed. The watershed serves as the headwaters of the Hillsoborough and Peace rivers.

Anyone who knows my penchant for anything approaching the shape of a bridge, should not be surprised by my subsequent pictures of “The Bridges”. It is a series of three bridges not far from the Green Pond Road trailhead. The only downside was the low water table. A picture is always more appealing with running water.

I found the sign posted on the three bridges humorous. I guess you can equate it to the warning that coffee is hot that is now imprinted on take-out coffee cups. Common sense messages to keep us safe.

In the middle of the bridge you will see the line marking your passage out of Polk County and into Lake County.

Jutting out from the sides of the bridges are concrete pilings with rusted rebar rising out of the old concrete. I am assuming that these are the old supports for the railroad tresles

With the three “bridges” behind us, you will cross an unnamed road. Google maps says it is “Water Road” but it is the single road crossing and remotest part of the Van Fleet trail.

Continuing north, on the west side of the trail, I came upon a small pond surrounded by cypress trees. I stopped to take a picture of the wading birds and, as I was panning left, I noticed the brood of baby alligators pictured below.

I turned around at the Bay Lake Road Trailhead. There is only parking at this trailhead. It does afford an information center.

This turned out to be the most enjoyable section of the three I reviewed along the 29+ mile Van Fleet Trail. The bridges were certainly a highlighted as well as the alligator nest and the varied wildlife I passed along this little slice of old Florida that has been preserved for our use and mutual enjoyment. Happy trails!

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