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?

[daniel]

that is really cool. i can't wait to see the video... thanks you guys.

[Keith W]

The pond apple sloughs that we saw last weekend were still pretty wet so the lake is probably still full of water. Give Oasis VC a call and they can probably give you better information.

[Swamp Hunter]

Hello Zolton. I didnt check it out but the trail from Oasis should be near dry. The lakes will hold water all year. Roberts Lakes are a scary place. The last time I walked to the edge of a lake every gator headed toward me. 

 

This is not my pic. I cant remember where it came from but it looks like it could be one of the lakes. Try to imagine every gator turning in your direction.

Zoltan Torok said:

Hi everybody,

This is my very first comment on this forum but have been following the conversations since I have joined this group. I am making a wildlife film for three years about the Everglades / Big Cypress / Fakahatchee for NatGeo (only wildlife, no interviews or presenters) and this year I plan a shoot at Robert's Lake when the big gator congregation happens. I checked the trail one month ago (the one that runs southbound from Oasis center) but it was too early, water was too deep.

How is the situation now? Does anyone know? It seems Keith hiked from the other direction. I may try (yet without camera) this week. 

Thanks.

[Swamp Witch]

Congratulations, guys!  Can't wait to get back down there.  Love that photo!

[Bill Riley]

That was a great hike , I had a blast.  I'll probably be back out there on the 30th.

[Zoltan Torok]

Hi Dale,

Thanks for the information. We will try this week with my friends.
Is this a recent photo?? Looks like the water is very shallow. My friends were there two years ago, in late April and then the lake was almost completely dry. I am looking for the conditions when there is about 2 feet or shallower water to film the feeding gators. Maybe then this it the right time, so we should hurry up.

Dale said:

Hello Zolton. I didnt check it out but the trail from Oasis should be near dry. The lakes will hold water all year. Roberts Lakes are a scary place. The last time I walked to the edge of a lake every gator headed toward me. 

 

This is not my pic. I cant remember where it came from but it looks like it could be one of the lakes. Try to imagine every gator turning in your direction.

Zoltan Torok said:

Hi everybody,

This is my very first comment on this forum but have been following the conversations since I have joined this group. I am making a wildlife film for three years about the Everglades / Big Cypress / Fakahatchee for NatGeo (only wildlife, no interviews or presenters) and this year I plan a shoot at Robert's Lake when the big gator congregation happens. I checked the trail one month ago (the one that runs southbound from Oasis center) but it was too early, water was too deep.

How is the situation now? Does anyone know? It seems Keith hiked from the other direction. I may try (yet without camera) this week. 

Thanks.

[Swamp Hunter]

When I was there it basically looked just like the photo but I cant remember what month it was. The photo I found online a few years ago so its old and it was supposedly taken at Roberts Lakes.

It may be a good idea to fly over. I talked to my friend yesterday who lives on Loop Road and he tells me he has flown over a few times. He warned me not to go there. He says he has spotted very large "dinosaurs" fighting in the Roberts Lakes area and I should be careful when I go in there. He says I shouldnt be fooling around back in there.

It was a few years ago I reached the center lake, I believe. I had to bust through sawgrass to reach the northern edge which was not well defined. Across the lake I could see that the large lizards had cleared a beachlike area of vegetation and were lounging on the bank. Im glad I didnt access the lake from that side.. And as I said all the gators turned and headed in my direction so I didnt stay long. I would imagine the lake holds water all year but maybe Im wrong. There are at least 3 lakes. 

As Keith said the Pond Apple sloughs still had water so the lakes should have plenty..

 

There is another good gator lake in Bear Island thats more accessible. Its also scary.

[Zoltan Torok]

Thanks Dale. Do you know what's the name of the lake in Bear Island? Maybe I check it out as well. Thank you.
...Fighting dinosaurs are exactly what I want to shoot and I prefer to make it in the wild than in an alligator park like lots of other crews on tight schedule do in these days.

 

Dale said:

When I was there it basically looked just like the photo but I cant remember what month it was. The photo I found online a few years ago so its old and it was supposedly taken at Roberts Lakes.

It may be a good idea to fly over. I talked to my friend yesterday who lives on Loop Road and he tells me he has flown over a few times. He warned me not to go there. He says he has spotted very large "dinosaurs" fighting in the Roberts Lakes area and I should be careful when I go in there. He says I shouldnt be fooling around back in there.

It was a few years ago I reached the center lake, I believe. I had to bust through sawgrass to reach the northern edge which was not well defined. Across the lake I could see that the large lizards had cleared a beachlike area of vegetation and were lounging on the bank. Im glad I didnt access the lake from that side.. And as I said all the gators turned and headed in my direction so I didnt stay long. I would imagine the lake holds water all year but maybe Im wrong. There are at least 3 lakes. 

As Keith said the Pond Apple sloughs still had water so the lakes should have plenty..

 

There is another good gator lake in Bear Island thats more accessible. Its also scary.

[Swamp Hunter]

I dont know the name of the lake. Its south of Bear Island Grade, west of the Pink Jeep campground, not far from the road. You have to walk a short distance through the bald cypress. I will try to look for the coordinates when I get a chance.

There is also a pond on Bear Island Grade not too far from the access gate on US 29 and another small pond off Perocchi Grade with gators but not quite as scenic but certainly wild. If you have a 4 wheel drive vehicle, it would be best to go to Oasis and purchase a $50 permit and you can use the street legal 4x4 on the grades. 

 

Zoltan Torok said:

Thanks Dale. Do you know what's the name of the lake in Bear Island?

[Connie Mier]

Dale, this photo is John Moran's, created in Paynes Prairiie, near Gainsville. I have a print on my wall, one of my favorite Moran photos.


Dale said:

Hello Zolton. I didnt check it out but the trail from Oasis should be near dry. The lakes will hold water all year. Roberts Lakes are a scary place. The last time I walked to the edge of a lake every gator headed toward me. 

 

This is not my pic. I cant remember where it came from but it looks like it could be one of the lakes. Try to imagine every gator turning in your direction.

Zoltan Torok said:

Hi everybody,

This is my very first comment on this forum but have been following the conversations since I have joined this group. I am making a wildlife film for three years about the Everglades / Big Cypress / Fakahatchee for NatGeo (only wildlife, no interviews or presenters) and this year I plan a shoot at Robert's Lake when the big gator congregation happens. I checked the trail one month ago (the one that runs southbound from Oasis center) but it was too early, water was too deep.

How is the situation now? Does anyone know? It seems Keith hiked from the other direction. I may try (yet without camera) this week. 

Thanks.

[Swamp Hunter]

OK thanks Connie. Its a cool pic.  

Connie Mier said:

Dale, this photo is John Moran's, created in Paynes Prairiie, near Gainsville. I have a print on my wall, one of my favorite Moran photos.

[Swamp Hunter]

http://www.evergladesonline.com/article-big-cypress.htm