I'm scheduled to fly from Reno to Ft. Lauderdale Jan. 8th and hope to begin thru-hiking the FT the following day. Can anyone give me advice on getting transportation to the Loop Road trailhead? I called the number listed for Alligator Express on the FTA materials and was told they provide no service to the Oasis Ranger Station and did not know anyone that did. The trail angel list provided by the FTA did not list any for the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area. Am I going to either have to hitch-hike or utilize a taxi (presuming a taxi would even go to Loop Road)?
Also, I'm somewhat apprehensive about hiking Big Cypress alone, being unfamiliar with alligators, swamp hiking, etc. Is the trail well-blazed through the swamp? What's the water level like this year? What's the biggest potential danger in going through the swamp? If there's anyone out there that'd like to hike with me through the swamp, I'd love to have you!
I'm about to send a similar email to the Big Cypress and Happy Hoofers FTA chapters. I signed up for the Florida Trail email list, but the site appears to currently be inoperative. Thanks for any help anyone can provide!