Gimme Some Orange Blazes - 2nd in a Series (Richloam Firetower to Foster Bridge)

This hike is the 2nd in 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.
The Richloam tract of Withlacoochee State Forest is maintained by Dave Charnecki & his crew of volunteers.

Directions:
We will meet at the Richloam Firetower, on Richloam Clay Sink Road.
I will have an FTA yard sign by the road near the trailhead at the firetower.
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 hike will be about 13 MILES long.
We will need to shuttle some cars & all hikers before we begin the hike. It's about a 45 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. Be prepared for high & dry as well as wet & muddy sections. 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
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.org**