Sorry–this trip has been canceled. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to reschedule at a later date.
Our first field trip in a long time is set! We have let the staff at Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park know that we will have a group visiting on Wednesday, March 30, 2022.
We will leave from the SeaBreeze parking lot at 8:00am. Carpooling is strongly encouraged. Admission charge is $4.00 per car. Tom and Judy will be driving and we can accommodate 4-5 other members. Judy will take group photos and hopefully one of our club geologists, Bill Collins, will be able to join us.
This Geological Site is near Gainesville. The drive is about 1-1/2 hours each way. We anticipate the entire trip to be approximately 5-1/2 hours.
Our visit will include the Visitor’s Center and a walk down to the bottom of the sinkhole. This is 132 steps with rest platforms every 10-15 steps. We hope to have a Guide from the park arranged. This is about a 45 minute tour. Then after we have all returned to the top, we will gather for a tailgate/picnic at the park, so bring lunch snacks. We will return to The Villages after lunch.
The staff also recommends visitors bring binoculars to view the wild birds, flora and fauna.
From the Florida State Park website:
This National Natural Landmark has attracted curious visitors since the 1880s.
In the midst of North Florida’s sandy terrain and pine forests, a bowl-shaped cavity 120 feet deep leads down to a miniature rain forest. Small streams trickle down the steep slopes of the limestone sinkhole, disappearing through crevices in the ground. Lush vegetation thrives in the shade of the walls even in dry summers.
Researchers have learned a great deal about Florida’s natural history by studying fossil shark teeth, marine shells and the fossilized remains of extinct land animals found in the sink.
Visitors can enjoy picnicking and learn more about the sinkhole through interpretive displays.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/geology-devils-millhopper
The Geology
Although sinkholes are common in Florida, Devil’s Millhopper is unique because it is one of the few places in Florida where more than 100 feet of geologic strata (rock layers) are exposed. The park is also unique because it is an important and beautiful example of how ecosystems (flora and fauna) develop in response to geological features.
https://www.floridastateparks.org/learn/geology-devils-millhopper
What to Bring
- Good walking shoes
- Water bottle
- Lunch and/or snacks
- Binoculars
- Money for park admission ($4 per car load)
- Money to pitch in for gas if you aren’t driving would be appreciated by drivers
If you have any questions please contact Judy
