When you reach the turnoff to continue north on the Florida Trail around Lake Okeechobee, you don’t quite reach the town of Clewiston. After all the heat and bugs while camping and cooking outdoors, the group decided to enjoy real food and a night in an air-conditioned, bug-free motel room. The owner gave us a …
A visit to Trout Lake Nature Center
A quick visit to Trout Lake Nature Center in Eustis opened up a new world of things to do close to home.
Crossing the Big Cypress
On Friday, our group of Florida Trail hikers left our group camp at Trail Lakes Campground and, with Chuck Norris and Tigger providing transportation, headed to the Florida Trail at Oasis Visitor Center in Big Cypress National Preserve. We were there for the FNST Southern terminus monument dedication. Lots of folks from the Loxahatchee Chapter …
Florida Trail, Pruitt
Switchbacks, scrambles, and a smattering of history – the Pruitt section of the Florida Trail along the Cross Florida Greenway is one of Central Florida’s more fascinating hiking destinations.
Hiking can wait
Leaving the Florida Trail to chase down a lead on a new antique VW Westfalia camper, JK discovers it’s well worth the detour – and brings it home to support future hiking trips.
Hiking the Cross Seminole Trail
A hike along the Cross Seminole Trail – which the Florida Trail follows – through Oviedo and Winter Springs means an introduction to suburbia in the Orlando metro.
Hiking the urban not-so-wilds of Central Florida
JK learns what it’s like to hike the Florida Trail through the Orlando metro, following paved bike trails past McDonalds, over Interstate 4, and yes, even encountering deer.
Hiking with Sandy
After a tough solo stretch, JK decides that hiking with a partner is preferable to hiking alone, and makes adjustments to his hiking plans to suit.
Hiking with two new friends
JK discovers that the weird rash on his legs since hiking south of Lake Okeechobee isn’t poison ivy at all, but something much more rare and creepy, a parasitic invasion.
How to Prevent Blisters
How do you cope with the bad blisters that crop up during a swamp walk or a rough day on the Florida Trail? Guest blogger Bryce Layman of Lightweight Backpacking shares his secrets.
Ice cream and patchwork
On my first day on support crew, the group decided to try a slackpack day. So we were up early, much too early. The faster hikers wanted to get out on the trail by 5 AM. Slack packing would mean that we didn’t have to break camp at Big Cypress Campground, and the hikers wanted …
In the Dark
After our wonderful reception at the I-75 rest area, several hikers decided to backtrack a bit and camp. I decided to push on and try for a few more miles. I was rested and filled with good food. It wasn’t long after I made it through the north I-75 gate to Nobles Road that the …
