Looking for partner to do Florida Trail in December

[Chainsaw 08]

I'm a newbie hiker considering a thru in 2007 or 2008. As part of my prep, I want to do 100 miles of the Florida Trail this December. As I am a newbie, I am figuring on 12 days, including a day or two off, so I may be too slow for some experienced hikers.

I'm also moody, whiny, lazy, obnoxious, out-of-shape and lacking in hygeine skills.

On the plus side, I'm pretty good about buying beer for my partners.



Anybody interested can post here or email [email protected]

[bido7614]

Hey there my name is Lissie.. I am also a newbie hiker hiking in march of 07.. I live in florida so i was wondering where about you wanted to hike the hundred miles. you can p.m. me or send it to [email protected] cause i am getting bad about checking posts on here...
Lissie

[Gray Blazer]

Let me know more about it. I would at least like to do a little with you.

[Chainsaw 08]

Let me know more about it. I would at least like to do a little with you.

I don't know a whole lot more. I just ordered the trail data book yesterday, so I don’t know a whole lot of specifics

The main section I'd like to do is in the middle, going through Ocala. I’m thinking about starting on about December 6th or 7th. I was figuring a pace of about 10 miles a day or so would allow time for blue-blazing. Add a day or two in the middle for rest/resupply and it would take a bit under 2 weeks to do 100 miles, so finishing up a few days before Christmas. I don’t have a lot of flexibility on dates (maybe a day or two either way), as that’s determined by my work schedule.

[Gray Blazer]

Let me know as you figure out more of what you are going to do. I want to join you for some of your walk at the least. Maybe I can help you on your resupply.

[bido7614]

Hey there. I'd like to go with ya.. just find out the specifics so i can arrange for it..
Lissie

[Stump46]

I can't go in Dec, but would be interested in section hikes Jan - Mar 2007.

[Sly]

I may be interested in the the Ocala section, but I won't know for sure for another month.

[Chainsaw 08]

Hey all -- sorry I've been absent from the thread, but shortly after my last post I was put into limbo with my job as to whether I was going to have this time off or not. Thankfully, I just got the final word, and I am going to have it off, so the hike is on.

The section I want to do is from the Clearwater Lake trailhead to the Gold Head Branch trailhead. (If you have the guidebook, sections 16, 22, 23, and 24) This basically starts in Ocala NF north of I-4, then runs through Ocala, past Palatka and winds up near Starke. It's 110 miles all told, though there are any number of places to get off if you want to do less.

The terrain is normally dry (not swampy), and according to the book, water doesn't seem to be an issue: the trail runs through a number of developed campsites and hits lots of natural springs where water is availible. Resupply may be a bit trickier; the trail doesn't run through any towns, and while it comes within hitching distance of several (esp. Palatka), I don't know how good Floridians are at picking up backpackers...

I'm hoping to make good time, though I don't know ... as I said, I'm a newbie, so my ideal of 10 miles a day might be unrealistic, especially given that there are a lot of interesting blue blazes I'll want to check out, and given that I do want to take at least one zero day in there somewhere and just chill in the woods with a book. I'm hoping someone here maybe can give some guidance...

Anyway, let me know if you're still interested and we can get to planning in earnest.

[Jim Adams]

you buy beer for your hiking buddies? you can't afford to thru hike!
geek

[highway]

I have done the Clearwater lake to Juniper Springs before. You can leave your vehicle at the campground for a small fee or at the trailhead for free. Mostly level, easy hiking, some parts strikingly beautiful Florida forest.

[Cuffs]

I can almost guarantee you wont get picked up anywheres near Starke.... Florida State Prison is there (houses death row too) and there are 3 other state prisons in that area too....

[Sly]

Wow December's coming up quick. I'm still interested but doubt I'll be able to make it. I have a project going now which will last a bit and plan on hiking the FHT the last week in Nov.

[Chainsaw 08]

you buy beer for your hiking buddies? you can't afford to thru hike!
geek

Hey, I ain't said nothing about buying for no thru-hike ...

[Chainsaw 08]

I can't go in Dec, but would be interested in section hikes Jan - Mar 2007.

I'll let ya know if anything comes up, but I'm unlikely to have more than a weekend off in that period.

[Hammock Hanger]

I don't know a whole lot more. I just ordered the trail data book yesterday, so I don’t know a whole lot of specifics

The main section I'd like to do is in the middle, going through Ocala. I’m thinking about starting on about December 6th or 7th. I was figuring a pace of about 10 miles a day or so would allow time for blue-blazing. Add a day or two in the middle for rest/resupply and it would take a bit under 2 weeks to do 100 miles, so finishing up a few days before Christmas. I don’t have a lot of flexibility on dates (maybe a day or two either way), as that’s determined by my work schedule.

I realize that I was hiking in the spring when the light was longer and I am a experienced long distance hiker but 10 miles a day through the Ocala is a relatively short day. (I was doing 18-21.) It is flat and easy terrain. -- However, you may be wanting to have some relaxtion time. Only a few places to blue-blaze. There really is not a lot out there but forest and a few mom-pop stores.

Enjoy it. Sue/Hammock Hanger

[Chainsaw 08]

I realize that I was hiking in the spring when the light was longer and I am a experienced long distance hiker but 10 miles a day through the Ocala is a relatively short day. (I was doing 18-21.) It is flat and easy terrain. -- However, you may be wanting to have some relaxtion time. Only a few places to blue-blaze. There really is not a lot out there but forest and a few mom-pop stores.

Enjoy it. Sue/Hammock Hanger

Thanks for the insight. Do the mom & pops have much in the way of hiker-usable food? If possible I'd like to avoid "town" altogether for the whole 110 miles; but also I don't want to be packing a whole 10 days food if I can avoid that. Are the stores within a mile or two of the trail (IIRC, the 88 store is one) enough?

[highway]

Thanks for the insight. Do the mom & pops have much in the way of hiker-usable food? If possible I'd like to avoid "town" altogether for the whole 110 miles; but also I don't want to be packing a whole 10 days food if I can avoid that. Are the stores within a mile or two of the trail (IIRC, the 88 store is one) enough?

Its not 10 days food-more like 6 days!
if your 110 miles distance is correct, and you do 15 miles/day (extremely doable upon level ground in Florida on those well-established trails) the math is:

10 days divided by 15 miles = 7.3 days minus one =6.3

minus one because you breakfast mostly before the trail and have dinner off the trail at your destination.

Food weight/day=1.25 pounds X 6.3 days=7.9 pounds total weight food carried.

This is Florida so very warm clothes are not required so you'll have (should have)a minimal pack and 8 pounds food is not excessive. In the heat of our winter day you may find yourself down to tank top, shorts and sandals-my typical hiking uniform.

As for the miles/day, you will have 11 daylight hours and a casual 2 miles/day saunter nets you 20+ miles/day if you wish. We dont have many mountains here to hump

My suggestion is to plan on 8 pounds food and i suspect you will make the severely gross (but easily done) eror of arriving at your destination with uneaten food remaining-meaning you carried it the entire way needlessly.

[Gray Blazer]

Its not 10 days food-more like 6 days!
if your 110 miles distance is correct, and you do 15 miles/day (extremely doable upon level ground in Florida on those well-established trails) the math is:

10 days divided by 15 miles = 7.3 days minus one =6.3

minus one because you breakfast mostly before the trail and have dinner off the trail at your destination.

Food weight/day=1.25 pounds X 6.3 days=7.9 pounds total weight food carried.

This is Florida so very warm clothes are not required so you'll have (should have)a minimal pack and 8 pounds food is not excessive. In the heat of our winter day you may find yourself down to tank top, shorts and sandals-my typical hiking uniform.

As for the miles/day, you will have 11 daylight hours and a casual 2 miles/day saunter nets you 20+ miles/day if you wish. We dont have many mountains here to hump

My suggestion is to plan on 8 pounds food and i suspect you will make the severely gross (but easily done) eror of arriving at your destination with uneaten food remaining-meaning you carried it the entire way needlessly.

Good post. I disagree about carrying extra food needlessly. It could come in handy in case of emergency or if you get lost or take more time than planned. One of us floridians should be available to meet you at a highway crossing at a certain time. I volunteer.

[Hammock Hanger]

This is Florida so very warm clothes are not required so you'll have (should have)a minimal pack and 8 pounds food is not excessive. In the heat of our winter day you may find yourself down to tank top, shorts and sandals-my typical hiking uniform.

It is a misnomer that FL is always hot. Orlando north can get mighty cold during the winter months. You may not need to have zero degree gear but be prepared for some cool nights. It was in the 20's last year in the Panhandle when we hiked and we were cold! I live in Jacksonville and we are regularly in the 30's during the winter and I am only 45 minutes from the Ocala NF.

15 mile days are very doable, the terrain is flat and easy hiking. I was doing 20's last spring but there was more daylight.

There are few great blue blaze trails and only mom-pop stores. This is a forest and there is little out that way along the trail.

Have fun and enjoy.

BTW: I am looking to hike the Apalachicola Forest north for a week or 2 this winter after hunting season. Anyone out there interested??