The bulk of our Florida Trail thru-hikers are now between the Suwannee River and the Apalachicola River, sending back reports as they go. It's been a

Web Version   Preferences  
FTguidebanner
Brett swamping

Pollen-laced tannic water to wade through in Lake Butler Forest (Brett Hessenius)

The bulk of our Florida Trail thru-hikers are now between the Suwannee River and the Apalachicola River, sending back reports as they go. It's been a terribly wet winter for hiking, no matter what part of the state you're in, and the pine flatwoods are filling up with water, making for some soggy tromps.

Here are the latest updates to The Florida Trail Guide. You can follow along with all of the long distance hikers on the Florida Trail while planning your own trek.

Kissimmee Prairie blaze what you can

Blaze where you can! On Kissimmee Prairie

UPDATES, FEBRUARY 2014

OKEECHOBEE WEST SECTION
p43. Seasonal jumps in lodging prices aren't uncommon in Florida but in Okeechobee they're almost silly, we discovered. The Holiday Inn Express wanted $159 (vs. $99 in the fall), the KOA $59 for a campsite. Your best budget options are the Flamingo Motel and the Budget Inn.

KISSIMMEE SECTION
The S-65A lock crossing is now open to hikers and a procedure is in place to use it. Call Kim Willis at SFWMD one week in advance of your expected arrival date: 800-432-2045 x3333. When you arrive at the lock, sound the horn. The tender will come out and see you across.

Full details of the permanent reroute along the Kissimmee River, including a mileage chart and map.

ORLANDO SECTION
p60. There is still a portable toilet sitting roadside along Deer Park Rd on the Deseret roadwalk, up at the north end not far from the junction with Nova Rd. It's been there for over a month.

p61. Christmas RV Park is no longer hiker friendly for water or showers. We'll be removing them from the next edition. However, the Christmas Baptist Church, adjacent to the post office, shows hospitality to hikers.

p71 map addition. Upper Crust Desserts 407-388-2011, 1830 Longwood Lake Mary Rd, is the business behind the "Bakery" sign visible at the intersection of Longwood-Lake Mary Rd and Ronald Reagan Blvd in Longwood behind the 7-11. Closed Sun-Mon. Owners Susan and Cheryl maintain a hiker log and take pictures of hikers coming through. And there's coffee. Stop in and say hi!

2014-02 update Spring Creek

Warning at Spring Creek Highway

OCALA SECTION
p80 map correction. FR at Penner Pond is now 74, not 77 as it is labeled on the map.

NORTHEAST FLORIDA SECTION
p91, Etoniah Creek State Forest. Fieldhouse Rd trailhead restrooms are locked because the well has run dry. No potable water is available at the trailhead. No date is posted as to when the well will be replaced. Get water at Iron Bridge!

p91. Laredo Mexican Restaurant is misspelled on map of Keystone Heights.
p92. It is Laredo Mexican Restaurant, not Larevo.

p92. It is impossible to cross Camp Blanding at this time because of a landowner closure on the western side of the section. Follow roadwalk instructions as given.

p93. The city of Hampton is being dissolved by legislative order due to long-time corruption uncovered in a state audit. However, we would expect hiker services to be unaffected by this plan.

p95, map. Lake Butler Seafood House and Carter's Fried Chicken have closed.

p95.The Lake Butler Forest section of the Florida Trail has recently been mowed and reblazed and is in much better shape than it has been in years, under the care of a new section leader.

BIG BEND SECTION
p122, mile 776.5. Due to hazardous conditions in the Spring Creek area (boardwalks removed and not yet replaced), you must follow a roadwalk around the section. Leave the trail at Spring Creek Highway (CR 365) and walk a quarter mile north to Jack Crum Rd (CR 375). Walk west 3.5 miles to Purify Bay Rd. Turn south and continue 1.5 miles on Purify Bay Rd to return to the trail. Hikers will miss Marsh Point campsite along this route but will be closer to Medart for hotels/resupply.

p127. No one is answering the phone at the Panacea Motel. They may have converted to long-term rentals. The Lighthouse Motel, 850-508-7760, is being restored and may have a room.
When visiting Panacea, go to Posey's Beyond the Bay, across from the Wakulla Welcome Center, for information, advice on camping, help and good food.

APALACHICOLA SECTION
p131, mile 794: When you get to the Sopchoppy River where the bridge is missing in the deep ravine, there is a blazed road walk around it. Shortly after starting the road walk there is an unblazed trail marked with a bunch of ribbon that is a short cut. It takes almost a mile off the road walk.

p132, mile 837.4: trail is poorly blazed and poorly maintained between SR 65 and Trail of Lakes junction.

p134, map: Veterans Memorial Railroad (850-643-6646) in Bristol is a new model train attraction (steam and diesel engines) that takes people on rides monthly and for special events. It is located in Veterans Memorial Park, along the trail route south of the library behind the Bristol Civic Center, 10561 NW Theo Jacobs Way.

The Snowbird Motel in Bristol has smoking rooms only

Thanks to Chase, Chenango, Rainbow, Ruth Lawler, iWalk, Swamptromper, and others for this month's updates.

If you're hiking and run across updates we need to know about to keep The Florida Trail Guide up to date - whether changes to the trail or changes to services - please let us know! Send a message to info@floridahikes.com with the information.

Cheers, Sandy & John
FloridaHikes.com

PS. We use this mailing list for sending out updates to the book as we have them, no more than monthly. You may have been added to the mailing list if you bought a copy from us. If you'd rather not receive updates, you can unsubscribe here.

facebook flickr instagram vimeo
1px