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?

[Swamp Hunter]

Unfortunately my work is about over for the season. I was hoping to stay through Turkey Season but the funds have been transferred. I have enjoyed my 4 months living at Monroe Station. It will take me several trips to town to move everything out. Im going to try to walk the logging tram before I go.

[Dallas]

Hey Dale,

I went out last weekend for a walk. I made it to the pump that does not work. I was planning on hiking all the way through to the FT and on to Oasis but the water levels were a bit too high still. I actually saw gators for the first time on this trip. I was going to stop in and look you up but I had a 6.5 mile bike ride back to pick up the car and I was losing daylight. I'm sorry to hear you will be leaving the Monroe Station area as I had hoped to connect with you at some point and possibly do the hike all the way through. I think March is a good time to go out as far as water levels are concerned. I did it twice in March last year and it was nice. Send me a message if you'd like to try it in March this year. I think it is a worthwhile effort to find and connect the lost trail before it is gone for good (which it almost is). Oh, BTW, I saw your note you left in the dry box out there. It seemed as if no one had been out there for a long time as nothing seemed to have been disturbed at that camp (your note was basically rotten and tattered but still laying on top of everything in the box). I took many pictures. If you are interested, I can send you some. Take care.

[Dallas]

Dale, what do you do at Monroe Station?

[Swamp Hunter]

I run the check station for FWC.

 

Heres an interesting read I found on the internet from 2011. Apparently people are still getting lost in the swamp. Basically they lost the Gator Hook Trail and for some unknown reasoning, near sunset, decided to walk out south and then east. Very foolish. They actually made many mistakes before even leaving the trailhead. The author who was wearing gym shorts, instead of taking total responsibility, for being unprepared, claims some ribbons are to blame and had considered suing the NPS for not marking the trail better. In the end they survived unharmed and I hope their mistakes didnt stop them from enjoying the swamp again. Some people have a bad experience and never come back.   http://flcenterlitarts.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/lost-in-the-evergla...

 

We thought we were on a nature walk that would take three or four hours and deliver us back at the starting point, not a trail that would disappear and dump us unguided into a primordial swamp.

[Swamp Hunter]

Dallas, yea March is the best time. I dont think that far ahead but I plan on going out soon (before Feb 1) during the Python hunt. Im waiting for a cool spell. The water should be lower than a few weeks ago. 

Not being too snoopy but I noticed food in the "dry box." I dumped out the water. It was full of cockroaches and they eat paper. Im surprised a bear didnt tear it up. They should know not to leave food in the woods even though raccoons are rare. I didnt see one racoon. I honestly didnt see a single raccoon, opossum or armadillo, day or night, in 5 months of living behind Monroe Station. Thats how serious of a problem we have in the interior of the swamp.

I did however hear several large animals sneaking around at nite, busting palmettos.. Bears and panthers are plentiful. They didnt bother me so I didnt bother them.

 

Im headed out in the next few days before the Python hunt is over. Maybe Wednesday or Thurs.. Im waiting for it to cool down. We have an opportunity to make the trail connection wherever we want. I think it should follow the original RR tracks, which is probably the highest ground. If we mark the trail, others will be sure to continue following and it will become permanent. The only reason it goes as far as it does is because I blazed the trail myself. Not the Park Service and not the Trail Assoc. I have been working on it for 20 years or more. I would like to include the logging camp if I can find it before I die.

 

I did a lot of work last time out. I marked every spot I found a railroad tie on the GPS and with a ribbon. I just need to connect the dots. One particular spot is interesting where a pond (with fish) is dug on each side. It also seems to cross bare pinnacle rock with no soil.  Thats where I lose it. I could certainly use some help, thanks Dallas, and let me know when you can make it.  Your GPS will help. I dont feel old when Im out there. The "primordial swamp" is so relaxing. There is no way the Park Service workers will go this far so we will know in our heart, we plotted the Gator Hook Trail and saved it for future generations. Yes I think its a worthwhile effort.

[Swamp Hunter]

I just want to add that the people who humped all that equipment out and set up the benches are doing a good job. It may be a hiking group.  I think it is they who are clearing the trail up to this point and it makes it easier to walk. A big thank you from me.

[vivian]

Good story and a reminder to all of us that are curious enough to try and see where that trail or creek leads to. It's easy to get turned around in these areas so devoid of landmarks, anything to have as a reference point to place you in that flat country.

[Dallas]

I second that

[Swamp Hunter]

Its very easy to get lost. There is no such thing as a 3 or 4 hour leisurely walk into the deep swamp section of the the Big Cypress. I enjoyed the story because I have been there myself. But I chose to walk west and another time north. But not in gym shorts. They broke all the rules. No compass, no GPS, it sounds as if they didnt have a knife, water, fire or flashlight. They had none of the bare basic necessities.  They survived but it could have gotten ugly real fast.

[daniel]

agree 100%

[Swamp Hunter]

I went out to Gator Hook Trail yesterday. I started out at 6 AM and I didnt get back until 6PM. I walked all day. Someone was out with white ribbons and someone else tied pink ribbons and its a big help.. My ribbons are orange. 

  

I walked to the last pink ribbon and by late morning, I had found the missing raised tram section. I also found my first Gumbo Limbo tree in the area. But because its a little higher ground, this tram section also happens to be the most overgrown. Its near impossible to cut a walking path. I dont like to use the word "cut" because the NPS might not approve, so I will use the word "crush." I crushed my way through with all my strength but was unable to succeed and I decided to give up entirely on an impossible project. It was very frustrating to find the tram but not be able to walk it, or even mark it.

 

I decided to bushwack my way straight across to the 2 small ponds I spoke of on each side of the tram and the area I call "Holey Rock." I found it and marked it better this time. Its the very center of the W. I marked the very center of the W!  It will be part of the trail because it has railroad ties.  I am a little reluctant to post the coordinates online because I found some unusual orchids in bloom. That place is orchid city!  The area also harbors some of the largest Bald Cypress perhaps missed by the loggers. What type of orchid blooms in late January with groups of 10 little yellow flowers?  I decided to try and crush the trail backwards across the bare rock section.   I tried to "crush" a path across "holey rock" but made little progress.  Its bare rock but small bushy trees like Cocoplum are growing in some of the holes. I decided to walk back to the new pump and try to regroup my thoughts.

 

I decided to spend the afternoon looking for the old loggers camp with the sulphur well. I zig-zaged for hours across the area south and southeast of the Mardi Gras mask. I stumbled and bumbled but could not find it. I could not find a single Paradise Tree.  However I found an area that looks promising. The old camp is on an island.  I remember seeing large seashells possibly left by the Calusa. I remember it was surrounded by Pond Apple and Alligator flags. The Calusa may have canoed to it.  I studied my old pictures. I could see a large Bald Cypress in the distant. . This may be it!  But as I stood within the Alligator Flags, I concluded it was too risky. I just dont like wading over my thighs if I dont have too. Im too far out, on my own, no phone signal.  Not that the phone would do me much good in an alligator death roll or worse a python constriction, I thought to myself. I will come back in March when the water is lower.

 

At the time I was at the center W, I thought I was a failure and I will never live to see the trail marked in its entirety. Its just too much work. As I was walking back, I think back to when I first stated exploring the old logging tram in the 80's in the days before GPS technology. You couldnt walk anywhere. The raised portions were completely overgrown. A hiker had to walk alongside.  Every washout was a challenge and seemed like the end of the trail.  But I kept exploring, finding the next raised portions. The gauntlet area (by the old tree stand) had no trail in the center. I was worried it would get lost so I kept crushing down the sawgrass.  I look down and see its so well used today and hard to imagine ever losing it.

The trail now is beautiful. A hiker can walk the raised portion all the way to the new pump camp... Something that I never would have conceived possible in the 80s when I actually had to crawl on my hands and knees to get this far...

 

So Im not giving up. Now that its an official trail. others will follow. Its now the season to hike. It would be nice if the NPS would clear the trail a little more. The original Gator Hook Trail plan included a boardwalk.  I can envision some little bridges crossing the washouts.  That would be cool. Its actually becoming something that the NPS can be proud of. Its actually becoming something beautiful.

[Dallas]

Nice post Dale. I agree that with some determination, the trail can once again be recovered and restored. I'm looking forward to when the water levels drop a bit more and I can head out again to do some more searching.