Backpacking on the FLORIDA TRAIL | The BEST 100 miles, Suwannee River and Ocala National Forest
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- Опубликовано: 26 авг 2024
- Backpacking in Florida during the cold winter months is awesome! After some brutally cold weather in Ohio, a section of the Florida Trail was the perfect destination. I chose a 45 mile section along the Suwannee River and a 55 mile section of the Ocala National Forest. This video showcases my adventure on the Suwannee River section.
American Canoe Adventures in White Springs was my shuttle for the Suwannee River section, beginning from the Bell Springs Trailhead and finishing at Gibson County Park, which was all along the river. After completing that section I drove to Juniper Springs, in the heart of ONF, and received a shuttle from Brian up to Rodman Dam at the Northern side of ONF to begin a 55 mile section down to Alexander Springs.
On this trek I used my Zpacks Duplex and Nemo Tensor air pad with a UGQ quilt all carried with a Lite AF Curve 35 backpack. This sleep system was a bit lighter than my Dream Hammock Raven and Hammock Gear DCF tarp. I really wanted to bring my Pa’lante Joey but was struggling to get my Helinox Chair Zero and Mavic Mini drone to fit. For shoes I wore the Altra Olympus 4.0’s with Darn Tough socks and Dirty Girl Gators.
For navigation I used Guthook and also carried my Garmin Inreach mini for any emergencies.
American Canoe Adventures was used as my shuttle service along the Suwannee section:
aca1.com/
Starting Location
Bell Springs Trailhead:
Trailhead: 30.329298, -82.689613
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Ending Location
Gibson County Park:
www.google.com...
#floridatrail
You’ve met Bones, the rescued French Mastiff!!! He has vicious gas but that’s it. He is an absolute lover of all humans and dogs. He will barely even tear up a dog toy but likes to hear himself talk as he ambles up and down that hill from the river to the house. My “senior citizen” mother in law is his servant and also walks and cleans up that section of the trail not to mention MOWING that hill. Glad you had a great trip!
Senior Citizen???? But you are right about the vicious gas.
Vicious gas, LOL 😂. Glad to hear that he was a friendly dog! Thanks for the comment!
That’s funny. I remember that dog on the video.
Thanks for mowing that hill. The Greenbriar can get something fierce there!
The dog is Bones. Very friendly. He is a rescue that was within days of death about a year ago. Hit the trifecta for worms including heart worms. Now healthy 95 lbs. Weighed only 40 lbs when I got him. He looks mean but would lick you to death. If you notice he was wagging his tail the whole time he barked. He just lets us know that someone is out in our woods.
That’s a pretty awesome rescue story! I didn’t think he was going to harm me but sometimes you just don’t know and I was just trying to be cautious. Thank you for the comment!
@@jasonwish- Sent you a couple of pics on FB messenger.
That water spigot on the fence was a nice gift from the private property owners!
It sure was!
There's some more scenic and interesting trails off the FST near the Ocklawaha River and there's the oldest trees in Ocala Forest, I've seen bears in there and yes, snakes. Its considered a swamp but its usually dry. However I hiked there in 2009 and everything was under water. I lived in Silver Springs in 1975 and the forest was richer then, and it would rain almost every day....then clear up....and get VERY hot!
I’m hoping to get back down there for some more winter hiking next year!
This reminds me a lot of the Palmetto trail (Swamp Fox Passage) in South Carolina that I did. Super flat, super straight and that soft pine needle trail to hike on. The biggest "hill" was probably the ditches on the side of the road. Great looking trail and fantastic video! My daughter giggled at your "beauty sleep" comment and said it should be "handsome sleep"!
Lol 😂. Thanks man glad you guys enjoyed it! I’m not particularly a fan of Florida style hiking but when it’s 10° in Ohio with a foot of snow I’ll take it any day!
What a great get away! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.
You are very welcome! I hope to go back for some more next winter, thanks for watching!
Love it! Amazing how different Gods creation is a few states away!
He never disappoints!!
Nice job! I love that kind of mileage, you can really see a lot when you start stringing days together. Looking forward to chapter 2!
Thanks Bryan! I love the high mileage days because you’re right there’s so much to be seen and so little time!
The one and only time I forgot my hiking poles was on the Florida Trail. I was going down a little hill, tripped on a root and my knee fell on another root and split open. I always take my hiking poles, now.
Ouch! Yeah, I always have mine with me since I use a trekking pole tent.
Looked like a great hike and a really nice break from the cold and snow. I love Florida, anytime, but especially in the winter! Enjoyed the video!
Thanks Chris, it was so nice to be down there during the brutal cold we were having in Ohio for sure....might just have to try out another section next winter!
Wow man...what a perfect trail to hit during the winter season up north. Looking forward to starting your part 2 shortly.
It was so nice to get away from that brutal cold! Hope I can make the FT an annual winter trip and chip away at it each year!
I enjoyed the clever camera techniques you integrated during parts of the video such as during bridge crossing at ~20:00. Thanks for sharing a portion of your experience and looking forward to the upcoming video.
Thanks John, I appreciate that! I know a majority of my camera shots are just run-of-the-mill but I’m always trying to think outside the box to keep it interesting, definitely need some more drone in there! Looking forward to sharing part two with you in a few weeks.
Hey Jason,
Really enjoying your vlog on the Florida Trail. I am planning a trip this winter for a trip on this trail. Like you, I have no interest in hiking waist high water. So, this info. is good for me. I am thinking I might repeat your trip, shake out my gear for a section on the AT. The same trip except no hurry. 😊
Thanks Again
SLOMO
Awesome, thanks Donald! I hope to back down there to backpack another section soon! Enjoy your trip!
Winters in Ohio can be rough . that trail looks great . very flat and peaceful
You are right about that! I hope to go back and do a 100 mile section each winter when it’s brutal in Ohio.
Great video Jason. You flew through that section but portrayed it beautifully. I recognized much of it. 👍👍✌️
Thanks Tom! Wish we could have met up. Enjoy your van travels...it looks really nice!
Wow I know what you mean about bitter cold. Our temps have plummeted to a bone chilling 56 degrees. I'm wearing two puffy coats. You would absolutely hate it out west. In the Sierras the trails are so crowded we call them freeways. There are rangers along the trail to control speed. Yeah they would give you a speeding ticket in a heart beat. I'm guessing that gators don't feed at night that's why you sleep in a tent and not up in a tree. Always enjoy your work.
Man you make it sound pretty bad! Are you trying to keep me away 🤣🤣. I’ve hiked a little around Yosemite during November about 7 years and drove the Tioga Pass, absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks for bringing me along on this wonderful, tropical adventure!! That tannic water reminds me of what the Tahquamenon River water looks like in the UP. After experiencing those climbs on the PMT, those flat trails of the FT look amazing! Great video, Jason!
You are right it is very similar to the tannin water of Tahquamenon Falls! That’s probably why those climbs on the PMT were so frustrating to me since I just had finished those tropical flat trails LOL! Thanks Sam!
We call Bigfoot a Swamp Ape in these parts. Thanks for the great hike! Next time check out Econfina creek trail to hike or paddle. Great spot for panhandle hike or paddle.
I will definitely check out that area if I make it down there again in the winter time. Glad I didn’t have a deal with the swamp ape!
I think I can scratch that "spring" off of my bucket list...
Most Florida springs are awesome and there are so many of them!
Very beautiful hike! I’m like you, I miss the warm weather and as I get older it gets tougher to hike in the cold. I love backpacking in the dead of summer. I’ll take the heat over the cold anytime. Soon I’ll probably start taking a cardigan sweater. Lol. Glad you had a great time. Looking forward to part two!
I can’t hardly take backpacking in the heat that’s why I go kayak camping in the summer lol. For some reason my backpacking season gets shorter and shorter each year 🤣🤣. Thanks Dan!
Until this video, never thought I would have any interest in the Florida Trail. Looked like a cool section. Enjoyed the video
Even though the terrain is very flat there’s still some very unique things to see in Florida it’s always nice to hike along a river, and of course the warmth, thanks Tyler!
I know that dog. He’s very friendly.. 👍🏼
Ha ha. Saw that double blaze 8:38 but then you kept cruising straight ahead.
Ha! Yeah, those things happen sometimes when talking to the camera!
Great video Jason, looks like a good time, nice and flat
Yeah , nice and flat was kinda nice for a change, thanks Ed!
That early terrain looks like Cumberland island Georgia where I was last week. Very beautiful for sure. The section you were on looks pretty cool. I had to chuckle when you started taking about challenging yourself. This was literally 20 minutes after I messaged you about Michigan. 😂
Yeah what a coincidence LOL. I watched your Cumberland Island and I was thinking the same thing. A lot of the terrain in the south looks very similar.
Great trip video. Florida weather is awesome from Thanksgiving to Easter. I don’t recommend it the rest of the year. You feel like you need a shower 10 seconds after you go outside in the summer.
Peak Refuel Breakfast Skillet is great as well. It blows Mountain House breakfast skillet out of the water, and is legit 2 servings (if you aren’t doing 25 mile days).
My 10 year old son would eat grilled cheese, pizza or hamburger for every meal if we’d let him, and he even said it was “delicious”.
Yeah, no way you’ll ever find me in Florida during the summer unless it’s on a kayak! Looking forward to trying all the Peak Refuels out, thanks Jon!
Looks like a nice trip. Shame you didn't do the the swamp!
Ha! I was trying to avoid the wet areas on this trip...maybe next time!
Looked like an epic trip man!
Thanks Josh! It was an awesome place to backpack during the winter and I hope I can go back to knock out a section each winter.
I recognize those trekking poles!! 🤣 Great video jason!! Looked like a really fun hike. That tea colored water reminded me of inland isle royale. Probably the safest water to drink but not visually appealing lol. Hope to see you on trail sometime this year my friend.
Those poles are beat up! Time for some new ones! Thanks Jeremy.
Looked like an awesome time man. My brother lives in Jacksonville!
It was such a great trip Josh! Does your brother ever go backpacking with you?
This is so damn exotic to me. I've never backpacked South of Denver!! The water on the Super Hiking Trail in Mn looks a lot like that but it's iron. Great video bud. Had to edit that I really dig that mossy tree (I struggle with premature commenting). 😀
No problem man! Yeah the mossy trees are so cool! Hopefully you get a chance to make it down there someday!
Bruh! You're making my knee hurt 🤣
Lol, get it healed up and let’s go get a redemption hike in!
@@jasonwish- 👑 👑 👑!
Looks like Bigfoot got the other hiker leaving only the sunglasses. 😂
I think you’re right 🤣
Yep that is a shelter all right and it's up high enough to keep the Gators from getting close to you matter of fact I was just watching this one person that just walked right through that you're going to have a bunch of bogs coming up shortly and they're not going to be short ones either
That was a sweet shelter. No bogs for me, dry as a bone for all 100 miles
You know a few years ago I was putting in 40 hours a week in training, biking,running and swimming, then would take a break for backpacking and it would kick my butt. Slightly different muscles plus the added weight. I also notes that you only had a bar for breakfast. I wonder if maybe you could use a few more calories as glycogen in your liver for energy? Don't forget to add that maltodextrin to your water if you don't want the weight of solid food in your pack.
You’re probably right about the calories, I usually have much more than a bar but when I eat light like that I just snack throughout the whole day as I’m walking. Plus I assumed that the Florida Trail would be very easy but backpacking 25 miles plus is usually gonna be pretty tough for just about anybody 😁.
I don't want to beat a dead coyote but if you will learn research Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) ,the Krebs Cycle you will learn how we produce energy. Even though you hate cycling you might want to watch the Tour De France and think about what the riders do each day of the race regarding calories consumed and calories burned. The simple fact is you are an athlete and have the mind set of an athlete. You require more calories per hour than someone like David Gray. I love his videos but you cover 5 times his hiking distance in the same amount of time. All the best.
Keep beating it by all means! At Ohio State in the mid 90s I actually studied animal science, nutrition, genetics, and anatomy and physiology, but that was so long ago and I’m just beginning to learn about nutrition For athletes. I remember studying the Krebs cycle in college. I would love to learn more. Feel free to private message me or email me with more details.
If you decide to come back to FL for the panhandle portion of FL trail, we’re near the Gulf Islands terminus and the airport is immediately nearby our home. Shoot us a msg and we’ll supply you with a ride and maybe another rescue dog for company. :)
Awesome, thank you! I might try to make a section of the Florida trail an annual activity each winter.
Thank you for sharing your journey. I live in west central Florida and I'm thinking about driving up and maybe hiking this same section. Is there a public place to park your vehicle and how much does it cost?
Its a great section to backpack on. Since I used a canoe livery for my shuttle and rented a car I didn't have to research public parking, but let me check in to it and I'll get back to you.
I would recommend just calling American Canoe Adventures in White Springs, which is about the half way point of the Suwannee section and getting info from them, its just been too long for me to remember areas to legally overnight park in around that area, but I'm sure there are some.
And yes the people do allow the hikers to get freshwater out of the spigot they put it there on purpose for you
If you find yourself on the Ocean to Lake trail in Florida drop me a line for assistance. I live at the halfway point and can get you where you need to be on the trail. Loving the videos BTW...
Awesome, thanks!
Yes after all of that tanning you will need a new Sawyer squeeze
And that is exactly how the water looks after filtering it I've been watching quite a few RUclipsrs on that trail and there's not a damn thing that no one can do about it except for maybe a carbon filter that would be added to it
Most rivers in the south are loaded with tannin, doesn’t bother me s bit.
Check out First Church of the Masochist. He's hiking from Key West to Canada. Just went through the Suwanee River section last week.
Yeah I’ve been following him a little. Glad I got through there before all that rain!
The flags are for ACA canoe launch and pickup
Yep, I figured that out after talking to John at ACA. That was a beautiful area! Thanks Donna!
Is the sandy terrain what probably got you more tired than you expected.
There wasn’t really that much sand even visible because of so much pine and leaf material on top, it was actually pretty easy walking compared to elevation gain.
Thanks for sharing!
How do you know where you can camp?
I used an app called Guthook that shows you where most of water sources are, camping locations, trail heads and much more. Also, many campsites can be seen near the trail while hiking. Thanks!
@@jasonwish- awesome, thanks so much. That looks like the kind of memories I want to make.
I'm wondering how many Florida trail through hikers that I watch that you pass bye or said hello too
Definitely got some green all around to that area Gators snakes spiders ticks fruit bats regular bats owls coyotes Florida's Black panther even though that you only doing 100 MI very curious on all Little critters that you came by or have not seen but heard and the hikers too how many hikers did you pass or walk with or said hello to from what I've seen on RUclips there's over 800 that I've come across
I passed four through hikers and interviewed two of them and they will be on part two of the Ocala section. Roswell and Walmart are the two guys and Daisy was supposed to pass me but somehow we missed each other. I just missed second chance hiker too. Didn’t really see any wildlife the whole time, I was really hoping to see a gator, a boar and a bear but wasn’t lucky enough. Just big spiders LOL
@@jasonwish-
That would have been awesome for you to see Daisy and second chance can't wait to see video part two for the interviews take care dude
First
You beat the Colonel to it today LOL!
Jason all you got to let me know is that you want to borrow my 20 degree and you can it's yours dude just come and pick it up
My 20° under quilt is from hang tight shop and it's only one pound and it doesn't use much space
Sounds like a great quilt! Thanks CG!