Florida hiking...

“Well folks I am finally in Fla and I need some areas to hike.
I do not know the area and I have no clue.
We are living in Jacksonville.
Please help it would be greatly appreciated. Thanx”

“Cumberland Island is just north of you. Ocala National Forest has some great hikes.

Busy, sorry, more later.”

“wally lives in jax.

he comes up to north georgia and hikes alot.”

“Not really hiking per se, but the Okeefenokee swamp is not to be missed. I love that place!”

“yes! grab a canoe and explore! you can camp there, too!”

“Toreya SP in the panhandle. Not exactly next to Jacksonville, but you will find it worth the trip.”

“Hiking in Florida sounds like as fun as a camel ride in Afghanistan.”

“Hey bacpac, don't be talkin' 'bout your perversions here boy. Start a bestiality thread of your own.”

“Fun is where you find it.

I'm in Atlantic Beach, welcome to Duval county.

Dayhiking:
At the beach Hanna Park has the best collection of hiking and mountain biking trails in the area. Sorry, it's too small a joint for real backpacking though.

North Arlington has the Ft. Caroline national historic site an Timucuan Preserve. About five miles worth of trail (I think)

Take A1A north, Little Talbot Island has a nice five mile trail that is quite nice this time of year.

Fernandina Beach, Ft. Clinch St. Park has nice nature and bike trails.

Backpacking:
O'Leno St. Park near White Springs has a backpacking trail that links where the Santa Fe River goes underground and where it come back out again.

Osceola National Forest contains about 26 miles of the Florida Trail. Wear safety orange It's hunting season.

Gold Head Branch St. Park also contains a few miles of Florida Trail. This is a great relaxing overnighter.

Camp Blanding has some good hiking too.

Ocala National Forest holds about 80 miles of the Florida Trail. I dig the Hidden Pond campsite.

Lots of good places out in the panhandle, Torreya, Appalachicola NF, Florida Caverns ect.

We do have excellent rivers to paddle though.”

“Oh yeah, we are only a days drive from most of the southern Appalachians so Georgia, South and North Carolina is just a quick drive away(the Smokies are 7 hours for me.) Plus I was wearing shorts last Christmas.”

“hpm failed to mention Conecuh NF, AL. It's about an hour west of Tallahassee on I-10, then one hour north. 26 miles of trail (two loops with a connector).

Okeefenokee is being drained for logging - I think.

Cumberland Island is closed indefinitely for renovation (so I've heard).
(o:”

“yes, cumberland is closed.”

“'thought so.”

“wow, i didnt realize there was so much backpacking around me..heh...I do more backyaking ....camping more in winter/spring in most of the places humanpackmule mentioned......been to Oleno and kayaked to the "river rise" trail....need to camp there sometime when the skeeters die down.
hey, florida backpackers are coming out of the woodwork! kewl.
cumberland is is closed? how come?”

“Hey GoJo I didn't know about Conecuh. Thanks for the info, I'll have to check that out.

I do know Cumberland is open next January cause I have reservations for my Scout Troop.

Thats the first I heard about The Okee. They did have a big fight over titanium mining that I thought we won.”

“Here's one, or just search on "hiking florida" at amazon.com or bn.com.”

“Thanx fo the info, I really appeciate it.
I feel so displaced down here(can't even find a decent coffee shop).
I'm missing Washington State bad and I need a hiking fix.
I took he kid down to the beach on Sunday and it just was not enough!
Tahnx for the help and thechance to whine.”

“Hey dont forget the panhandle, we have the Wiregrass trail, Jackson trail, Sweetwater trail, Juniper trail, section of the Florida Trail, Ft. Pickens, Ft. McCree, and just across the State Line Conecuh. Then there is the best canoeing trails in the world all over Florida.”

“I was joshin' about Cumby and the Okeydokey.”

“DOH! Ya got me. Wasn't paying attention.”

“Thanx for all the info. I appreciate it and I will try and get on at least one of those trails this weekend.
I need a fix bad and I guess I will have to make do with what I got until I can get back to my mountains.
Thanx again!!”

“go to the smokies this Florida hiking is WAY to hot. Im burning up down here !”

“It's not so bad here, it's just different.

I gotta admit though, I always make a bee line to the mountains when I get a little extra time.”