The Magazine of the Florida Trail Association Spring 2014

What’s Inside?FAB on the Florida Trail

Panhandle Regional Conference Recap

Juniper F-Troop

The “Big Cypress 10”

FooTprint

@nickandbruce: “Aucilla River Rapids” photo

by Greywolf

@mrcwoo: “Day 1.The sun starts to bow to

the night” Big Cypress

@sizzlemayfield: Osceola National Forest

Your #FloridatrailFTA on Instagram

@cenbollines: “Perfect weatherover the week end for 15.2

miles of hiking and camping.”

@grrlsuzy: Big Cypress@notpmekgerg: Niceville, FL

Facebook and Instagram users have been “hash tagging” (the use of # in front of a word to group them, making them searchable across many so-cial media platforms) and posting their Florida Trail photos on Instagram.

Check out these Instagram users and their experiences on the #floridatrail.

On Instagram? Post your Florida Trail photos and hashtag #floridatrail. Your photo may be featured in the next issue of The Footprint !

SPRING 2014

CONTENTSThe Footprint

1213

Trail Business

Juniper Wilderness F-Troop

Chapter Roundup

1415

Panhandle Regional Conference Recap

The “Big Cypress 10”18

16

20

Photo Credits

Front cover Megan Donoghue

Florida Alternative Spring Break

This page Sandra Moody

Longleaf Forest

Back Cover Paul Cummings

Okeeheelee Park

In this issue

6President’s Message4

24

Membership Report8

10FNST Volunteer Program

17 2014 Ocean to Lake Backpacking Trip

11 Volunteer Spotlight

Chapters on the Go

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This Man Called Bruce

My Florida Trail Experience

New MembersDonor Than You

Local Chapter Contacts

Carlos Schomaker FTA President

President’s Message

I just got back from the 17th “Hike the Hill” in Washington, D.C. This is the annual event where the Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS), its member organizations, and the American Hiking Society (AHS) relay our concerns and requests to Federal land managers and Congress. It’s also an opportunity to meet with lead-ers of these organizations and agencies, formally and informally. It’s where we talk with everyone about the thirty National Scenic and Historic Trails.

This year we had extra time for talk, since the large February 11–14 North American winter storm kept most of us trapped in D.C. for a few more days. Blasting up the East coast, the blizzard forced the cancellation of over 6500 flights, adding days of travel limbo for those of us trying to get home. Once the snow was on the ground and melting into slush, we could move around the city, but transport home was backlogged and tangled up.

The down time allowed for commiserating and “hanging out” with other stranded Hike the Hill (HTH) partici-pants. Between the scheduled events and the extended lounge time, I got a deeper understanding of the na-tional community of leaders helming our national trails. Some of them, like newly retired Steve Elkinton of the National Park Service, are linchpins of the national trail community. (You may remember Steve from a presen-tation he did at the FTA annual conference a few years back.) Most of the people attending HTH carry a mix of idealism and pragmatism, hard work and knowledge combined with positive spirit. Sometimes they sound like civic planners; occasionally they sound like hippies.

This was evident one evening when I entered the lounge in the HTH hotel and found an impromptu acoustic guitar folk circle being led by Teresa Martinez, Barney Mann, and Mark Larabee. It was a campfire circle---in a hotel bar in the nation’s capital. Teresa is a found-ing Board member of the new Continental Divide Trail Coalition (see the back page of the March 2014 issue of Backpacker Magazine for a nice article about her). Barney is a retired attorney and chairs the Board of the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA) (see page 64 of the same magazine for an article by him!). And Mark is the managing editor of the PCTA’s magazine, The Communicator. All of them are consummate pro-fessionals and starry-eyed outdoor wanderers. All of them employ technical proficiency, insight, and pas-sion in the service of the national trails community. All of them are heroic, in their own way.

Being snowbound in D.C. also presented an extra opportunity to visit the museums and monuments on the Na-tional Mall. History, heroism, talent and achievement are celebrated in these two miles of classical architecture and open public space. The USDA Forest Service and National Park Service offices adjoin this national treasure, linked by an imaginary diagonal line on opposite sides of the Washington Monument. We—everyone who has ever had anything to do with the FTA and the Florida National Scenic Trail---are a part of what’s celebrated on the Mall, this American timeline. This is especially true when we, collectively or individually, use our passion and

In the face of tight budgets, legislative drama and gridlock, increasingly

stringent requirements, and endless challenges, people are working and

dreaming and planning for these trails to be a larger part of our

American heritage.

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professional bearing to broaden the American experience by building a ‘commons’ of outdoor opportunity, and protecting wild places. In Washington, meeting with so many dedicated people who are working to ensure that the National Scenic and Historic Trails are adequately supported, this is clearly evident. In the face of tight budgets, legislative dra-ma and gridlock, increasingly stringent requirements, and endless challenges, people are working and dreaming and planning for these trails to be a larger part of our American heritage. Some of these folks wear govern-ment uniforms. Some wear Appalachian Trail Conservancy staff badges. Some are volunteers for a little-known Historic Trail. All of them should be appreciated for their commitment.

I finally caught a plane last night—four days late-- and am now home in Florida. It’s easy, from an FTA perspec-tive, to forget that our trail efforts are part of a larger national movement, or are a gift to posterity. It’s also easy, from the familiar comfort of a local chapter or trail crew or group of friends, to miss the connection to a statewide FTA effort, or to the value of strength in numbers. It’s tempting to believe that the point of all this is a few dozen thru-hikers annually, or a group of friends that like to get dirty while clearing trail or hiking it, or an annual conference, or a committee meeting. All these things are valid, of course, and a part of the tapestry. But they’re not the whole story.

You can’t see a single mile of the FNST from Hike the Hill. You can’t feel the FNST under your feet as you move through the American monuments and museums on the National Mall. But, in some ways, that’s a great time and place to grasp the meaning of the FNST.

Bob DeGross, Chief of Interpretation and Public Affairs for Big Cypress National Preserve, sent along this photo of the new Southern FNST terminus at Oasis Ranger Station.

We’d like to thank the Big Cypress Na-tional Preserve maintenance crew David Adams, Dusty Torre, Pete Roth, Bill Joiner and others for getting this installed just in time for hiking season.

Now thru-hikers, section hikers, and day hikers alike have a nice monument to photograph to commemorate their hikes

New South FNST Terminus Marker

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Webster’s loosely defines stewardship as: the activity or job of protecting and being responsible for some-thing. The Florida Trail Association (FTA) was formed to build and maintain the Florida Trail aka the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST). This remains the primary duty and function of the FTA. Everything else we do is in support of our FNST stewardship role. FTA is the not-for-profit steward and the USDA Forest Service is the primary governmental agency tasked with FNST stewardship. This, of course, is an over simplification because there are many FNST partners, both private and governmental, that are stewards of their segments of the FNST. On the FTA side there are 18 chapters who have accepted responsibility and stewardship for the FNST in their locales.

This Stewardship Role for the FNST has a lot of moving parts and partners. What is unique to the FTA is that FNST stewardship is the reason we exist. FTA members like to do a lot of outdoorsy things but as an organiza-tion they are all in support and furtherance of our FNST Stewardship.

Eighteen FTA Chapters makes for a maze of diverse terrains, volunteer experiences, personalities and opinions. Yep, and those strong personalities on occasion have strong disagreements. While we are FNST stewards, we do not own the FNST. Sweat equity YES, but not ownership. The FNST belongs to everyone.

What is the stewardship role of an individual FTA member? For me it’s:

1. insuring we have a strong FTA through membership and donations; and

2. volunteering my time and energy to both the FTA and the FNST. I’m confident that the majority of FTA mem-bers share these values.

Statewide vs. Local: When I started working on the FNST I adopted a very localized chapter and trails perspective. This is not uncommon and to a small degree acceptable. But having an abundance of chapter members with this perspective is detrimental to statewide unity and commonality of purpose.

The Trail BUSINESSTOM DANIEL V.P. TRAILS

What is YOUR Stewardship Role?

While we are FNST stewards, we do not own the FNST. The FNST

belongs to everyone.

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Participation in multi-chapter events, trainings and FTA conferences results in a wider understanding of the FNST, the FTA’s role and organization structure that provides a mission focus. While FTA members may like to hike, FTA is not a hiking club. We will always have volunteers who are primarily focused on trail work activities. Even these members would benefit from trails skill training, exposures to new tools and techniques provided at these functions. Needless to say this also applies to all chapter members and especially chapter leaders, not just trail leaders.

FNST Standards: In the context of the FNST maintenance you will often hear or see the phrase ‘up to stan-dards’. What does this mean? At our September 2012 Trails Committee Meeting we introduced the FNST - Trail Class Matrix and Design Parameters.

When developing proposed hiking trails or improving existing trails these are the standards that are to be ap-plied. Chapter Trail Coordinators and Section Leaders are expected to be have a working knowledge of the both the Trail Class Matrix and Design Parameters. Knowledge of these standards is fundamental to selecting how a trail segment is to be constructed. It is even more important that the standards be applied when devel-oping a new trail.

Questions: 1. Is the ‘Orange Blaze’ unique to the FNST in Florida? 2. Is the ‘Orange Blaze’ a brand that is recognizable in Florida as the FNST?

Thank You 2014 Annual ConferenceSponsors & Donors

(as of press-time)

Birkenstock - CaliforniaBlack Creek Outfitters - Jacksonville

Linda BentonBrasington’s Outdoor Adventures - Gainesville

Brevard Nature Alliance - TitusvilleCarl Dunnam

Enlightened Equipment - MinnesotaFlorida Outdoor Academy - Gainesville

Fresh Market - GainesvilleGatorade - Chicago

Fred and Laura GoldsteinJet Boil - New HampshireJim Kern - St Augustine

Lightload TowelsPearl’s Country Store - Micanopy

REI - JacksonvilleStrike Zone Fishing - Jacksonville

Subaru - GainesvilleWarbonnet Outdoors - ColordaoWild Birds Unlimited - Gainesville

ZPacks - Palm Bay

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MEGAN DONOGHUE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM COORDINATOR

FNST VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

It is a chilly, Florida weekend in February. All over the nation, University students are looking forward to the long MLK weekend. It’s likely that some students are spending their weekend taking a mini vacation, some spending it studying, but some decided to spend it giving back.

Martin Luther King (MLK) Day of Service is nationally recognized as a day to give back to in your local community. It’s a day to put into action what resonates in King’s famous quote, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”

The University of Florida’s Florida Alternative Breaks (FAB) program partnered with the Florida Trail Association (FTA) to provide a group of students for a weekend of service on the Florida Trail. This trail crew was a little different than the usual, but for me, made the project really exciting. The crew was made up of a 13 female students who had never met prior to this trip.

The first half of the project took place at the site of one of the recently built Spring Creek bridges in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. The area was in need of a little trail rehabilitation. The crew worked diligently to rehab the section of trail by using various techniques, one of which is called “vertical mulching”. Vertical mulching is typically used to disguise a disturbed area to allow for eventual natural regeneration of the area’s typical vegetation, such as palmettos.

The second half of the project consisted of trail maintenance on a nearby section of the Florida Trail. The crew had the opportunity to run brush saws and use hand saws and loppers. At one point, the crew worked together to figure out how to move a very large tree that had fallen in a recent storm. The tree had already been bucked (the process of cutting a tree into logs), but the logs were very large to move. This task brought out the best out of the girls and really made a good end to a great weekend.

a FAB Weekend of Service on the FNST

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Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

At the end of the last day, we celebrated the weekend’s accomplishments by taking a hike on the Florida Trail. The work that this all-female crew did will be appreciated by future trail users, the local community, and hopefully recognized by other univer-sity students as a destination for their next alternative break. Providing a path into nature is not only a recreational opportunity, but also an opportunity to expose people to the wonders of the natural world, therefore instilling in them the urge to protect and preserve it for future generations.

A huge thanks to the University of Florida’s FAB program, St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and their generosity in letting the crew stay in the Thompson House, Framing Our Community (FOC) and of course the awesome volunteers!

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FTA STATEWIDE MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN

March 8, 2014 to April 26, 2014

Join in the fun!

FTA is setting a goal to recruit 100 new members in 6 weeks. A state-wide membership campaign will be held between the March 8 Annual Conference through April 26, 2014. By ending on April 26, we are allowing an extra few days of recruitment after Easter Week observances April 13-20 and Passover on April 15.

Join in the excitement!

There will be rewards earned for memberships!

Individual and family memberships joining FTA for the first time during these dates will receive their choice of a 2014 coffee mug or a “Tools of the Trail” t-shirt.

Current members giving a gift membership to a family member or friend will receive their choice of two FTA wine glasses or a “Tools of the Trail” t-shirt.

The Chapter recruiting the most members during this time period will receive a $100 gift certificate from Home Depot.

For Questions or Further Information: email Eve Barbour, VP Membership:

Eve828@netzero.net

MEMBERSHIP REPORTEVE BARBOUR V.P. MEMBERSHIP

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FTA: When did you start volunteering with FTA? CB: I became a FTA volunteer in 2011 after pursuing Activity Leader training.

FTA: How did you get involved with the FTA?

CB: I joined the FTA in 2008 when I put my hiking boots back on. I wanted to help with something local and the Florida Trail was the nearest “big trail”.

FTA: What do you do now?

CB: In 2012, I became my chapter’s Trail Coordinator. While I initially wanted to lead recreational hikes, trail maintenance now consumes most of my hiking during the Florida season. I enjoy it, though, because there’s a tangible reward at the end, both in seeing the result of your labor and in the knowledge that others will have a more enjoyable experience hiking the section in the future.

FTA: What is your favorite event/project to date that you have participated in?

CB: Speaking at both the regional and state conferences is high on the list. I have a passion for sharing my passion. :)

FTA: What is your favorite part about being an FTA Volunteer?

CB: Aside from the fame and fortune? I guess I’d have to say the warm and fuzzy from giving back to the Trail.

FTA: Your favorite section of the trail?

CB: I’d have to go with the Suwannee section.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT - Shining a Light on FTA Volunteers

Cary Beuershausen Trail Coordinator, North Florida Trail Blazers

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My florida trail experience

I’ve experienced the Florida Trail in a number of different ways since I first found out about the Florida Trail Association in 2012.

I have been a Fellow at the Osceola National Forest since April 2012 and recently ended my second term as the Student Conservation Association Fellow in December 2013. On top of my volunteer and community out-

reach coordinator duties, I was an active volunteer with three different chapters. The North Florida Trail Blazers (Jack-sonville) where I am an Activity leader, the Florida Crackers (Gainesville) where I record volunteer hours and help with outreach and last the Apalachee Chapter (Tallahassee) where I attend meetings, volunteer opportunities and join activities.

I have found something crazy interesting while working and volunteering with each chapter and visiting their natural areas that expose beautiful pieces of the Florida Trail.

I wanted to experience an F-Troop before I leave the great state of Florida and I did October 2013 – January 2014 when I was able to take part in three F-Troops. I participated in two bridge building projects in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and a third in the Osceola National Forest. On the Osceola we removed a bridge and performed trail mainte-nance from Turkey Run trailhead to Deep Creek, which was a section I hadn’t previously seen.

The F-Troops in the St. Marks NWR really changed my per-ception about learning to use new hand tools, techniques and pushing myself physically to explore this natural wildlife refuge that we were working in. Both bridge projects had the awesome Florida Trail guys that work with “Framing our

Community” giving great advice and really showing “us” volunteers how to construct the different components of bridging and letting us do the work. I was fortunate to be able to walk all three sections of Spring Creek before the end of the F-Troop with the Florida Trail Volunteer Coordinator Megan Donoghue.

We started at the Spring Creek Trailhead and crossed the new bridge that leads into the second section that hasn’t received a new bridge yet. This section is very challenging and the sign that reads “Tidal Creek, No Bridge” should not be taken lightly! As we kept trekking forward after reading that sign we found ourselves hiking through low tide mud, balancing on logs, using binoculars to find the orange blaze, and making it through this small section of the tidal creek ending up in the most beautiful patch of deer moss I have ever seen. We then continued through the section, still having to dance in the mud and finally made it to the third spring creek bridge, the area where the F-Troop #2 was going on. Hiking that small section made me realize how important bridges and causeways are for accessibility on the Florida Trail for sections like Spring Creek in St. Marks NWR.

Allison WilliamsFormer Student Conservation Associatoin Volunteer CoordinatorOsceola National Forest

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Linda Taylor, Halifax - St Johns Chapter

Another successful January F-Troop in the Juniper Wilderness!

We have held these F-Troops for many years because the Wilderness is nine miles across with no intersecting roads. We have to hike into the half-way point from each end and then work back out with hand tools because power tools are not allowed in designated wilderness areas. While we don’t like to think that our chapter members are getting older, we were so happy to have some younger people working with us. Dick Schuler’s grandsons, Connor and Micah, led the long distance group to the middle work areas on the opening weekend. Unfortunately they had to go back to school on Monday

We had five out-of-state volunteers -- three of them returning for their sixth year. Each day they would check the temperatures and snow fall back home. Alexia flew from Cleveland for not only her first volunteer work week, but her very first camping trip. After days of swinging a Suwannee Sling, she still wants to come back next year.

Probably the only discouraging thing about the week was af-ter working on the trail for five days, we got a radio message about noon from the Ocala Forest Service that we needed to be out of the Wilderness by 2:00 p.m. because they were going to do a prescribed burn. We haven’t heard yet how the burn affected the trail. But being chased off that section of FNST gave us a chance to go up to Grassy Pond to remove over a dozen fallen trees from the trail.

Special thanks to our awesome volunteers!

The Juniper crew always eats well!

Group shot at the south end of the Juniper Prairie Wilderness Area.

Juniper Wilderness F-Troop: January 10-17, 2014

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THIS MAN CALLED BRUCE Listen my friends, please listen wellOf this man you’ll now hear me tellHe came south like the Canada GooseThis northern man, this man called Bruce The Mason/Dixon he did crossTo Live Oak and Spanish mossLeaving Fir, Beech and Red SpruceLeaving Boston, this man called Bruce Florida’s trail was what he foundAnd to trail buddies he was boundHe liked these folks, was no recluseAnd joined their work, this man called Bruce The call went out, the trail needs workFor this man was not one to shirkHe pitched right in, with no excuseAnd helped clear trails, this man called Bruce There came a time more was neededA special job to which he heededHad asked him for a special use To serve their group, this man called Bruce

Most of you here must rememberThat this man was made a memberTo the state board we turned him looseTo speak for us, this man called Bruce And when his board man work was doneAnother job he had begunCollecting cans, he did deduceHad much value, this man called Bruce

He salvaged cans headed for trashAnd converted all them to cashIn addition, waste piles reduceFigured it all, this man called Bruce And our treasure, he helped us growOur gratefulness, we’d like to showThrough the applause, we now produceTo thank our man, this man called Bruce

The Highlanders Chapter of FTA recently honored a long time member, Bruce Hobson. Bruce has been a valu-able member of the chapter. He has served on the FTA board. His favorite job has always been trail mainte-nance and he even provided storage space for our trailer & some equipment at his house. In recent years he has collected our aluminum cans, storing them at his house & selling them when the market was high. The cans are a big source of funds for our chapter. Bob Schultz, Highlanders chapter Poet Laureate wrote the following poem to express our love for Bruce Hobson.

This man called bruceMary Ellen Milton, Highlanders Chapter

Joan and Bruce Hobson doing trail maintenance.

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Highlanders Fall FrenzyAfter a lazy summer the Highlanders Chapter has geared up for a busy fall and winter schedule. We started with a leisurely tubing trip on a slow stream, then walked a series of four short “warm up hikes.” We enjoyed camping trips to Torreya State Park and St. Joseph’s Peninsula State Park.

We went on an out of state camping trip to Georgia where we visited Providence Canyon and Roosevelt State Park. We stumbled during the government shut-down, but soon resumed a busy work hike schedule and have completed 8 chapter work hikes and 16 other days when members were working on trails. We helped with a major 4 mile trail re-route in the Ocala National Forest and have flagged another re-route for completion later in the year. We brought in a rainy New Year with the Central Florida Chapter at the traditional Doe Lake Camp. We are now participating in the Winter Wednesday Hiking Series.

Loxahatchee ChapterThis year, in addition to the 100 miles of Florida Trail we maintain in Palm Beach and Martin Counties, we had the additional opportunity to revise the trail system in JDSP to improve the 2 loop trails and re-route portions of the OTLHT eliminating most of the management road walks and avoiding the proposed multi-use trail planned for the park. Working closely with the Park during most of 2013, details of the revised system were ready to implement in October. On October 12th 40 volunteers showed up to re-blaze and re-route the 2 loops (one a white trail and the other green) and re-route and decommission parts of the OTLHT. Bea Rogers did a magnifi-cent job planning and executing this project.

Bea now turned her attention to the rest of the trail and all proceeded well with good weather and the support of the so called Week Day Work Crew (Dean, Sally Davies, Craig Custer, Fred Davis, Tony Rawson, Roy Moore, Jeff Koons and Scott Lundsford) until November 9th when Bea broke her ankle during a routine work hike along the C-18 canal. Fortunately we were able to get her off the trail and to the Jupiter Medical Center in less than an hour. The break was significant and required surgery to repair so our field general was now confined to her lazy boy chair. Fred Davis assumed the role of Activity Leader for the subsequent work days but our bad luck was just beginning. During the remainder of November we had equipment break downs on 4 successive work days and Sally Davies also suffered an injury to her knee.

However we persevered and were able to keep mostly on schedule. Unseasonal rains in January meant some soggy days in the field but at least the weather was cool. The South Florida Water Management District helped out by mowing most of the loop trails in DuPuis and The Fish and Wildlife Commission has supported us with buggy transportation in the Corbett WMA.

Good planning, an experienced work crew and strong working relationships with our land management part-ners allowed us to overcome what has been a challenging trail maintenance season.

Western GateFor the last few months Florida Trail Association (FTA) volunteers have been adding two additional miles to the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) on the Eglin AFB Reservation. An essential part of the trail building task is the removal of plants and small trees from the pathway. In trail circles this is called Grubbing. Caroling of Wholeo.net has produced two grubbing training videos to help train and familiarize the uninitiated. Please view them and thank Caroling for her time and hard work in this effort. These are just two of several FTA videos she is developing.

Traditional Grubbing - http://vimeo.com/85363964 Grubbing Pullerbear style - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuWM2XJq5ts&feature=youtu.be Training videos by Coraling of wholeo.net - http://wholeo.net/index1.htm

CHAPTER ROUND-UP

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Last November’s Panhandle Regional Gathering, the “Wakulla Walkabout”, hosted by the Apalachee Chapter, was a good reminder of what we all love about FTA and outdoor Florida.

The three-day gathering, held at Camp Indian Springs in Crawfordville, was a sampler of the many places to hike or enjoy other outdoor activities in Wakulla County--the unspoiled “other” Florida and ”The Natural Place

to be in Florida.” Conference-goers stayed in tents or bunkhouses at the Camp or at the lovely Wakulla Springs Lodge. Weekend meals were catered by FTA Life member Carolyn Pardue.

Hikers explored Leon Sinks Geological Area, portions of the FNST in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge and along the Sopchoppy River, and the historic San Marcos de Apalache fort. Thanks to the partnership with Wakulla Springs State Park, there were boat tours on the Wakulla River and a special birding hike.

Back at Camp Indian Springs there were talks on the latest out-door gear by J. C. Gayhartt of Trail and Ski Outfitters, and on becoming a better outdoor photographer by Nick Baldwin. Our keynote speaker was the very first thruhiker of the Florida National Scenic Trail, Steve

Sheridan. Early in the morning there was a session of yoga for hikers, and after dark the Tallahassee Astronomical Society pro-vided telescopes for stargazing. T-shirts designed especially for the event were for sale. To top off all those activities, there were delicious shared meals, a very successful raffle, and opportunities for conversation with kindred spirits, along with warming drinks and Old Time Music by the bonfire.

Overheard comments: “The best hiking for me so far in Florida,” “I saw more wildlife this weekend than I have in my whole life,” “Fantastic guest speakers, great raffle and prizes,” “Very well orga-nized, fun-filled and busy weekend,” and “Best food I ever had at an FTA Conference.”

The Gathering showed what talented and dedicated people can do when they work together. Special thanks go to lead organizer Dawn Griffin, the almost four dozen other volunteers who made it happen, and the phenomenal part-ners who donated raffle and registration-bag items, staff time, an area map, tours, and much more.

panhandle regional conference - Wakulla Walkabout recapby Wendy Dial, Howard Pardue, & Linda Patton, Apalachee Chapter

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During the course of 2013, I led about 30 hikes on the Florida Trail (FT) and made some really terrific new friends. We got to see a black bear, mating cot-tonmouths, an innocuous water snake being envenomated by a cottonmouth and hear/see the death whistles of a leopard frog being eaten by an Ever-glades racer. It was a good year. Friendships were built and we explored virtu-ally all the trails in our backyard, as well as several off-trail exploratory trips, cypress domes and canoe trips.

The one thing we didn’t get to was the Tamiami Trail (41) to Alligator Alley (I-75). A 3-day hike spanning what is hailed to be the 30 hardest miles of the FT through mud, water and ankle-breaking, young-man-tripping limestone cap-rock and solution holes. As the rainy season ended (it actually hasn’t seemed to end this year in south Florida), the most appropriate time to tackle a 3-day hike is a 3-day holiday, so we selected the Martin Luther King holiday in Janu-ary. The next step was to assemble our team. The adventure was limited to Florida Trail Association members and folks who have hiked with us in the watery mud of Big Cypress before. We had two conference calls to plan the hike and a whole meeting dedicated to Backpacking 101 to cover the basics as folks prepared for the trip.

Sixteen people signed up for the trip, though in the end we were ten (gotta love the integrity of Facebook RSVP’s). Of note was a man that I didn’t know who was flying in from Maryland to the hike with us! Maryland? Really? Turns out Daryl Wells is a bit of a FTA legend. Daryl had led this very trip more than 25 times over the last 30 years, had several leadership roles with local chapters and the state board. It was quite the honor to have him join us.

Terminus to 10-Mile CampFolks showed up at the Oasis Visitor Center in Big Cypress National Preserve at 7:30 am and the games began. We weighed packs and surprisingly all came in between 23-30 pounds. Nina Dupuy “Mama Cypress” from the Big Cypress Chapter, as well as a young Colombian film major from FIU joined us for day 1. Our mileage was 9.6 miles and we knew this would be the easiest day of the journey. We stopped about 3-miles in to have a short break at the blue loop and then continued on to 7-mile camp for lunch and a few of us may have napped. After the break, Daryl led us to the remains of an old plane crash in a cypress dome, where we also found an attractive Florida water snake, during which a National Park Service law enforcement ranger with what looked to be an AK 47 startled us. He was out there patrolling on his swamp buggy, which several got to check out. We made it to 10-mile camp by 3:30pm and had a relaxing afternoon and evening by the fire.

Onward & Upward to Oak Hill CampDay 2 started a little slow, as temperatures dropped to near freezing and there

The “Big Cypress 10” Take on Christopher Boykin, FTA Southeast Regional Coordinator

Leah - 31 Captain

Carlos - 38 IT Manager

Heidi - 34 Professor

Megan - 28 Student

Casey - 24 Consultant

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was frost/ice on a few backpacks/tents. We pushed off at 9:30, which was a mis-take, considering most of us reach Oak Hill Camp by headlamp about an hour after sunset. It was however, my favor-ite part of the trip. We were spread out a little as the 14 miles was kicking our collective arses and the change of light was just magical. I was happy, grateful and present in the silence as night fell and my only company was the constant

sound of splashing water with each step. As we entered camp, Antonio made a video diary of each of us, which was nice. Oak Hill is a terrific site and we all retired relatively early as we knew that day-3, though only 8-miles, is the toughest with constant water and mud the entire way.

Trudging towards Alligator AlleyWe exited Oak Hill Camp, the same way we entered, with Antonio filming us for his mini-documentary. It was fun to see the various smiles and reactions, despite some pain. It seemed we would never reach Ivy Camp, but once we did, we indulged in a nice 45-minute break. We took solace in knowing the last mileage would be a little easier on the old buggy road as we’d have better footing on firmer ground, though still lots of water. The group reached Alligator Alley by 3:30 where we were picked up by a great friend who not only drove 150 miles for us, but took orders for beer, soda and sugary things to greet us with. A highlight of the entire trip was seeing it reflected in Daryl’s eyes and kind smile. It was moving to know that he has hiked this trial so many times and still marvels at it with childlike wonder. It was a beautiful, difficult and bonding experience for all of us. We certainly get how and why Big Cypress helped the Seminoles win the war. Yay! View an 8-minute video of the trip on Youtube at http://youtube/GZW62qq-gHw

Amos - 21+ Neurosurgeon

Antonia - 31 Insurance

Daryl - 54 Programmer

Flex - 39 Explorer

Christopher - 41 Communications

florida’s hardest 3-day hike

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Choctawhatchee Snow on the FT

chapters on the go!

Suncoast/Fla Crackers/Halifax-St Johns Western Corridor Hike Series

Western Gate Dunes Maintenance

North Florida Trail BlazersOlustee Maintenance

Loxahatchee Safety Briefing

Central FloridaAnnual New Years Eve Campout

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21

Without the help of FTA members and volunteers, there is no magazine. We strongly encourage your submission of photos and content for every issue.

Photos: We are looking for high resolution (300dpi) photos for publication. Make sure that if they are photos of people that they have signed the necessary photo release - included on the FTA Release. We are always looking for cover pho-tos, which need to be vertical format and at least 300dpi.

Pictures can include: People hiking on the trail Trail maintenance/training activities Flora and fauna on the trail

The Footprint Magazine Submission Guidelines

Articles: We hope for contributions from the vari-ous chapters highlighting events and accomplish-ments, especially those that involve new groups and outreach opportunities. We also look for unique hiking stories from members, and articles regarding anything that pertains to hiking and camping (trail recipes, hiking and safety tips, how-tos, etc.) If you submit a story, please make sure to include photos that you would like to go with it. Word count can be anywhere from 200 to 900 words, depending on photos and page length.

Please do not embed photos within a document- the resolution will be too low for inclusion. Instead send all photos in as separate files.

Please send all submissions to communications@floridatrail.org

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ADVERTISING Reach a highly targeted demographic of Florida outdoor enthusiasts by adver-tising with us or becoming a regular sponsor. Your advertising dollars directly support production and publication of this magazine and assist the Florida Trail Association in fulfilling its mission. Call 877-HIKE-FLA or email fta@floridatrail.org for more details.

Deadline for the spring issue of The Footprint is May 1, 2014.

Deadline for chapter activities cov-ering July - September to appear in the electronic version of the spring issue of The Footprint is May 15, 2014.

FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION

The Footprint (ISSN 1064-0681) is published quarterly (December, March, July, Septem-ber) by the Florida Trail Association, 5415 SW 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32608, 352-378-8823. Bulk rate postage paid at Gainesville, FL. Postmaster: Send change-of-address form 3597 to Footprint, 5415 SW 13th St, Gainesville, FL 32608. © 2014, Florida Trail Association All rights reserved.

The Footprint is printed with soy-based inks on paper with

post-consumer content

Spring 2014 Volume 31, Issue 2

OUR MAGAZINE The Footprint is published by the Florida Trail Association, a volunteer-based nonprofit organization focused on Florida hiking and trail building. Since 1966, the primary mission of our organization has been the care and protection of the Flor-ida Trail, a 1,400-mile footpath across the Sunshine State - Florida’s own National Scenic Trail. The Florida Trail Association also publishes maps and guidebooks to assist hikers in enjoying this public recre-ational resource. OUR GOAL To provide outreach to our readers through informative articles that express appreciation for and conservation of the natural beauty of Florida; to inform our readers of Florida Trail Association business; and to provide information on Florida hiking and outdoor recreation op-portunities. CONTRIBUTORS Contributors are welcome to submit items for our various departments as well as trail and association-related news. Please contact the editor at communications@floridatrail.org to discuss ideas for feature stories prior to submission. MEMBERSHIP If you’re not already a member, join now. As a Florida Trail member, you receive a subscription to The Footprint magazine, membership in a local chapter, a local newsletter with local activities, opportu-nities for outdoor skills training, participa-tion in regional and annual conferences and more. Commercial and Alliance mem-berships and event sponsorship oppor-tunities are also available. Call toll-free 877-HIKE-FLA for more information.

FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION 5415 SW 13th St Gainesville, FL 32608 352-378-8823 877-HIKE-FLA fta@floridatrail.org BOARD OF DIRECTORS Carlos Schomaker, President Tom Daniel, VP Trails Holly Parker, VP Outreach/Development Eve Barbour , VP Membership Leslie Wheeler, Secretary Pam Hale, Treasurer Chuck Barrowclough David Denham Fred Goldstein James Powell Meredith Rust Jan Wells FLORIDA TRAIL STAFF GAINESVILLE HEADQUARTERS 877-HIKE-FLA or 352-378-8823 Janet Akerson, Administrative Director Diane Strong, Administrative Asst TALLAHASSEE FNST OFFICE Eric Mason, Trail Program Director 906-360-3153 Megan Donoghue, Volunteer Program Coordinator 941-408-3098 Jeff Glenn, North Regional Representative 352-514-1455

FLORIDA TRAIL Footprint Deb Blick, Editor Rob Smith, Jr, Cartoonist Contributors retain copyright to their work but give the Florida Trail Associa-tion premission to use to promote FTA and the Florida Trail. Articles are subject to editing for clarity and space. Materi-als will be returned if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Opin-ions, observations, and endorsements made within the Florida Trail Footprint do not necessarily reflect those of the board or staff of the Florida Trail As-sociation.

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Kim Ackerman & Rick ZelznakDavid & Jennifer AdairMike AitkenCheryl AldridgeDavid AleksyMichelle AllenWilliam Ambrose & Joanne MuratoriJim ApthorpTerrie ArnettRobert AshPauline AshtonMidge & Thomas BagbyShelley Baker & Glenn CarrollLinda & Prentis BallAllana BarfieldBeti BarisicBrittnee Barris & Cameron BaxleyWilliam BaumgardnerTiffany Baylor & Caitlin WilsonMark BeardLary BeaulieuJason BebberRuth Becerra & FamilyJann BellamyStephen BennettD BentlyBretta BergerSteven BermanSuzanne Bess-WollborgJames BierceJose & Ann BoixIndie BollmanLia BostickDeborah BrittGerald BrownJimmy Byrd, Sr.Kevin CannonMichael John CarnevaleVeronica CiambraAngela ClaryRay ColesEmy CollinsSharon CollinsBill CummingSamuel & Edelyn CyrilJackie Dale & Mary NannyCarl DanielsMary DavisChloe DelhommeBryan DeslogeMarcia DiMambroJudy DominekJohn DoughertyCharles & Carol DujsikMichael DuPreRonnie EadSue EastonIra & Janice Eick

Welcome New MembersNovember 2013 tHRU January 2014

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a special thanks to our generous donors

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Paul KingPatricia Landis and Cornelius Du PlessisArthur LirotLoxahatchee ChapterAndrew McMahonJohn McPhersonRik Edmonds and Junia MasonW A “Bill” and Mary Ellen MiltonDon MitchellGinger and Edward MooreRhoda and Paul MorrisroeNorth Florida Trail Blazers ChapterFrank OrserPaul and Mollie PalmerPanhandle ChapterHoward and Carolyn PardueGeorge PerkinsonRonald and Darcel Peterson

NOVEMBER 2013 tHru JANUARY 2014

Linda PattonEddie and Melanie PipkinAnthony RawsonAnn RobertsDiane RoeschSally RydenIngrid SchultzTom TateJohn VernerDennis WalkerGary WernerMary Alice WestrickJan WellsLeslie WheelerHelen WigersmaJean & Camille Williamson and John KovalWalter Williamson

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ALLIGATOR AMBLERS CHAPTER http://amblers.floridatrail.org/

Monday, March 10 - – Maintenance at Prairie Pines Preserve, No. Ft Myers, Fl.General maintenance and trail blazing. FTA Members only – Limit 10 people- moderate. RSVP Mickey Miller 239-229-0522 hike1962@yahoo.com Friday, March 14 – 16 – Backpack, Camp and Trail Maintenance on the “Florida National Scenic Trail” in Big Cypress National Preserve. Meet at Publix Parking Lot at 8 am, 5624 Stand Blvd, Naples, Fl. We will carpool or caravan to the work area and backpack south about 4 miles on the FNST to Ivy Camp. This will be our basecamp while working south to Oak Hill Camp. The work will be light trimming and repainting blazes. Wear boots or old shoes, no sandals or crocs, the trail may be wet or muddy in some places. Bring hat, sunscreen, bug repellent, sunglasses, minimum 2 quarts of water, food and snacks for 3 days (2breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners) and all camping equipment. Must have backpacking and camping experience, be able to backpack 4-8 miles per day on primitive trail in wet areas. Public invited – limit 6 people- all participants must contact leader for prior approval – strenuous. RSVP www.meetup.com/alligator -amblers or leader Mickey Miller 239-229-0522 hike1962@yahoo.com or Chuck Wilson 239-398-3820 flswampeagle@aol.com Thursday, March 20 – Alligator Amblers Monthly Meeting – program TBA. 6:30 pm social, 7:00 pm meeting at Bass Pro Shops, Gulf Coast Town Center. For information call Joann Luce 239-495-7644 Sunday, March 23- History and Botanical tour, at Koreshan State Historical Site, 3800 Corkscrew Rd, Estero, Fl. Guided ½ hour botanical/historic tour of early 1900’s pioneer community along the Estero River. Meet at 10am - Optional - Bring kayak/canoe for a river paddle after the tour – canoe rentals available $5.30/hr. Entrance to park $4.00 per car. Meet at 10 am - Public invited- Limit 14 people- Leisure RSVP Joann Luce 239-495-7644 joannl1960@yahoo.com Friday, March 28-30 – Camping at Cayo Costa State Park –Enjoy swimming, hiking and snorkeling on this bar-rier island. Ferry is $35 per person. Cabins available $36/ night each sleeps 6 people FTA members only – Limit of 10 people - RSVP Bonnie McLaughlin 239-765-5450 or call Bonalyn Plante bplantefl@gmail.com 239 450 8310

Sunday, April 6 – Kayak trip- John Pennekemp State Park, 102601 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, Fl Mile Marker 102.5 Enjoy a day of kayaking through beautiful mangrovc trails within the park, clear water you can see the bottom and fish swimming by, wading birds and the occasional porpoise. Camping is available on site or hotels are nearby if you prefer to spend the night. Limit of 20 people- moderate RSVP Brenda Carneri 239-594-0401 bkcscuba@aol.com Monday, April 14 – Maintenance Hike at Prairie Pines Preserve, North Ft. Myers, Fl. General trail maintenance and trail blazing. FTA members only. Limit of 10 people – moderate RSVP Mickey Miller 239-229-0522 hike1962@yahoo.com Thursday, April 17 – Alligator Ambler Monthly Meeting – Program-“Pythons in our swamps” by Ian Bartoszek, biologist at the Conservancy of SW Florida. 6:30 pm social; 7:00 pm meeting at Bass Pro Shops, Gulf Coast Town Center. For information call:Joann Luce 239-495-7644

upcoming chapter ActivitiesThe Florida Trail Association offers activities throughout Florida. These activities, led by authorized Activity

Leaders, Section Leaders, or staff members, are organized by our local chapters. Unless otherwise noted, all activities are open to the general public. People interested in attending any activity should contact the Activity

Leader for more information and for last minute changes.

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Saturday, April 26 – 27 Camping and hiking-Sebastian Inlet State Park, 9700 S. Hwy A1A, Melbourne, Fl. Two museums provide a history of the area. The McLarty Treasure Museum features the history of the 1715 Span-ish treasure fleet; the Sebastian Fishing Museum tells the history of the area’s fishing industry. Lots of swim-ming, a hiking trail and kayaking are available. RSVP Bonnie McLaughlin 239-765-5450 Saturday, June 7 - Estero River Scrub Preserve Hike. 4940 W. Broadway, drive west on Broadway 1 ¼ miles to trailhead parking at the FP&L substation. Hike through pine flatwoods, oakscrub and mangrove swamp. Possible wet, muddy conditions wear old shoes and bring 2nd pair to drive home. Bring plenty of water, snack, lunch, bug spray and sunblock.. Public invited – Limit 12 people – moderate RSVP Joann Luce – 239-495-7644 joannl1960@yahoo.com

APALACHEE CHAPTER http://apalachee.floridatrail.org/

March 11 - Chapter Meeting - Liz Sparks 850-570-5950 or liz.aparks57@gmail.comProgram: “Holly Parker and Kevin Curry, Backpacking in the Grand Canyon.” Join Kevin Curry and Holly Parker as they share their great adventures in the Grand Canyon! Find out everything you need to know about hiking in the Grand Canyon, and enjoy breathtaking photographs from their three-day hike from the South Rim to the North Rim. Meeting held at the Early Learning Coalition, Suite 70, Northwood Centre, 1852 North Martin Luther King Blvd., Tallahassee.No limit, Public, Leisure.

March 15 - W.D.Lines Tract Day Hike -Barry Haber 850-284-5615 or BarryJHaber@hotmail.comThe Lines Tract is on the west side of Lake Talquin and is better known as an off-road bike trail although bikes are seldom encountered. Enjoy hiking the Long Leaf and parts of the Talquin Loop trails. About 6 miles with great views of Lake Talquin.No limit, Public, Moderate.

March 15 - Seek and Destroy! Phipps Park Invasive Plant Education and Volunteer Program. See February 15 for details.No limit, Public, Moderate.

March 21 –23, - Day Hikes Celebrating Spring in Pine Mountain Ga - John Laney 850-879-0168 john@john-laney.com and Dawn Griffin 850-509-6103 Griffindd@aol.com and Dawn Brown 850-668-0091 dbrown1948@embarqmail.com.Leave Tallahassee Friday a.m. for a short 3.5-hour drive to Pine Mountain (outside Columbus, Georgia). On the way we can stretch our legs with a short hike in Georgia’s “Little Grand Canyon” at Providence Canyon State Outdoor Recreation Area (7 miles west of Lumpkin), then continue our journey north to Pine Mountain and check into our accommodations. Enjoy a longer hike on Saturday on the Pine Mountain Trail. Non-hikers can enjoy Callaway Gardens and Warm Springs (FDR’s Little White House) in the area. You can choose to enjoy the comforts of a hotel at night or, if you prefer, camp or stay in a cabin. On the way back to Tallahas-see on Sunday plan to stop at the Andersonville National Historic Site (outside Andersonville). Make your own reservations early either at a hotel in Pine Mountain or at F.D.R. State Park Cabins/Campground (http://www.gastateparks.org/FDRoosevelt). Sign up early as space is limited.Limit 30 people, FTA Members Only, Moderate.

March 29 - Chipola River Canoe and Hinson Conservation Area Hike - Mike Tucker 850-545-3489 or tuckems@hotmail.com. Repeat of October trip to canoe the Chipola River from Yancy Bridge to Magnolia Bridge, stopping half way down for a hike with Leigh Brooks showcasing the unique spring wildflowers of the Hinson Conservation Area. Bring shoes, water and bug spray for the hike. Mike Tucker (850) 545-3489 or tuckems@hotmail.com. Limit 12 canoes/kayaks, Public, Moderate.

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APALACHEE CHAPTER (continued)

March 30 - Sopchoppy River Azalea Hike - George Weaver (850) 510-3288 weaver@psy.fsu.edu.Sopchoppy River section of the FNST in the Apalachicola National Forest. A 5-mile (easy to moderate) hike on a section of the FNST that follows the Sopchoppy River. This section of the trail has abundant stands of wild azaleas that bloom in mid to late March. The hike leader will provide hikers with a list of plant species likely to be observed along the trail.Limit 25 people, Public, Moderate.

CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER https://sites.google.com/site/ftacentralflorida/

Joshua Creek Trailhead. All the maintenance activities will start at 9:00 AM his schedule may change due to trail conditions, problems with access, prescribed burns etc. Also, in case of heavy rainfall and standing water on the trail the work may be canceled. The leader will send out an email announcing changes, Check your email or Meetup before leaving home.

Jan 22 - Wednesday Winter Day Hike Series - Rachael & Lou Augspurg 352-669-2898, cell: 352-552-0626 lourayfl@mac.com7-9 mile day hike in the Ocala National Forest. No limit, Public, Moderate.

March 12 - Wednesday Winter Day Hike Series - Rachael & Lou Augspurg 352-669-2898, cell: 352-552-0626 lourayfl@mac.com7-9 mile day hike in the Ocala National Forest. No limit, Public, Moderate.

March 19 - Wednesday Winter Day Hike Series - Rachael & Lou Augspurg 352-669-2898, cell: 352-552-0626 lourayfl@mac.com7-9 mile day hike in the Ocala National Forest. No limit, Public, Moderate.

March 22 - Wednesday Winter Day Hike Series - Rachael & Lou Augspurg 352-669-2898, cell: 352-552-0626 lourayfl@mac.com7-9 mile day hike in the Ocala National Forest. No limit, Public, Moderate.

FLORIDA CRACKERS CHAPTER http://floridacrackers.floridatrail.org/

March 13 - Day hike at Gilchrist County Santa Fe Park. It is that time of year. Last year we hiked here and saw many new and beautiful flowers. Join us for the spring burst of colors. We should see many of the fresh “Swamp Lillies” in bloom. This is a high water flood plain of the Santa Fe river and may be wet in areas. The hike will be along the river and then out into theg the bordering sandhills. Bring bug spray, water, snacks, hats and lightweight long sleeve shirts, It may be cool so dress in layers. Meet at the Park at 8:45am. The hike will start at 9:00am. Contact: Mitch 352-332-2065 or mesapp1941@gmail.com

March 20 - Chapter Meeting at Brasingtons Adventure Outfitters. 6:30 pm

March 22 - Kayaking 101 Tryout - Deb Blick 352-475-5644 ftcricket@windstream.netEarl P. Powers Park 5910 SE Hawthorne Rd (State Rd 20) Gainesville, FL 32641 9 am - 3 pm Thinking about giving kayaking a try but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you are interested in getting a kayak but can’t decide between a sit-on-top and a sit-inside, a rec boat and a sea kayak? This is the “class” for

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you. We’ll cover topics such as the different styles of kayaks, different types of paddles, required safety gear, and other tips and tricks for paddling fun and comfort in the monring. Following a picnic lunch (bring your own) we’ll have some boats available for you to try out.No limit, Public welcome, Leisure.

March 22 - Walk Across Marion County: Day hike from Ross Prairie to Pruitt Trailhead. Join Bob Jones and the Florida Trail Association for our 9th Annual Walk Across Marion County. Each week we will walk a different sec-tion of the Florida Trail until we have walked across the county. This is an excellent opportunity to learn where the various trailheads are located in our area. There will be guest hikers along the way who will share their vast knowledge of the history, flora and fauna along our hiking trails. This popular winter hiking series has introduced many people to the natural wonders to be found around Ocala, Belleview, and Silver Springs.Each day hike provides an easy ramble along the Florida Trail and lets you complete sections of the trail that you may not have explored before. Each is guided by a knowledgeable trail guide. There is No Fee to enjoy this hiking series. Simply get out there and have a good time. Meet at Santos Trailhead campground area at 8:30 and carpool to the start of the hike or meet at the trailhead by Ross Prairie Trailhead at 9:00. For more information contact Bob Jones at 352-454-9533

March 31 to April 5 - The Imperfect Backpacking Series - Robin Luger 352-284-3319 robinannie.luger@gmail.com and Irvin Chance 386-330-2424 andachance@msn.comSuwannee River from Bell Springs to U.S.129No limit, Public welcome, Moderate.

HAPPY HOOFERS CHAPTER http://hoofers.floridatrail.org/

March 13 - Chapter Meeting 7:30 pm. - Kay Ferrara 954-609-4727 kayferrara@bellsouth.net Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Rd. South, Coconut Creek, FL 33063

March 15 - Day hike to Gator Hook - Esther Muram 954-658-8386 Itailusa@gmail.com and Robert Rockwell 954-242-6786 rockyhic@hotmail.comhike trough lime stone trail and old logging tram road ~ 4 miles round tripLimit 15 people, Members first, Public after, Moderate.

March 22-23 - Overnight backpacking trip to Fisheating Creek - David Denham 305-667-8643 ddenham@con-sultant.com and Robert Rockwell 954-242-6786 rockyhic@hotmail.comLimit 10, Members Only, Moderate.

March 29-30 - Day hike and or backpack Lake Arbuckle at Lake Wales Wildlife Management Area - Kay Ferrara 954-609-4727 kayferrara@bellsouth.net and Esther Muram 954-658-8386 itailusa@gmail.comLimit 15 people, Members first, Public after, Moderate.

April 5 - Walk and bird watch at Green Cay - Lynn Thompson 954-850-3668 ma12thom@bellsouth.netNo limit, Public welcome, Leisure.

April 10 - Chapter Meeting 7:30 pm. - Kay Ferrara 954-609-4727 kayferrara@bellsouth.net Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Rd. South, Coconut Creek, FL 33063

April 18-20 - Camp and day hike at Cumberland Island National Seashore - Mike and Lynn Thompson (954)850-3668 ma12thom@bellsouth.netLimit 12, Members first, Public after, Moderate

April 26 - Day paddle at Isle of Capri - Kay Ferrara 954-609-4727 kayferrara@bellsouth.net and Vivian Oliva 305-595-1395 snook33172@yahoo.comLimit 12, Member first, Public after, Moderate.

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HAPPY HOOFERS CHAPTER (Continued)May 8 - Chapter Meeting 7:30 pm. - Kay Ferrara 954-609-4727 kayferrara@bellsouth.net Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Rd. South, Coconut Creek, FL 33063

June 7 - Day hike to Tarpon Lake - David Denham 305-667-8643 ddenham@consultant.comLimit 15 people, Member first, Public after, Moderate.

HIGHLANDERS CHAPTER http://highlanders.floridatrail.org/

March 12, 2014, OCALA NATIONAL FOREST EASTERN CORRIDOR- HIKE 10- Shuttle required Hike from the FR 22-Farles Prairie Day Use area to the FR 69-FNST crossing - 8.2 miles Meet at the junction of CR 445 & FR 69 near Alexander Springs (N29º 04.479’ W081º 35,193’) Contact leaders for more information. Rachael & Lou Augspurg 352-669-2898 - cell 352-552-0626 - lourayfl@mac.com

March 19, 2014, OCALA NATIONAL FOREST EASTERN CORRIDOR - HIKE 11- Out & Back Hike from the FR 69-FNST crossing to FR 06 & back /w side trip to Alexander Creek - 8.5 miles Meet at the junction of CR 445 & FR 69 near Alexander Springs (N29º 04.479’ W081º 35.193’) Contact leaders for more information. Rachael & Lou Augspurg 352-669-2898 - cell 352-552-0626 - lourayfl@mac.com March 26, 2014, OCALA NATIONAL FOREST EASTERN CORRIDOR- HIKE 12 - Shuttle required Hike from the FR 06-FNST crossing to the SR 42-Clearwater Lake Trailhead parking - 7 miles “End of Series” Pot Luck Picnic following the hike. Meet at the SR 42-Clearwater Lake Trailhead parking (N28º 58.595’ W081º 33.024’) Con-tact leaders for more information. Rachael & Lou Augspurg 352-669-2898 - cell 352-552-0626 - lourayfl@mac.com

March 27, 2014, Highlanders Chapter Monthly Meeting: Leesburg Public Library, 100 E Main Street. Use the entrance on Main Street. 6:00 PM. Meeting room just inside the entrance to the library. Doug Watson, Lake Griffin State Park will present the program: HISTORY AND INTERESTING POINTS OF THE PARK. Bring a snack to share and your aluminum cans to recycle. Questions? 352-787-8654 or email bobbiszoo@yahoo.com

April 5, 2014, Work Hike, 9 AM, Seminole State Forest. Details later. Please bring water, insect spray, hats, lunch, etc. If you have further questions call Francis Keenan, 352-787-8654 or email bobbiszoo@yahool.com

April 9, 2014, Kayak/Canoe: We will meet at Silver Lake State Park on the Withlacoochee River in Ridge Manor at 8:45 am. We will paddle from Silver Lake to Nobleton about 9 miles. We will need to shuttle cars to the takeout in Nobleton before we start. Bring lunch and water. Silver lake is off of RT 50 just east of I75. Turn onto Croom Rital Road at the light toward Withlacoochee State Trail (Bike), follow Croom Rital Road 3miles to entrance to Silver Lake State Park. Go to day use area straight ahead. questions call Gene Bouley 352-314-9335

April 17, 2014, Highlanders Chapter Monthly Meeting: Note third Thursday due to Leesburg Bikefest. Lees-burg Public Library, 100 E Main Street. Use the entrance on Main Street. 6:00 PM. Meeting room just inside the entrance to the library Howard Pospesel will present the program; HIGHLANDERS: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE. Bring a snack to share and your aluminum cans to recycle. Questions? 352-787-8654 or email bob-biszoo@yahoo.com

April 21 to April 28, 2014, Camping Trip: GA Veterans SP two nights, Cloudland Canyon SP five nights. Con-tact Bobbi Keenan for more information, 352-787-8654 or email bobbiszoo@yahoo.com

SUWANNEE CHAPTER http://suwannee.floridatrail.org/

March 10-14 - The Imperfect Backpacking Series - Irvin Chance 386-330-2424 andachance@msn.com and

WWW.FLORIDATRAIL.ORG30

Robin Luger 352-284-3319 robinannie.luger@gmail.comOsceola National Forest from Olustee Battleground to U.S. 441No limit, Public welcome, Moderate.

March 31 to April 5 - The Imperfect Backpacking Series - Irvin Chance 386-330-2424 andachance@msn.com and Robin Luger 352-284-3319 robinannie.luger@gmail.comSuwannee River from Bell Springs to U.S.129No limit, Public welcome, Moderate.The weekend of March 15-16 Oak Mountain State Park in Alabama. We will hike Saturday afternoon at 1 PM on the Peavine Falls Trail. One way it is 2.5 miles, I will shuttle hikers back if they want to only do that half. Supper that night at my cabin. Hike Sunday morning at 8:30 AM on the White Trail (Shackleford Point Trail) about 6.5 miles one way. I will be the shuttle again. Call me for more information. Peggy Grantham 850-982-9490

WESTERN GATE CHAPTER http://www.westerngate-fta.org/

March 30 Sunday Hike the Dunes Trail on Pensacola Beach 9 AM with Patty Brown 850-417-7747

April 12 Saturday Kid’s Hike on the Juniper Creek, just to the lean-to and back, about 2 miles with stops along the creek to explore and get our feet wet. 10 AM Led by Peggy Grantham 850-982-9490

The weekend of April 18 - 20 Easter Weekend I will be camping at Greyton Beach State Park and hik-ing the beach and nature trails in the park. On Easter Sunday we will be at Eden Gardens State Park to walk and tour the house and gardens there.

April 27 Sunday Patty Brown will lead a hike on the Jackson Trail from County Line Road to Red Rock Road trailhead about 9 miles. 9 AM Patty 850 417-7747

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Local Chapters

When you join the state-wide Florida Trail Association you automatically become a member of your local chapter based upon your zip code. However, members may attend the activities of any chapter and may transfer to any chapter they wish simply by informing the FTA Office.

Florida Trail activities are organized by our local chapters and led by authorized volunteer activity leaders. Many of our activities are open to the general public so you can get to know us before you join. Activities can be found online at www.floridatrail.org Click on “About Us” then click on the “Upcoming Events” button on the left. Local activities are usually also listed on the chapter web-sites, Facebook pages amd Meetups. Click on “About Us” then “Our Chapters” for links to local chapter sites.

Participants in activities must sign an Assumption of Risk form and agree to accept personal responsibility for their safety and the safety of accompanying minors. Always contact the activity leader in advance for more information, to let them know you are attending, to find out any special requirements or equipment for the activity, and to check for any last minute changes.

SUWANNEE CHAPTER COLUMBIA, DIXIE, HAMILTON, LAFAYETTE, MADISON, SUWANNEE, AND TAYLOR Irv Chance 386-330-2424

TROPICAL TREKKERS CHAPTER MARTIN, OKEECHOBEE, AND ST. LUCIE Bridget Kean 850-212-2262

WESTERN GATE CHAPTER ESCAMBIA AND SANTA ROSA Helen Wigersma 850-484-0528

For chapter websites/Meetups, go to http://www.floridatrail.org/about-us/chapters/ then select the chapter

ALLIGATOR AMBLERS CHAPTER CHARLOTTE, COLLIER, AND LEE Bonalyn Plante 239-227-0937

AA Sub Chapter FISHEATING CREEK GLADES AND HENDRY Margaret England 863-674-0695

APALACHEE CHAPTER FRANKLIN, GADSDEN, JEFFERSON, LEON, LIBERTY, AND WAKULLA Howard Pardue 850-386-1494

BIG CYPRESS CHAPTER MIAMI-DADE AND MONROE Nina Dupuy 305-608-6866

CENTRAL FLORIDA CHAPTER ORANGE, SEMINOLE, AND OSCEOLA Tom Regan 407-415-8592

CHOCTAWHATCHEE CHAPTER WALTON AND OKALOOSA Paul Kellum 850-654-1172

FLORIDA CRACKERS CHAPTER ALACHUA, LEVY, GILCRIST, AND MARION Mitch Sapp 352-332-2065

HALIFAX-ST JOHNS CHAPTER FLAGLER, PUTNAM, AND VOLUSIA Linda Taylor 386-774-0734

HAPPY HOOFERS CHAPTER BROWARD AND HENDRY Esther Muram 954-742-7572

HEARTLAND CHAPTER DESOTO, HARDEE, HIGHLANDS, AND POLK David Waldrop 863-605-3587

HIGHLANDERS CHAPTER LAKE AND SUMTER Rollin Patrick 407-469-3638

INDIAN RIVER CHAPTER BREVARD AND INDIAN RIVER Richard Loudon 321-638-8804

LOXAHATCHEE CHAPTER PALM BEACH Margaret Brabham 561-588-3077

NORTH FLA TRAILBLAZERS CHAPTER BAKER, BRADFORD, CLAY, DUVAL, NASSAU, ST. JOHNS, AND UNION Leslie Wheeler 904-386-2186

PANHANDLE CHAPTER BAY, CALHOUN, GULF, HOLMES, JACKSON, AND WASHINGTON Ron Peterson 850-814-0139

SUNCOAST CHAPTER CITRUS, HERNANDO, HILLSBOROUGH, MANATEE, PASCO, PINELLAS AND SARASOTA Lenny Chew 813-838-6834

WWW.FLORIDATRAIL.ORG 3332

33WWW.FLORIDATRAIL.ORG 3332

Florida Trail Association 5415 SW 13th St, Gainesville FL 32608

Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Permit No. 702 Gainesville, FL

Dates to Remember!

Board of Directors Meeting May 17, 2014

Footprint Article Deadline May 1, 2014 Footprint Activities Deadline May 15, 2014