A Spring Hike On The O’leno River Sink Trail Red Around the World

This isn’t quite like my regular hiking posts because this wasn’t really an official hike or anything.

It was just a visit to O’leno State Park to enjoy the river, see cypress balls, and check things out.

We were walking along the River Sink Trail in the main part of the park, with the bridge over the river that you see in pictures quite a bit.

I’ll leave commentary under some of the pictures, so any text below will be about the picture above it.

The view of the Santa Fe River from the bridge over the river. This is part of the River Sink Trail.

Before 2023 I really never saw cypress trees that weren’t naked since we were always there in the winter.

This is what cypress needles/leaves look like! And the balls have an oil in them that look beautiful when they break open in the water.

A bunch of cypress knees along the shore of the river on the River Sink Trail. There are so many knees in this area, I love it so much.

Some cute, tiny little mushrooms along the river trail. I’m not sure what kind they are though.

Fun fact: cypress trees can live for hundreds of years and some old growth cypress trees in Florida are 500 years old! They’re few and far between now, though.

Cypress knees are part of cypress trees that store water for them! They’re helpful AND look cool!

This was just a cool palm with this weird perfect line going across it. Does anyone know what would cause that?

Fun fact: they are called bald cypress trees because they drop their needle leaves so early in the fall season! They turn brown/orange before they fall.

I loved getting to see the cypress trees all green, they’re so beautiful (with and without green). Next I have to make the trek to Big Cypress and the Everglades in the summer!