Ocala Part 4- Cletus strikes back!

“HPM, that was off an old FT trail map the black and white ones. I can't find the color ones that are newer.”

“I remember it was kinda longish but 13-15?
Yikes.

That's not a biggie for me but I don't want to keep anyone from going as Ocala is pretty much a social trip.

I was thinking we would just find a spot along Hopkins.”

“That's cool HPM. I've hike it allot. If someone want's to shorten it up. I'm in, I'll just pack more junk. We could meet at the north west corner. I'm with you, I would like to see everyone make the Trip.”

“I was thinking that from Grassy Pond to The Salt spring blue blaze was about 4.5 miles and from the blue blaze to Hopkin CG was like 5-5.5 miles.

I was under the assumption that day one would be like 7-8 miles”

“nowslimmer....or trying the new yearling trail that flatlander matt referred me to a few posts back, i havent looked to see what mileage is involved with that tho...
fm??? i may try that just for sumthin different on saturday ...”

“From the map:
18.7 Pass Grassy Pond. Camping, etc.
18.8 Cross FR 85-A.
19.5 Cross FR 88-4.
20.2 Cross CR 316.
20.9 Blue blaze trail 0.2 mi. to convenience store on FR 88.
21.6 Cross FR 63.
22.3 Cross FR 63 twice.
24.1 Cross FR 50 twice.
24.5 Cross FR 19.
25.6 Cross FR 313.
25.9 Cross FR 88 (paved). Several nice tent sites.
27.5 Cross FR 50.
27.8 Cross FR 51.
28.6 Junction with 3.0-mile side trail to Salt Springs.
29.9 Cross FR 90.
30.1 Cross FR 65.
30.6 Camping on pine island south of trail.
30.8 Cross FR 90-A.
34.7 Blue-blazed side trail to Hopkins Prairie camping area. Water, etc.

---

33.7 Stopping for the night one mile before Hopkins Prairie camping area:
19.5 Cross FR 88-4. Probably close to the parking area.
14.2 Miles for hiking the first day.

It might be about 0.5-mile less for the width of Hopkins Prairie Camping Area.

Don't worry about me. I'm thinking of leaving my car at Hopkins Prairie hiker's parking area and hiking to pine island and staying there on Thursday night. I can read and enjoy the sunshine until some of the group arrives and then hike down towards Hopkins Prairie Camping Area to wherever they decide to stop for the night.

I'm just worried that some of the group may experience trouble with that many miles on the first day, expecially if they get a late start.

flatlander matt - Thanks for your offer. It's a little too early for any final decision for me. I will be watching the weather forecasts.”

“That's cool nowslimmer. I could do this, I could pack my landscape camera for this route, and eat real, real good.”

“Tango mike says he would go swimming if you go skinny dippin...HMMM. Me thinks Mike wants to see me in a jeolous rage LMAO”

“14 miles - that would be a personal record for me, but I'm up for it.”

“It doesn't matter to me, I've hiked this trail many times. If someone does not want to do the long mileage the first day, we can shorten the mileage up. Meet up with the group at the camp. After the first day it's not a bad hike to Hidden Pond and a easy hike in. I agree with HPM, I would like to see everyone make the trip. The wilderness area in the north section and Hopkins are cool. The canes were there a month ago.”

“That doesn't sound fair! I might go swimin' if he goes skinny dippin'!

And I'm only a maybe for this one. 14 miles with my back right now is not doable. If I show up I might hike in from the end and just hike it back out.”

“I don't know about swimming. I was camping at Hidden Pond around 95 photographing birds. Had been there for about a week, hadn't seen a sole. SO, in the middle of the week I decided that it was time for a bath,( passed time really). so in I went about the time I was all soaped up. Here comes a church group hiking down the hill, singing having a good time. At that time you could see all round the pond from the burn. No were to go, there I stood with shampoo in my hair. Of coarse they stopped to talk, well until they realized I was bare. Hidden Pond is a clear water lake. Real clear back then with the water low. I just smiled and told them to have a good day, as they hurried out of sight. At least I gave them a story to tell.”

“yeah 14 miles is long but its all flat so it shouldnt be bad. I plan on takin my itme. I'm a trail snail, yup. So if I'm the last in to camp dun worry bout me cause I will be stopping long the way to swim nakie and stuff. I plan on enjoying every step!”

“flatlander, anyone who knows me knows I ain't losing any clothes below 95 F!”

“Today
Jan 26 Partly Cloudy 73°/55° 0 %
Thu
Jan 27 Partly Cloudy 73°/51° 0 %
Fri
Jan 28 Few Showers 68°/51° 30 %
Sat
Jan 29 T-Showers 69°/52° 60 %
Sun
Jan 30 Few Showers 77°/52° 30 %
Mon
Jan 31 Partly Cloudy 79°/53° 10 %
Tue
Feb 01 Few Showers 76°/51° 30 %
Wed
Feb 02 Scattered Showers 75°/49° 30 %
Thu
Feb 03 Light Rain 71°/47° 60 %
Fri
Feb 04 Partly Cloudy 71°/44° 0 %


Well, it doesnt look like I have to worry bout tango stripping. WOHOO! I'll be the only one skinny dippin :D

Shake shake shake, shake my boooooooty!
last edited: 1/26/05 10:13:47 AM”

“I'm with you Tango, the water is to cold for me this time of year. SC, this true about being flat. There are no ups, but there are no downs either.”

“in truth, I hate down hill more then up hill. Down hill is tough on the knees :)”

“Hmmm, then forget about the one mile before Hopkins CG bit. I think finding the first suitable site at the start of Hopkins Prairie would be better.

That should be right after FR90-a correct?
So about 10 miles then for day one.

Sound better?”

“Yes that does sound better - day two still won't be bad. The hike around Hopkins would be tough at the end of a long day. I think it will be pretty in the morning.”

“I dont think Trooper will be on this trip. She had back surgery a month ago.”

“flatlander matt - Yea, thanks for putting soap in our drinking water!”

“Pine Island camping would be right after crossing FR 65. Staying there would mean:

Day 1 - 11.1 miles.
Day 2 - 9.7 miles.
Day 3 - 4.2 miles.”

“From the ground to the ground”

“Ok, thanks.”

“the shorter friday would be better for me, my knee has been causing me some problems. also my daughter hasn't hike in a few years but shes in good shape. hey she even asked if we could bring some wine. hey is that ok with you guys?
i think fr-90 was where i was thinking of dropping off my extra water.”

“I'm ok with a drink or two and there were drinks present last year. Everyone was an adult and it was no big deal.

As long as it stays that way I'm cool with it.
last edited: 1/26/05 3:38:16 PM”

“Folks that want to shorten the first day more can hike in via the Salt springs spur trail.”

“Wine is ok with me cyndeee. The mileage is no worry either, 14 miles = 40lbs. ,12 miles = 45lbs ,10 miles = 50 lbs, 8 miles = 60lbs, 6 miles = 70 lbs 5 miles = 75 lbs, 4 miles = 80 lbs., 90lbs = some dam help. let's do it!”

“LOUD drunks are frowned upon after 11. ;-)”

“lol”

“Now that's a great idea HPM. Now I can decide how heavy to pack last minute. Without having to back track, if I want to pack it all.”

“I really think we'd get a nicer site if we camped along the start of Hopkins Prairie plus we'd have the option of getting water from the prairie if we really needed to. Remember the prairie is a filter killer.”

“I agree, and if it is a clear night, for anyone who likes the stars, it's a really cool place.”

“Can't get anyone to work for me Thurs/Fri. :-( I wanted to come on this trip last year but didn't have the money or transportation but had all the time in the world. This year I have money and transportation but no time :-( Sucks. Maybe next year?”

“ARRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!”

“dub, i'm so sorry you won't be able to make it. i'm sure we are going to have lots of fun, my 21 y/o daughter is coming with me this year.”

“OK, Dub goes back to 'Troll' status. ;-)”

“Who is this "Dub" of which you speak?
lol.”

“Man! I'm getting EXCITED!!!!!!
This time next week is IT!!!!!!!!!

The UPS man is bringing my new gear today, too!!!”

“What gear are you getting???”

“I hear ya stovie!!!!


Can I have your old gear? I'll buy you a taco :)”

“What could it be? Stovie has EVERYTHING.. ;)”

“I like the ups's man gear. Ride it, ride it, ride it! OOOOOOOH YEAH!!!”

“Let it roll, leet it roooooooll, whoooa...”

“roll roll roll, gotta feel my soul...”

“let it roll baby roll, let it roll baby roll, allll night long...”

“ok ok ok”

“LOL
I sold Ruby one of my tents so I decided I could replace it with a larger two person freestanding model for the few times I'm lucky enough to hike and share a tent with someone special. ;-)
I'll still use my TarpTent for my solo trips.

http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?memberId=12500226&productId=38470413
Kelty Gunnison 2

dayhiker used this one at Sipsey and I liked it a lot. Loads of room, freestanding, two doors, and if you split it between two, about 2 & 1/2 pounds each.

Also got some Cat Crap. LOL

The UPS guy has my package in his truck headed to my front porch today!
I love the UPS tracking!”

“I wish I could track my ups man ;) I'd track him down where ever he went and make sure no other women gets their dirty stinkin paws on him lol”

“And you would be sleeping with??? ;-)

MOOOOHAHAHhahahahahha!”