Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
After you pass the platform, the trail begins to change. The path follows the
wide sand and gravel road between Little Lagoon, a saltwater lagoon, to your left
(east) and Gator Lake.
Once you pass these two bodies of water, you begin walking among the white
sand dunes of the Alabama Gulf Coast. Sea oats wave in the breeze as you make
your way to the Gulf. The trail through here is plainly marked with metal hiker
signs mounted on T-posts. Please stay on the trail! The dunes are sensitive habitats
for plants and wildlife and as such are federally protected. Some areas are actually
roped off, a “subtle” reminder of the rules.
Along this section of the trail you will pass the foundations of two houses.
These were beach houses that unfortunately met their match, Hurricane Frederick,
in 1979. Hurricanes are a key player along the Alabama Gulf Coast. In 2004 Hur-
ricane Ivan made a direct hit here, with winds over 130 miles per hour, a 16-foot
storm surge, and a total of $3.9 million in damages. The US Fish and Wildlife Ser-
vice did a remarkable job with cleanup and actually recycled over 30 percent of
the debris that washed up onshore.
Finally, the trail heads over the last large frontal dune and you are treated to an
amazing expansive view of the Gulf of Mexico. This is one of the most secluded
areas of Gulf beach you will find anywhere, with not a soul to be seen for miles.
Many people ask about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2006 (also known as
the BP oil spill). Well, I can tell you the recovery effort was very successful, and
the beach and this valuable habitat is as beautiful as ever.
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