Sharing the best of Florida hiking

Florida hiking season is winding down ... what do you do in the summertime?

I'm headed north this weekend to hike along the shores of Lake Huron and Lake Superior in Michigan at a variety of parks. First stop: Mackinac Island, which can only be explored by foot, bicycle, or horse. It has some great trails I've sampled already.

Now that he ticks and chiggers are back in force and it's hot out I've pulled back from lengthier hikes. I'll do some short hikes in the mornings between May - September, but in the past have been crazy enough to take on longer treks (swamp walks especially). What do you do?

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Permalink Reply by Sandra Friend on May 6, 2009 at 3:57pm: Love the photo! Beach hiking is a great idea in the summertime. At least you know you can cool off right away if you need to! I promote hiking to springs, as well, during the summer months for the same reason.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Curtis Blair on May 6, 2009 at 6:06pm: I will still be hiking in florida on some mornings. My last hike in the summer here last year was in July. I am going to Va to see family in a week and we will be hiking some of the APT in the area.

DayWalker said:
With the ocean only 6 miles away we do allot of beach hiking on the Talbot Islands during the summer months and collect shells and sand dollars. We can only take our Labrador Retrievers swimming during the summer when the water temp is warmer because they get limp tail if exposed to cold water temperatures. Amelia Island Beach is open to dogs all year and some sections are not too crowded to let them loose for some fun.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris on May 6, 2009 at 6:17pm: Sunrise hikes - be finished by 1000. Eat bacon and eggs and guzzle coffee.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Danny Cunniff on May 8, 2009 at 12:39pm: Chris said:
Sunrise hikes - be finished by 1000. Eat bacon and eggs and guzzle coffee.

So where we goin?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Chris on May 9, 2009 at 9:44am: We can do something soon.

Danny Cunniff said:
Chris said:
Sunrise hikes - be finished by 1000. Eat bacon and eggs and guzzle coffee.

So where we goin?; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Derek Ray on May 9, 2009 at 12:39pm: I continue hiking during the summer. A little preparation and lots of water is all you need. It is Florida after all. It's gonna get hot. I do not have a hiking season personally. Every day is a good day for a hike unless there are thunderstorms.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by jason on May 13, 2009 at 8:44am: I hit the springs and do short hikes that are located nearby the springs. Also some camping and related nocturnal activities.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lisa Myers on May 13, 2009 at 10:20pm: I don't backpack and day hike less...kayak a lot more. My last weekend camping is planned for this weekend in Rock Springs, we're kayaking out to the campsite. After this, that's pretty much it for me for overnights till next November.

I've got a couple late afternoon and sunset hikes planned with Florida Trail over the summer if they don't get rained out.

Lisa; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by John Guinta on May 14, 2009 at 2:09pm: This summer because of my preparing for a long hike next year I will be doing a lot of physical training. I will also be heading north to hike in north GA & western NC. Usually if staying in Florida I gravitate toward canoeing and other water oriented activities. I will also do some recreational tree-climbing, a great way to see the world from another view and hug a tree at the same time!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Troy Day on May 14, 2009 at 2:23pm: I hike year round and in Florida's summer heat. The key is to ultralight packing and plenty of hydration. I also hike or camp near a spring, lake, or river to cool off in. Spray or soak your hiking clothes, hammocks, tents, backpacks, etc with Sawyer Permethrin. You will not have any bug issues at all. This stuff kills and warns off every biting insect. Here is Sawyer's link below to there products.

https://sawyerfamilyprotection.com/index.asp; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bricky Way on May 15, 2009 at 6:20am: I do a lot of shorter hikes, usually in the late afternoon and evening, usually ending after sunset. I got lucky and somehow have a high natural resistance to mosquitoes so they aren't a huge problem, but I always get a lot of chigger and tick bites. I'm just used to my legs itching all summer :); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mike Umbarger on May 27, 2009 at 11:48am: I'll be taking the boys hiking in the Smokey Mountains this summer. They really like the mountain hikes for the streams and waterfalls.; ▶ Reply to This