Watching Shug's newest vid on his Memorial Day hang in the 30's made me want to go into the Piney Woods. The problem is that we only get those temps in DEEP Winter.
So... Let's go the opposite direction and take a trip after Independence Day. July 19-21, 2019 to be exact. I figure you Northerners are extreme to the cold side so we must take it to the hot side.
Anyone that wants to experience Florida's beautiful Piney Woods and are willing to trudge thru triple digits, come on down to Hidden Pond off of the Florida Trail in Ocala National Forest. Try your luck hiking the FT and dodging Turkey Vultures waiting on you to fail. J/K. The worries are the bears, bobcats, cottonmouths, cactus, stinging nettles, alligators, lightning, hail.....
It's a wonderful location at Hidden Pond. There is plenty of room for dozens and dozens of hangers. The common area between Hidden Pond and Crooked Sapling Pond almost always has a breeze flowing past it. Moving past here there are several other locations to have small groups throughout.
The Pond is a cool treat with a beach entry that can be seen in googlemaps on the North side of the pond. The common area is on the right side of Hidden Pond as you travel South on the FT.
This is Florida so be prepared to experience multiple climates on your hike in and throughout the stay at the pond. This is Florida so the weather changes from hot to cool to sunny showers to sever afternoon thunderstorms. This is Florida so we have calm clear skies to gale force winds to steady breeze. This is Florida so we can experience very buggy to bug-free days/nights. This is Florida, have I said that yet, so anything goes. And yes, I've had to use a UQ may times out here in Summer, YMMV.
The hike in can start from the North at Pat's Island using the FT ~3.5 miles
From the West at Hidden Pond Short moving East to the FT, turn right to pond ~2.5 miles
From the South at Juniper Springs moving North using the FT ~5.5 miles
Sooooo, Who's crazy enough to join me....
Hanger, dates attending, starting trailhead, ETA
1) Floridahanger, Fri-Sun, Hidden Pond Short, 9am-ish
before they have fun without you 
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Originally Posted by sunsetkayaker
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