Staff Pick: TCPalm photojournalist hikes Jonathan Dickinson, appreciates wild Florida

TCPalm photojournalist Crystal Vander Weit loves to hike and explore Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County.

She moved to Jupiter during her teenage years and from then on, began her life-long journey of hiking, kayaking, and camping in the park.

Q: What is your favorite spot?

My favorite spot is definitely Hobe Mountain. The views are stunning, whether you are watching the sunrise or sunset. The Indian River Lagoon and Atlantic Ocean can be seen from the top and at the end of the day, light flickers over and through the scrub forest as the sun disappears on the horizon.

My favorite trail also winds through the area. The 5-mile loop of the green trail is great for exercise and manageable if you don’t have time for a full day of hiking.

Q: Describe your spot. What does it look like? What would someone expect to see there?

Hiking through the ancient sand dunes, or sand pine scrub, you will be surrounded by a disappearing habitat. It is home to plants and animals found nowhere else. Many of these species are endangered and some are specific only to this park and Florida. It is not uncommon to see Florida scrub jays and the four-petal pawpaw plant.

Q: What do you do there?

It is not uncommon for me to hike, photograph and grab a view of the expansive park from the mountain during an outing.

I don’t usually bring out my “professional” cameras while hiking, but will use my cell phone to take pictures. After a hike, I put two images together creating a diptych.

Diptychs date back to ancient times and were used in religious panels, today, the art form is a presentation of two images that compliment each other or tell a story.

I also will take trips to the park just to photograph what I love about the park. The endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers, moons over Hobe Mountain, the Florida scrub jay and the beauty of the sand scrub.

Q: What is the cost?

I have a Florida State Park individual annual pass which costs $60. The family pass cost is $120.

General admission is $6 per vehicle, $4 single-occupant or motorcycle and $2 for pedestrians, bicyclists or extra passengers for card holders.

Crystal Vander Weit is a visual journalist for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers. You can reach her at crystal.vanderweit@tcpalm.com.