What we’re about
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 (4+)
See all- Florida National Scenic Trail MaintenanceNeeds location
Take this opportunity to explore new trails and volunteer to maintain this precious resource! We plan to work across the Apalachee Chapter's area of responsibility (Aucilla River - Apalachicola River) to address specific trail maintenance needs.
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.
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. - Saturday Morning Walk and Talk around Lake OverstreetForest Meadows Tennis Complex, Tallahassee, FL
A stroll with someone is a good way to strengthen your social connections. And sometimes our most rewarding conversations have happened while on foot! The Lake Overstreet Trail is a shared-use trail that is mostly shaded and runs through a hardwood forest and around Lake Overstreet. The 144-acre lake is a superb example of a pristine freshwater lake with an undeveloped shoreline. If we’re lucky we might see freshwater fish, osprey, turtles and wading birds. Park your car in the Forestmeadows Athletic Center parking lot (4750 North Meridian Road). A porta-potty is available in the parking lot. Then walk across Meridian Road at the crosswalk and meet at the Forestmeadows Trailhead self-pay station by 9 AM sharp. Bring $2.00 for the self-pay station unless you have a Florida state park pass. A pre-activity briefing will last about 10 minutes and we will leave at 9:10 AM sharp. The walk is roughly 5 miles with gently sloping hills and ravines. The scenic trail has several spots to sit on benches and picnic tables to absorb the serenity and beauty of the forest and shoreline. Be prepared to walk by being hydrated and wearing proper footwear and possibly having insect repellent. We will attempt to walk at a “leisure to moderate” pace of 2.5 to 3.0 mph. For more information contact: Amanda Cannon (850) 933-5852, amandawcannon@gmail.com. To receive additional information please sign up on the Meetup Activity page.
No dogs
Open to FTA and non-FTA members alike.
Size limit: 15