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]

I will be at the Gator Hook Trailhead at 6 AM Saturday morning. Purpose of my trip- to find the missing railroad ties.

[yakmaster]

Best trailcam album I've ever seen is Ron Bergeron's. He's got some cameras up in his properties (particularly around his feeders and his watering holes) and the pix are AMAZING! Deer, turkey, bear, panther, just enjoying the Florida vistas!
 
Dale said:

Yea it does kinda look like a pig.  I dont think its Big Cypress either but its almost assuredly South Florida. I didnt read it but I like the photo. Looks like a trail cam. I have found bloated alligator killed deer off Loop Road but its hard to get the actual take down on film. A gator will usually let the animal soften up before eating it at a later date. 

I have seen a wasp nest off Loop Road but not that big.

I hastily labeled Big Cypress for the Big Cypress Sportsmans Alliance but I should relabel them for clarification.

 

I wonder if the panther was treed by dogs or it just climbed a tree for the view lol? Maybe I should go back and read it. Hunters brought me so many amazing panther, deer, bear photos and videos that I cant remember half of them. Trail cams are amazing and bears and panthers are everywhere now in the Big Cypress region..

[Swamp Hunter]

I made it back home safely from my Gator Hook Trail hike. After working on the trail, I walked in search of railroad ties on the 3rd leg and 4th leg headed towards Roberts Lakes. I cleared my GPS for the trip back and it said I walked 4.73 miles. Could this be correct? Add the zigzagging walk out and I must have surpassed 10 miles. I walked from 6 AM to 6 PM stopping only to eat crackers. The water was way down from 6 days ago. I removed all the roach infested trash from the bench builders camp. On the way home I stopped to eat at Tippys and the Indians were getting ready for a party. They invited me to stay and watch the cable fights but unfortunately I had to decline. I hope I wasnt being rude but I had a long drive home and I was tired. I will post a map later. Im thinking that this may be one of the most unique if not the most beautiful trail in the USA. Make the hike from Paces Dike to Gator Hook to include pinelands habitat and it would be even more unique. There are some problems with the trail I will discuss later that need to be corrected. We are by no means finished.

 

As far as seeing any critters last weekend, I forgot to mention Bill saw 3 panthers together in a group and some hikers we met pointed to a large Yellow Rat snake off the side of the trail. 

[Zoltan Torok]

Thanks Dale. I was away filming in the Glades, dry season is peaking, lots of stuff happening.

I would be delighted to hear more about the lake with spoonbills and alligators, especially if it's easy to access. It does matter a lot with filming equipment. :) 

You can also drop me a mail.  [e-mail]

Thanks.

Dale said:

The was no water on the trails. The only water that had to be crossed was encountered at the large washouts and it may have been possible to walk around them. I just went straight across, water no higher than shin high, way below the knees.

Water was not a problem. We tried to mark the trail on the higher ground so it could be utilized during the wet season. We are way into the dry season,.

 

Zolton I didnt realize that Roberts Lakes would ever dry up but if it ever does dry up, it would seem to me the opportune time to film some angry hungry gators stranded in a small mudhole but Im sure you know what conditions you are seeking.. I know a place that brings in Roseate Spoonbills along with plenty of gators for beautiful pictures when the conditions are right and very accessible.

[Swamp Witch]

Dale your mileage is correct.  According to my GPS, from the Gator Hook trailhead to the Florida Trail and back, with some wandering is about 11 miles.  Visiting Roberts Camp adds another 1/2.

I noticed something interesting on your map compared to mine.  You guys mostly took southern routes around obstacles and I mostly took northern ones.  Would you mind posting your .gdb file?  I’d like to compare it to mine with your actual data.

As for critters, I don’t see many except vultures - lots of those.  I have seen adult and juvenile Cottonmouths.  One adult was lying in wait at the end of the gauntlet (going east).  I would like to see a live gator but the closest I’ve come is finding a baby alligator skull.  Maybe not seeing a gator is a good thing?

[Swamp Hunter]

Hello Zolton. I took the Roseate Spoonbill/Gator pic on April 13. 2012 so you still have time. Email coming.

 

Thanks Dale. I was away filming in the Glades, dry season is peaking, lots of stuff happening.

I would be delighted to hear more about the lake with spoonbills and alligators, especially if it's easy to access. It does matter a lot with filming equipment. :) 

[daniel]

swamp witch, i'm shocked you guys don't see more animals back in there... especially gators! they seem to be everywhere...  places i go, i see tons of gators, birds, sometimes bobcats, crocs, lots of snakes and frogs, small mammals... raccoons, etc...  i would think you would see more/different stuff. though i guess there are lots of places to hide. places i have been are mostly closer to salt, mangrove... that kind of terrain. i am really interested in hiking out here though... this is a great thread. thanks again.

[Swamp Hunter]

Pam, we took the southern route which skirts the edge of a Pond Apple slough because it was easiest but it will be underwater in the wet season . I got temporarily lost on the north side Saturday and followed the white ribbons back. 

 

I dont believe the north route or the south route should be used. I believe we need to bust straight thru the center and stay on the elevated tram. Its the most direct route, the dryest, and the NPS preferred route. I actually got lost coming and going on the south route. Someone unfamiliar with the area will not be able to follow the trail. This will need to be fixed. Its also imperative that the trail goes thru the Holey Rock center of the W.  If a hiker cannot find the elevated center W, they will not be able to access the shady trail that goes thru the cocoplum tunnels, solution holes, hammocks and rock ridges.

 

Im not sure what a .gdb file is but I will post my route later today. I found another little Gauntlet on the 3rd leg.

 

Btw someone was out clearing the trail big time. They weed-eated the trail to at least 4 to 5 feet wide all the way to the second large washout so we will not have to worry about this section for several years perhaps. It looks beautiful and I hope they keep clearing at least to the Gauntlet. Maybe the NPS has been reading this lol and decided to help us out.. What a beautiful trail its turning out to be.  

 

Dale your mileage is correct.  According to my GPS, from the Gator Hook trailhead to the Florida Trail and back, with some wandering is about 11 miles.  Visiting Roberts Camp adds another 1/2.

I noticed something interesting on your map compared to mine.  You guys mostly took southern routes around obstacles and I mostly took northern ones.  Would you mind posting your .gdb file?  I’d like to compare it to mine with your actual data.

[Swamp Hunter]

I havent posted my trail from Saturday yet but here is our previous route from Mar9. . I made an adjustment (blu line) of the approximate old tram line. It makes a sharper turn at the center than I first realized. You can almost follow the Gumbo Limbos that only grow on elevated ground or hammocks.

[Swamp Hunter]

The pythons and panthers have eaten almost everything. The gators all seem to end up in Roberts Lakes or the canals.. I believe the wildlife will return as I am seeing some tracks.

I did walk up on a flock of Wood Storks feeding. I disturbed them both coming and going. There are very few small mammals that were able to survive the recent python onslaught. There is also no telling how many native snakes are eaten by Pythons.  I believe small mammals will come back as they learn to cope with a new danger. Its the survival of the fittest and the smartest; the survival of those that can adapt to a new predator. 

 

daniel said:

swamp witch, i'm shocked you guys don't see more animals back in there... especially gators! they seem to be everywhere...  places i go, i see tons of gators, birds, sometimes bobcats, crocs, lots of snakes and frogs, small mammals... raccoons, etc...  i would think you would see more/different stuff. though i guess there are lots of places to hide. places i have been are mostly closer to salt, mangrove... that kind of terrain. i am really interested in hiking out here though... this is a great thread. thanks again.

[daniel]

yeah, the big snakes are a problem... i do run across them... we have seen them all the way down in florida bay, close to islamorada...

i didn't know panthers were killing stuff, too... i thought they were few and far between (i guess i am still thinking of the 80s)... i'd still love to see one (never have). does any one have any real numbers on them? 

[Zoltan Torok]

I have read between 100-200, official estimation is around 160 right now (just read somewhere), but I have a feeling that maybe they started to do well and get used to the people presence, trail cams show amazing things, panthers passing only minutes after people walked there.

daniel said:

yeah, the big snakes are a problem... i do run across them... we have seen them all the way down in florida bay, close to islamorada...

i didn't know panthers were killing stuff, too... i thought they were few and far between (i guess i am still thinking of the 80s)... i'd still love to see one (never have). does any one have any real numbers on them?