Bicycling Little Shoals and Big Shoals State Park

It is a cool and overcast north Florida day... you know, the kind where you want to stay inside and read a book.  But we had planned to bicycle the trails in Little Shoals and Big Shoals State Park.  It is a short bicycle ride from Stephen Foster State Park, our current home, so why let the mist stop us when the prediction was for mid-day sun.

Beautiful fall colors
from maples, palmetto, pine, and oak

Off we cycled through White Springs and down Hwy 135 to the Little Shoals entrance (map), about 6 miles on country roads.  The ride was extremely quiet despite the fact it was 11 AM on a Sunday morning. With no humans to bee seen with found only a few dogs in the yards and one car on the road.  Guess it was a day to sleep-in, watch TV, read books, and bake cookies.

Signs of winter in Big Shoals

Upon arriving at the trail head in Little Shoals we encountered a couple from Lake City on their Sunday back-roads adventure.  The folks had experience with hiking/biking trails in the White Springs Tract so it was good to trade information.  Then we headed down the Mossy Ravine Trail to the Suwannee River and Little Shoals.

Adventure awaits
on the
Mossy Ravine Trail

The hike/bike trail lives up to it's name with multiple river crossings, hills, and trees to negotiate.

Fungi along the way

 The trail winds through the brightly colored woods to the river.  Along the way we forded a few streams, riding through the shallow streams that occasionally crossed the trails.  There are several bridges along the trail but who can predict where the water will pool when nature changes the terrain.

Rivers to cross
this on had a bridge
but some you simply must ford

As we neared the Little Shoals you could hear the babble of water flowing over the rocks.  This trip was so different from the spring trip where we could only hike due to the high water levels and both Big Shoals and Little Shoals were under 40 feet of water.  Approaching the Suwannee River we were treated to the rapids of Little Shoals.

Little Shoals

Mid-river at Little Shoals
this would be a tough paddle
in either direction

Mossy rock outcroppings
along the Little Shoals shore

From this point we change trails to Palmetto Ridge Trail which is appropriately named as it winds along the ridge above the Suwanee River.  You cycle through pines, palmettos, and oaks with occasional views of the river.  

Palmetto Ridge Trail
Big Shoals

Eventually you come to the Big Shoals which is quite a treat.  Big Shoals has been called "one of Florida's greatest natural wonders" by American White Water with justice because who expects to find a Class III White Water Rapids in Florida?

Imagine finding this on the Suwanee River.

Are you sure we are still in Florida?

At Big Shoals we encountered a family from Jacksonville who stopped on their return from a weekend at Stephen Foster Cultural Center State Park and the Festival of Lights.  They were as amazed as us at the power of the river washing over the rocks.  

Yes, it was a cool overcast day
but perfect for a bike ride.