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?

[Bill Riley]

I'm interested in the 3/13 .... If I go hiking on 2/14 (Valentine's Day) pretty sure I'll end up a permanent fixture as the wife may kill me :)

[Megan Digeon]

I'll post more details as it gets closer.  Likely, we will meet at Oasis Visitor Center at 8AM.

[Phares Heindl]

How long of a trip would this be? Would it go through swamps and wetlands or just on higher ground?

[Megan Digeon]

It will be around 7-8 miles in total.  It will be on both dry and wet/swampy ground.  We've had a pretty wet season so I wouldn't be surprised if the water is about knee deep in some places.

[vivian]

I will sign up for the 3/13 trip thanks for leading this one, have not been on this trail and happy to have Happy Hoofers leading it.

[Steve Irwin]

Hi, I'm new here, Steve, AKA "Groupertoes" been watching this thread for a while.  I hiked Gator Hook last Sunday to within a mile of the center of the "W".  There is a lot of water, in fact the log jam section had waist deep water.  Loved the trail and am looking forward to spending some more time there.  I'm primarilly a day hiker and spend a lot of time in the Fakahatchee, and BC.  You all can see some photos of last weeks hike or my others by just Googling "Groupertoes Adventures" and going to my Google+ page.   I'm glad to be here and look forward to participating.

[Swamp Hunter]

In my opinion, the northern route, across the limestone/holey rock area, in the middle section, is on higher, drier ground and is the original logging tram bed..   We were using orange ribbons as we discovered railroad ties and partial sections of raised earth. But i dont know if the ribbons remain.   The FTA chose yellow as the trail blaze color.   I pulled down all the orange ribbons on the winding southern route because it was incorrect. (besides being underwater most of the year).  If the ribbons are gone on the northern route, it may be hard to follow but hopefully some are still there.  It was a lot of work discovering that middle section.   I dont know anything about blue ribbons..   I dont know if the trail will ever officially connect to the FT and I havent been out there. But that middle section is absolutely gorgeous.

Bill Riley said:

 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...  which I believe is now a blue blaze. 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.

[Swamp Witch]

I was out there on January 1 and hiked to the Florida Trail and back.  The water was high so I didn’t do any major exploring.  The Gator Hook trail is blazed in yellow paint up to the point where the Gauntlet starts to become overgrown and enter the Center of the W area.  The Center of the W still has the orange flagging tape and the flags are easy to follow.  I had no problems following the trail.  There are no yellow blazes on this section or when you come out on the other side.  When you do come out on the other side, there is some faded flagging tape (looks pink now) for a few yards.  After that, you periodically come across faded flagging tape, usually just the knot, until reaching the Florida Trail, which is now blazed with blue paint on this portion.

 

On my drive out to Gator Hook I finally saw a sight that I have been looking forward to for years.  I would have preferred it had occurred while hiking, but I’m not complaining.  A Panther trotted across 41 in front of my car near the 10k Island NWR.  I was so excited!  And while at the Gator Hook parking lot loading up my backpack, three alligators started bellowing at each other.  I managed to record some of it on my point and shoot camera.  What a great way to start to a great hike.  Have fun.  Wish I could be there.

[Swamp Hunter]

Yea some of those ribbons are biodegradable and they will deteriorate in the sun. They seem to last longer in the shade.

 

I found another interesting, write up online with enjoyable pictures. http://npplan.com/parks-by-state/florida-national-parks/big-cypress...   

He seems to have trademarked the name The Gauntlet of Mud™ for the Gauntlet. It was never muddy in the past and I had not realized that an increase in hikers would create such a muddy path.  Oh well.  That gauntlet is without a doubt on the original tram.  There was a time I was afraid of losing this section of the trail, so I guess its a trade off. 

He says "the Gauntlet of Mud™ is the highlight".  He says quote: "In truth, once you get to the end of the Gauntlet of Mud™ you might as well turn around, because that’s where the fun ends, if you can call walking in mud fun."  

Well, I certainly disagree. While the Gauntlet is indeed an interesting section, it is just the beginning.  He made it to the benches and this is where the trail officially ends, because this is where the yellow blazes end.  But it is certainly not the end. Indeed it is only the beginning. After the benches the Bald Cypress start, the maples, the deep swamp, the orchids, tales of Skunk Ape sightings and deep jungle.  I hate to say it, but by turning back at this point, like so many others, he missed the best part of the Gator Hook Trail, the center of the W, the lost loggers camp, ghosts of the Calusa, the mysterious unexplored part that keeps calling us back.  

 

[shawn beightol]

Dale, you are the stuff legends are made of!

[Swamp Hunter]

 Although he missed the best part, I actually like the article, Its pretty good and its funny. Make sure you read it, if you have time. 

He says lol:  "Is this trail a sick joke played on hikers by the National Park Service?"  .... "By the time I got back I had twisted my ankle four times, fallen into the Gauntlet of Mud™ twice, and tripped well over 100 times on the Cypress knees—you can’t go twenty feet without tripping."   (And he caught poison ivy).

[Dallas]

i agree, the best parts are past the benches.