Morrison Springs

Pickard Spring
Gilchrist County


Summary of Features Scale -2^nd magnitude Scenery - very good How Pristine? - dock around spring Swimming - private Protection - unknown, private Access - boat only Facilities - none

Quick Directions
Almost immediately after Lily Springs and on the same bank.

Full Directions
0.8 miles downstream from Poe Springs and 0.4 mile upstream of Rum Island Springs on the Gilchrist (south) side of the river. A sign on a tree at the mouth of the spring says, "Pickard Spring."

Directions to ramp at Poe Springs: From High Springs, drive south on US 41/27 about one mile. Turn west (right) onto State Road 340 (Poe Springs Road) and proceed about 2.5 miles to entrance to Poe Springs County Park.

Directions to ramp at Rum Island: From High Springs, drive NW on US 27/SR20 about four miles. Turn left (west) onto State Road 138 and drive about two miles to turnoff to the left (south) at sign for Rum Island. Follow dirt road about 1.5 miles to river and ramp.

For maps, latitude/longitude data, driving directions, satellite imagery, and topographic representations as well as weather conditions at this spring, go to Greg Johnson's informative "Florida Springs Database" web site at the following address: http://www.ThisWaytothe.Net/springs/floridasprings.htm#Florida

Spring Description
The spring pool abuts the river, but is separated from it by a line of cypress trees and a boardwalk and dock extending from the north bank to the pool. The pool is roughly circular and about 50 feet in diameter. There are two flow areas. The larger is a limestone opening several feet across at a depth of about 10 feet near the center of the pool and underneath a cypress tree outfitted with a rope swing and dive platform. The other vent is similar but smaller and is in the back end of the pool. It is also about 10 feet deep, and both springs create visible boils on the surface. A deck and boardwalk leads from the spring back through the floodplain and to a house.

Use/Access

Pickard is no more than 100 yards downriver from Lily.
Because the spring pool is right on the river, it is easy to spot and to enter in a canoe. However, the cypress trees encircling the spring and the private dock form a narrow opening to the pool. When the private owners are using the small spring pool, paddling a canoe into the spring would likely cause a collision with the swimmers and is therefore not advisable.
Climbing onto the dock or using the rope swing are not advised. However, Rum Island is just a few minutes downriver and has a large spring basin for swimming as well as a rope swing.
Although the dock and land around the spring are posted, there should be no problem in canoeing into the spring to see it or swim in it when it is not occupied. Respect the signs and stay off the dock and land.

Local Springiana
Although the pool is clearly visible from the river in an area of regular recreational traffic, the owners were skinny-dipping during a visit by RB in 1999. When RB approached the spring and asked if he could photograph it, the wife asked if RB would like her to pull herself up on the rope swing so he could get what she prosaically termed a "butt shot." RB declined the offer. JF would not have declined it.

Personal Impressions
Another very nice little spring that would be fun to explore and snorkel.

Nearby Springs

Columbia Spring, COL428981, Allen Spring, Poe Springs, Darby Spring, Hornsby Spring, ALA930971, COL930971, Lily Springs, COL101971, Jonathan Spring, Rum Island Springs, GIL101971, Gilchrist Blue Springs, Little Blue Springs, Naked Spring, Johnson Spring, Ginnie Springs group

Other Nearby Natural Features

Ichetucknee Springs State Park
O’Leno State Park
San Felasco Hammock State Preserve
Devil’s Millhopper State Geologic Site
River Rise State Preserve
Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park