In early June, the USDA Forest Service, National Forests in Florida released the 2012 Florida National Scenic Trail Strategic Plan. This planning document is the first guidance document for the future of the Florida Trail since the trail’s original inception as a National Scenic Trail in 1986.
2012 State of the Trail Report now available
The Florida National Scenic Trail 2012 State of the Trail Report is now available for download from the USDA Forest Service.
A night in Clewiston
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 Quarter Million Miles
Saying goodbye to my trusty 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which hit a quarter-million miles this spring after countless trails and travels together throughout the state of Florida.
Aloft
It isn’t rare for winds to streak across the surface of Lake Okeechobee, picking up speed as they travel, flowing across the dikes like waves. But some mornings are windier than others, and this was one of them. Clouds blanketed our views of the starry night as dawn grew close, bringing a sunrise with no […]
Along Hopkins Prairie
Last week, my buddy Bob and I hit the Florida Trail to knock off another segment in the Ocala National Forest — this time, Hopkins Prairie. My first visit here was with Deb Blick, cartographer and data collector extraordinare of the Florida Trail Association, and it was a walk at a data collector’s pace. On […]
Another Florida Trail segment on Lake Okeechobee closed
As of May 1, 2013, the Army Corps of Engineers has closed yet another segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail around Lake Okeechobee, this time from John Stretch Park to South Bay. The section will not reopen until a water control structure is replaced, as late as late 2014. Section hikers, thru-hikers, and backpackers […]
Au Naturale in White Springs
A new surprise along the Florida Trail in White Springs: a nudist resort. For years, the Suwannee Valley Campground has been one of several welcoming resupply-and-rest stops for long distance hikers along the Suwannee River, but that’s about to change. In May 2012, the new owners of the campground will be reopening it as a […]
Back from the Big O
There’s nothing quite so refreshing as unplugging for more than a week … until you return to 500+ emails to deal with. I’ve been enjoying the cool breezes and sweeping views of the Big O Hike this past Thanksgiving week, and although I didn’t walk every step around Lake Okeechobee, I took prime advantage of […]
Backpacking with your kids
How to Do Florida TV host Chad Crawford takes his daughter on a backpacking trip on the Florida Trail. Let him inspire you to plan your next family adventure!