About us
June 4th, 2021
This group is operated by the Florida Trail Association.
We are a community who love to get outdoors to hike, backpack, paddle, and give back by way of volunteer trail maintenance.
Joining this Meetup does not constitute membership in the FTA and unless specifically mentioned, you are not required to hold an FTA membership to participate. Events which are FTA Members Only will be clearly indicated.
The Suncoast Chapter serves over 500 FTA members in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. We maintain The Florida National Scenic Trail between US 98 north of Lakeland and Hernando. Find out more about the FTA Suncoast chapter at https://sites.google.com/floridatrail.org/suncoastfta/.
Within these boundaries we also maintain a section of the Florida Trail Western Corridor which encompasses the Citrus, Croom, Richloam Tracts within Withlacoochee State Forest, and Green Swamp West, as well as popular loop trails within these tracts.
https://floridatrail.org/maps-and-databook/
Trail systems that we also are responsible for include Hillsborough River State Park, Little Manatee State Park, Myakka River State Park, Potts Preserve, Upper Hillsborough WMA, Terra Ceia Preserve State Park, and Withlacoochee River Park.
Our chapter regularly maintains over 200 miles of trail and offers recreational and volunteer work events throughout the region.
We work in cooperation with the US Forest Service, State Forest Service, SWFWMD, DEP, and other land managers to keep the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Western Corridor, and designated side trails open for recreational use.
We sponsor many events on non FTA designated land tracts, trail systems and waterways.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK
Certain risks are inherent in any Florida Trail Association, Inc (the "Association") activity. Each Association member, guest, or non-member participant agrees to accept personal responsibility for his or her safety, and the safety of minors accompanying such persons.
The Association cannot ensure the safety of any participants on hikes or activities. In participating in Association activities, each such person agrees to hold harmless and free from blame the Activity Leader(s) and the Association, its officers, directors, and members, for any accident, injury, or illness which might be sustained from participating in hikes or other Association activities. Neither the Association, Activity Leaders, nor landowners are in any way liable for any injury or illness I might sustain from participating in an Association activity.
By joining the Suncoast Chapter Meetup Group you are agreeing to the assumption of risk as stated above.
JOIN THE FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION
http://www.floridatrail.org/make-a-differen...
Upcoming events
15
Myakka River State Park Long Hike
Myakka River State Park, 13208 SR 72, Sarasota FL, Sarasota, FL, USThis will be an approx. 8 mile out-and-back hike. Departing from the Fox Low Rd. trailhead at 8:30AM. Weekend campers can meet at the South Pavilion Lot at 8:15AM and carpool to trailhead. Day hikers can either meet at the Lot and carpool with us, or meet us separately at the trailhead at 8:30AM.
For some of the hike, we will hike on a shadeless prairie. So, be prepared for full sun (hat, sunscreen, long sleeves, etc.). Bring two liters of water. Wear sturdy footwear. Since this will be only the second day of Spring, the trail will likely be dry.
After the hike we will return to the South Pavilion parking lot. A potluck lunch and chapter meeting will be held in the South Pavilion. For more details on that see https://www.meetup.com/suncoast-florida-trail-hiking/events/307375404/.
When checking into the park at the ranger station, tell the park worker that you are attending the Florida Trail Association event. We will meet in the South Pavilion parking lot at 8:15AM. Take the first right turn past the ranger station to get to that parking lot. See the white arrow on the satellite view map in Photos. We will sign-in and carpool from there to the trailhead.
We will hike from the trailhead located at the intersection of North Drive and Fox's Low Road. It's shown in the top portion of the park map in Photos.
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