What we're about

Welcome to our Meetup Group for hikers in Florida's central panhandle!

The purpose of this meetup group is to introduce you to the Florida Trail and the Panhandle Chapter of the Florida Trail Association (FTA), and to encourage you to become an FTA member.

Please consider becoming a member of the Florida Trail Association!

(Note that meetup membership is not the same as FTA membership!)

Membership in the FTA requires a small annual fee, but entitles you to many benefits: the FTA newsletter called the Footprint, the monthly Chapter e-newsletter called Panhandle News, access to our "members-only" activities, and discounted trainings such as First Aid, GPS, and chainsaw training and certification. But most important, FTA membership is your opportunity to support the goals and ideals of the Florida Trail Association.

To become a member of the FTA, talk to a friendly Chapter member at one of our meetings. Or you can go to the FTA website, www.floridatrail.org (http://www.floridatrail.org/). From there, click on JOIN!

The Chapter is responsible for maintaining the part of the Florida National Scenic Trail from the Apalachicola River near Blountstown, FL; the Altha Trail near Altha, FL; along the Econfina Creek between Scott Road and Hwy 20; and the FNST through Pine Log State Forest to the Choctawhatchee River. The Panhandle Chapter of the FTA welcomes members from Bay, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Gulf, and Calhoun Counties.

The Panhandle Chapter hosts monthly meetings featuring nature programs and plans several outdoor activities each month of interest to all ages.

Our Chapter typically meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 PM. We currently meet online via Zoom until the COVID-19 pandemic passes.

Upcoming events (2)

Faye & Dutch Tiemann Trail Ride

Sand Pond Campground

Join me for a potentially challenging bike ride along the Faye & Dutch Tiemann Trail at Pine Log State Forest - Sand Pond Campground area.

This is more difficult ride than Conservation Park as it is single-track riding along a non-graded trail. If you like a bit more of a challenge, this might be the trail for you. We will take this ride slowly over 45-60 minutes to complete all 6 miles of trail. We'll stop along the way to have a snack/water break mid-way.

Trail/mountain/gravel bikes are highly recommended, with some kind of suspension system. Details on the trail can be found here: https://www.trailforks.com/trails/faye-and-dutch/

Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray & whatever else you might need for a safe, enjoyable ride. Helmets are required for all riders. A spare inner tube for your bike is recommended. The ride leader will have an air pump and basic tools to change a flat tire or fix basic issues. Parking is at the Sand Pond Campground; please note that a day pass ($2) or annual pass ($45) is required to use the state forest facilities. If you do not have one, you can purchase one here:
https://www.fdacs.gov/Forest-Wildfire/Our-Forests/State-Forests/State-Forest-Recreation/Passes-and-Reservations

**Please make sure your Meetup notifications are set to ON (in case I try to get in touch with you).

For more info on this park & description of the trail read here: https://floridahikes.com/conservationpark

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All attendees will be required to sign and complete contact information on the Assumption of Risk (AoR) form to participate.

June Meeting - Basic Bicycle Maintenance

Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida

It's summer and time to start more biking and less hiking! Have a bicycle but don't know how to maintain it? Come join us for some basics of bicycle maintenance. We'll show you some of the basic tools and how to use them, innertubes and innertube patch kits, how to change a tire or innertube, mounting and removing front and rear wheels, and what you should be carrying with you when you ride.

No need to bring your own bike, but if you want to get your hands dirty, this might be a good chance.

Remember...we're back at the Science & Discovery Center of NWFL on Airport Rd. in Panama City.

Past events (885)

National Trails Day Morning Hike

Florida Trail State Hwy 20 Trailhead

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