Florida Keys

“I'm looking for some great info on FL Keys but am having some difficulty finding information on hiking trails.

Can anyone make any recommendations (trails and/or trail books)?”

“You're gonna have to use a snorkel it you're gonna hike in The Keys!”

“hmmm...we hiked around in a park while i was there a couple months ago. let me figure out what it was called...it was about halfway down the Keys. i don't think it was big enough to do more than a couple hours of hiking, though!”

“Bahia Honda?


Long Key?”

“okay, here it is!

Long Key Park

that picture is of a raised platform that goes through the park just a little ways. you're supposed to camp on it, if you're backpacking there...there are little individual spaces. not too rugged, but hey.”

“Ha, gotchya by five seconds!”

“Eat It! :-)”

“Yeah - I know about these ones - was wondering if there were any spots I haven't been to yet....

Thanks though for the link :)”

“if you click on "parks page" at the bottom of that link, maybe there's something good!”

“I believe there's some short trails on big pine key, near the blue hole or whatever the hell it's called, i don't think we ever really did find that place. Ya can walk around the streets of key west, that's kinda like hiking. A few of the state parks have some short trails, but i don't think down in the keys you're going to find much for even a weekend backpacking trip. If you're looking for a free place to camp, there's a nice place off on the back roads of big pine key where I spent 2 nights. Or, in the woods behind Scotty's in Key largo ya can stay with my homeless friends, they're friendly and can help ya out if ya need it, just stop by the adult bookstore and ask for chris, tell him matt from minnesota sent ya.”

“The "Orbital Web Spider Trail" (or something like that) is the "path" at Long Key SP.

It required hiking it under a full moon before I ever got much of a kick from it. I had my ex-girly and her daughter with me on that trip. We had a blast on the trail that night.

Long Key SP has become day-use only since I acquired the mutt(s).

Do you canoe?
I'd highly recommend renting a canoe at LKSP and spending the day exploring the lagoon, creeks, town canal, bight, point, etc.

I paddled all the way to the point once. I fished my way along. I caught a 4-plus foot shark that day. Needless to say, the coral "anchor" didn't hold very well. It proved to be quite the "Nantucket Sleighride".

By the time the tide was friendly enough to return to the park, I was 11:00 pm getting back. Obviously, the office was closed, so I put everything (paddle, preserver) away myself. I stopped by the office the next morning, and the ranger didn't have a problem with my delinquency. Florida State Parks ROCK!

Anyhoo, I realized after that that keeping a canoe overnight would be doable. Therefore, backcountry, LNT (of course!) camping at the point would be doable as well.

So, no. A snorkle is not necessarily required to hike in the Keys. A canoe is, tho, IMO...”

“I camped on Long Key (or was it Marathon Key) for two weeks, a few years back, at a cool state park. It was paradise. I don't know about hiking trails though. That trip it was all about beer, liquor, sun, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, getting laid and hallucinogens.”

“damn, Rosey...live a little!
:-D

my trip with the fam was all about those things too, except the last two, LOL!! they're a bunch of drunks.

the snorkeling was the best part! man, i need to move to the ocean.”

“I must say - if anything, the Gulf and Atlantic will be what keeps me from moving to the Rockies.”

“I lived on Marathon Key for a while and there was a great park that we windsurfed at. You have to check out Bahia Honda, great spot if I remember right and it is alittle foggy, you can camp right near the water. Don't really remember much hiking down there, remember crawling up Duval Street but that is a whole different story.”

“Twinkytoes -
Forget Keys hiking. I suggest you put a couple days aside for a quick hike in Big Cypress - FL Trail.”

“I was just looking for day hikes - am planning on camping at Bahia Honda (yes, it's right near the water!) and spending most time out on a boat and snorkeling! Then when I'm sick of the water, maybe I'll rent a bike and pedal around Key West or fly a kite or go kayaking or......”

“Ah, the Keys. Did a great beach walk a few years back at Bahia Honda.

Did the roseymonster version back in the early '70s at Sugarloaf Key for college spring break -- the funky campground that was $1 a night then is now an RV park.

Recommend the Blue Parrot B&B in Key West. Lots of good walking about KW, with a stroll through the cemetery (which has the USS Maine monument) recommended.”

“I stayed at the Curry Mansion last fall. Nice place with a pool. 2 blocks off Duval St. Free Breakfast and a cocktail hour.”

“I did the mandatory visit to "The Conch Republic". I was camped at Long Key, as usual, but took the drive west one evening.

I found KW to be too commercial for my liking. I say the same thing about Jackson, WY, if that helps with perspective.

My primary objective on Key's visits is renting a boat and fishing Tennessee Reef. Sea conditions have been conducive on only two trips, tho. Those rental folks are funny about renting out a boat during 20 knot winds - go figure.

Renting a skiff for the bay side is *almost* always doable, tho.”

“http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/strange/news-article.aspx?storyid=99281

Sometimes I do miss Florida. I'd love to see this going on.”