About us
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
37
Gimme Some Orange Blazes - 1st in a Series (Whispering Pines to Trail 13)
Whispering Pines City Park, 1700 Forest Dr, Inverness, FL, USThis hike is the 1st 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 the Withlacoochee River bridge in Dunnellen down through Green Swamp West at hwy471.This 1st hike will be about 9 miles on the FNST in the Withlacoochee State Forest, including portions of the Citrus Tract A, B and C Loops and Whispering Pines Park.
We will meet at Whispering Pines City Park. (Trailhead parking is all the way in the back, between basketball courts & swimming pool.) From there we will need to shuttle some cars before we begin the hike. It’s about a 20 minute drive to the shuttling spot, where the FNST crosses Trail 13 (southeast of the B-C connector trail). 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.What to expect:
This hike will be about 9 MILES long. Scheduled end time is an estimate.
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 attitudeDedicated volunteer members of FTA maintain these FTA trails.
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.pdfAll 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.org25 attendees
Lop and Blaze FNST Approach Trail in GSW
River Road Trailhead, Sumner Lake Rd, Dade City, FL 33525, USA, Dade City, FL, USWe need to lop, clear and blaze the approach trail to the Florida National Scenic Trail in Green Swamp West. This will be a round trip of 3 miles.
We will paint over existing blazes that are a dollar-bill-sized marks or painted squares on trees or posts. We will lop use lopping shears, hedge shears and folding handsaws to trim/cut branches that hinder hikers from easily walking the trail or block hikers' view of blazes. Loppers will be provided. Clearing includes moving the lopped or sawn branches to the side of the trail. Small rakes will be provided.
We'll meet in the boat ramp parking lot across from the River Road Trailhead at 10:30 AM.
Bring a small back pack with at least two liters of water and/or electrolyte drink, snacks, lunch, sunscreen, hat, insect repellent, eye protection and sturdy work gloves. If you have a folding handsaw, hedge shears or loppers, feel free to bring them. Be sure to bring insect repellent. Mosquitoes are out during the day. Long pants and long-sleeved shirt are also recommended.
As usual everyone will sign the FTA Assumption of Risk form before we start. You can preview it at this link: https://floridatrail.org/aor/.
Please review the safety information for general maintenance at this link: https://floridatrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/FTA-2018-JHA.pdf/. You will sign the acknowledgement on the second page after the safety briefing and before we start lopping.
If you would like credit for your volunteer hours, please set up a volunteer profile on the FTA Volunteer Hours Entry System/Volunteer portal at this link https://floridatrail.galaxydigital.com/. Click Sign Up at the top of the page.
Thank you for donating your time to help. You will make a big difference on the trail.
4 attendees
Past events
1797
