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.
|