What weâre about
We are the North Florida Trailblazers, the local chapter of the Florida Trail Association (FTA). Our main purpose is to build and maintain sections of the Florida Trail (FT) in our chapter's area. Sections are located in the Osceola National Forest, along the Suwannee River near White Springs, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park and Camp Blanding. When we are not working on the FT, we organize day hikes, backpacking, paddling, and other outdoor activities. We have chapter meetings, social events and other activities to promote hiking. We are using Meetup to reach people interested in hiking.
The FT, a 1300 mile trail that runs the length of Florida, is part of the National Scenic Trails system (includes the AT and the Continental Divide, for example). The FT is developed, maintained, protected and promoted by the FTA and its public and private partners.
Check out this short video to learn more about the FT: Explore the Florida Trail - YouTube
We are not a social networking or dating group. We are here to support and maintain the FT and to promote hiking in general. But if you enjoy hiking and outdoors activities, you will certainly meet people with shared interests. Advertising to or within the group is not allowed.
RSVPs are important so that we may properly plan for you and for the group. If your ability to attend changes, please change your RSVP as soon as you know so that your spot can be given to others especially on our limited attendance events. If you have to change your RSVP at the last minute, please message your event leader so that you are not marked as a "No Show." Three No Shows can result in the loss of your membership in the Meetup group.
If you request to join us, please make sure your profile includes your name and a recent photo of yourself so we can recognize you at our events. We do require participants at our events to put their name on our sign-in sheet/liability waiver.
Our members receive many benefits, including automatic membership in a local chapter in your area, which holds its own meetings and activities and sends out a newsletter pertinent to whatâs going on in your area; a subscription to the Footprint magazine; trail maintenance training workshops, including chainsaw certification; participation in Volunteer Work Parties, our team-building volunteer trail crews that tackle large projects like building bridges and boardwalks; a window decal and logo patch; opportunity to participate on decision-making committees covering major trail issues; and voting privileges. Memberships start at $35 for an individual or $50 for a family. http://ftashop.floridatrail.org/individual-... <br>
NOTE: Registration on this Meetup does not make you a member of the FTA. Some of our events will be offered only to FTA members. Go to www.floridatrail.org to join the FTA and learn more about our organization.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- POP UP EVENT! Labor Day Hike to the Tower at GTM/WMA.GTM Trailhead Pavillion, Ponte Vedra, FL
Join us as we hike out to the Capo Creek Observation Tower. This will be a slow to moderate paced hike and we will adjust the hiking pace to accommodate the slowest hiker. The length of the hike will be just shy of 4.0 miles long. Our plan is to go out on the orange trail continuing into the Guana Wildlife Management (GWM) Area until we get to the tower. While a large part of this hike is shaded, we will have one short very exposed area. This hike will be held rain or shine. It will only be canceled for thunder and lightning storms. If we are lucky, we will see lots of birds and possibly an alligator. Last time I saw a momma swamp puppy with babies!
We will meet at the picnic pavilion that is located near the parking lot at the end of the gravel road. Here they do have water, flush toilets, and a resident female Gopher Tortoise. Please note that we are NOT meeting at the GTM visitor center. While dogs are allowed on the tails at the GTM, we are asking that you do not bring dogs on this hike. We are also asking that children not participate on this hike. You must bring water. We are recommending some form of sun protection such as a large hat, sun umbrella, or a sun shirt. Hikers are asked to make a personal emergency medical card and to place the card in an easily accessible location in your pocket or pack.
Parking: Simply park, then scan the QR code (premiumparking.com) or text the lot number (P5913, P5912, P5911, P5910) to 504504 and follow the directions. $3 fee for one day
For more information about GTM: https://gtmnerr.org/visit/
For more information about FTA: https://floridatrail.org/
For more information about the North FL Trailbalzers: https://www.facebook.com/NorthFloridaTrailblazers/
- Hiking at Spanish Pond & Theodore Roosevelt AreaFort Caroline Spanish Pond, Jacksonville , FL
Join us as we hike on the Spanish Pond trail. This will be an out and back hike that starts at the spanish pond trailhead to the Timuquan Preserve Theodore Roosevelt Area, where we will turn around and hike back to our original trail head.
Round trip this hike should be around 4.0 to 4.5 miles give or take. Please be prepared to bring enough water with you and snacks. At the turn around we can stop and rest, if the bugs are not biting to bad, before heading back. Even though most of this trail is shaded, you will want to have sun protection, and bug spray. Hikers are asked to make a personal emergency medical card and to place the card in an easily accessible location in your pocket or pack.
This area is rich in history, and we will be hiking past an old homestead (now gone) and an old grave site if we take the right turns. This trail is not flat as a pancake! We will get to enjoy some vert! Well vertical for Florida! đ
Please no dogs or children on this hike.
For more information about the Theodore Roosevelt Area: https://www.nps.gov/timu/learn/historyculture/tra.htm
For more information about FTA: https://floridatrail.org/
For more information about the North FL Trailbalzers: https://www.facebook.com/NorthFloridaTrailblazers/
- Chapter Meeting at Little Talbot Island State ParkLittle Talbots Island State Park, Jacksonville , FL
Hey Trailblazers,
Join us at Little Talbot Island for a chapter meeting, a guest speaker, and a special appearance by Tisha McCombs our new FTA Executive Director. After the business portion of the meeting, we will take a hike on the Dune Ridge Trail and return to the picnic area via the beach.
Little Talbot Island State Park is located at:
12157 Heckscher Drive
Jacksonville FL 32226
The park road ends at the parking lot where the picnic pavilions are located. Look for the Trailblazers event sign at one of them.
There is a $5 fee per car to enter the park.
Fun fact: Did you know you can pay your entrance fee from home and bring the receipt to show to the ranger? Check out this link *on the day of the event* https://reserve.floridastateparks.org/Web/Memberships/CustomerMembershipPasses.aspx
Caviats: We have had to cancel the wooded portion of the hike due to excessive rain and insects (mosquitoes). Our primary backup will be to walk the beach down to where the trails meet and return by the same route.
We plan to conduct our business portion first to allow the tide to recede. By 9:30 or 10:00 we should be fine.
This is a fun event and a great hike and I hope you are able to join us.
