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One Day Wilderness: Topsail Dunes

Posted by eriksoltan on Mar 24, 2021 in One Day Wilderness | No Comments

Nirvana

Growing up, my parents took my Brother and I down to Florida to visit my Grandparents in Jupiter. A few years ago, I went on a work retreat in Port St. Joe on the Gulf Coast side and fell in love with it. The Gulf side has a more remote/intimate feel to it. Then my Girlfriend and I went down again for a spring break trip along the amazing 30A stretch and had a blast. The nice part of this stretch of coast is that it has a lovely separated bike lane that runs from Panama City to Destin and is mostly flat, we single speed beach cruisers and leave the car parked. When you see all of the folks of all ages smiling and riding around, how this type of alternative transportation hasn’t taken off in other tourist destinations in the USA. Along the stretch you can find a grip of great state parks, bars and restaurants and secluded beaches. My favorite of the Parks is Topsail located on the Destin side of the 30A. With it’s amazing sand dunes flowing along the coast like a small mountain range, this a place of bleak beauty. Small flowing shrubs and succulents inhabit the strange folds in the land here, making it look more like a volcanic landscape rather than anything I have seen by an ocean. The 9 mile Morris Lake Loop (from the entrance to the TH, round trip) is perhaps the best one in the park, and the best way to see the dunes. Start out by hiking the Campbell Bike Path for 3 paved miles following signs for Morris Lake TR. This is where it gets sandy, but packed down to start. Once you hit the Morris Lake TR it gets into the sinky sand as you approach the Dunes. Small ups and down for the duration of this 2.5 mile loop. Along the way you will be blown away by the stunning landscape around every turn, enjoy!