FTA upcoming hikes

[vivian]

Big Cypress Chapter

Hikes in March – April

Call 305-608-6866 or [e-mail] for info.



March 23rd Saturday Day hike

Gatorhook tramway trail in Big Cypress National Preserve

6 miles or more total, sections may be muddy or flooded. Cleared tramway runs for 2.4 mi, some water crossings. This trail follows the old Gatorhook tramway, this was the raised bed for the small gauge rail line to haul cypress logs out of the swamp.

Public

Strenuous rating due to terrain.



April 21st Sunday Day hike

Roberts’ Lakes Strand south of Oasis ranger station/visitor center

6 miles or more total, sections may be muddy or flooded. We will hike into the strand swamp, hard hike but definitely worth it to see this beautiful flooded forest.

Public

Strenuous rating due to terrain.



April 28th Sunday Day hike

Collier Seminole FTA loop trail Collier Seminole State Park

Full day (10 hrs+) due to travel time.

6 miles or more total, sections may be muddy or flooded. This trail loops through pine lands and swamp, very diverse habitats.

Public

Strenuous rating due to terrain.

[Miami101]

Looks good might take you up on this Winds have been blowing so would make for something great to do.

[vivian]

I can't the hike this weekend but thought it would be of interest with all the discussion on Gator Hook and Roberts Lake.  The FTA is a great organization to join if you want to expand your range but prefer to do this with a group. I've learned a great deal from many of the members and the cost is very minimal.  I belong to the Ft Lauderdale chapter, the Happy Hoofers :-) 

http://www.floridatrail.org/html/page.cfm/happyhoofers

 

These hikes are being organized by the Miami chapter.

 

http://www.floridatrail.org/html/page.cfm/bigcypress

[Miami101]

Looks good looking into it. I know lots of people that have never step foot in the Glades that would love to go out, and see why I'm in love with Florida.

vivian said:

I can't the hike this weekend but thought it would be of interest with all the discussion on Gator Hook and Roberts Lake.  The FTA is a great organization to join if you want to expand your range but prefer to do this with a group. I've learned a great deal from many of the members and the cost is very minimal.  I belong to the Ft Lauderdale chapter, the Happy Hoofers :-) 

http://www.floridatrail.org/html/page.cfm/happyhoofers

 

These hikes are being organized by the Miami chapter.

 

http://www.floridatrail.org/html/page.cfm/bigcypress

[Swamp Hunter]

Yes we have been discussing this on another thread. There is NO WAY the "cleared tramway runs for 2.4 miles". Not yet. Some of the old railroad ties are still hidden in the muck and thick vegetation and we are discussing our ongoing attempts to re-discover and mark the unexplored missing trail sections. Any help from the NPS or the FTA will be most appreciated.

 

March 23rd Saturday Day hike

Gatorhook tramway trail in Big Cypress National Preserve

6 miles or more total, sections may be muddy or flooded. Cleared tramway runs for 2.4 mi, some water crossings. This trail follows the old Gatorhook tramway, this was the raised bed for the small gauge rail line to haul cypress logs out of the swamp

[vivian]

Dale, you should contact the Big Cypress chapter and the activity leader that is posting the hike. I am sure they would appreciate information from your treks into this area.  I have listed the email address on the initial post.

[Swamp Hunter]

Thanks Vivian.  Maybe I will do that.  The old overgrown tram is transforming into a beautiful trail.  Do you know what time they are meeting at the trailhead?

[vivian]

No, I do not belong to that chapter.  I received the email as general correspondence to all members.

[Miami101]

They are going on Sat March 23. I'm going to this one it will be my 1st time going into this area. I'm working on picking up new area, and doing sifferent things. Contact them if your going it should be good.

Dale said:

Thanks Vivian.  Maybe I will do that.  The old overgrown tram is transforming into a beautiful trail.  Do you know what time they are meeting at the trailhead?

[Swamp Hunter]

Please post a story when you get back. Maybe you can shed some light on the mysterious "bench builders." I think the benches are somewhere around the 2 mile mark (wild guess).

 

I picked up one of the benches to see how heavy it was and it would have taken 2 determined people to carry each preassembled bench. Just sayin...

[Swamp Hunter]

How far did you get?  Did you make it past the primitive camp?

Miami101 said:

They are going on Sat March 23. I'm going to this one it will be my 1st time going into this area.

[Miami101]

I saw the same benches we started to talk about it maybe they got taken via parts, and put together.

Not sure what is the primitive camp I saw a circle with stomps. We saw Owls, Deers, birds, and lots of plaints...putting up the shots. I'm in for March 30 learn alot about myself on this trip. Also saw the Rangers on the way out, and ask them about the benches they did not respond on them. I can say I loved them, and gave me a nice break.

Dale said:

Please post a story when you get back. Maybe you can shed some light on the mysterious "bench builders." I think the benches are somewhere around the 2 mile mark (wild guess).

 

I picked up one of the benches to see how heavy it was and it would have taken 2 determined people to carry each preassembled bench. Just sayin...

[Swamp Hunter]

Hunters are allowed to bring camping equipment into the Big Cypress Preserve in September and set up camp as long as everything is removed after the season in April of the following year. Thats called a "primitive camp".