Central FL BP-ing at Tosohatchee State P ark

“Tosohatchee State Preserve

Wow! Rules! You backpack in, but must arrive way before sunset. At least two weeks advance reservation required. The two weeks are probably needed to read the rest of the rules. However, I'm planing to give it a try. Either tomorrow or Monday I plan to look it over and try a day hike. Then I'll see about making a reservation. Are you interested in visiting this Preserve?

Tosohatchee Preserve

"Primative Camping
There are two backpacking campsites. The Tiger Branch Campsite is three miles from the parking area/trailhead and campers must check in 1 1/2 hours before sunset while the Sabal Palm Campsite is is approximately 2.5 miles from the trailhead and campers must check in at least 1 hour before sunset. Both campgrounds must be reserved at least two weeks in advance."

Tosohatchee Preserve Map

This sounds like an enjoyable place:

DESTINATIONS Weekend Backpacker: Orlando
Tosohatchee State Preserve

"a 40-mile stretch of the Florida National Scenic Trail wind through this fine example of natural, central Florida. Wildlife is abundant on Tosohatchee and includes white-tailed deer, turkey, osprey, and bald eagles. Tosohatchee State Reserve is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Wood storks and limpkins are often present at Jim Creek Slough."

http://myfwc.com/recreation/cooperative/tosohatchee.asp
last edited: 11/05/05 3:09:00 PM”

“I was there a really long time ago. Typical Florida hiking if I remember. Have fun.”

“Thanks. With your experience, you could be my guide. Your current speed and endurance might be more than mine, but not too much. If you guide, I'll provide some expert backrubs.

I just, and finally, joined the FTA. They had a great, local chapter meeting Thursday evening. Some guy who, with a friend, had canoed the Yukon River, went down the Inland Water Way and continued around the world. He presented some great stories about experiences and had just about the right number of slides, which he kept moving along.
last edited: 11/05/05 4:11:20 PM”

“nowslimmer keep me informed on dates and i may come along with you. i am planning on starting the house painting for november.”

“OK, cyndeee, will do.”

“i might bring surfergirl with me, are you just doing an overnighter? i'm not working so i can go mid week.”

“Mid-week can be fine. However, I have Martial Arts classes on Monday and Wednesday evenings. So for one overnight I could go on Tuesday or Thursday evenings. There may not be a class the evening before Thanksgiving day.

Hunting is permitted there on Nov. 17-20 and 25-27. December has no hunting scheduled. Blaze orange should be worn during hunting season. I have a couple of the jacket like slip overs from Walmart at $2 or less each. But I would rather stay away from the hunters.

I'm looking at December 1^st, a Thursday, as a good possibility. I would probably stay for 2-3 nights. Having you there for one evening would be great. And it would be a pleasure to see your daughter again.
last edited: 11/05/05 5:03:21 PM”

“my cousin is closing on a house dec 2 and i will be in ocala to help her paint the new place. although that may still be possible to camp on thursday and hike out on friday and then drive to ocala.”

“Let me check out the place tomorrow or Monday. Right now I'm tuned into A Parairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor. http://www.wuot.org/index.html And I'm looking for Lake Proctor Wilderness sites on Google.

I may make a reservation, if possible, while I'm looking over the place. I imagine it can be changed, if necessary. And I'm trying to see how I can get my youngest daughter in on this. She may be starting a job on the 28^th.
last edited: 11/05/05 5:22:53 PM”

“go ahead and make your reservations and hopefully we can tag along.”

“I visited Tosohatchee State Preserve today, Nov. 6th. It had been closed several days because of Hurricane Wilma. Here is the information I obtained:

1. The two campsites are still closed. They hope to open Tiger Branch Campsite in a week. Sabal Palm Campsite may never be reopened. Should Tiger Branch Campsite be closed, they probably will let us use the Youth Camp.

2. Roads open:
... Beehead Road from the entrance(the only entrance) to Fish Hole Rd.
... Fish Hole Rd. north from Beehead Road.
... Power Line Road
... St. Nicholas Rd. from Beehead Road to parking just past the Youth Camp.
... Long Bluff Rd. (But there was water just south of Power Line Road and I did not dare drive in it.)

3. Roads closed:
... Fish Hole Rd. south of Beehead Road (I understand that it is closed every time it rains.).
... Beehead Road east of Tiger Branch Road.

4. On Fish Hole Rd. there is a parking area west of Sabal Palm Campsite. There is a trail, not shown on the map, from this parking area to Sabal Palm Campsite. This trail could be a good hiking route to the trail going south to Tiger Branch Campsite.

I was able to see a number of beautiful birds and some turtles. The St. John's River had a strong current that was carrying small chunks of vegetation rapidly. There was no wind pushing it. I saw one air boat on the river. Most of the area had water. The trees in the forest along the open portion and to the west of Fish Hole Rd. were thick and beautiful___very impressive.

I did not locate the southern hiking loop trail of Tosohatchee State Preserve east of the St. John's River. I'll have to look for the detailed directions.”

“3. Roads closed:
...
... Beehead Road east of Fish Hole Rd.
last edited: 11/06/05 9:07:14 PM”

“cyndeee - I've decided not to make the trip at this time. I would rather give the place more time to dry. I'll let you know about any other trips that I decide to do.”

“thanks nowslimmer, i was not going to be able to make it the first part of december. i talked to my cousin last night and she can get into her new house 2 days early and i will be headed to ocala on november 28 to help paint and move. maybe after the first of the year.....
p.s. insomnia and the health of my parents”