Sharing the best of Florida hiking
Hello from a Hiking Newbie
Hi everyone. Really nice site you've got here. I'm an Orlandoan (since 2004), new to hiking and to this website. I've been reading up as much as I can on the Florida Trail and other trails in Central Florida via books, websites, etc. I'm one of those eager beginners who wants to go out every chance I get. I have already done the short boardwalk "trail" at Blue Spring State Park and the 3.2-mile out-and-back trail at Hontoon Island State Park.
Last week was a total bust for me, as I was going to hit Silver River on the way back from Tallahassee but ended up having to follow home a coworker who was having car trouble, and then my planned Friday trip to Lake Tibet-Butler Preserve was washed out by heavy rains.
Anyway, it's nice to be here and I will be out and about and trying to find some other folks to hike with, as it's a much safer prospect than going solo (my wife loves nature as long as she doesn't have to be out in it!). If there are any other newbies or semi-newbies looking for someone to hike with, let me know. Eventually I'd like to add some backpacking and maybe someday even a long-hauler, like a thru-hike on the FT.
I would appreciate any resources (brick-and-mortar or online stores, informational sites, etc.) you can tell me about. I have found Outdoor Travel in the Altamonte Springs area and love that place.
See you on the trails...
Michael
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ata on -
Well Michael I am glad to tell you this is the perfect place for you, and don't feel bad no one is an expert at hiking we all just have a few more miles than others lol hiking it is always and adventure to you will always be new at this of you see it that way every time you hit the trail you will feel like a new world just opened up for you and let you see the wonders of Florida.
I am in Miami, but I might start hitting the trails up north soon so maybe I will meet up with you one day.
Welcome to this site glad to have you.
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Permalink Reply by Marc on -
Hi Michael,
This is my first hiking season so I guess I'm still a semi-newbie but I've managed to put some miles on my boots since my very first hike Oct 31, 2009. This site has been an incredible source for me, both for information and new friends to go hiking with. In January, I did my first overnighter, solo, out in Big Cypress after doing my homework. Quite simply, I have grown addicted to hiking and I am out any chance I get, which is not often enough.
One trail I would recommend in the central Florida area is in Little Big Econ State Forrest in the Oviedo area, east of Orlando. This is a favorite trail of many FL hikers, including the creator of this site, Sandra Friend. It is part of the Florida Trail and is just under 5 miles. I couldn't imagine a better place for a first backpacking experience, and it is obviously a great dayhike as well.
Let me know if you ever want to come south for some Everglades/Big Cypress hiking.
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Permalink Reply by David Hudson on -
Welcome Michael. I too have only been hiking in Florida for a few years and like Marc, did my 1st overnighter solo this year. I've since been out backpacking a few times, most recently in the Ocala National Forest. You are lucky to be so close to that great outdoors. There are so many great opportunities and this site is the best resource site I've found, with plenty of knowledgeable, friendly folks.
My outing this weekend was the Alexander Springs to Farles Lake portion of the Florida Trail. There is a great post and GPX data from Sandra Friend for much of the FT on this site.
For suggested reading material, I just finished Johnny Molloy's book, "Hiking the Florida Trail". A must read for thru-hiker enthusiast.
You might also be interested in the Florida Trial Days & Annual Conference, also very close to you. Sandra has it posted at... http://www.floridahikes.com/traildays
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Permalink Reply by Michael on -
Thanks for the warm reception, guys! I am anxious to get out to Little Big Econ and Ocala Nat'l Forest. I will be in S. Fla. the weekend of the 27th and 28th so I'll miss the Florida Trail Days conference, but I won't be able to hike either, since my daughter's soccer team will be playing in the state cup tournament in Coral Springs. Thanks for the book recommendation, David. I'm currently reading one of Sandra's books (The Hiking Trails of Florida's National Forests, Parks and Preserves).
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Permalink Reply by Sandra Friend on -
Happy you're here, Michael! While you're in Cape Coral, you can do some short hikes - my fave in the area is Four Mile Cove Eco Preserve off Del Prado and I love Six Mile Cypress Preserve off Daniels Parkway in Fort Myers, too.
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Permalink Reply by Dana Collins on -
Hi Michael, I am also looking for friends to hike with. I have always enjoyed hiking or doing just about anything in the great outdoors. I just recently got back into hiking. I live in the Lakeland area not to far from Orlando. Let me know if you want to get togather for a hike sometime.
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Permalink Reply by Michael on
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Dana, that would be great. There are som areas over on the western half that I'd like to get out to...Withlacoochee, Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands, etc. Will definitely let you know when I can get over that way. I've been trying to get over to Tibet-Butler Preserve, which is somewhat in the middle between us (a little closer to me), but most of their trails have been underwater for awhile.
Dana Collins said:Hi Michael, I am also looking for friends to hike with. I have always enjoyed hiking or doing just about anything in the great outdoors. I just recently got back into hiking. I live in the Lakeland area not to far from Orlando. Let me know if you want to get togather for a hike sometime.
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Permalink Reply by Donna Waring on -
My kayak group paddled Hontoon last weekend and saw several manatees they had the best experience and said it was one of the best paddles yet.
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