What we’re about
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
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Gimme Some Orange Blazes - 4th in a Series (Snow Memorial Hwy to Croom Rital Rd)
Snow Memorial & US 41 Trailhead, 28°36'35.8"N 82°21'33.1"W, Brooksville, FL, USThis hike is the 4th of a series, to hike all the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) that runs through our Florida Trail Association's (FTA) - Suncoast Chapter.
FNST is blazed orange for 1500 miles from Big Cypress to Pensacola.
Our dedicated Section Leaders maintain the FNST from this trailhead north to Withlacoochee River bridge in Dunnellen.
Directions:
We will meet north of Brooksville at the intersection of US-41 and Snow Memorial Highway (Hernando County 581), at a nice trailhead parking lot.
Please arrive a little early, so we can get a good count on people & cars. We want to get our cars & selves shuttled as soon as possible, so we can begin the hike.
What to expect:
This 4th hike will be about 11 miles on the FNST, traversing the Withlacoochee State Forest's Croom Tract Loops A & B, and the Perry Oldenburg WEA, up to the Chinsegut WEA Conservation Center Tract.
We will meet north of Brooksville at the intersection of US-41 and Snow Memorial Highway (Hernando County 581). From there we will need to shuttle some cars before we begin the hike. It’s about a 15 minute drive to the shuttling spot, where the FNST crosses County Rd 480 W/Croom Rd, which is about 600 feet west of Croom Rital Rd. Please arrive promptly or a little early, so we can get a good count on people and cars. We want to get our shuttling done as soon as possible, so we can begin our hike.We will need to shuttle some cars & all hikers before we begin the hike. It's about a 40 minute drive to the beginning, near Foster Bridge Campsite.
We will experience varied conditions, stretches of open sun with palmettos & pines as well as sections of shady oaks. Ponds and prairies. Mostly sandy high & dry trail. We will walk approximately 2 1/2 - 3 MPH. It's a long walk. We will take several breaks to rest & have lunch. Could be hot & humid. Be prepared to go the distance - no bail out points.
What to wear/bring:
comfortable shoes that may get wet or muddy
appropriate clothing for the days weather.
sun hat & sunglasses
bug spray
lunch & snacks
2 liters of water
happy attitude
All participants are required to sign an "Assumption of Risk" form.
This form may be previewed at: https://floridatrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FTA-Assumption-of-Risk-March-30th-2022.pdf
All participants are encouraged to join our non-profit organization, Florida Trail Association.
For more information on the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) and the Florida Trail Association (FTA) & how to join FTA:
https://floridatrail.org9 attendees
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