Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11
  1. #1
    Senior Member Damifino's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    St Paul, MN
    Hammock
    BlackBird
    Tarp
    MacCat Delux
    Insulation
    HG 3/4 - UGQ TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie
    Posts
    102
    Images
    25

    Something Different - Florida Trail

    I intended to hike the FT along Western portion of the Suwanne River this week. It has been so cold I decided at the last minute to head to South FL to log some miles along the Lake Okeechobee Trail.



    The trail circumnavigates the entire lake for 109 linear miles. When hiking the FT you can choose which side of the lake to hike. Either choice is approx the same miles (~58) so there is no distance advantage in either choice. The East route has more towns so I chose the East side.



    The entire hike around the lake looks pretty much like this.





    There is a great FREE semi primitive camp area just off the trail on Dupree Water managment land. The camping area has no potable water but very nice (clean) compost toilets. There is also an equestrian camp area that does have potable water and HOT showers (also for FREE)! I will go back here.







    As a side note - I did make it to Suwannee for a day hike with my wife, son and one of his buddies.

    Giant Live Oak:


    We came across a small cave along the trail. It had cool air rushing from it so I suspect it went some distance to another opening somewhere. Here, my kid is demonstrating the EXTREME sport of bear-noodling:

  2. #2
    slowhike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    DIY, gathered end , w/ spreader
    Tarp
    JRB Universal
    Insulation
    DAM/ HG Incubator
    Suspension
    Webbing and rings
    Posts
    11,677
    Images
    319
    That is different. Looks like a nice place to hike & hang.
    How many nights did you spend out? And what were the temperatures like?
    Another HF member, T-BACK ( http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/member.php?u=71 ) hiked the FT a few years back. He ended up w/ some real health issues, tick related I believe.
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  3. #3
    New Member Cheesewhiz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Pottstown, PA
    Hammock
    WBBB double 1.0
    Tarp
    MacCat Deluxe
    Insulation
    Jacks Quilts
    Suspension
    Whoopies
    Posts
    4
    I am jumping on the Florida Trail for the first time this coming January. I am starting on January 24th at big tree park, just south of Route 4. Hiking north to White Springs. Highly anticipating swinging in my newly acquired WBBB. (Hennessey Convert).

  4. #4
    Senior Member Damifino's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    St Paul, MN
    Hammock
    BlackBird
    Tarp
    MacCat Delux
    Insulation
    HG 3/4 - UGQ TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie
    Posts
    102
    Images
    25
    Quote Originally Posted by slowhike View Post
    How many nights did you spend out? And what were the temperatures like?
    In S. FL I camped on Tues and Wed Nights. The temp got down to 27° on Tues. and 36° pn Wed night.

    It was very managable because I was camping from the car. Weight was not an issue so I used 2 sleeping bags and a full size pillow. The pillow makes a huge difference because it offers very good insulation under your head and neck where my my pad and 3/4 UQ do not.

    In Suwannee we stayed in a cabin and it had warmed considerably.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Damifino's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Location
    St Paul, MN
    Hammock
    BlackBird
    Tarp
    MacCat Delux
    Insulation
    HG 3/4 - UGQ TQ
    Suspension
    Whoopie
    Posts
    102
    Images
    25
    Quote Originally Posted by Cheesewhiz View Post
    I am jumping on the Florida Trail for the first time this coming January. I am starting on January 24th at big tree park, just south of Route 4. Hiking north to White Springs. Highly anticipating swinging in my newly acquired WBBB. (Hennessey Convert).
    I have not hiked any of that part of the trail yet. I'll be interested in your impressions. Thanks!

  6. #6
    Senior Member Just Jeff's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Charlottesville, VA
    Hammock
    Blackbird
    Tarp
    MacCat Standard
    Insulation
    Winter Yeti, MWUQ4
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    7,924
    Images
    32
    Very good report...great pics! I used to live right next to the FT but didn't even know it b/c I wasn't into hiking at that time. Looks like I missed out!

    Thanks for posting.
    “Republics are created by the virtue, public spirit, and intelligence of the citizens. They fall when the wise are banished from the public councils because they dare to be honest, and the profligate are rewarded because they flatter the people, in order to betray them.” ~Judge Joseph Story

    - My site: http://www.tothewoods.net/
    - Designer, Jeff's Gear Hammock / Pack Cover by JRB

    IMPOSSIBLE JUST TAKES LONGER

  7. #7
    Senior Member eflat7's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    Pinebluff, NC
    Hammock
    Eno Doublenest
    Tarp
    OES Standard
    Insulation
    AHE KAQ
    Suspension
    Amsteel w\MSH
    Posts
    1,389
    Images
    37
    I would love to do that trail. I wonder how far it is from me. Googling now.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Bradley's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    West Kootenay, BC
    Hammock
    NX-150 TX-150
    Tarp
    Vertex-Camo
    Insulation
    Z-Liner & DIY Pads
    Suspension
    Clark
    Posts
    1,557
    The trail looks flat . . . but the hang spot is a beauty
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Bradley SaintJohn
    Flat Bottom Canoe
    Start A Biz

    The Transition from Ground Sleeping to Hammocks
    is the Conversion from Agony To Ecstasy,
    and Curing Ground-In-somnia.

    "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show you great and mighty things . . ." Jeremiah 33:3
    ΙΧΘΥΣ

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2010
    Location
    Western North Carolina
    Hammock
    Switchback
    Tarp
    OES MacCat's
    Insulation
    HammockGear
    Suspension
    Whoopie Slings
    Posts
    948
    Images
    27
    Looks like a good time hiking and hanging Damifino. That path-trail around the lake looks like a bicycle path.
    Also looks like you have your hammock and tarp all rigged and comfy. Very nice. I know you slept well with it...
    Thanks for sharing the photos

  10. #10
    slowhike's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Winston-Salem, NC
    Hammock
    DIY, gathered end , w/ spreader
    Tarp
    JRB Universal
    Insulation
    DAM/ HG Incubator
    Suspension
    Webbing and rings
    Posts
    11,677
    Images
    319
    Quote Originally Posted by Damifino View Post
    In S. FL I camped on Tues and Wed Nights. The temp got down to 27° on Tues. and 36° pn Wed night.

    It was very managable because I was camping from the car. Weight was not an issue so I used 2 sleeping bags and a full size pillow. The pillow makes a huge difference because it offers very good insulation under your head and neck where my my pad and 3/4 UQ do not.

    In Suwannee we stayed in a cabin and it had warmed considerably.
    Whoooh... I figured that it got pretty cool at night there this time of year, but I sure wasn't expecting you to report those temperatures
    That extra cushion & insulation sure can be nice
    I too will something make and joy in it's making

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Places in Florida that aren't the Florida Trail
      By Mikums in forum Hangouts, Campouts, and Trip Planning
      Replies: 12
      Last Post: 04-27-2013, 17:46
    2. Florida Trail Question
      By O-Boy in forum Long distance travel with a hammock
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 09-24-2012, 00:15
    3. Time to Hit the Florida Trail
      By JPsax in forum Long distance travel with a hammock
      Replies: 6
      Last Post: 01-04-2012, 20:56
    4. Florida Trail - Dec. 12
      By dpitalo in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 0
      Last Post: 12-13-2010, 22:39
    5. Florida Trail
      By nighthawk156 in forum Long distance travel with a hammock
      Replies: 10
      Last Post: 03-07-2009, 16:52

    Tags for this Thread

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •