Pine Island Conservation Area (PICA)

Pine Island Conservation Area (PICA)

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	Pine Island Conservation Area (PICA)
Location:	Florida
Nearest Town:	Merritt Island
Directions to Trailhead:	Take Hwy 528 east to Merritt Island. Turn left (north) on State Road 3. Continue north on SR 3 for approximately 5 miles then turn left on Pine Island Road (this is the last paved road on the left before you hit Kennedy Space Center property). Follow Pine Island Road for 2.5 miles and it ends at the entrance to PICA. Directions to Trails: From the PICA entrance, head north on Marsh Run Road. This is the first dirt road on the right approximately 50 yards from the PICA entrance. Head north on Marsh Run Road for approximately 200 yards and go left at the intersection (if you go straight it dead ends at the lake). Proceed another quarter mile or so (past the sand dunes) and start looking for trails along the side of the road. Trail entrances are marked with orange blazes.
Trail Description:	Trails traverse through "spoil" lands left over from mining operations in the 1960's. The area doesn't compare to Ocala's quarry parks, but it offers a suprising amount of elevation and unique terrain for east central Florida. The singletrack contains numerous 5 to 10+ foot drops and climbs with some rocky areas. I guess the trails could be described as a narrow BMX type course that winds through the woods. Currently there is 2 to 3 miles of singletrack with more in work. There are also about 4 miles of doubletrack to explore if you want. If you come in the summer bring bug spray. The ground here is very hard packed and doesn't drain well. If there has been a lot of rain the dirt road near the entrance can get flooded. The trails handle the rain much better than the road, so if the road is passible, the trails should be in good shape.
Trail Length:	2 - 3 + miles
Trail Type:	Singletrack & Fire Roads
Skill Level:	Intermediate
Submitted By:	PM

Dave from PSJ, FL Date: June 25, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: Follow the dirt road north just past the entrance and look for orange spray paint that marks the trails Other recommended trails in the same area: Econ, Spruce Creek
Review: I first heard about this trail in March but didn't ride it until April because I didn't think there could be a trail this good in Merritt Island. Boy what a mistake. These trails are great. If you like honest to goodness 5 to 10+ foot elevation changes then this is the place for you because its got plenty of them. Previous reviewers described them as a rollercoaster in the trees, which I think is a pretty good description. The dirt road leading to the trails gives you no clue of what is to come. The first few trails are short and pretty mellow, but after that the trails seem to get better and better the further you go. I suspect poor Lance from Lauderdale must have missed the better trails. These trails are definitely not for beginners. One word of caution. If you live halfway accross the state (like Lauderdale) and want to drive to Pine Island in hopes of an epic ride - don't do it. The trails are great, but there is only about 2 to 3 miles total. The length is fine for after work rides for locals, but I wouldn't drive a couple of hours to ride here. If you happen to be in the area though it's worth checking out. Hopefully they will add more trails cause there looks like a lot of potential out there. When we started riding these trails in April it was great - no bugs and weeds. Now the bugs are killer and the weeds are getting thick at the trail entrances. Some buddies and I plan to clear out some the of weeds soon. The trails need to be ridden more. If you go out there bring some heavy duty bug spray. A buddy tried to tough it out sprayless last week and mosquitos almost carried him away every time we stopped. I think these trails are a 4, but based on potential and to offset Lance's review I'll give it a 5.	Overall Rating:

Tim from Cape Canaveral, FL, USA Date: June 18, 2003 Trail Ridden: Every few months
Recommended Route: Park at the gate and take the first jeep trail to the right, just inside the gate. A couple hundred yards down, take a left. Look for orange spray markings on either side of the jeep trail. The trails enter and exit on both sides of the jeep trail. Other recommended trails in the same area: Ulumay, Spruce Creek (the only others I've ridden!)
Review: I'm pretty much a newbie at this sport but of the trails I've ridden, this one is the most technical. Good ups and downs, tight and a fair dose of rocks and roots. I lost about a quart of blood to the mosquitos so, do yourself a favor and bring some good bug spray. Encountered a pack of feral hogs and an alligator laying in the trail yesterday which was pretty cool. These trails need to be ridden! Many of the singletrack trail entrances (the trails criss-cross the jeep trail) are badly overgrown and its real easy to miss them if you aren't paying attention. Its also easy to get turned around on some of the trails so, pay close attention or you'll find yourself covering the same ground twice. I think this place has a lot of potential - just needs more trails. I think its a 4 but I'm giving it a 5 to make up for that last review.	Overall Rating:

Lance from Fort Lauderdale Date: June 17, 2003 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: I have to say that the only thing killer about this trail is the mosquitoes... it was allright for a total beginner, but as far as anything technical, you'll need to go somewhere else... there were some weak climbs and soft short drops... also it was super short.... all in all, I got tagged by probably 30 mosquitoes.... to sum it up,a good place for beginners but not much else....	Overall Rating:

Derek from Geary realadventureus.com Date: June 4, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a month
Recommended Route: skip the double track park beside the lake and do laps. Other recommended trails in the same area: Ulamay Meritt Island
Review: This place rocks and no one was suprised more than I.I am very happy to have this trail so close to my home it was my 6year olds first ride because i didnt think anything this good could be hidden in the pine island rec area but i was pleasently surprised. the trails are a great rollercoaster ride in canopy conditions this keeps the sun from drying out the ground and making it sandy like most of the uncovered trails in Florida .I have ridden all of the most demanding trails in the area Santos, The toe ,Oleta Hardrock ,Razorback etc. And I was pleasently surprised with the technical switch backs and frequent elevation changes I run a small adventure travel company and I test a lot of equiptment there .Not only is the riding good but there is good fishing and canoeing or kayaking too.	Overall Rating:

Collin from Summerville SC Date: May 29, 2003 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Other recommended trails in the same area:
Review: Really fun trail, I would love about 20 miles of trails like this. A roller coaster through the woods, lots of short ups and downs, lots of tight turns. Very nice, completely covered under the canopy of trees unless you are crossing the road. Enjoy!	Overall Rating:

Gadget from Melbourne, FL Date: May 8, 2003 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Pine Island road is easy to miss, so watch for the little brown "Bird Sanctuary" signs off of SR3. Other recommended trails in the same area: Little Big Econ. LBE is not nearly as technical as PICA, but you are able to ride much faster and pull better jumps.
Review: Just go back from this trail... The first few trails you come across off the gravel road are very short and way too easy. But as you go farther back into the park, the trails just seem to get meaner and meaner. Speed is definitely not your friend on this one. We felt cocky after trying the first couple of short trails, and finally we hit a trail that TORE US UP!!! Banged up bikes, bloody cuts and bruises all over the place. Very technical and full of surprises when you find some of the better trails. Steep 5 to 10 ft downhills with hairpin turns either immediately at the bottom, or sometimes halfway down. Low-traction climbs and hidden rocks that knock your tires all over the place. Visibility is very low due to vegitation and rough terrain. I haven't been through all of the trails yet... but from what I've seen, too much speed will definitely get you hurt. Watch out for a few soft spots at the bottom of the downhills or you'll go over the handlebars (I speak from experience). Even if you're just in the mood for an easy and relaxed ride, the fireroads are pretty scenic and lead out to the lakes. Not a bad place to take a date, if she's into that sort of thing. :) Overall, this is an excellent trail for developing your technique. If you're an intermediate rider, expect a little bit of a challenge. If you're a beginner, expect stitches.	Overall Rating:

Gabe from Fort Lauderdale Date: April 14, 2003 Trail Ridden: Ridden Once
Recommended Route: Directions are correct. Other recommended trails in the same area: Quiet Waters, Deerfield Beach, Florida Markham Park, Weston, Florida Oleta State Park, North Miami Beach
Review: Rode this collection of Trails in April 2003. These Trails have great potential for dry conditions. Other than the road, the Trails are singletrack and some require you to use the same route-in on the way out. Easy to see that this area would be prone standing water during rainy season or hard rains. Bring your bug spray. These Trails appear to see limited riding but provide some elevation changes as described. Parking is on the side of the road and area is isolated (ie> no showers, running water). Terrain is suitable for Beginners and/or Intermediate riders. Not well known even to some locals.	Overall Rating:

Garrett from Merritt Island, Fl Date: March 6, 2003 Trail Ridden: Once a week
Recommended Route: The route given in the description is pretty good. Other recommended trails in the same area: Snow Hill Rd. Ulimay
Review: I was pleasantly suprised when I first rode this trail. Lots of steep climbs and drops. Lots of tight twists and turns. I found it to be fast, fun and challenging. The only shortcomming is the length of the trail, but it looks like they are working to build more trail out there. Thanks to the guys who built these trails.	Overall Rating: