I am posting a compilation of 4 trips together on the St Johns River. All of these exploratory trips are in the hard to access Taylor creek swamp flood plain. February 2-10&26 and 3-2-22. Three were kayaks and hikes and one was a bike/hike deep into her trackless tannic shallow waters (solo). Some of our earliest settlers homesteaded here. The Nettles, Coxes and Savage families settled here right after the Seminole War (1835-1842). The Taylor creek community was off the old military trail, parts of which are now Nova and Taylor roads. Ft. McNeil was built nearby in 1838. There were weddings, 4th of July celebrations, horse racing, even a school. During the 2ed Seminole War one of the biggest battles in this area was fought here to a draw. The soldiers were on the North side of the run and the Seminoles on the South. By morning the Seminoles had moved South, which necessitated the building of Fort Taylor about 6 miles South on Lake Winder.
With all the miles and days I explored, paddled and hiked thru the Taylor Creek swamp flood plain, other than some old Cypress stumps and echoes in the wind, I found no trace of anyone ever being here.
As you can see in the pictures this remote primordial swamp seems healthy. The Cypress trees here are between 200 to 400 years old. A few were over 12’ in circumference. One giant Cypress that was completely hollowed out could easily fit 6 men inside. I guessed its circumference, due to being covered in poison ivy at 20′, maybe 500 years old. Along with the cypress were old growth Sweetgum, Oaks and Sabal Palms. Unfortunately all the many swamps and tributaries, on the Upper St John’s, most of which I’ve been thru are severely diminished. Whether damned, diked, bermed or just starved of water they no longer flow as nature intended. And as we all know water is life.
Surrounded by hundreds of thousands of acres of wilderness, the Upper St John’s (130 miles) from its headwaters at Fort Drum thru Lake Harney still holds the promise of her right to exist in perpetuity. Although compromised by man’s callous, self serving quests, she still thrives. Sadly because of unbridled growth and indifference, I just don’t know how much longer before man’s heavy hand takes yet another piece of Florida’s disappearing irreplaceable wilderness. With Ernie Green.
Mark Nathan
Addendum:
We made 4 different trips into Taylor. One from Nova road, West to East. From the St Johns River, South and West. From Lake Poinsett into a tributary, South and West and a solo 4 mile bike & hike South on Taylor creek loop and than 2 miles of bushwhacking into Taylor creek swamp.
In conclusion, I believe before the power line berm was built, Taylor creek along with its vast sheet flow did connect with the tributary we paddled and into lake Poinsett.
Mark Nathan
