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View Full Version : The Constant Relocation of the FT



Gray Blazer
11-22-2010, 12:55
Chief Duffy and I hiked a section (and I use the term loosely) of the FT last Saturday. We looked for the Trailhead off the roadwalk near Cow Catcher Road that heads down too Big Shoals that he hiked last year. It was changed and blazes that had been painted out before, now had reappeared over the white-outs. We found the trailhead by following the re-reroute roadwalk and hiked to this beautiful shelter complete with Franklin fireplace stove and rocking chair. Now this shelter was not on the section he had hiked last year, but, was magically back on the FT

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/2/1/7/ft_005.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showimage.php?i=44067&original=1&c=newimages&cutoffdate=1)

The trail then headed back to the road. We buswhacked from the shelter to the river and came out just south of Big Shoals. Prolly a two mile bushwhack. We found the river by keeping the creek on our immediate right. Before we got to the river we found a blue blazed trail that led us back to the old FT which was still orange blazed along the river from Big Shoals to Little Shoals.

Gray Blazer
11-22-2010, 12:58
The river was WAY down and the Big Shoals was completely exposed.

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/2/1/7/ft_012.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showimage.php?i=44069&original=1&c=newimages&cutoffdate=1)

You could jump across the entire width of the Suwannee at this point. I remember going over the Big Shoals in a canoe 40 years ago when I was in the Boy Scouts. It was really different today.

Gray Blazer
11-22-2010, 13:05
This is a very nice section of the FT (at least it used to be. You never know with the FT. It may be relocated several times before it is pemantly established. You can get to this section now by bushwahacking or starting at Little Shoals. The old way was marked with no trespassing signs and belongs to a hunt club.

There is a nice waterfall on this section.

http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/2/1/7/ft_054.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showimage.php?i=44074&original=1&c=newimages&cutoffdate=1)

There is a big climb (for FL...what a laugh!) that actually has 2 switchbacks on it.

Luddite
11-22-2010, 13:27
Nice pictures...I gotta get out there. Its always cool to see whitewater in florida! Have you been to the hillsborough rapids?
You should check out the photographer Clyde Butcher if you haven't already.

danger zone
11-22-2010, 15:11
Another place to see is Ginnie Springs outside of Gainesville. Not much for hiking but it is a beautiful place. I have quite a collection of artifacts and Indian stuff....I always find something in the river(s). Of course, coming face to face with an 8ft gator on the river bottom is always a shocker!! You never really get use to that....for some strange reason

Dogwood
11-22-2010, 15:49
Another very nice spring(not hot springs though) with yr round water temp of 72 * is Itchnetucknee Springs near Gainesville FL not too far from the FT. Check out Itchenetucknee State Park. The park or someplace nearby has camping if I remember correctly. In the winter when the locals would think you are crazy getting near the water because they think 72 * water is "freezing" you have much of the place to yourself. It's also a very nice river to tube and snorkel with crystal clear water and underwater caves. In the warmer months especially during summer the Itchnetucknee River, springs, and SP becomes an over run madhouse.

Luddite
11-22-2010, 16:46
Another place to see is Ginnie Springs outside of Gainesville. Not much for hiking but it is a beautiful place. I have quite a collection of artifacts and Indian stuff....I always find something in the river(s). Of course, coming face to face with an 8ft gator on the river bottom is always a shocker!! You never really get use to that....for some strange reason

What kind of artifacts did you find? Passing by an 8 foot gator in a $15 raft that was designed to be used by toddlers in a swimming pool is always a shocker.

Foxtrot
11-23-2010, 19:14
Another very nice spring(not hot springs though) with yr round water temp of 72 * is Itchnetucknee Springs near Gainesville FL not too far from the FT. Check out Itchenetucknee State Park. The park or someplace nearby has camping if I remember correctly. In the winter when the locals would think you are crazy getting near the water because they think 72 * water is "freezing" you have much of the place to yourself. It's also a very nice river to tube and snorkel with crystal clear water and underwater caves. In the warmer months especially during summer the Itchnetucknee River, springs, and SP becomes an over run madhouse.

A strong second the motion on the Ichetucknee. When my family moved to Starke back in '79, I was first introduced to it. I spent several wonderful hot summer days floating down it from '79-'83. I have since moved back to GA but try to make it down every couple of years. You are correct, though - in the summer (especially weekends), get there early because there is a daily cap on how many they let go down it.

lilricky
11-24-2010, 21:14
Another place to see is Ginnie Springs outside of Gainesville. Not much for hiking but it is a beautiful place. I have quite a collection of artifacts and Indian stuff....I always find something in the river(s). Of course, coming face to face with an 8ft gator on the river bottom is always a shocker!! You never really get use to that....for some strange reason

Hey Danger, be careful what you post here. Disturbing or removing any Indian remains or artifacts is a felony here in Florida. FYI.

Mr. Magoo
12-02-2010, 09:58
Hey Danger, be careful what you post here. Disturbing or removing any Indian remains or artifacts is a felony here in Florida. FYI.

That cannot be emphasized enough... Thanks for pointing that out, Rick. Indian mounds are sacred and federally protected.