Sandhill Chapter - Florida Trail Association

Description: This is a hike on the Florida Trail along the Suwannee River. Our destination is Big Shoals which is a class 3 rapid which is unique to Florida. Trail is about 5 miles in and out. Pretty moderate but there will be some ups and downs and There is a new bridge at Robinson Branch crossing.
Directions: It’s about an hour+ from Gainesville. We will meet at the Suwannee River Bridge Wayside Park. From GNV take I-75 north to exit 439. This is the first exit past I-10. Turn left onto CR 136 to White Springs, cross a bridge over the Suwannee. In town at the stop sign -turn right and drive south on US 41 toward Lake City. The Wayside Park is on the right just before you cross the river bridge.
From here we will carpool to the parking lot at Bell Springs, because it's TH parking is small.
General Information: Bring a hat, water, and lunch/snack Bug spray is always a good idea. You should get back to Gainesville by late afternoon.
Other items of interest about area: Visit Stephen Foster State Park for Rural Folklife Day after the hike
https://www.floridastateparks.org/events/rural-folklife-day-0
Bathrooms: None
Dogs allowed: NO

The park entry fee is is 2 dollars which (in my opinion) is a bargain -or use your State Park pass.
Our speaker will be Jeff Glenn, Regional Trail Coordinator who will discuss maintenance activities and needs along our section of the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST).
Since the meeting is in the afternoon, this will give members an opportunity to hike the FNST through Silver Spring State Park prior to the meeting, take a glass bottom boat ride (extra fee), or to kayak the Silver River. The choice is yours.
We want to have as many participants at the meeting as possible. As a Chapter, we are attempting to adjust the overall focus of the chapter to include all the counties in our region (Alachua,Levy, Marion, Gilchrist).

The agenda is still being developed but will include updates on the Wilderness First Aid class, upcoming trail and tabling activities (such as the Hike Across Marion County), membership metrics, and other information relevant to chapter membership.

Here's the tentative agenda (as of October 27th, 2025) at Silver Springs State Park, November 15th, 2 to 4 pm. There may be other additions before 11/15/25.

Agenda
Welcome - Rick Robbins, Chair
Silver Springs SP Welcome - Barbara Toeppen-Sprigg, Friends of SSSP
Treasurer's Report - Diane Strong, Treasurer
Membership Report - Daryl Murvine, Membership Coordinator
Trail Maintenance - Jeff Glenn, FT Regional Trail Manager
Wilderness First Aid class - Eddie Bruce, Member at Large
Hike Across Marion County - Marsha Jordan, Activity Leader
Activity Leader Report - Marsha Jordan, Activity Leader
T shirt sales and orders - Eve Cater, Secretary
Open discussion - All
Adjourn