Since our New Year’s Day hike was such a success, we followed it up with a Hogmanay Hike at Flat Island Preserve. Led by by Tracy Hauserman and Marc Crail of the Lake County Water Authority on a day that was gray and dreary, we had an otherwise ideal morning for hiking — low humidity, a breeze in the open areas, and perfect temperature. Our group numbered 17 including Tracy and Marc. They did a great job wrangling us, and Steve and I had fun talking with different members of the group and realizing what a diverse group we were.
Group camping at Flat Island
Immediately inside the gate to the Flat Island trail is a group campground. This is pretty cool, since there are restrooms and running water nearby, which is not always the case with group campgrounds. And the Water Authority’s process for renting is pretty easy: call them to make reservations, send a $50 deposit, enjoy the campsite on the date you’ve reserved, and then as long as you’re responsible and leave the place tidy, your deposit will be returned. Amazing! The canoe/kayak rental process is similar; make your reservations, return the boats with paddles and PFDs, and get your deposit back. NOTE: Not all LCWA properties have canoes/kayaks available.
Step lively!
We had hiked the Daubenmire Loop trail here before with the Native Plant Society and Water Authority. I’m here to tell you, a hike with plant folk is a much more leisurely proposition than a hike with the Water Authority. At times, I felt we were holding up the group when I stopped to take photos or Steve stopped to pick up the treasures he always finds. This is not to say we were being rushed, though. We were able to have conversations with several other group members and the faster pace was good for both of us.
Flat Island Preserve is the first place I ever noticed shoelace fern, and it was in evidence on this hike as well. It is such a pretty plant, and I would have guessed that it was a grass, rather than a fern. It is easy to find here.
Orchids are also found in Flat Island Preserve. This orchid was large, and either a Butterfly Orchid or Greenfly Orchid. I’m going to look for it again this summer when it blooms. These plants create huge bloomstalks for themselves, and I hope to be there to see it. One thing is for sure — it will be hard to miss.
Boardwalk Spur Trail
At the far end of the loop trail, there is a short boardwalk through the swamp. We did not see this on our last visit, but I’m really glad we were able to take the time to see it on this hike. After a short walk over the swamp, the wide boardwalk ends at Lake Denham. This is also the launch point if you use the LCWA canoes. It is a beautiful place, silent but for birds and small splashes where something is running from something else. I could have spent an hour just sitting on the bench and watching the forest. It is a place where if you can just be still, you will know that you have a role to play in God’s unfolding plan, even if you are just a tiny part of it.
Steve found an egg on the trail. It had a hard shell, so we are certain it is a bird egg. A turtle or snake egg would have been leathery. This one had no give at all. It seems a strange time of year for birds to be nesting, but I’m not a bird person so I don’t know.
Steve’s next find was this little mud turtle, hiding in the moist sand. It looks like the shell has a small crack just right of center and just over that bottom yellow stripe. It was, we think, trying to hide. Mud turtles are not uncommon, but this is the first one we’ve seen. Later, he found a bleached out carapace of another mud turtle, smaller than the one pictured here.
The Preserve was established as a safe place for native plants, and this continues with their wildflower meadow. The first time we visited there were blooming plants and the guides showed us plants that have been rescued from other sites and moved here where they will be safe. That was the first time I realized that plants are rescued just as animals are! On this visit, nothing was really in bloom and there had been no recent rescues so we called it a day and headed back to the car.
Before you go…
A few short things to know before you head out for your own Flat Island adventure. The only restrooms are in the parking area. Take at least a quart of water and bug spray. We were only bothered by mosquitoes when we stopped for a break at the primitive campsite, but while we were there they were dreadful. Dogs are not allowed on most Water Authority properties, and this particular trail is not suitable for bicycles. You must have a permit to camp or paddle here. Finally, please make sure you sign in at the provided log book as you enter the trail to help the Water Authority document use of their facilities. Have fun!