Started off the weekend with Hangnyak and me meeting up at the parking lot around 11:30 Friday. We waited around a while to see if anyone else might be arriving. Couldn't stand it any longer so hit the trail at noon. After a 2 mile or so hike in we arrived at the first nights camp site only to find a camp that wouldn't hang 4 much less the crowd we were expecting. Wandering around in the brush we managed to find more hangs then obvious at first sight. After set up we walked to the river to check it out and let me try out the fishing. Managed 6 little Warmouth Perch, not big enough for a feast but good fun. Returned to the camp to find the Swamp Ape beating around in the woods. Turned out to be samsara setting up his site. Over the next few hours the others started drifting in. Grinder had started at the opposite trailhead and put in about 12 miles vs. our 2. Others included; O-boy, Craigc, MADD777, lilricky, and Ricktorfla. With some of those arriving after dark.
Saturday began with breakfast and packing up with a stop to top off water at the Withlacoochee River. An absolute necessary in one of the driest Swamps in the world. Our expected 5 mile hike to the second site ended up being an 8.7 mile experience. Arrival at the Mott Hammock was to find the complete opposite of the first site. Close to 2 or 3 acres of massive old growth Live Oaks with scattered Cabbage Palms. After setting up and supper most of us being exhausted found the hammocks early. This morning around 5:00 AM the rains came waking most for tarp checks and then lulling all back to sleep.
We had discussed the options of returning the 10 miles back to the trailhead or continuing on 5 miles to the East entrance. After determining that most of us wouldn't have made it back and water being almost gone we continued on.
I had been dropped off by my wife Friday, and she was returning for me this afternoon so a call was made for pick up and shuttle back to the West parking lot.
For the first major hike of the season for most of us it was challenging but fun. Grinder continues to amaze. Where most of us completed about 15 miles he probably made 25+. All in all a beautiful weekend with good friends. Didn't take many photos but others did and will be posting them.
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