Gimme Some Orange Blazes - 4th in a Series (Snow Memorial Hwy to Croom Rital Rd)
Details
This hike is the 4th of 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.
Directions:
We will meet north of Brooksville at the intersection of US-41 and Snow Memorial Highway (Hernando County 581), at a nice trailhead parking lot.
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 4th hike will be about 11 miles on the FNST, traversing the Withlacoochee State Forest's Croom Tract Loops A & B, and the Perry Oldenburg WEA, up to the Chinsegut WEA Conservation Center Tract.
We will meet north of Brooksville at the intersection of US-41 and Snow Memorial Highway (Hernando County 581). From there we will need to shuttle some cars before we begin the hike. It’s about a 15 minute drive to the shuttling spot, where the FNST crosses County Rd 480 W/Croom Rd, which is about 600 feet west of Croom Rital Rd. 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.We will need to shuttle some cars & all hikers before we begin the hike. It's about a 40 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. Ponds and prairies. Mostly sandy high & dry trail. 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 or muddy
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