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JW Corbett - Bowman Island Camp 2-13-2010

The JW Corbett WMA is in north Palm Beach County and I’ve been there only once back in the early 90’s. Since I’ve seen some interesting post in these forums, I decided to visit part of the Florida Scenic Trial Spur – “Ocean-to-Lake” that travels through Corbett. Bowman Island Camp is one of the “designated” sites on the Florida Trial about 6.5 miles from the trailhead and I made this my destination for an overnight backpack in-and-out.

The Trailhead can be accessed from the South Gate with parking at the trailhead near the Everglades Youth Conservation Camp.

The trial was slightly wet, but no problem with good boots. I did elect to take the Wetlands Bypass to avoid the ponds.

Bowman Island is a designated camp site on the blue blaze trial just off the orange trial, but appeared to not have been used lately from looks of the fire ring. But the area was cleared, I suspect by the Florida Trail folks.

The sunset on this night was very clear and cold (got down to 40 deg), but the fire was warm.

The morning was alive with plenty of water birds. Apparently there has been a great loss of pond fish, frogs and such with the January streak of cold weather. It was eerie quite all night.

I packed up early after breakfast for the trip out and there seem to be much more wildlife than there was the previous day in the evening, blue herons, pigs, deer.

The trial is very well maintained by the Loxahatchee Chapter folks of the Florida Trial Association. They are completing their 5 day Ocean-to-Lake hike this week.

If you get a chance to be in this area, I highly recommend the Florida Trial or if time is limited, there is a 1.5 mile boardwalk near the trailhead.

Tags: bowman, corbett, ocean-to-lake

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Comment by Adam MacKillop on June 11, 2010 at 10:43am: I was out on the trail yesterday with my dog. What a great trail. I highly recommend it!

Comment by David Hudson on February 18, 2010 at 7:37pm: Contest? I'm new to MyFloridaHikes and have so much to learn. Love the new search tool.

Comment by Sandra Friend on February 18, 2010 at 9:35am: Lovely trip report. Certainly in the running for the contest! ;-)

Comment by Marc on February 17, 2010 at 10:28pm: I haven't been to Corbett yet, but your post makes me want to go real bad!!

Comment by Barbara Bowen on February 17, 2010 at 10:15pm: Great post! Thx for sharing.

Comment by Ata on February 17, 2010 at 9:10pm: Great photos! and so true footTrax when we where there I only got to see birds lolol and palm trees lol

Comment by footTRAX on February 17, 2010 at 8:40pm: It's funny how all the wildlife comes back after hunting season is over. Great picture! I drove the scenic road thru Corbett last weekend. The sun went down half way thru our drive. What a adventure that was. It was fun!