Artex's Ocala NF Hike

“Sorry for the late notice and middle of week days. I realize this will make it next to impossible for most of you to attend, but I'm hitting the Ocala National Forest this Wednesday and Thursday. I'd do it this weekend, but I'm looking for a getaway to pass the time while I'm waiting for some job information which I should hear by Friday or early next week. I just kind of decided to do this trip this morning.

Not sure of the route yet. I've been reading some previous threads from trip reports here on TT, and many sound good. I'm looking to decide a route by tomorrow after I get some trail maps and can visualize everything better.

Be great if some of you Florida folks could attend, but again, I realize it's mid-week and very short notice. I'll definitely give more notice next time. :-)

It's on the trip page, BTW.”

“I wish that Corp and I could! But dang, that's one hell of a drive!

Enjoy - don't get eaten by any alligators. LOL!”

“The alligators will tremble in abject fear when Artex sets foot in their neighborhood.”

“Tremble in fear? Hold their breath more like.”

“I was trying to be uncharacteristically nice.”

“Ha ha ha! I'll be careful around the gators. I always am. They're neat creatures, I enjoy watching them (even if they're just sunning themselves for hours at a time, which is when you usually see them).”

“It's when ya don't see 'em you have to worry.”

“I so wish I could go with you dude!!!!

Have a blast!!!!


8)”

“But it's them that have something to fear. They probably talk to the hogs every now and again.”

“True, Geobeet.

Thanks Crazy Mike! I'm long overdue for a backpacking trip. It's going to feel very good to get out in the woods again. :-)”

“I bet I can't wait to hit the trail for 3 days this weekend in Red River Gorge!!!!


8)”

“Sweet! :-)”

“I will be on the trail with backpack for three days this weekend as well. WooooHoooooooooo!”

“Oh ya bring it!!!!!!!!!!


8)”

“Artex, just like last time, I'll go if you give me a ride.

LOL”

“LOL @ Ice!!! While I do have a bit more time on my hands these days, I don't think I want to make that trek. :-)”

“Yeah - I'd love to meet you out there, but this trip would be a little tough for me to attend. We do need to get out there at some point.

Check out my "website" for pics from 4 previous Ocala trips.

Have fun! Lookin' forward to the trip report.”

“Where are you going in Ocala?”

“Enjoy, I am slaving it this week! And I am on the TT IR but I would've tried!!

You'll have excellent weather!”

“Cool photos Coop! Do you, HPM, or anybody else have any recommendations for an overnighter that'll take me about 20 miles total? No set route yet, and I've only been there a few times when I was a kid, so the area is pretty new to me.

We'll definitely have to plan a trip soon. It'd be nice to do one before it get's really hot. :-)”

“Hopkins Prairie to Juniper Springs is nice but not 20 miles. Got two nice swimming holes along the way.”

“Cewl, I'll look into that one. Thanks HPM.”

“Say, when you going?
Oh, parking is free at Hopkins but not Juniper.”

“ARTEX!!!!

Invite me again sometime. I've got friends down in Tampa I want to see and..oh yeah, I'd like to do some hiking too. LOL”

“HPM, I'll be leaving here tomorrow morning, probably no later than 9am. I live about an hour and a half away from there. I'm going to the outdoor store here in a few minutes to get maps. You thinking of coming?

MDSHiker - You bet! :-)”

“Can't promise anything as I am waiting on a phone call about a job. I should know by tonight though.

If no gig then I might join you.”

“Artex dude...you gotta email me. I got some good info. for ya. Send me your address.

mdshiker2001@yahoo.com

;)”

“Cool, lemme know HPM.

MDSHiker - You've got mail!

Hey, the stupid outdoor store didn't have any trail maps for the Ocala NF. Could somebody hook me up with driving directions to a trailhead that's a a good hike? I imagine the ranger's station will have trailmaps...”

“The visitor centers sell the forest sevice maps but they aren't all that great for trail info. Topos are silly to pay for in Florida. You get more detail in the way of trail descriptions from the FTA maps.

The FT is N-S through the forest and there really isn't any other trails in the forest other than blue blazes off the FT that go to access points (Salt springs, Alexander Springs), horse trails and a couple of nature trails that don't connect to the FT.

Road Directions are easy in the forest.
SR40 goes right through the center of the forest E-W. Juniper Springs is right on 40 and is the only trail access on that road.

SR19 is the N-S road through the forest and most of your access points are off of 19.

From 19 going north from 40 your access points are in order:
Forest Road 10 gives you access at the north boundary of Juniper Prairie Wilderness area. Free Parking. This would be an easy, short overnighter to start here and go to Juniper springs and camp at Hidden Pond. About a 9 mile hike.
Forest Road 86 takes you Hopkins Prarie campground. Free parking. Another good choice mileage to Juniper is about 11 miles.
Salt Springs Marina off of 19 (on your left). Pay parking, last time I was there it was $10 to park for two nights. 3 mile blue blaze to the FT. Total miles to Juniper about 20.
North of Salt Springs I have never done.

SR19 going South from 40.
FR 595 goes to two access points. Farles Lake Campground. Free parking by the trailhead sign. and Buck Lake Campground. Same parking situation as Farles. Mileage from Juniper to Farles is about 9 miles. Buck Lake has two blue blazes to connect to the FT. Each goes either direction around the lake. The mileage from juniper to the north end of the loop is 10 miles and about 11 to the southern end.
The FT crosses SR19 south of FR595 and there is a free parking area there. Mileage from Juniper is about 14.
At this point the trail goes East towards Alexander springs off of SR445. The trail cross SR445 at 17 miles and the blue blaze to Alexander Springs starts at 18 miles, 18.5 it you take it all the way to the springs.

South of Alexander I would not do untill cooler weather as last time I had a rough time getting water. But I don't know the water situation right now.”

“HPM, thank you soooooooo much. I really appreciate all that information, that helps a LOT. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, it'd be great if you could make it. If not, there'll be plenty of other chances. Good luck with the job stuff and thanks again! :-)”

“Okay.. I'm thinking now of doing Farles Lake to Alexander Springs.”

“Have a blast!

Have fun, too.”

“Best place to camp in that streach is Lake Bonney. Someone put up a sign that says Dora's pond but it's really Lake Bonney. It's best to camp on the far side of the lake but you could plop down anywhere and be happy.”

“Sweet, thanks!”

“man i could use a hike but can't make it on such short notice. i'm not too far from you but can't get it together.”

“I'll be going plenty more, cyndeee, and I'll give more notice next time. :-)”

“They are all scared to hike with you pal. Gee, did someone give you some kind of reputation? heh heh”

“After hiking with you so much, Pennsy Hiker, can you blame them?”

“Enjoy Artex! Very cool hike!

Good luck to you and HPM about jobs!!!”

“Thanks tango! :-)”

“If I can get the flux capacitor to work corectly to induce a telaportal to Florida I will be able to make it...”

“Hey Arty! Sounds like a fun hike. I always liked ONF. Haven't been there in 20 years, but hey....Hope you find some company for the trip. Miss ya, Buddy. Take care”