3RD ANNUAL MYAKKA RIVER SP BACKPACKING ADVENTURE

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY - THIS EVENT IS LIMITED TO 10 PARTICIPANTS EXCLUSIVE OF TRIP LEADERS. YOU MUST BE AN EXPERIENCED BACKPACKER WHO IS CAPABLE OF HANDLING A FULLY SELF-SUPPORTED BACKPACKING TRIP, INCLUDING FOOD, FOOD HANGS, WATER TREATMENT, SHELTER. DAILY DISTANCES WILL BE APPROX. 10-13 MILES. FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION MEMBERS WILL BE GIVEN PREFERENCE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS. YOU CAN JOIN FTA AT Contribute – Florida Trail Association. PLEASE DO NOT SIGN UP UNLESS YOU ARE CERTAIN YOU CAN ATTEND. EVERYONE WILL BE PLACED ON THE WAITLIST PENDING CONFIRMINATION BY EVENT HOSTS. IF YOU ARE CONFIRMED, THEN YOUR NAME WILL APPEAR ON THE "GOING" LIST.

WHO: You are an FTA member for priority availability. You have experience in self-supported backpacking. You know how to manage your food safely, treat water, set up shelter, practice outdoor hygiene, and leave no trace. Assess your fitness for 3 days of hiking with full pack. Rescue, though possible, will be a bummer for everyone.

WHAT: We will do a 3-day/2-night thru-hike of the Myakka River State Park Backcountry Hiking Trail. We will primitive camp on Friday and Saturday nights at the Oak Grove and then Bee Island backcountry campsites. There should be working well water at both sites, but treatment is recommended.

WHERE: YOU MUST ENTER PARK AT THE PARK SOUTH ENTRANCE ON SR 72. We will meet at the South Entrance Ranger Station for check-in. Park in the lot to the right of the Ranger Station. Once checked-in, we'll shuttle a few cars to the Fox's Low Road trailhead. The park opens at 8AM. Be at the park gate by 7:45AM on Friday as there is usually a long line to get in. By 8:30AM we'll shuttle to the trailhead, do a gear check, orientation, map review, and then hit the trail.

WHEN: To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, and to be late is to be left behind.

EXPECT: Myakka River State Park's backcountry is wild Florida at its finest and most challenging. Expect changing trail conditions including rough terrain, mud, water crossings, open prairie, thick scrub, deep oak hammock. The park is home to wild pigs, coyotes, fox, venomous snakes, gators among other wildlife. You will hear it all at night. If this freaks you out, then this trip may not be for you.

BRING: In addition to your normal backpacking kit, make sure you include sunscreen, bug spray, hat, sunglasses, 2-3 water bottles, first aid, trowel or wag bag, fire starting tools, water filter or water treatment chemicals, poncho and pack rain cover. The park charges a $6 entrance fee, and each participant will also need to reimburse me for the overnight camping fees of $12 per person.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK: All participants will be required by FTA to sign the Assumption of Risk form. It can be previewed at the following link:

https://floridatrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FTA-Assumption-of-Risk-March-30th-2022.pdf

FINAL WORDS: Once again, this is limited to 10 participants plus 2 leaders. When you sign up, please answer the questions so we can determine your ability to participate in this event.