It's that time again, folks. Time to celebrate the coming of cooler temperatures, to celebrate the last hang where you might not need under insulation, to celebrate friends old and new.
Hidden Pond is located in Ocala National Forest, in the Juniper Prairie Wilderness Area. Access is traditionally along the Florida Trail (follow the orange blazes), with parking available at Pat's Island (free, hidden back off of FR 46) and Juniper Springs ($12.72 per night per vehicle, but gated and monitored). Also, anywhere else along the Florida Trail will eventually lead you here if you head in the correct direction (but I'm not going to detail all of the parking for its 1,500+ mile length ).
If coming in from the north (Pat's Island), head south (left from the road) along the FT for approximately 3.5 miles. You will come down an hill into a clearing with a squarish pond on the right hand side (this is Hidden Pond). Before you hit the pond, there will be a fairly obvious footpath (it's not blazed, though), heading back into a small oak hammock. Follow that path; it leads back to the fire ring and most of the good hanging spots.
If coming in from the south, head north (right from the parking lot's entrance) for approximately 5 miles. You will also come down an hill into a clearing with a squarish pond, but the pond will be on your left hand side and the path will be after the pond.
Last year's trip report can be found here. Hope to see you all there!
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