The intent was to spend the late afternoon kayaking around Stump Pass Beach State Park, but the kayak rental vendor was closed. The sign read, “Conditions to dangerous today, no rentals” Things didn’t look that bad to me, just a little wind, so I almost called the number and begged for a kayak, then figured maybe they’re right. Instead I went for a hike.
Hiking at Stump Pass Beach
Stump Pass Beach State Park is comprised of the southernmost mile of Manasota Key. The 2.6 mile round trip hiking trail meanders to the southern end of the park at Stump Pass and passes through five distinct natural communities. When you first leave the parking lot you begin walking through the maritime hammock, Then it opens up slightly into the coastal strand. Farther along for a short clip you leave the Coastal Strand and pass through a Mangrove swamp then return into the coastal strand before ending the walk at the turn around out on Stump Pass and the estuary.
Along the trail there is a variety of wildlife such as a ospreys, southern bald eagles, fiddler crabs and wading birds; and plants such as prickly pear cactus, indigo berry, bay cedar, and coontie. Along my walk an Osprey watched me pass from her perch. The prickly pear was in full bloom. Plovers rested on the sand along the water’s edge.
I walked the trail through the hammock and the mangroves on the way south to Stump Pass, then on the return trek walked along the beach. Yes, it was pretty windy and maybe the rental guys were right not to rent the kayaks that day.
Of course I did have my camera along and took a few photographs along my walk.
Dead trees line the beach on a stormy day
The coastal Strand behind the beach
