Upper Hillsborough WMA 8 mile Wilderness Hike for 10 Weekend Warriors

Let's get this one in before things get too wet!

Let's show the Upper Hillsborough WMA a little MORE love! This is the trailhead we have avoided recently because of the broken asphalt into the parking lot that wasn't good for cars. Well, the surface has been repaired (as of April 6), and the trail has been pre-hiked (thanks Lenny). So this trail is officially waiting for you.

This almost 8-mile trail is a little wild, a little rugged, with lots of open skies and shaded forests, and now, it's a little wet. See the photo of Lenny standing at the headwaters of the Hillsborough River - he walked through these moving waters wearing waterproof hikers, and I used the narrow passage behind him. So easy-peasy and more so, as when we got to the river crossing downstream, it was mostly dry and muddy in places we didn't have to go.

But all this is going to change with the rain we had today and until we hike on the 18th. Please come prepared to get your feet a little or a lot wet as there's no turning back!

On this hike, in addition to the sweet spots mentioned above, you will see some old-Florida never logged forest that offer views of tall straight pines, rounded oak canopies, and scattered palms punching up through it all plus we will do a a walkthrough of the primitive camp.

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 8:10. Please bring at least 2.5 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 also no facilities/bathrooms or water anywhere on this hike.

A few other things to be mindful of:

• Even though there is no scheduled hunting, feel free to wear orange.
• There are 2 trailheads on County Road 54. They are not ours. Use the coordinates provided on this page and see the trailhead photo posted to arrive at 40540 Chancey Road.
• Use caution when pulling into or out of the parking lot as the speed on Chancey Road is 55 MPH.
• In case you are wondering, there are no train tracks to cross! And no cost for parking or entering the park.
• The parking area is small (maybe 10 cars), and we may have to share it with others. Some of us may have to park on the wide bank on either side of the parking lot.
• This is a rain or shine event unless there's a threat of lightning.
• This hike is for advanced hikers because of the terrain, the temperature, the pace, and the distance combined. If you have not done an 8-mile hot hike in about 4 hours recently, this hike is not for you. Thank you for understanding!

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.