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Florida Trail, Clearwater Lake to Alexander Springs
Along the trail north of the Clearwater Lake trailheadThe oldest section of the Florida Trail is one of the prettiest, as well. First blazed in the Ocala National Forest in 1966 by a hardy crew of...
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Florida Trail, Buckman to Rodman Dam
Cross Florida Barge Canal segment near Buckman LockParalleling a segment of the failed Cross Florida Barge Canal, this mostly linear section of the Florida Trail sticks to a high berm created when the...
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Florida Trail, Alexander Springs to Farles Lake
In the thick of the Big Scrub (Phyllis Malinski)Get acquainted with Big Scrub on this 8.4-mile stretch of the Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest as it rises through longleaf pine forests to...
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Florida Trail for Scouting
Florida Trail, Little Big EconThe Florida Trail has been an integral part of Scouting in Florida since the trail’s inception in 1966. Boy Scouts were recruited to assist volunteers building portions of...
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Davenport Landing Trail
See more photos from the Davenport Landing Trail The most obscure interpretive trail in the Ocala National Forest is well off the beaten path along the Ocklawaha River, accessed via a narrow dirt road....
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Clearwater Lake Loop
See more photos from the Clearwater Lake LoopMost hikers headed for Clearwater Lake in the Ocala National Forest are looking for the Florida Trail, which starts its northbound journey of 70 unbroken...
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Clearwater Lake a summer escape
See more photos from the Clearwater Lake LoopA few years ago, I had the honor of walking a section of the Florida Trail at Clearwater Lake with the trail’s founder, Jim Kern, to celebrate the beginning...
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Bear Swamp Trail
See more photos from the Bear Swamp TrailLittle known except to those who frequent this beautiful campground in the Salt Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest, the Bear Swamp Trail...
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Alexander Springs
See more photos from Alexander SpringsSurrounding one of Florida’s most picturesque first magnitude springs, Alexander Springs Recreation Area provides visitors with many options to enjoy the spring...
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5th Annual Hammock Hang
Love their motto. Mom uses it often.“Any day above ground is a good day!”Returning to Doe Lake a few weeks after our wedding, things looked different. There were still plenty of people, but fewer RVs,...
View ArticleFlorida Trail for Scouting
There are many opportunities for Boy Scouts to complete hiking and backpacking merit badges and 50-miler awards along the Florida Trail; this list will start you planning your next trip.
View ArticleDo Not Feed the Bears
Bear bagging is the art of hanging your food properly out of reach of bears. If you're a Florida backpacker and haven't learned how, here's a short course. Securing your food from bears is required in...
View ArticleDavenport Landing Trail
Deep in the Ocala National Forest, the Davenport Landing Trail leads you on a scenic loop to a historic landing and archaeological site along the Ocklawaha River.
View ArticleClearwater Lake a summer escape
A few years ago, I had the honor of walking a section of the Florida Trail at Clearwater Lake with the trail’s founder, Jim Kern, to celebrate the beginning of the Florida Trail at this spot in 1966....
View ArticleAlexander Springs
Surrounding one of Florida's most picturesque first magnitude springs, Alexander Springs Recreation Area provides visitors with many options to enjoy the spring and the woodlands around the spring basin.
View Article5th Annual Hammock Hang
At the 5th annual Hammock Hang this January, hammock camping enthusiasts around the country descended on Doe Lake for a weekend of friendship, fun, and food
View ArticleBear bagging a must in Florida’s National Forests
A federal order has been signed requiring the use of bear bags or bear canisters when backpacking the Florida Trail through the Ocala, Osceola, and Apalachicola National Forests.
View ArticleA Twisted Valentine Tale
A planned Valentines Day hike on the Florida Trail morphs into something completely different as a chain of coincidences fall into place.
View ArticleA Year with Primrose
It's been a year since we purchased Primrose, our 1982 VW Vanagon. Here's a recap of where we've been and what we've seen.
View ArticleFlorida Trail for Scouting
There are many opportunities for Boy Scouts to complete hiking and backpacking merit badges and 50-miler awards along the Florida Trail; this list will start you planning your next trip.
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