UPDATES, MARCH 2014
OKEECHOBEE EAST & WEST SECTIONS
The Army Corps of Engineers has shared their plans for more closures along the Herbert Hoover Dike - on both sides of the lake, simultaneously. This will further impact anyone trying to complete this section as part of a section hike or thru-hike. No dates are given, just intent of closures: p37-38 Moore Haven to Lakeport (OKEECHOBEE WEST), p173 Torrey Island to Rardin Park (OKEECHOBEE EAST). No word on when closed sections will reopen, or whether the Moore Haven to Lakeport work will affect the bike path paralleling SR 78 through the Fisheating Creek floodplain, where there is no dike for a three mile section.
KISSIMMEE SECTION
Full details of the permanent reroute of the Florida Trail to the east side of the Kissimmee River, including a mileage chart and map http://www.floridahikes.com/relocation-of-the-florida-trail-along-the-kissimmee-river
OCALA SECTION
p78 Farles Prairie relocation is complete and we hiked it last week. There are several new water sources (mainly ephemeral ponds, so depending on season) as well as some nice random, but dry, camping areas at least a mile beyond Farles Lake Recreation Area.
p84 Buckman Lock is now open for crossing daily 6:30 AM-3 PM except holidays. Say hi to Joe Lock (yes, his real name), the lockmaster, when you cross.
NORTHEAST FLORIDA SECTION
p92 The Florida Trail IS closed at Keystone Air Park. Do not bother to hike across Camp Blanding as you will encounter this permanent "go away" sign. Follow the instructions in the book for the roadwalk around to SR 100.
p95 Lake Butler Forest has been mowed and reblazed and is in much better shape than last season, but it is wet.
SUWANNEE SECTION
p104 The Florida Trail is being rerouted through the town of White Springs, which the town is very happy about - and you'll walk right past your resupply options. At the White Springs B&B, if you can find the owner, Judith, available (she's retired and doesn't open the B&B daily), she has a special hiker rate of $25.
p109 About a mile before Holton River Camp, you may encounter a large resident rattlesnake along the trail. At the River Camp, there is a bear "Rusty" raiding the garbage cans. To find what is being described as the oldest and largest bald cypress tree in North America: Head out the main road past the campground host's area at Holton River Camp to the locked gate. About 100 yards past the gate on the right side of the road there is orange flagging leading off into the woods. The tree is in a cypress slough about 0.2 down this trail.
p111 Park rangers at Suwannee River State Park shared that serial killer Ted Bundy's graffiti can be found on the side trail across the old US 90 bridge. It's on the downriver side towards the private home on the north bank guardrail and reads " T.R. Bundy 2/9/78."
BIG BEND SECTION
p115 Econfina River Bridge (Mile 687.1) is not a bridge, but rather a culvert with some water flowing thru it. Double River Bridge is actually right around mile 23 for the section (AFTER the above waypoint).
p122 data Wakulla River Camp has been moved to just 0.3 mile south of US 98, which makes it a much less desirable camping spot due to proximity to the road.
p122, mile 776.5 Per last month's update, the Florida Trail is presently closed between Spring Creek Rd and Purity Bay Rd after boardwalks were removed. Hikers who took the route anyway note that two new bridges are in place, but the boardwalks are not yet in, which means slogging through deep mud. The roadwalk around the closure is shown on a map at the closure point and described in last month's update. http://mad.ly/51e784
p125 Spring Creek Restaurant opens daily at 5 PM, weekends at noon.
APALACHICOLA SECTION
p133 Camel Lake Recreation Area has hot showers. The hosts are friendly and helpful.
p134 In Bristol, the Apalachee Restaurant has a daily AYCE lunch buffet special: $7.99 including bottomless cups of coffee & sweet tea. Freebird notes "This rivals any restaurant on any U.S. trail including the legendary 'Homeplace' in Cataba VA on the AT."
CENTRAL PANHANDLE SECTION
p139-40 Hikers report a less-than-friendly reception at the Cherokee Motel in Blountstown, being turned away despite an empty parking lot. The Airport Motel is an alternate option en route (closer to the Apalachicola River) to Blountstown, without services nearby. Or take care of your resupply needs while in Bristol (staying at the Snowbird Motel). Unfortunately, Blountstown has no other accommodations other than the Cherokee and Airport Motels, and no camping. Some hikers were taken in by a local church when they could find nowhere to stay.
p138 data Rattlesnake Lake at Econfina River Water Management Area has a beautiful white sand beach, covered pavillion with picnic tables, benches and two bathrooms. You can find this area by walking down the access road (which is lined by wood fences) or walking along the lake on an old jeep road at the blue blaze intersection to the Rattlesnake Lake Campsite. Both routes are only 0.1 mile off the trail.
p144 The hiker-friendly Ebro Motel offers a 10% discount for FT hikers, with nice rooms, free long-distance calls, a guest computer, and friendly staff. The Ebro BP is now a Marathon gas station. Subway remains on the premises.
OCEAN-TO-LAKE SECTION
p209, mile 0.0: The dike remains closed for construction near Port Mayaca, so don't try to access the lake from the NENA Trailhead
p211 data The DuPuis campground is at the south end of Loop 4 not Loop 3.
p213 If you plan to camp anywhere east of Corbett WMA Hunt Check Station and west of Riverbend Park, you must contact Palm Beach County (land manager) in advance for permission to camp on their lands. Contact Frank Griffith (561) 267-0423 cell, (561) 233-2486 office, or fgriffit@pbcgov.org. Palm Beach County law enforcement do patrol these properties after dark so you must have permission for camping. No ground fires are permitted, camp stoves only.
p213 mile 45.1: Management of trail lands east of Indiantown Rd are now with South Florida Water Management District. You do not enter Jonathan Dickinson State Park until you cross Hobe Grove Canal at mile 50.4.
p214 data: The trail has been substantially rerouted in Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Once we have those details, we'll share them with you. Meanwhile, follow signage and blazes.
