7 mile camp in Big Cypress

[Captain_Slo]

Any one been out there? What's it like? (is there a picnic table, fire ring etc) Does it have trees for hanging, or should I bring my tent...

[lilricky]

From reports, its fairly dry right now, no slogging through water and mud. Yes, plenty of trees to hang from. It has a fire pit and crossed logs around the pit to sit at, but no picnic table. This was as of 2 months ago.

[Captain_Slo]

Was there water out there 2 months ago? (ie: to drink...) How reliable is the water source?

[lilricky]

Yes, there is a cypress dome nearby that always has water in it. Just need to filter it.

[Captain_Slo]

Sweet. Thanks for the help.

[Captain_Slo]

Update: Went out on the Florida Trail with my troop of 9 10-13 year old Girl Scouts. 7 mile camp is dry and the trail is *mostly* dry. Lots of mud and about 100 yards of knee deep (to 11 year olds) water. Didn't see any snakes but the Ranger reported seeing 2 cottonmouths the day before

Cool part: Met Swami on the trail. He's an Australian here in the states doing 12 (or 15?) long trails in 18 months. He was finish the Florida Trail on the 15th. www.thehikinglife.com (he also reported seeing a cottonmouth between 13 mile camp and 10 mile camp, fyi).

[whywoogy]

Hanging down there can be brutal due to Mosquitos. It is the cooler season right now so it might not be a problem. First/Last time I hanged I woke up with my back looking like I had chicken pox times 100. I was like an all you can eat buffet in a tree. I will never hang again in South/Central FL. I was born and raised here and have been camping since I was 4 in the Everglades. Tents all the way, but that is just my suggestion. Either way, have fun!

[miami]

I was just out to 10 mile camp 2 weekends ago. There was only one small 100 yrd patch of water, but you could find a dry way around. I saw a diamond-back btwn 7 mile and the road. Cypress domes everywhere for water (definitely filter). Bugs were bad at dusk due to lack of cold weather.