Green Swamp Upper Hillsborough Preserve/Tract 12 Mile Wilderness Hike

Let's show the Upper Hillsborough WMA a little love! In 2025, several Suncoast Outdoors peeps worked tirelessly to clear this particular trail. It's a little wild, a little rugged, and for some of us, new. I hiked it in the fall with the group, and now it's time for me to lead. There's no time to prehike so I can't tell you it's clear of debris or mud-free, but I can tell you it's fun, a little challenging, and you'll get to see the headwaters of the Hillsborough River. A helpful map of the park can be downloaded from https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/sites/default/files/Upper%20Hillsborough%20Preserve%2007-11-2022.pdf.

On the day of the hike, meet me in our parking lot by 8am and be ready to hike by 8:15. Please bring at least 2 liters of hydration plus snacks, personal sanitation, insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, etc. Hiking boots are really important on this trail. Also, there are no benches so you may want to bring ground cloth to sit on during the lunch break.

There are no facilities/bathrooms or water anywhere on this hike.

A few other things to be mindful of:

• On January 11, here is hunting in the park – it’s archery. This is not as dangerous for hikers as General Gun, and we've been cleared to hike it. To participate you MUST wear an orange top or vest. ADDING an orange hat is even better.
• While on the trail, we will cross the train tracks twice. To do so, we will group together and cross safely TOGETHER each time we cross the track. THERE IS NO GOING OVER THE TRACK WHEN WE CAN HEAR THE TRAIN COMING as it comes around the corner fast.
• There is another trailhead closer to Chancey. That parking lot is small (3 cars) and it's not ours. Use the coordinates provided on this page and see the trailhead photo posted.
• Our parking area is larger (15 cars), and we share it with others. Some may have to park on the side of the road. If you’re parking on the side of the road, be sure you are well off the road and note, the opposite side of the road is OK too. Thankfully, parking is free.
• This is a rain or shine event, so please be prepared with rain gear on the day of the event. We are also hiking at a moderate pace.

If you have not done an 11-mile hike in about 5 hours recently, please reach out to me so I can vet you and know that you have read the event description :). Thank you!

My number on the day of the hike is 813-713-2492.
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I am asking that everyone signs up (no guests) so everyone can agree to the waiver and agree to the following conditions:

ASSUMPTION OF RISK:
YOUR ATTENDANCE AT A "SUNCOAST OUTDOORS " SPONSORED EVENT IS YOUR EXPRESS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING AND UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF FULL PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY FOR ALL ASSOCIATED RISKS.
Possible risks from participation include but are not limited to: injury from a trip and fall, venomous snakes, stinging insects, venomous spiders, wildlife encounters, heat stroke, dehydration, hypothermia, noxious vegetation, weather related injury, insect or airborne transmissible virus and disease, smoke inhalation, wildfire, and falling trees.
I am not a professional guide, just a volunteer for the group.
Any questions or concerns, please comment below. Thanks.