April 16/17 Richloam, FL Hike and Hang.

**specialk198305** · 03-22-2011, 23:06

I will be attending, I believe the general consensus Was to take the North loop but correct me if I'm wrong. Once figured out for sure I will check the maps and see if we need to cache water again, and if so I can try and get it this time around (providing my Z car can make it down the nearest roads).

Looking forward to it.

**TFC Rick** · 03-22-2011, 23:19

Since I am o-fer so far after making plans I will not RSVP. But I am watching this and remaining hopeful I can.

**olddog** · 03-22-2011, 23:28

Looking at the Florida trails map we shouldn't need water caches. The map shows 3 water points on the north loop close to the camping area. Was kind of thinking of a similar arrangement to the last trip, with Friday night hangers staying at the same location and meeting up at the trailhead Saturday to start the loop clockwise or meeting at the Friday night hang and going counterclockwise?

**Flackfizer** · 03-23-2011, 13:10

the north loop has two watering points both between 5 and 7 miles or so. In other words, mid way and therefore near camps. There are two sinks one of which has a marked primitive camp near by. The sinks however are pretty bad, we saw beer cans and such and did not want to use it as a water source. And, the camps are crappy. Instead it is worth pushing past and getting closer to the river which, although tanic, is a fine water source.

**islander** · 03-24-2011, 06:48

I'll not be able to make it out there that weekend. I will most likely end up out there doing a Solo of the North Loop this weekend or next.
Enjoy the Hike & Hang all.
Remember too...Post your Pix, or it didn't happen!

**JaxHiker** · 03-24-2011, 08:33

What's the distance on the loop? My buddy and I have been wanting to get out (dare I say he uses a tent still?). I'd like to get one more hike in before I head back to the AT and I might actually be able to make this one. At the moment my only scheduled weekend is 4/2.

**islander** · 03-24-2011, 08:49

Originally Posted by JaxHiker

What's the distance on the loop? My buddy and I have been wanting to get out (dare I say he uses a tent still?). I'd like to get one more hike in before I head back to the AT and I might actually be able to make this one. At the moment my only scheduled weekend is 4/2.

I've not hike the north loop as yet, but maps show its about 13.6 mile loop.

**specialk198305** · 03-24-2011, 10:00

Sorry to hear you can't make it Islander. I will definitely get some video and pics.

**Flackfizer** · 03-24-2011, 10:39

I am not sure I am in yet either--that is a tricky weekend since it is right before a big holiday for us. But, I will continue to share and scheme as we figure this out. The north loop entails heading as we did on the south loop to the that FT juncture and then turning right whereas we had turned left. You cross RT 50 and then go more or less in a straight(ish) line through pines and past many more sinks than the south loop has. At about 5 or 6 miles there is a primitive camp near a sink, but it is better to push past that and get out of the swamp to the hamamock that is a bit beyond where the trail is heading more easterly. That places you close to the Little Withalacoochee River. The river is filterable. One major difference between the north and south loops is that there are fewer good water cache spots where they would matter. A small one near rt 50 is easy, but no one will need water then 1 mile in! There is a decent stretch along the river though as you head back south, so water is available. Apart from that we would get to go back down the blue trail and through the Friday night camp site from the south loop hike.

**olddog** · 03-24-2011, 20:16

How many are planning on a Friday arrival? Do we want to stay in the same Friday night site as last trip and return to trailhead for water and Saturday morning arrivals?