Johnny's Latest Adventure

Big Cypress Backpack

68 Miles through the Most Unique Backpacking in the Lower 48

Sunrise over a Cypress Sough

Johnny began a 68 mile there and back hike on the Florida Trail within the confines of the Big Cypress National Preserve, located in South Florida. Starting at Oasis Visitor Center on US 41, Tamiami Trail, Johnny headed north on the FT (Florida Trail) making a mere four miles before finding a dry campsite. The coolish evening was tempered by a fire.

          Hammock Palms                          Johnny at 1st night's camp                  Wet shoes, a hat and sunglasses

 Next day, Johnny headed north through a mix of dwarf cypress forest and pine/palm islands, all overlain on pocked limestone. He pressed hard for Oak Hill Campsite, a tropical hardwood hammock located amid miles of cypress, the only dry ground around.

Pine island in the Big Cypress National Preserve

It ended up being a near 18 mile day and was pretty challenging, considering the miles of swamp slogging necessary. Oak Hill, just a scant foot or two above the cypress swamp, was a welcome sight.

Limestone solution hole on the trail

                           Twisted cypress beside the path                       Walking through a cypress dome

                 Palm Island near the Florida Trail                                            Oak Hill Campsite

Johnny pushed beyond Oak Hill on the Florida Trail and passed I-75, then joined a spur loop, heading to Carpenter Camp. Low palmetto blocked a north wind. Johnny laid in the wood and hunkered down for an uncharacteristic South Florida chill.

                               Carpenter Camp                                                         Obligatory alligator picture

The 3rd day began the backtrack on the Florida Trail, and another swamp slog. This time he stopped at 13 Mile camp. A little before dark a lone hiker came up, the only person he would see the entire trip. We visited before he retired to his tent, whereas Johnny slept in front of the fire again.

                                                   Trailside flowers                                             13 Mile Camp

Johnny left 13 Mile Camp, keeping south for 10 miles before picking up the Blue Loop, another spur of the Florida Trail. The seldom trod path was challenging to follow but rewarded with solitude and a head-to-head encounter with a water moccasin, which Johnny walked around.

Water Moccasin guards the Blue Loop

The trail was wet and Johnny didn't look hard enough for a site and ended up back on the FT, then found a site as damp as those on the Blue Loop. Oh, well. 17 miles on the trail makes bad camps look good. A deer visited during the warmer evening. Johnny slept well then hiked out the next day, completing the 68 mile trek.