Florida Hikes! blog

Brevard’s EEL Program in financial trouble

info@floridahikes.com (Sandra Friend) — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 15:52:35 PDT

The ripple effect from our recession continues to unravel important conservation programs around the state. The latest? Brevard County’s Environmentally Endangered Lands Program. With a shrinking tax base, the county commission is looking at drastic cuts to the EEL program, including immediately ceasing all land purchases, laying off half the staff, severely limiting operating hours [...]

Lend your expertise on the Florida Trail

info@floridahikes.com (Sandra Friend) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 19:08:16 PDT

Thanks to Florida Hikes member Barbara Bowen, a new forum-within-a-forum has emerged on the website, providing expert-to-hiker feedback on Florida Trail segments. If you’re a trail maintainer or section leader, or a local who has recent knowledge of a specific segment of the Florida Trail, please raise your hand to be on the “Experts” list. If you’re [...]

Florida Trail Association board meeting this weekend

info@floridahikes.com (Sandra Friend) — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:59:13 PDT

Changes in staffing and organization have been afoot at the Florida Trail Association recently. Since I’ve seen no written confirmation of what’s going on, I haven’t shared the buzz, but this announcement on the North Florida Trailblazers chapter website alerts members to a board meeting being held in Gainesville this Saturday. As a former staff member [...]

A walk through Castellow Hammock

info@floridahikes.com (Sandra Friend) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:10:57 PDT

One of the Miami area’s premiere nature walks is pure heaven for macro photographers, with a high density of tree snails, butterflies, and tropical trees. Take a virtual walk down Castellow Hammock’s nature trail!

Yearling Trail has reopened

info@floridahikes.com (Sandra Friend) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:07:24 PDT

Closed due to a military plane crash in the area two weekends ago, the Yearling Trail has reopened, as has access to the Florida Trail via the Pat’s Island trailhead. Hikers are advised that either may close sporadically as cleanup crews continue to scour the area; if closures occur, they will be posted at the [...]

Swimming closed at Blue Spring State Park

info@floridahikes.com (Sandra Friend) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:44:38 PDT

High bacteria levels have forced closure of one of the state’s most beautiful springs, Blue Spring in Orange City, to swimmers this weekend, according to a story in the Daytona Beach News-Journal. While manatee season is what usually chases swimmers out of the water, in this case, it’s a combination of high temperatures and low rainfall [...]

Upgrades affect access to Lake Eaton Trails

info@floridahikes.com (Sandra Friend) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:24:43 PDT

New observation decks on the Lake Eaton Trail for overlooks on the lake, plus new stairs, decks, and kiosks on the Lake Eaton Sinkhole Trail are some of the improvements planned for this summer to this pair of popular day hiking trails in the Ocala National Forest. The short loop to the sinkhole on the Lake [...]

Free parking at rec areas in Fort Myers-Sanibel this weekend

info@floridahikes.com (Sandra Friend) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 04:17:53 PDT

To celebrate Florida Parks & Recreation Month, Lee County … aka Fort Myers, Sanibel, and the Beaches … is offering free parking at all of their lots this weekend. This includes all beaches with the exception of Bowman’s Beach and the beaches at the far north end of Captiva Island. Parks and preserves that charge parking fees, [...]

Yearling Trail closed temporarily

info@floridahikes.com (Sandra Friend) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:16:23 PDT

A military plane crash in the vicinity of Pat’s Island on Sunday evening has forced closure of FR 10, the Pat’s Island Trailhead, and the Yearling Trail while crews work on cleanup in the Juniper Prairie Wilderness. Portions of SR 19 may be closed during cleanup operations. Consider alternate routes through the area. The Florida [...]

Possible FT closures near Clearwater Lake

info@floridahikes.com (Sandra Friend) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:13:21 PDT

Ongoing restoration of longleaf pine habitat between Alexander Springs and Clearwater Lake may lead to closures of the Florida Trail near Paisley. Signage will be placed during closure periods. Please check ahead before hiking this section. See the USFS website for details.