The Leon Sinks, A Part Of The Apalachicola National...

Tallahassee, Florida, United States

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Posted:  Saturday, January 20
Runner:  David Yon & The Gulf Winds Track Club

The Leon Sinks, a part of the Apalachicola National Forest, is a fragile eco system and the swimming has been stopped, but if you stay on the trails there is much to see without doing any damage. There are 15 or so sinks in this park, some dry, but most with water. Many are connected by a network of underground caves that have taken the lives of experienced divers. There are some great overhangs from which to view the sinks and a geography lesson if you take the time to read the signs. To get to the trail drive south on 319 approximately 5.5 miles from Capital Circle. The entry is clearly marked and is on the right. There are three trails that run through this park - the Sinkhole Trail, Crossover Trail and the Gumswap Trail. The park trails are well marked. I ran the Sinkhole Trail to the Crossover Trail and back to the trail head. It took me 25:30, so I would guess this loop is only a little over three miles. However, there are many sinks (including Big Dismal) and a lot variety in that short trail. It may be hard to get more than 4 or 5 miles without running two loops, but it is perfect for those days you are looking for a short run. I suspect there are an endless number of "unofficial" trails located nearby in the forest.

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