May trip - Gator Hook to Roberts Lakes Strand

[Keith W]

I have a mind to try and reach Robert's Lakes Strand from the Gator Hook Trail on the Monroe Station leg of the Loop. I know the Fl. Scenic Trail runs through the Strand on the eastern end but I have yet to hear of anybody coming in from the west. The first couple of miles of the old Gator Hook logging tram that runs southeast off the Loop has been cleared, but it's all wild after that. The line of the tram is still evident after the cleared path runs out, and I was able to follow it for about another half-mile but it gets pretty boggy in places. Anybody else have any info on this route?

[Dallas]

Planning another trip soon to try and follow the tram route in its entirety.

[Dallas]

We pushed through from Gator Hook Trail to the FT and then on North to Oasis in March. The water levels were low and the bugs were nil. The tram route was hard to follow towards the third leg of the "W" and we eventually lost it into the swamp.

[Dallas]

The pictures that didn't load with my last post...Sorry about the repeat postings.

[Swamp Hunter]

Hello Dallas. What pump were you able to find?

I also found a pump that someone was trying to pound into the ground at the end of a raised section but it wasnt working. Is this the pump you found? Did you take a picture?

I am still unable to locate the old working pump at the old loggers camp. Its on an island surrounded by water.

I am marking the old train tracks as I find them. Did you follow my ribbons or did you just bushwack straight across? Im living behind Monroe Station. Next time you are in the area stop in to the check station. Ask for Dale.

[Swamp Hunter]

Wow thats cool Dallas. I have been marking the trail for 20 years at least now. Its I that tied all the red ribbons so other hikers will make a permanent trail.  Its very tedious work. There is only a small section I am missing and the tracks appear to cross pinnacle rock at one point but its there I get lost.

 

I dont know who is trying to pound that pipe in the ground. As you see they are having trouble. I left my phone number in the dry box but nobody called. They need to hacksaw some cuts in a pipe nipple and turn it with the pipe wrenches. This will cut through the rock. Its also a little crooked.

 

Someone went through a lot of trouble carrying all that equipment out there but I dont know who is doing this?

Unfortunately this is not my lost loggers camp but you were very close. Its out there somewhere in the pretty section.. 

 

I used that tree stand 35 years ago when hunters ran dogs. Its actually much older. Just a reminder of days long gone. Thanks for posting.

[Swamp Hunter]

To clarify: 

 

I dont know if they have permission to set this well head, but if they do, I have some advice.

Cut a nipple with a hacksaw to make teeth as shown, screw it on the end, put it back in the hole straight and turn with 2 pipewrenches or homeade handles as shown to cut through the limestone.

 

Pump out as much sand as possible. Pull the pipe out.  Remove the nipple and install a wellhead or screen.  Good water will be found under the rock.

 

Like I said this is not the old existing well I speak of.

[Dallas]

Hi Dale,

I'm not sure who humped all that equipment out to the site. It must have taken a lot of effort. I did follow some ribbons just past the site with the well. I must have lost the trail after that because I stopped seeing any railroad ties or ribbons. Seems like the trail disappears into the swamp. I will be returning just as soon as it dries up a bit more. I have a GPS this time that actually has the "W" marked on it (the National Parks East map pack from Garmin), so that should help a bit. I am determined to follow the trail all the way through. I will look you up at Monroe Station when I'm there next. Do you have an estimation of where the actual logging camp is in relation to the "W"?

[Dallas]

There was a large harlequin (like mardi gras) mask hanging from a tree not too far beyond the site with the well that doesn't work. Did you put that there? It gave me a bit of a startle when I looked up and saw it hanging from the branch.

[Swamp Hunter]

LOL Yes I put it there. It was meant to scare Keith but he didnt see it, or he took a different trail. 

[Swamp Hunter]

I think the old camp is just a little past the Mardi Gras mask and a tad to the right (south) of the W but I cannot find it. Im not sure if its a loggers camp but there are pots and pans scattered about. The pump pumps sulphur water so I believe its a deep well made with machinery.

 

I was out after you and was able to mark it further. I saw your tracks. Yes the trail disappears in the ferns. I tied ribbons anywhere that I found a railroad tie. I could use all the help I can get. We need to find the rest of the ties and mark them and maybe the GPS will help.

[Swamp Hunter]

The old camp would be south of the 2nd leg before the center of the W.  I said earlier the 3rd leg was the prettiest section but the pretty section actually starts on the 2nd leg.

 

There is also another logging trail that branches off the 3rd W and loops back around north to 41, west of Oasis. It should probably be visible on Google Earth. I followed it last year. I ran out of water and luckily discovered a clean pond to drink from.

[Swamp Hunter]

Do you hike alone Dallas?