About us
ABOUT US:
We are the Apalachee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association, bringing hikers together throughout the Capital Region surrounding Tallahassee since 1982. The Apalachee Chapter is one of 18 Florida Trail Association chapters statewide that provide volunteers to build and maintain the Florida National Scenic Trail. Our Chapter's main reason for existence is building and maintaining almost 150 miles of the FNST (from the Aucilla River to the Apalachicola River) as well as several other local trails on public lands (Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park in Tallahassee, Ft. Braden Trail in Lake Talquin State Forest, and the hiking trails in Torreya State Park). The Florida National Scenic Trail is a 1,100 mile hiking trail spanning the length of Florida--from the Big Cypress National Preserve in the Everglades to Gulf Islands National Seashore in the western Panhandle.The Apalachee Chapter has the distinction of having the first certified section of the Florida National Scenic Trail, certified by the USDA Forest Service in 1988. The Apalachee Chapter conducts a wide variety of activities year-round, and holds a program meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Our website at **http://apalachee.floridatrail.org** has many helpful links to information about our chapter, our trails, and hiking in general. Our activities are free to non-FTA-members but donations are accepted to help cover the costs of those activities and to help fund tools for trail work. A donation of any amount may be given to the Activity Leader when you participate in an activity.
NOTE: Joining this Meetup site does not automatically make you a member of the Florida Trail Association. Please support the cost of our activities, and receive membership benefits, by joining the Florida Trail Association and becoming a member of the Apalachee Chapter. Go to http://www.floridatrail.org/make-a-difference/become-a-member to join FTA online (or call the FTA office in Gainesville, toll-free 1-877-445-3352).
PLEASE READ:
Before you sign up for an activity, please read the Activity Participant Guidelines at http://apalachee.floridatrail.org/guidelines-for-activity-participants This will make for a better outing experience for all concerned.
Here's a video about the Florida Trail: "History of the Florida Trail" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5bfqEv9EPw
Upcoming events
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Waters of Wakulla Tour! – FTA Members Only
Location not specified yetIf you had the opportunity to enjoy our November Chapter Meeting speaker Kellie Keys, Communication Director at the FSU Wakulla Springs Lab, then you know this will be an amazing tour of our fascinating local waterways! I have asked for a special tour just for us.
This is a three-hour vehicle tour with stops and short walks. We will need to designate drivers; up to 7 vehicles are allowed, but we can pack them with people. Cost of entry to the park is $6 per vehicle. Otherwise, the tour is FREE!
We will meet just outside the Edison Restaurant at Cascades Park in Tallahassee (470 Suwannee St.). We leave promptly at 9:00am. We finish in Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park (465 Wakulla Park Dr, Wakulla Springs, FL). This is an internationally famous state park which offers swimming, hiking, restaurants, a boat tour (sign up for tickets in advance!), and a gift shop. If you can stay beyond the tour's end, please feel free to plan this into your day.
Be sure to arrive no later than 8:45am for sign up and instructions. In addition to our Risk Assessment sign in sheet, Kellie also has a tour waiver for you to sign. You will want to allow enough time to read and sign these documents. I’ll be at the starting point by 8:30am. Drivers will receive a paper copy and detailed instructions about this itinerary when we meet. Please indicate in the comments below if you are willing to be a Driver and the number of potential occupants for tour carpool.
Please visit the restroom prior to meeting for the tour. There will be portable restrooms at some of the stops and a standard restroom at the tour's end.
Bring water and snacks. Wear clothing and shoes appropriate for standing/walking. Bug repellent and sunscreen may be needed.
It is always possible—though unlikely—we could encounter Florida wildlife. Kellie (your tour guide) would consider this a really cool thing, but others might want to stay aware simply for the sake of caution.
Unfortunately, no pets can attend; however, children under age 18 are welcome! Young children might find it boring, but middle school and older would enjoy it. (Young children are still welcome, and there are plenty of places for parents to walk them around or play with them if needed.)
To attend you must be member in good standing of the Florida Trail Association with the Apalachee Chapter (not just a member of Meetup). We now have a special YOUTH membership (ages 18-30) for $10; ask Courtnay how to sign up! The Florida Trail Association builds, maintains, protects, and promotes the Florida National Scenic Trail and a network of hiking trails throughout Florida. Our vision is a continuous well-maintained, protected network of hiking trails on public lands that highlight the unique natural, scenic, cultural, and historic places in Florida. FTA Website
* Please edit your RSVP in Meetup if you no longer plan to attend.
Check our Meetup site for dates, meeting locations, and any last-minute announcements before starting out. Contact: Courtnay Micots at 850-300-0399 or courtnaymicots@gmail.com.
27 attendees
Florida National Scenic Trail Maintenance
Location not specified yetTake this opportunity to explore new trails and volunteer to maintain this precious resource! We plan to work withing the Apalachee Chapter's area of responsibility (Aucilla River - Apalachicola River) to address specific trail maintenance needs. For this specific event on Sunday, February 1, we will be working in the easternmost Apalachee Chapter section, the scenic Aucilla River Section that runs (mostly) along the river.
All tools and safety equipment will be provided, however if you have special tools of your own, feel free to bring them. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes and prepare to work in water at times. To help with the bugs - good idea to bring a change of clothes for the ride home. Bring lunch, snacks, bug repellent and sunscreen and plenty of water. All skill levels are welcome. Work involves blaze painting, lopping, and mowing.
We usually work 4 to 5 hours, depending on weather conditions.
We should return to town early afternoon. Contact: Mike Tucker, tuckems@hotmail.com, 850-545-3489
YOU MUST CONTACT THE TRIP LEADER FOR MEETING PLACE AND TIME.12 attendees
A Walk in the Woods: Lafayette Heritage Trail Park (Piney Z)
Lafayette Heritage Trail Park, 4900 Heritage Park Blvd, Tallahassee, FL, USA Walk in the Woods is beneficial to one's mental and physical health. This park offers shaded trails and lake views. Depending on the season, wild flowers and local wildlife may be present. Lafayette Heritage Trail Park
Meet near the restrooms. We meet at 5:15pm for sign-in and a 5:30pm start.
This will be a moderate to strenuous hike typically at 3 to 4 miles/hour. This may be the trail to Tom Brown Park and back (approx. 4 miles), or the trail to Alford Greenway, Bill’s Trail and back (approx. 3.7 miles). We will rest for a few minutes at the midway point near a public drinking water fountain. Expect walking on uneven ground and 50-foot elevation changes. Most of the route will be shaded, but there may be unshaded sections.
Remember to have a flashlight or head lamp now the days are shorter. Bring water and wear shoes appropriate for trail hiking. Bug repellent and sunscreen may be needed. Watch for snakes and poison ivy along the trail.
Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Anyone may attend this event; however, please consider joining the FTA. We now have a special YOUTH membership (ages 18-30) for $10; ask Courtnay how to sign up! The Florida Trail Association builds, maintains, protects, and promotes the Florida National Scenic Trail and a network of hiking trails throughout Florida. Our vision is a continuous well-maintained, protected network of hiking trails on public lands that highlight the unique natural, scenic, cultural, and historic places in Florida. FTA Website
* Please edit your RSVP in Meetup if you no longer plan to attend.
Check our Meetup site for dates, meeting locations, and any last minute announcements before starting out. Contact: Courtnay Micots at 850-300-0399 or courtnaymicots@gmail.com.
6 attendees
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