View Full Version : Overnighter in the Citrus Tract this Saturday
MtDoraDave
09-21-2016, 16:06
It's kind of short notice, but I'm planning to do an overnighter this weekend on the Citrus Tract on the D loop, staying overnight at Taylor.
Anyone want to meet up, chime in.
P.S. Treat your clothing for ticks.
MtDoraDave
09-24-2016, 18:57
It doesn't look like the FT club that maintains this area had been out yet. Lots of overgrown areas.
I'm wearing shorts because mid 80's is too warm for pants, and there was no way to keep the brush and grasses from brushing against me as I walked. I stopped periodically to check for ticks, and the only one I saw was when I sat down for lunch. Big ol sucker sitting on my knee. Don't know how he got there, but I didn't let him stay.
The water in the "intermittent stream" wasn't flowing and was an unappealing brownish tannin color.
MtDoraDave
09-25-2016, 13:42
Okay, I'm back. 12 miles out, slept overnight, 8 miles back. Good trip.
A word of warning to the new or casual hiker: It is wilderness.
If you don't look up frequently, you'll likely walk into one of these big gals: They were stretched across the trail in about 20 - 25 places along the 20 mile journey. Golden web spider, if you want to google them.
https://scontent-mia1-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14448875_1281679281844195_8684683940504283124_n.jp g?oh=9d28c58c316ba013c76b9eb8f75d160d&oe=58736E87
...and if you don't keep your eyes on the ground, you may step on one of these buggers: I thought it may have been a pygmy rattler, but nope - it's a baby Eastern Diamondback Rattler. The babies are more dangerous to humans than the full grown ones because they don't know how to ration their venom. This little guy (or gal?) was right on the center of the trail.
https://scontent-mia1-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14445934_1282314845113972_8894832738097783305_n.jp g?oh=795c3373d59ce7a9f8b9b78faea5d9fe&oe=586065BC
MtDoraDave
09-25-2016, 13:44
For those who are concerned: I relocated the spiders even though I would rather have killed them, and I simply went around the snake. I didn't see any other hikers or footprints either day, so I didn't feel the need to try to shoo it off the trail.
Sounds like a good way to spend the weekend, even if it has been ridiculously humid lately. ;)
chiefiepoo
09-25-2016, 18:16
Hello, Dave. Florida Trail Assoc. Sun coast chapter had our Fall meeting last week at Silver Lake. We had reports from many of the section about projected work and maintenance in the Withlacochee forest area. They spoke to many needs as a result of the wet summer. Richloam has been under water and needs to dry out. Room is OK but it was pointed out that Citrus needs attention. Sounded as if many section bosses were waiting for some more moderate weather.
MtDoraDave
09-25-2016, 19:25
Thank you for the reply!
Can you tell me about the pine trees with the white band and the numbered dog tags?
left52side
09-27-2016, 12:12
Hey Dave thanks for the heads up.
I am just back off my thru hike of the SHT and am planning A overnight with the pooch this coming up week.
MtDoraDave
09-29-2016, 08:07
Wear long pants, treated with permethrine or something. I wore my socks pulled up to the bottom of my calfs, they had been treated, but not lately. I forgot to stop and get some deet on my way out... chiggers or mites got through the socks ... so itchy!
80 degree temps plus the discomfort of long pants is not as bad as days or weeks of itchy legs.
Wear long pants, treated with permethrine or something. I wore my socks pulled up to the bottom of my calfs, they had been treated, but not lately. I forgot to stop and get some deet on my way out... chiggers or mites got through the socks ... so itchy!
80 degree temps plus the discomfort of long pants is not as bad as days or weeks of itchy legs.
Amen to that! My wife and I went out for a day from the Pruitt trailhead a couple weeks ago and she got hammered by chiggers as bad as I've ever seen.
wannahike
09-29-2016, 10:52
[QUOTE=MtDoraDave;2094761]Thank you for the reply!
Can you tell me about the pine trees with the white band and the numbered dog tags?[/QUOTE
The white band around the long leaf pines usually denotes a red-cockaded woodpecker's nest.
MtDoraDave
12-11-2016, 15:47
Just did another overnighter at Taylor on D loop.
Trail looked great, weather was great. Even the spiders were considerably reduced.
I bent a hollow aluminum tent stake, and found a brand new gold colored ti shepard hook stake... not even a scratch on it.