I'm looking to do a thru hike in January. Just wanted to know if anyone tracks these things and what a ballpark number of people starting in January would be

Planning a SOBO of ONF next month using the FT and am wondering if there are better resources for up-to-date Forest closure conditions. I've checked the state website and local campgrounds of a few towns along the way. It seems Juniper Prarie, and Alexander Spring Wildernesses are temporarily closed but no details are given.

I am looking to hike another section of the FT over the next few weeks. Has anyone been out on the trail between Lake O and SR 60 lately? Anyone have a good idea of current conditions in the area?

I hiked the Ocean to Lake Trail about this time last year and I was ankle-deep to knee-deep in water for a large proportion of the trail. Should I expect the section between Lake O and SR 60 to be that wet? If not, should I have any trouble with finding water? I assume not, since the trail largely follows the Kissimmee River (but I have not been on the trail in this region, so I don't want to be overly optimistic or pessimistic).

I'd greatly appreciate any other tips or tricks about this section of the FT.

Let's say you're walking the trail, the sun has already set but you want to make it to the campsite. But then, on the path, there some water to wade (ankle-level) and there were... 20 baby alligators right in front of me. A) wade through them? B) retreat! C) don't hike at night? Does it make a difference?

Gonna get at it with my buddy this holiday season. We can either do an out and back (probably the simplest) or park two cars. We're both in solid shape.

Been looking at the Kissimmee Prairie Area or Ocala area.

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I’m considering a section hike of the FT at the end of the month, but I would need to fly in and back out. I am a fairly strong hiker. Typically cover 20-25mpd in Colorado and Pennsylvania. Has anyone done something like this before who can provide a beta?

First time trip to Florida and hoping to see some things I’m not used to coming from the northwest.

Planning to hit Rainbow Springs National Park (hiking exploring), Crystal River (manatees!), Ichetucknee Springs State Park (hike and float), then maybe up to little Simon’s Island…?

I have a week and am flying in and out of Jacksonville. Does this seem like a good plan? Any recommendations? Thank you in advance. I appreciate any advice.

Does anyone have any route suggestions as an alternate to Eglin?

Whens the dry season down there? How gnarly are the alligators? Anything that people carry as a preventative like bear spray but equivalent for the gators? This will be a big change for me but super excited for the challenge.

I’m thinking about a FT thru hike this winter. How feasible do you think that would be with my dog? My parents live in Florida so if there are certain stretches where it wouldn’t be a good idea to have a dog (e.g. where wild dogs chase after you), my parents could take her while I hike through those sections.

Thanks!

Hi everyone.

I'm in the big bend area and I would like to leave some trial magic. Sine there isn't much traffic on the trail would it be a waste of good to leave on the trail? I figured the winter is when most people would be hiking the trial and that would be the time to do it.
When would be a good time to leave some goods on the trial for hikers and what part? Aucilla sink? Saint Mark's? Apalachicola or another spot in the area? Thanks.

I am preparing to hike the ocean to lake trail in a week or so. I am familiar with hiking in Florida and have done it my whole life. I am comfortable around alligators when i normally encounter them, but today was a touch different from the usual.

I decided to take a quick trip to Dupuis to scope out how wet the trail is after Milton. I ventured eastward from the park’s dirt road and hiked in a 1/4 mile to get a feel for the trail. I came across a bog that bordered the trail and distinctly heard a hasty retreat of an alligator. I stopped in my tracks and looked for the gator’s head to resurface. After about 30 seconds, i began to hear juvenile chirping from the water’s edge. First one, then two, then four locations spanning 180deg. around me. At that point i decided to turn back and plan for how I will negotiate that small hazardous area on the through hike.

For those experienced in similar conditions, what would be the best move when hiking through that area of the trail? Brisk and keep my distance from the water? Take calm and slow steps while maintaining eye contact at the water’s edge?

All Trails says the Bell Springs to Big Shoals part of the trail is closed. Does anyone have any information? Is it really closed?

I’ve hiked the middle section from Dunnellon to the far side of Ocala over a dozen times. However, I’d like to hike this coast to coast.

Although they have a decent website, I’m having trouble finding information on how to do a continuous hike, as opposed to just hiking in one park.

Has anyone here done this and if so, can you give me some pointers on resources and / or your experience?

Ideally, we would take two cars and hike about 20-30 miles each weekend. We would start on the west coast.

Also, how do you navigate the Ocala national forest during hunting season?

Thanks for anything you can offer!

https://www.floridastateparks.org/Cross-Florida

Wassup yall, planning to do the southern terminus hike (oasis to i75 30miles) for my birthday in December. Wanted to know if it’s capable of being done in two days? I have a buddy who says it’s 3-4 day hike but I don’t think so, I plan on starting as early as possible and hiking through a bit of darkness. What do you guys think? I’m a fast walker for the most part, even through water, averaged a little over 2 miles a hour the other day through the Everglades (in water), just never done a long hike like this 30 mile one so wanted to get someone input. Also, what’s the best camp spot for a group of 4-5? Thank you in advance

Allready bought a ticket down there and months of time off work planned. What should I do if I can’t do that trail? I also understand the Appalachian trail is not doable either.

Wondering if anyone is planning to hike okeechobee to JD on the first week of November. Brand new to this trail and would love to join someone or a group of trail vets for my first attempt.

Hi folks, just dropping a recent trip here for others.

Did Juniper to Hidden from Friday the 6- Sunday the 8th. Trail itself was in GREAT shape, but the spur from the spring is HEAVILY overgrown and severely infested with Chiggers. The weather was hot and humid, with little to no wind relief. The last .5 mile to hidden pond had dozens of obstructions, mostly cleared shrubs that had been left laying in the trail. Hidden pond itself was Spectacular, the swimming was wonderful given the weather, and we were joined by a group of curious soft shells turtles (that look like baby gators to the unknowing) We saw no one else, and heard nothing through the night.

Overall, great hike, treat your clothes, bring a thermacell and stay away from the tall grass.

Hi everyone! This year I attempted a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail to celebrate graduating college. I made it about 600 miles in but ultimately an injury on my foot took me off-trail. I live down in Florida and I'm starting to figure out my future hiking plans for next year. I have hundreds of miles of hiking experience in south Florida, the vast majority of which is in the Myakka River wilderness.

In total I have hiked a total of 3 miles on the FT. During those 3 miles I got a tick on me. Long story short but I needed to get surgery because of that little tick bite. This hasn't stopped me from being fascinated by this hike. I've done some research but I just had a few questions about the trail:

Are there many people actively section hiking the Florida Trail? I haven't seen much information about it but that's how I would want to complete the hike.

If I started at the Southern Terminus would I have to start in early January? Ideally I'd probably want to start with the thru hikers I would think.

What videos or books would you all recommend about the trail? I've watched some of Dixie's FT content but I know there's more out there.

One last thing, on the AT I felt perfectly safe hiking solo. I know the FT requires a ton of road walking in urban areas. If I did a week long, 150 mile section, I know I'd be passing through some urban areas outside of Big Cypress. With thru hikers around it's no big deal but is the trail generally safe for solo hiking outside of season?

Thank you all so much for the information,

Bigbird

Has anyone hiked or know anything about Old Jupiter-Indiantown Road in Palm Beach/Martin County?

Hello, I am new to hiking in florida and I learned last time I hiked that my normal running shoes were not good for a swampy hike. I am having a hard time distinguishing which shoes are too waterproof (anything gore-tex) and which are too open (sandals).

Any suggestions on what shoes I should get for 2-3 hour hikes?

and go!

Would it be unwise/not polite to setup camp midday and wander, essentially "claiming" a site for the evening?

To anyone whose hiked the FL trail through the Big Cypress, especially this time of the year, would carrying a sidearm for personal safety be pointless?

I personally don’t want to bring mine ( and think it isn’t necessary ) but my old man is insisting on it.

I see that Big Cypress tends to be in it's dry season Dec-March, however is there a month among these that is typically dryer than most in order to start the trail at a more ideal time? Curious if there is any ideal time to hit this section or if its just kind of hit or miss either way.

I expect the weather doesnt change too much throughout Dec-March but would love to hear your thoughts.

Mostly interested in starting in January since I'm debating an AZT hike for March as well. So any feedback on January conditions is appreciated :)