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 Witch]

On New Year's Day 2014, I was out to Gator Hook to see what you guys have done, and the work is tremendous!!!  It’s hard to believe that you can just walk through the Center of the W without crawling and in just a few minutes compared to an hour or more.  Incredible.  Congratulations on all your hard work.  I really appreciate it!!!  This year rather than walk all the way to Roberts Strand and back, I just walked around in the Center of the W area.  Sat and ate my lunch in this beautiful area that you have opened up.  I also like that there are minimal markers/ribbons in the Gauntlet.  Frequent marks would ruin this stretch.  EVERYONE, you MUST walk this trail at least once.  It’s clearly marked and only 6 miles round trip.  You might get wet and muddy, but so what.  Help Dale to achieve his Goal #2 (encourage use to keep the trail open).  You won’t regret it.

[daniel]

i am excited to do this, and have had fun reading this thread (and all of them)... i have spent tons of time on the water in south florida, but not nearly enough time hiking. thanks for doing this, and making it a little easier for pikers like me. 

[Swamp Hunter]

Thanks for the nice comments Pam.  Its a work in progress. The Fla Trail people also helped.

Yes the Gauntlet no longer needs any ribbons. Im afraid to remove any other ribbons until the rest of the trail becomes established.

The part that I would like to see finished is just before the center of the W in the Holey Rock area. This is one of the few places that Brazilian Pepper have invaded. All other vegetation is protected but a path may be cut through the invasive Hollys or they can be removed. . I have marked this missing tram section with an orange dotted line. Its seems like a very short distance on paper but its very thick. When completed the existing detour in red X's should be removed. Its hard work and will take some time just to find any surviving railroad ties but its necessary IMO to stay on the original tram line .. Im sure this was the intentions of the NPS, as its marked on the map and trailhead kiosk as an official existing trail...

Swamp Witch said:

On New Year's Day 2014, I was out to Gator Hook to see what you guys have done, and the work is tremendous!!!  It’s hard to believe that you can just walk through the Center of the W without crawling and in just a few minutes compared to an hour or more.  Incredible.  Congratulations on all your hard work.  I really appreciate it!!!  This year rather than walk all the way to Roberts Strand and back, I just walked around in the Center of the W area.  Sat and ate my lunch in this beautiful area that you have opened up.  I also like that there are minimal markers/ribbons in the Gauntlet.  Frequent marks would ruin this stretch.  EVERYONE, you MUST walk this trail at least once.  It’s clearly marked and only 6 miles round trip.  You might get wet and muddy, but so what.  Help Dale to achieve his Goal #2 (encourage use to keep the trail open).  You won’t regret it.

 

[Swamp Hunter]

I can go almost anytime in Jan or Feb.  Who else wants to go? The area is about 2 miles down the trail.

Im working in from waypoint 150 and from the Hollys at Holey Rock. If someone would stand at point 150 and yell, I could try and reach them. The footing is treacherous but this is the route of the original tram and is basically higher ground.. Waypoint 151 is most likely a floater (RR tie) that floated south during high water.

[Dallas]

Dale, I'm ready to head out there. Maybe in a couple of weeks when the water goes down a bit from the recent rains?

[Swamp Hunter]

I can go next weekend

[Swamp Hunter]

Anyone and everyone. Meet me at the Gator Hook Trailhead on Sunday morning early... Martin Luther King weekend... weather permitting.  Come one, come all. Your footprints are needed to keep this trail open.

Walk at your own pace or walk with me.  It will be a nice cool day .If you cant keep up with this old man, you can easily find your way back as the first mile of the trail is well defined.  It will be invigorating and I know I need to get out walking more.

 

[Swamp Hunter]

Lets go. As you know, most of the trail is elevated. The water should not be very deep. Its only rough in the beginning and at the washouts.  The water is not deep once we get out to the pretty section.

Dallas said:

Dale, I'm ready to head out there. Maybe in a couple of weeks when the water goes down a bit from the recent rains?

[Bill Riley]

I'll try to be down there Sunday at 6am

[Keith W]

Gonna be chilly. Highs in the mid 60s, lows in the 40s on Sunday. Much of the trail is elevated but much of it, nearly half, is not. That's a long way to walk through cold water that won't get enough sun to warm up.  I'd do it if it was dry but it ain't and dealing with freezing feet all day is not for me. Let us know how you make out.

[Swamp Hunter]

I remember climbing a swaying cypress tree and trying to hang on and keep still in near freezing weather, feet soaking wet, teeth chattering wind, couldnt hold the rifle steady but still got a deer.. But I was younger then. Well I dont like rubber boots so Ill be watching the weather. I think if we keep moving should be OK. Mid 60s is perfect but should we move the date forward a week?

[yakmaster]

it'll only get dryer...

and warmer