What we’re 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 what’s 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- Collaboration Event w/Girls who Hike FL: Ladies only JAX Arboretum walk/hike!Arlington: Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens , Orange Park, FL
Join us along with the Girls Who Hike FL, as we explore the trails at the Arboretum and Gardens. We will start with the Sand Ridge Trail, continue onto the Live Oak Trail, make our way to the lower and upper ravine trail, and then to the Aralia trail. This will be aproxiamtely 3miles long.
The trails and the gardens here are beautiful and you can meander around for hours looking at everything. This will be a slow to moderately paced hike that will have frequent stops for pictures and observation. If you are into photography this would be a great hike for you.
For this hike we are asking that all participants be 17 years’ old and up. Please leave your dogs at home. There is a $3 admission fee to enter and that can be paid at a pay station inside the entry gate. They accept cash, check, venmo, paypal, and cashapp according to the website.
Please wear appropriate shoes, and all participants must carry their own water. Sunscreen, bug repellent, and a hat will make your walk more enjoyable. You may want to bring snacks to munch on when we take our small breaks. I do not recall seeing any food being sold inside the arboretum.To visit the JAX Arboretum and Gardens website follow the link below: https://jacksonvillearboretum.org/visit
To visit the Florida Trail Association, follow the link below: https://floridatrail.org/
To visit the North Florida Trailblazers Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NorthFloridaTrailblazers/
