Dear Friends:

Trail Management has warned us of a new traffic hazard on the
Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail:  Camp Ranch Road, the first STOP sign after
you leave Boulware Springs, will be open to public traffic on weekends
as of this Saturday, 17 March.

Camp Ranch Road has been closed on weekends for many years, so the
presence of motor vehicle traffic on weekends may present you with some
conflicts.  The opening of the road is because the La Chua Trailhead is
open on the weekend, and the public will now be allowed to park at the
Park Service District 2 HQ South of the intersection of the road and the
Trail.

The Florida Statutes do require cyclists to stop for this STOP sign.
The DEP Law Enforcement folks have an office at the end of Camp Ranch
Road, and it is just possible that one of them will set up station at
the intersection of the Trail.  The tickets they hand out can be very
expensive, well over $100.  I guess the best advice is to stop for the
STOP sign.

Cheers,

George

PS

If you go Right at the STOP sign to the end of Camp Ranch Road you will
find a bike rack beside the parking lot.  You can lock your bike there
and amble down La Chua Trail, where you will be rewarded with one of the
best views the Prairie has to offer, and a close encounter with more
alligators than you knew existed.  Bikes are not allowed on the La Chua
Trail.

GHE

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