I had been told to check out Loop Road in Big Cypress Preserve about an hour west of downtown Miami. Tamiami Trail was a road built in the 1920's connecting Miami to Florida's west coast. The Loop Road was an alternative route that was not used. It remains today as about a 24 mile long road through the preserve of which two thirds is unpaved. I was told that it was roughly maintained and, after heavy rain, was partially flooded. It had rained the last several days, including a couple of heavy thunderstorms. I figured it was the perfect opportunity to check it out.
We headed west from Miami along Tamiami Trail.
We entered from the western end of the road (4 miles west of the Oasis Ranger Station). As a route for a Jeep adventure, the road was a disappointment. It was all packed gravel and dry. The park ranger told me that they had had none of the rain the hit the rest of South Florida. True off road trails were only available to hunters.
The preserve itself is a combination of dense, flooded forest and drier areas.
We did however, have the opportunity to socialize with some of the locals.
Some were more stand-offish.
And some were downright nasty.
All-in-all, while not the adventure I had planned, we did get to see the Everglades in a way we had not seen it before. I’d go back again (especially if I was sure it had rained).
We headed west from Miami along Tamiami Trail.
We entered from the western end of the road (4 miles west of the Oasis Ranger Station). As a route for a Jeep adventure, the road was a disappointment. It was all packed gravel and dry. The park ranger told me that they had had none of the rain the hit the rest of South Florida. True off road trails were only available to hunters.
The preserve itself is a combination of dense, flooded forest and drier areas.
We did however, have the opportunity to socialize with some of the locals.
Some were more stand-offish.
And some were downright nasty.
All-in-all, while not the adventure I had planned, we did get to see the Everglades in a way we had not seen it before. I’d go back again (especially if I was sure it had rained).
