In less than a week we'll be meeting up with the largest group of Florida Trail thru-hikers headed out this season into the Big Cypress Swamp. Awaitin

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In less than a week we'll be meeting up with the largest group of Florida Trail thru-hikers headed out this season into the Big Cypress Swamp. Awaiting them is a new treat: the Southern Terminus marker! It was finally installed on December 12.

Along with Chuck Norris & Tigger, we'll be holding an "Unofficial Florida Trail Kickoff" based at Trail Lakes Campground on US 41, Ochopee, the eves of January 7 & 8 and at Oasis Visitor Center the mornings of January 8 & 9 to see off thru-hikers. If you'd like to join us at Trail Lakes, tent / car camping is only $10 and we'll share in cooking up a group meal for our departing thru-hikers. If you're planning to join us, please shoot us an email ASAP to let us know which night.

This is the second round of updates for the guidebook, including two very important relocations. Print out a copy and keep it with your book.

UPDATES, DECEMBER 2013

p. 18 We have to rescind the advice regarding the Miccosukee Casino providing transportation assistance. Most of the people who tried calling them about it this month were flatly told "no."

SEMINOLE SECTION
p. 28-31 SEMINOLE RESERVATION RELOCATION
As noted in the book, the alternate route for the roadwalk for the Seminole Reservation that was pending approval has been approved. Please follow the directions and map for the alternate roadwalk. There is one small change involving leaving Josie Billie Highway prior to Huff Bridge Rd in order to walk along the levee to the north of the canal paralleling the highway. Please see this article for details.

OKEECHOBEE SECTION
p. 35 Although it misses the Crooked Hook RV Park mentioned in our November update, here's a less-busy alternate roadwalk to get around the construction area between John Stretch Park and Clewiston: walk from the Lake Harbor PO for 8.7 miles along Old US 27, which parallels US 27 from Lake Harbor to the Marathon station at the south end of Clewiston. There is one spot where you will need to go out to US 27 to get around a canal. Download a KML of this roadwalk

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KISSIMMEE SECTION
p. 46-51 KISSIMMEE RIVER RELOCATION
This routed map to the right shows the NEW route of the Florida Trail along the Kissimmee River between the Micco Landing trailhead in Basinger (Mile 172.1 and the S-65A lock just north of Camp Hammock (Mile 211.3)

For full details, including a mileage chart and a map, please read this article.

This is a radical change to the trail route that has been a long time in coming. As Kissimmee River restoration keeps swamping the trail between Hickory Hammock and Tick Island, maintenance has not been kept up, bridges and boardwalks are broken or missing, and it's simply unsafe to hike through there. So the trail has been moved to a new route on the western side. The new route adds 4.6 miles to the length of the Florida Trail.

The lock crossing procedure is not yet in place, so there is an alternate procedure that involves stopping short at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park's office and checking in with local volunteers as to the trail status. If the lock is not open, a volunteer will ferry you up to Three Lakes WMA or River Ranch.

Note that this relocation affects the maps and data charts between p 46-51, as well as removing the relevance of all services / campsites / water / trailheads between Micco Landing and Tick Island Slough. The Hickory Hammock Trail will remain open, but is only maintained up to the FWC Equestrian Camp.

Download a KML file of the new route

Download a KML file of the entire Kissimmee section, including the new route

ORLANDO
p. 61 The Fort Christmas Baptist Church (about 1 mile west of the trail, beside the Post Office) has an outside tap for water, a picnic table and a place to camp. They also have an electrical outlet on the front of the church and wifi. Pastor Ken's cell number is 407-568-7727.

p. 67 We've received word that no official campsite in Seminole County will be forthcoming. We've been alerted to the dangers of stealth camping in Spring Hammock between Soldier Creek Park and US 17/92 due to homeless encampments there.

p.71 The address and phone number listed here for the UPS Store as 1170 Tree Swallow Drive, 407-327-2993 is actually the address and phone number for the Winter Springs UPS Store, as correctly listed on page 67. The correct address for the Lake Mary UPS Store is 4044 West Lake Mary Boulevard, with a phone number of 407-333-3433. Thanks to Ryan VonBargen for catching this error.

SUWANNEE
p. 104 Blue blazed side trail to Big Shoals is currently closed as heavy equipment is blocking the route during restoration work on Bell Springs.

p. 104 Be alert for a potential reroute of the Florida Trail into White Springs starting at US 41 and leading you right through town past all services.

BIG BEND
p. 121 Between miles 744.0 and 747.1, the trail has been permanently relocated to the former high water route due to the difficulty of maintaining the regular route. The former section through the Pinhook Swamp is now blue-blazed.

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.

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