Bear Lake Trail - 3.6 Miles Round-Trip

The Bear Lake Trail comes highly recommended for its rich biodiversity, which includes over 30 tropical and sub-tropical tree species that form a dense canopy over 95% of the trail.

Tropical hardwood hammock vegetation lines the higher ground of the trail's spoil bank. To the north and south lies a mixture of mangrove forest, hammocks of rough-barked buttonwood trees, and low-lying coastal prairie comprised of salt-tolerant succulent plants.

These overlapping communities form one of the most ecologically diverse tapestries in the Everglades.

One tropical tree visitors should avoid is the Manchineel Tree. Manchineel is toxic to the touch. The leaves and bark of this tree secrete a poisonous milky substance that can burn skin like battery acid. Its fruit can be fatal if ingested. The Calusa Indians used to tip their arrows with Manchineel poison for hunting and battle.

Ponce De Leon, who was killed by a Calusa arrowhead, is believed to have died from the Manchineel poison.

There's often a strong sulfur odor along early portions of the Bear Lake Trail, which dissipates as you move along the trail.

This odor emanates from the mangrove forest, where underwater bacteria break down organic material in the absence of oxygen. These mangrove forests lie at the juxtaposition of Florida's fresh water interior and coastal salt waters.

The brackish estuaries and canals of the mangrove ecosystem provide a breeding ground for shrimp, fish, alligators, sea turtles, manatees and other marine life. The mangrove habitat is also home to the American Crocodile, making this one of the few places where crocodiles and alligators intermingle.

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The Bear Lake Trail starts from the parking area and heads west along a narrow footpath. Within a few hundred feet the trail meets a small boat dock where canoeists 'put in' at the Old Homestead Canal (which will likely be impassable). Hikers will stay left to remain on the Bear Lake Trail.

From the boat dock, the trail heads due west on the spoil bank above the Homestead Canal. The spoil bank is an area of raised ground comprised of dirt removed during the canal's excavation. The trail narrows and continues west along the historic Homestead Canal.

At 1.6 miles the trail opens with your first glimpse of Bear Lake to the south. The lake is home to alligators and crocodiles, and while fishing is allowed, getting a permit is the least of your worries. Gators and crocs wait submerged off-shore for fishermen to hook their lines. Then the race is on to reel in their lines before these opportunistic predators can strip the fish. Patience and vigilance are keys to successful fishing at Bear Lake.

The trail skirts the lake another .2 miles to its terminus (the canoe route continues on to various destinations). The shore widens and views improve along this final stretch.

Note:
As of October 2005, the Bear Lake - Homestead Canal is closed. Please call before your trip to check status.