FL>Hidden Pond, ONF>July 20-22, 2018>6th Annual "No Underquilt Hang"

**Floridahanger** · 07-02-2018, 18:41

It's hot as blazes out there. So....Let's have a hang!

Late start on this group hang planning, but if yall want to come out with all the Florida crazies and experience what the Florida Piney Woods have to offer.....come get some.

The place will be the wonderful Hidden Pond on the Florida Trail in Ocala. There has been so much rainfall that you will want to bring your bathing suite and favorite towel. The towel can be used to wipe off all the sweat from the 100* days and dry up after swimming in the Spring fed pond.

Just so you are prepared:
- It will be hot
- It will be raining
- There will be tall tails and stories
- There will be fire
- There will be swimming
- At night, you may still need some bottom warmth

Take a walk on the wild side and see the real Florida during our Summer rainy season. Take a day trip to Silver Glen Springs and enjoy some beautiful Spring water(there is an entrance fee for hikers). Stroll on down the Yearling Trail to see the old cemetery and/or the big ol dry sinkhole that you can go down to the bottom.

The heat of the day can cool off by almost 30* when the afternoon thunderstorms roll in so be prepared for that. There are plenty of hang spots and some in the windy corridor to keep the cool breeze flowing all night.

Parking can be found at three locations. The North and South parking and Hidden Pond are all on the Florida Trail.
North- Pat's Island. Go South on the Florida Trail about 3.5 miles to the pond. Turn right at the pond to go into the common area.
South- Juniper Springs(entrance fee). Go North on the Florida Trail about 5.5 miles and turn left at the end of the pond...
West- Hidden Pond Short. Go East about 2 miles to the Florida Trail, turn South (right) for another .5 miles on the FT and again right at the pond.

This is wild Florida so you're on your own for water, food, chairs, bathroom, cover. This means bring water or drink of choice. Water can also be filtered from the pond. If you're hungry, bring your food and cook kit. If you want to sit off the ground, bring a chair/stool/pad. If you don't want to use leaves, bring your toiletries kit. If you don't want to get wet, bring your tarp or extra tarp for common area.

The usual folk that attend are some of the best friends a person can have so come on out and meet new friends. Have a heck of a time in the Florida Summer Pine Woods.

Hanger name: Where parking(in case others want to follow you in), what day(s) attending, time of arrival. Let the planning begin.
Floridahanger: Hidden Park Short, Sat-Sun, late afternoon(7-8pm)

**Randonneur** · 07-02-2018, 18:47

You forgot to change the year in the title.

I'd love to be there but I'll be riding my bike across Iowa that week.

**Floridahanger** · 07-02-2018, 19:03

Darn, thanks. Right on that.
Have fun and leave the cows alone. They didn't do anything to ya.
If you get sucked up into a tornado, make sure your gopro is running

Can't wait to hear the stories of this trip.

**Mark8408** · 07-02-2018, 22:03

I am hoping to make it. If I can I plan on being there on the 20th and hiking in on short or Pat’s island.

**sunsetkayaker** · 07-03-2018, 17:47

I am glad to see this post. Now I can start dreaming about camping season starting again. Can't make this one since I am driving south from Ohio on Saturday evening and flying north to Tennassee on Sunday. I got too many vacations going, I need a vacation.

**zukiguy** · 07-03-2018, 19:38

Anybody been to the pond lately? We've had tons for rain so it should be good but grass and algae were taking over on my last trip. I wonder how much longer our little oasis will last.

**Randonneur** · 07-03-2018, 19:52

Originally Posted by zukiguy

Anybody been to the pond lately? We've had tons for rain so it should be good but grass and algae were taking over on my last trip. I wonder how much longer our little oasis will last.

We need to start a "Save the Pond" hang. Everyone bring a rake to skim the algae off.

**O-Boy** · 07-04-2018, 08:24

Thanks Juan for starting the thread. I'm coming, I need some time out in the chigger infested woods! I'm bringing my UQ, learned my lesson last year, rain mixed with dropping temps (75) and strong breeze = chills and shakes. I hope others see this in time to work it into there schedule. Mark, let me know what time your planning on hiking in on the 20th and I might meet you at Pat's or Short. I know where to park for the short, but that is about it, the rest of the trail is unknown to me. We'll miss you Birdie's Girl!

**Floridahanger** · 07-04-2018, 10:58

Hanger name: Where parking(in case others want to follow you in), what day(s) attending, time of arrival. Let the planning begin.

Floridahanger: Hidden Park Short, Sat-Sun, late afternoon(7-8pm)
Mark8408: ?, Fri-Sun, ?
O-Boy: ?, Fri-Sun, ?

Zukiguy: showing interest.
Ricktorfla: showing interest.

Randonneur and sunsetkayaker, will miss yall, but remember we will have a hang in last weekend of September for Summer's Last Gasp. Have fun in your travels.

**O-Boy** · 07-05-2018, 08:49

For now, I'm thinking Pat's Landing about 9-10 am on Friday if I can get out of West Palm by 6:30 AM which is pretty hard to for me to do. I'd rather take the longer way in than the Short, rather enjoy the scenery. If anyone is interested in one of two entries, PM me and we can exchange phone numbers to coordinate ETA at either parking area.