Fickett Hammock Preserve
Fickett Hammock Preserve is148 acres located northwest of Brooksville on Centralia Road.
“Around 2000, It was in the process of being made into a subdivision. The citizens nominated it for purchase because they felt it was too special of a piece of property, just as they did for Cypress Preserve. This property has the biggest trees that I know of existing in Hernando County,” Jim King said.
This could be called a tree preserve, showcasing a huge variety of trees: oaks, American Holly, Black Cherry, Magnolia, Dogwood and Swamp Chestnut Oak.
There is a water feeder called Dry Creek that travels across Centralia road down in the preserve and loops back. There are also feeders into the Dry Creek system throughout the preserve.
King explained, “When you get a big rainfall event, (this) is one of the few places in the county that flash floods, this water goes blasting down all the way into the Sandhill,” King said.
During big rainfall events, the feeders disperse the water efficiently so to minimize flooding. It also serves to bring water to the wildlife of Fickett Hammock.
Fickett Hammock is on the north slope of Bailey Hill, which was a major Native Indian settlement. Bailey Hill is located on the westernmost hill of the Brooksville Ridge. Native Indians traveled through this area to proceed to Bailey Hill. There are ridges that go out to the coastal swamps, which Native Indians most likely traveled. Jim explained that there is a native Indian habitation site on private property on Bailey Hill.
“I actually have an arrowhead that came from there (Bailey Hill), but I bought it (in) Tulsa, Oklahoma,” Jim said.
The trail for Fickett Hammock is around 1.2 miles looping southwest and southeast of the property, which doesn’t expand outward to explore areas of the preserve west of the entrance.
The ESL committee is discussing the construction of another 2 mile trail loop in Fickett Hammock. However the task to create these trails is demanding.
Jim explained that mapping the trail is not necessarily a straight shot; trails are directed around trees, creeks, and protected habitats. He said that he designs these trails for the best hiking, educational, and scenic experience.
Going off the trail, way off the trail, Jim guided my husband and I deeper into to preserve. We were dodging massive webs with banana spiders waiting to capture their next meal, saw palmettos as high as 5 feet, got tangled in vines and were on the lookout for snakes hidden under the brush. This gave us a grasp of how much work goes into establishing these trails and how important they are in having a safe and enjoyable hiking experience.
If you go, the trail leads off to the right of the parking lot; a trail map is there for you to pick up during your hike.
Fickett Hammock Preserve | 15482 Centralia Road, Brooksville, FL 34614 |
Preserve is opened during daylight hours.