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?

[shawn beightol]

those damn juvenile gators...they're always out there doing doughnuts and dragging their tales...

[Richard]

Perhaps the NPS should limit these gators to designated trails.

shawn beightol said:

those damn juvenile gators...they're always out there doing doughnuts and dragging their tales...

[Swamp Hunter]

Did you find the old pump?  Is that a photo of Roberts Lake #1 or #2?  Were you able to follow a spur to lake #1?

[Richard]

No luck on finding the pump. Had a real hard time finding indication of a spur. That's a photo of the lake closest to gator hook. We visited all three between the roberts lake trail and gator hook. All three were almost dry.

[Richard]

There's a way of embedding imagery to my GPS. It's possible to take older sat photos which show the spur better and embed them. I just got to figure out exactly how. This way we could follow the spur prisicely.

[Swamp Hunter]

I will be out there again eventually and mark the last section. Maybe trails can be made going to the lakes as well.. I just got back to town after 8 months in the swamp and Im getting used to my new surroundings. Kinda neat just to walk to the corner store. I have the lakes numbered as Roberts Lakes 1,2 and 3 being the furthest. There are a few smaller lakes that may be dry. But I know of a waterhole that may stay clean even in the dry season where I actually drank from it unfiltered but its north of the beaten path. Was that spur to lake 1 elevated and overgrown?

[Richard]

I couldn't find the spur to lake #1. Just walked through the woods finding the path of least resistance. It wasn't too difficult. Lake #2 was a challenge though. Lot of zigzagging through thick stuff.

[Swamp Hunter]

You wouldnt believe how hard those lakes were to find in the pre-GPS days. Even today its hard to find the tram because the GPS may be 10 feet off and thats all it takes to lose it.

[Swamp Hunter]

Here is the blog from the same girl from the nice family I was surprised to meet way out on the trail while I was repairing the benches.   http://www.chopchopbillygoat.net/?p=993 

"This Place is not Normal"

[Bill Riley]

Dale are you going back out anytime soon ? Last time I went out , I did some hammock camping and noticed most of yours/mine ribbons were gone once you get out of the thick heading toward the Old ft , which I believe is now a blue blaze. I'm thinking of going again soon and putting some more back up. What is the current color you are using and or have you already done this. You did have it pretty spot on to the old logging tram last we were out and it looks like instead of south near the point of the w someone has made a northern route that goes over holey rock area.

[Megan Digeon]

I am leading a hike out there on 2/14 and 3/13 with the Happy Hoofers Chapter of the Florida Trail Association. We will we start at the Gator Hook Trailhead and there will be some bushwhacking/marking involved to try an make it over to the old Florida Trail.  This will be in preparation for the March 13th hike.  We will stop over at Robert's Lake then hike north back to Oasis Visitor Center.  You are welcome to join us!  If there is a particular color of tape you would like, let me know since I haven't purchased any yet.

[shawn beightol]

I'm in to reblaze the middle section through the karst rock or around it or to try to re-identify the original tram route through there...or to find Dale's mysterious and infamous pump and mask...

...but I'm also looking to connect from Sig Walker airboat down to the path I pushed up from sweetwater bay chickee to open that route.  but that's another thread I'll post...