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BumpJumper
12-26-2008, 16:42
FT hiking over the holiday? Where?

floridahikes
12-26-2008, 21:32
No, but I'm packing up for a backpacking trip that starts Monday along the Kissimmee River.

wahoo
12-27-2008, 00:07
Nah. Did go out to Lizzie Hart Sink today though. Just kind of rode around in the woods all day...

chiefduffy
12-27-2008, 04:41
I hiked up from Olustee up to 441. Almost too warm. And LOTS of hunters. I loved it tho......!

BumpJumper
12-27-2008, 15:08
Kevin, I used to love to go to the woods and ride around. We had so much fun doing that.

Lellers
12-28-2008, 00:38
I wish I had. It seems I've been mostly hiking from the kitchen to the living room. I feel like a giant, stuffed panda.

I have Tuesday and Wednesday off tho. I will be out somewhere. My son, who is a broke college student, couldn't afford a birthday present for me, so promised to spend time with me, "Your choice mom."

I said, "Great! You're going on a 10-mile hike with me, and no whining."

Unfortunately, I didn't tell him he couldn't roll his eyes, but he's going hiking. Now I just need to pick out an appropriate route.

chiefduffy
12-28-2008, 18:45
I'm thinking I'll hike from US41 into White Springs next Sunday (the 4th), y'all are welcome to join me. Might be a nice little hike to start out 2009 (I have to work the 1st, 2nd and 3rd).

-Duffy

BumpJumper
12-28-2008, 19:50
Duf,
What is the route you are taking? Details?

Gray Blazer
12-28-2008, 20:55
I'm thinking I'll hike from US41 into White Springs next Sunday (the 4th), y'all are welcome to join me. Might be a nice little hike to start out 2009 (I have to work the 1st, 2nd and 3rd).

-Duffy

How many miles? I'm interested.

chiefduffy
12-29-2008, 06:47
I'm going to be dropped off at Lillian's package store and biker bar just south of the Suwannee bridge on 41. Cross the hiway and the tracks and it's about .4 to the trailhead. Turns west along the river for about 6.5 or 7 miles into White Springs, I think(I haven't hiked it yet!).

- Duffy

genxrex
12-29-2008, 12:10
Three of just went to white springs over the weekend. We left our truck at American Canoe Adventures lot and hiked 20 miles over three days. ACA picked us up on Sunday and brought us back to our vehicle. Great way of doing things! Found that most of the walk was closed to hunting, so that was good, still wear orange though just in case of poachers. That chunk of the trail was VERY strenuous and I am barely able to walk around the office today. Never thought I would see so much up and downs hills on the FTA.

Joel

BumpJumper
12-29-2008, 15:44
That sounds like a nice day hike. I would be interested as well. Does anyone have a map of this stretch to see exactly how long it is?

jnetx
12-29-2008, 20:50
I'm going to be dropped off at Lillian's package store and biker bar just south of the Suwannee bridge on 41. Cross the hiway and the tracks and it's about .4 to the trailhead. Turns west along the river for about 6.5 or 7 miles into White Springs, I think(I haven't hiked it yet!).

- Duffy

Not that far. It's 2.2 miles on the FL trail from US41 at the railroad bridge to Suwannee Valley cg, then another 2.6 via roads into White Springs to cross the river, and back to Lillian's via roads.

jnetx
12-29-2008, 20:52
That chunk of the trail was VERY strenuous and I am barely able to walk around the office today. Never thought I would see so much up and downs hills on the FTA.

Joel

Well you did pick one of the hilliest sections on the FL Trail! :confused: It is a nice hike though. I'm assuming you went west?

jnetx
12-29-2008, 21:43
That sounds like a nice day hike. I would be interested as well. Does anyone have a map of this stretch to see exactly how long it is?

I made a quick google map of the loop as listed below. It's at: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WLPRmC3-4ECn-ak-hBKOwA?feat=directlink
You'll have to just take my word for the trail mileage, or find a data book.

While I was looking this up I noticed this: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WLPRmC3-4ECn-ak-hBKOwA?feat=directlink
On the left edge of the sat pic is Suwannee Valley cg, and the yellow road crossing the upper left is US41 at the trail crossing. At the bottom you can quite clearly see what appears to be an old river channel, now forested, to the south of the existing river. Neat huh? You can also see several sand "trails" none of which are the hiking trail, I don't think, with maybe the exception of the faint cross that is formed by the vertical dirt road and horizontal dirt road contained in the area of the old river channel and the current river. For the most part the trail westward from US41 hugs pretty close to the river on the bluffs above it. But it does follow a dirt road for a while, and I believe that is the rightmost arm of the cross, and the trail turns due north there up the upper arm of the cross and back into the woods to return to the river at the campground.


FYI. If you're planning a meet up there, and have two vehicles available, a nicer hike, not requiring the road walk would be from the Little Shoals Trailhead to White Springs. The road to Little Shoals TH is a little east of Lillian's, looks like nothing but a dirt road at a railroad crossing. Follow dirt road to corral type trailhead. It's a little bumpy but passable.

From the Shoals Trailhead walk west (left when facing river). It's about 1.5 miles to the railroad/river/US42 junction referenced below. You could leave one car at each end (maybe park at Stephen Foster, or the White Springs info center, or Suwannee Valley cg with permission). A caution though, I'm not 100% sure this is still blazed orange. The thru trail was officially rerouted via Big Shoals earlier this year, and not exactly sure where the new trail connects up to what I hiked last Christmas, but as I doubt the new trail crosses the river (I may be wrong), I'm fairly sure this piece is still intact. It might be wise to check with someone from FTA or with access to a current map (mine are about 5000 miles away or I'd look it up!) though.

FYI there are also some real nice, non FTA hikes in Big Shoals. There is a per car day use fee, but there are trail maps, leaflets etc there. You might also want to stop in the info center (opposite the Canoe outfitters) for TONS of info and brochures from all over the State.

OK enough messing around with maps. I'm done now. It's late and I need to go to sleep.:eek:

chiefduffy
12-30-2008, 04:12
On the most current map 15, it's 6.5 exactly, plus the walk from Lillians. Might be a little farther if I walk to the diner. ;)

genxrex
12-30-2008, 10:15
Well you did pick one of the hilliest sections on the FL Trail! :confused: It is a nice hike though. I'm assuming you went west?
We did in deed go west.

This morning my alarm went off and hopped out of bed, then my bad footsie hit the floor OUCH!!! I am in a bad way now, I have tix for seaworld that expire tomorrow and might have to borrow my dads lil rascal just to get around.
I will have to look around for some good ankle/calf strengthening exercises I can do to prevent this in the future.

Joel

BumpJumper
12-30-2008, 23:01
J....that was too cool. Thanks. When are you heading up this way to do some more hiking near me? We need to go for a walkabout...:D

floridahikes
01-03-2009, 12:07
Just back from the FT wilds. An awesome trip from Okee-tantie north to Bluff Hammock. Great group to backpack with and some trail magic too. Hiked some brand-new trail and had a couple once in a lifetime experiences, including watching eagles defending their nest and caracaras mating ... and got it on video. Will share after I play catch-up with email and a bunch of projects. I'm teaching a class next week and have to get back to that mindset.

floridahikes
01-03-2009, 12:52
I should mention we met up with thru-hiker Popeye from Orlando. He's planning to go on to the AT. He ran into us at Yates Marsh, camped with us at Tangerine Hill and Basinger to hang out for New Year's hiker feed. I'm sure he's to Kicco by now.

jnetx
01-03-2009, 17:39
J....that was too cool. Thanks. When are you heading up this way to do some more hiking near me? We need to go for a walkabout...:D

Might be a while yet. I'm in England right now, and will be hanging round on the far side of the pond for a couple months. Hoping to get some short hikes in here (maybe) but got snowed on yesterday! :eek:

Enjoy the warmth and sunshine for me anyway!

BumpJumper
01-04-2009, 22:05
Well have fun.

BumpJumper
01-04-2009, 22:21
I just talked to Bare Bear and he is up near Gold Branch tonight. He hiked about 26 miles on his bad foot and is dying.
He mentioned that Chief was at White Springs. Sorry Chief....I wanted to go but I had a slew of things to get done this weekend and got sick to boot. I would like to hear a report of how the hike went.

Lone Wolf
01-04-2009, 22:26
deleted post

slow
01-04-2009, 23:23
post deleted

Was that really called for.:mad:

slow
01-05-2009, 02:48
BTW,Today I may go play 18,hike or go to the beach kid.Your :welcome to come.:D

chiefduffy
01-05-2009, 05:23
I can't belive Bare Bare did 26! That section you have to camp after 7 or so, or commit to the long haul - too long in my book! Anyway I had a great hike. About a mile from Lilly's biker bar to the trail head at Little Shoals, then a delightful 3 or 4 miles along the Suwannee. Despite the closeness to Hwy 41, it was very quiet, and many times I stopped to listen to the river rushing and gurgling through the limestone shallows. Crossed a very nice new footbridge through 'fern forest' to a relo through the pines, and finally popped out at the Suwannee Valley Campground, which is now a KOA. Got treated like a king by the old lady that works there, then finished up my last mile into town and got to the DINER in time for the FRIED CHICKEN BUFFET. Wonderful hike for the 1st of '09. Was a little short, only 3 hours or so, but very enjoyable. My compliments to the maintainers of this section. Even the spider webs seemed carefully constructed to blend into the natural environs! :D

- Duffy

Gray Blazer
01-05-2009, 08:30
I shoulda hiked with Chief. I was out looking for Bare Bear yesterday. Started about 6 miles north of where he was starting and hiked to 21 by Goldhead. I figured he was hunkered down there, but, I had to walk back to my truck and by the time I got there it was sundown and I had to get home. Blaze and I had fun anyway. Peace out.

Gray Blazer
01-05-2009, 09:08
deleted post

That was a funny statement. Why delete it? Geeeez, lighten up.
I'll tell you the truth though. Walking 12 miles in that sugar sand on the Fl Jeep Trail, I mean the FL Trail is h--- on your calves.

MOWGLI
01-05-2009, 09:15
That was a funny statement. Why delete it?

Your opinion is not universally shared. End of story.

chiefduffy
01-05-2009, 13:00
[quote=Gray Blazer;751347]That was a funny statement. Why delete it? Geeeez, lighten up.

I thought it was pretty funny, myself! Like this quote I found in a Florida Hiking Trails brochure yesterday: "In Florida, hiking opens your eyes to the dynamic environmental changes that occur as elevation increases from below sea level to only 345 feet.":eek: It's the brochure with the female hiker on the front, wearing lipstick, diamond earrings, perfectly combed hair, etc.

-Duffy

MOWGLI
01-05-2009, 13:03
"In Florida, hiking opens your eyes to the dynamic environmental changes that occur as elevation increases from below sea level to only 345 feet."

In Florida, a few feet in elevation change can mean a world of difference regarding flora & fauna. That's what they are trying to convey.

BumpJumper
01-05-2009, 17:35
Chief...glad your hike was great. Barry may not be on the trail today. He said if he couldnt walk this morning he was going to have to get his sis to come get him. I hope he faired well. He did that long stretch that you were speaking of because there was no place to camp I guess.
I really want to do that section of the trail you just completed. Sounds great.
Gray...tot your ole ass down here and come hike with me. Are ya scerred???:D:D:D

Lone Wolf
01-05-2009, 17:37
That was a funny statement. Why delete it? Geeeez, lighten up.
I'll tell you the truth though. Walking 12 miles in that sugar sand on the Fl Jeep Trail, I mean the FL Trail is h--- on your calves.

humor is not allowed on this website

BumpJumper
01-05-2009, 17:42
SLOW.....kisses too you too man...;););)

Lone Wolf
01-05-2009, 17:44
kisses to you too woman...;););)

chiefduffy
01-05-2009, 18:16
Gee thanks, Mowgli, reckon I'm jes too dumb to figger that out. I think LW may be right about the humor thing.

MOWGLI
01-05-2009, 18:19
Gee thanks, Mowgli, reckon I'm jes too dumb to figger that out. I think LW may be right about the humor thing.

Great. Maybe you can get back on topic now.

Bulldawg
01-05-2009, 18:20
Gee thanks, Mowgli, reckon I'm jes too dumb to figger that out. I think LW may be right about the humor thing.


You should find a comedy or jokes forum if humor is what you are looking for.:-?:-? Don't you know real humans don't interact through humor!!:eek::eek:

warraghiyagey
01-05-2009, 18:24
You should find a comedy or jokes forum if humor is what you are looking for.:-?:-? Don't you know real humans don't interact through humor!!:eek::eek:
Hahahaha. . . that's some funny stuff there Bulldawg.http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

Bulldawg
01-05-2009, 18:31
Hahahaha. . . that's some funny stuff there Bulldawg.http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)


Oh great, now I am going to get deleted for saying something funny. Dammit Warghy!!:-?:eek::rolleyes::cool:

Bulldawg
01-05-2009, 18:33
http://www.big-boards.com/kw/humor/

http://www.flashbackhumor.com/forums/index.php

http://www.cringehumor.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi

http://humormeblue.com/

BumpJumper
01-05-2009, 19:23
Chief, what was your exact route on this hike? Was there another place to leave your car. And one other question. Is there a campground for RV's anyplace in that area?

slow
01-05-2009, 20:38
Great. Maybe you can get back on topic now.

With all due,it was fine before lw....and just like most he enters.:-?

Bulldawg
01-05-2009, 20:40
With all due,it was fine before lw....and just like most he enters.:-?


LW, I don't think they like you down in Florida?

:eek::confused:

slow
01-05-2009, 20:43
LW, I don't think they like you down in Florida?

:eek::confused:

Thank's,you do a swell job.

Lone Wolf
01-05-2009, 20:44
With all due,it was fine before lw....and just like most he enters.:-?

SLOW...Kisses to you too man...;););)

gonna thru the FT soon. look forward to meetin' y'alls

warraghiyagey
01-05-2009, 20:45
Oh great, now I am going to get deleted for saying something funny. Dammit Warghy!!:-?:eek::rolleyes::cool:
STOP IT!!! http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing013.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing013.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing013.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org). . . yer killing me!!!! http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

Bulldawg
01-05-2009, 20:46
STOP IT!!! http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing013.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing013.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing013.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org). . . yer killing me!!!! http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing021.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)


There is NO WAY I cold ever approach Warghy funniness!!!!

warraghiyagey
01-05-2009, 20:49
There is NO WAY I cold ever approach Warghy funniness!!!!
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing017.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing017.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing017.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing017.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-laughing017.gif (http://www.freesmileys.org)

slow
01-05-2009, 21:01
SLOW...Kisses to you too man...;););)

gonna thru the FT soon. look forward to meetin' y'alls

Gonna,i hope LEAVE HERE.:rolleyes:

Gray Blazer
01-05-2009, 21:09
Chief...glad your hike was great. Barry may not be on the trail today. He said if he couldnt walk this morning he was going to have to get his sis to come get him. I hope he faired well. He did that long stretch that you were speaking of because there was no place to camp I guess.
I really want to do that section of the trail you just completed. Sounds great.
Gray...tot your ole ass down here and come hike with me. Are ya scerred???:D:D:D

Who're you calling old??

I ain't skeered of nuthin'. Big Foot did freek me out a little. Barry just hiked thru the Bardin Booger Woods. There is at least one designated campsite and the Iron Bridge Shelter and a few other sites. Heck, I went back to the spot where I saw the Big Foot Prints and there was this girl passed out drunk by her 4-wheel drive cowboy camping. I didn't bother to tell her about the Bardin Booger. I figured she was waiting to meet up with him anyways.

Barry last reported he was heading North from Gold Head on Sunday and I was hoping to meet up with him. Since he and I graduated from the same HS I was looking forward to meeting up with him. Maybe next time.

Let me know when you're hiking and we'll meet up.

LW's done more hiking in the Ocala Forest than Benton MacKay and Grandma Gatewood combined.

chiefduffy
01-06-2009, 04:02
Bumpjumper: there is RV camping at the Suwanne Valley KOA and at Stephen Foster State Park. My route was exactly as I stated earlier in this thread. Plenty of safe places to park, at Lilly's, at the Little Shoals trailhead, and on the other end at Suwannee KOA, the canoe outfitters in town, Visitor Center, etc. The canoe outfitter, American Canoe Adventures I think, will let you park there free and shuttle you for a small fee. The whole area is very hiker friendly, and in my (limited) experience the most scenic of the FT.

- Duffy