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The Florida Trail Association develops, maintains, protects, and promotes a network of hiking trails throughout the state, including the unique Florida National Scenic Trail.
Together with our partners we provide opportunities for the public to hike, engage in outdoor recreation, participate in environmental education, and contribute to meaningful volunteer work.
| | A Different Kind of Chapter Update | | |
This month, instead of my usual Chair’s Update, I’m writing from a slightly different perspective.
I likely won’t be at our August meeting because I’ll be starting a new adventure of my own with my daughter’s school. In some ways, the timing feels appropriate. After two years as Chapter Chair, life is pulling me toward some new responsibilities, and it’s time for someone else to have the opportunity to lead this chapter.
I want everyone to know how much I have genuinely loved being your Chapter Chair.
I had hoped to stay in the role longer. There are still ideas I would love to see happen and ways I know our chapter can continue to grow. But one of the things I’ve learned from serving as Chair is just how much this position can be when someone has the time to really give it their attention.
Between a full-time career and raising a household of children, I have reached a point where I simply don't have the availability I think this role deserves. Our chapter has tremendous potential, and so does the Florida Trail Association as a whole. I believe the next Chair should be someone who has the bandwidth to take advantage of that potential, whether that's someone who is retired, has a more flexible schedule, or is simply at a stage of life where they have more time to give.
And I want to make one thing very clear: I am not going anywhere.
I will no longer be part of our official chapter leadership team, but I will remain involved with the Media Committee. I’ll continue helping monitor our social media and chapter communications, and I’ll be working with Chris Stevens and Rob Rogers on the newsletter. You’ll still see me at activities, meetings when I can make them, outreach events, and probably plenty of places out on the trail. I’m just changing where I put my energy.
There is also something I really want our members to consider. We still need a Chapter Chair.
If you have ever thought, “Maybe I could do that someday,” now is actually a very good time to raise your hand. I am still here, and I would be happy to help onboard the next Chair, share what I’ve learned, explain how things work, and make sure that person isn't handed the keys and left to figure everything out blindly.
You also don't have to lead exactly the way I did. In fact, I hope you don't.
The position can evolve around the strengths of the person who takes it on. We already have an incredible group of coordinators and volunteers doing much of the work that keeps this chapter moving. The Chair doesn't need to do everything. The Chair needs to help those people succeed, keep everyone connected, and help move the chapter forward.
It is work, and I don't want to pretend otherwise. But it is also incredibly rewarding work, and it comes with some pretty great company.
Serving as Chair gave me the opportunity to know so many of you better, to see how much work happens behind the scenes, and to understand just how much this chapter contributes to the Florida Trail and our outdoor community. I'm very grateful that you trusted me with it.
So this isn't goodbye. Not even close.
It's just me moving over a seat and making room for whoever comes next.
And if you're wondering whether that person could be you, please reach out. I'd love to talk.
Chelsey Stevens
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September Chapter Meeting | |
📅 Thursday, September 17, 2026
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Leu Gardens, Magnolia Room
🧭 Members Share Their Summer Adventures
This month, our program is all about our group summer travels. A lineup of members and guests will be sharing highlights from their adventures—from backcountry treks to overseas explorations. It’s a chance to connect, be inspired, and enjoy a variety of perspectives before we kick off the trail season this fall.
🗳️ Chapter Leadership Vote: 2026–2027
We’ll also be voting on our new leadership team for the upcoming term. Interested in stepping up? We’d love to have you on board!
We are still looking for a Chapter Chair, so please reach out if you’re detail-oriented and want to help guide the future of our chapter.
Proposed Leadership Slate:
- Vacant – Chapter Chair (that could be you!)
- Jerry Rogers – Trail Coordinator
- David Magness – Membership Coordinator
- Kelley Galvin – Treasurer
- Doug Kucklick – Outreach Coordinator
- Chris Stevens – Media Coordinator
- Bill Turman – Activity Coordinator
- Mary-Slater Linn – Program Coordinator
- Tara Treuil – Secretary
Bring a snack to share and join us for an evening of community, stories, and planning for the trail year ahead!
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Highlighted Hike of the Month
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Black Hammock Wilderness Area
Protecting nearly 700 acres in the ecologically sensitive St. Johns River floodplain, Black Hammock Wilderness Area presents a rich mosaic of flatwoods, scrub, basin swamp, and hydric hammock communities. Managed by Seminole County, this preserve features an impressive set of boardwalks and a loop trail showcasing its variety of natural landscapes. The first part of this hike offers ample shade, making it a great destination for an early morning trek on a late summer day.
Starting at the small parking area, follow the crushed shell pathway as it leads into an open scrubby flatwoods forest before descending into a deeply shaded hardwood hammock. Cabbage palms strewn with shoestring ferns rise towards a dense canopy of sweetgum, hickory, and magnolia trees. In a tenth of a mile, a lengthy boardwalk elevates visitors above often-flooded lowlands. The wooden walkway ends at a quarter mile, where a leaf-strewn path weaves across a section of high ground before reaching another boardwalk.
Beginning with a slight ascent at the end of the second boardwalk, the trail arrives at the edge of a pine forest near the one-mile mark. From this point, head back to the trailhead for a two mile round trip in the shade, or continue across open flatwoods and scrub habitats, exploring the northern end of the wilderness area along a loop route, returning to this spot in 2.5 miles.
| | | Tips for Backpacking During Breaks, on Business Trips, or Family Vacations | | |
By Rob Rogers
Although I love weekend backpacking here at home on the Florida Trail, some of my most enjoyable experiences have been on one-night adventures far from home that I’ve added to family vacations and road trips to college football games. As fun as backcountry road tripping can be, tacking on a one-night backpacking excursion to a business trip or family vacation can complicate travel plans, particularly when you fly to your destination. But I’ve learned some tips that might help if you’re considering trying one.
Consider Purchasing a Large Roller Duffel Bag: A key purchase that allowed me to begin backpacking on family vacations is a wheeled duffel bag big enough to fit the backpack and gear I take on the trail. I’m referring here to a rolling bag with a single open compartment big enough to fit a loaded backcountry pack and additional clothes, shoes, coats, and toiletries for the remainder of the time you plan to spend in civilization. My roller duffel (an Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT Wheeled 120L) has a telescoping handle, a pair of heavy-duty wheels for easy navigation through airport terminals, and even a pair of tuckaway backpack straps that can be used in a pinch to carry it up stairwells when elevators are unavailable (European travelers know what I’m talking about here). Using it allows me to pack everything for the backcountry and civilization in a single bag, rather than incurring the inconvenience and extra airline fees of checking a second bag if I’ll be gone too long to fit my street clothes into a carry-on.
Find Out Where to Get Cooking Fuel After You Land: Although most backpacking gear can be brought from home on the plane, the airlines prohibit passengers from carrying fuel canisters in checked or carry-on bags, which can make eating on the trail tricky if you’re backpacking to a place that prohibits campfires. Finding fuel when you land will be easy if
there’s a nearby REI. But even if there’s not, you can order a fuel canister online from Home Depot to be shipped to a store near your destination. I did this when I traveled to Shenandoah National Park last year after landing in Charlottesville, and the pick-up process was easy. Just be sure to purchase it at least a week before you travel.
Plan Travel Around Backcountry Plans and Budget for Extra Time: If you plan to backpack on the day you arrive at a destination, fly as early as possible, and budget extra time for flight delays and delays retrieving baggage or driving to trailheads. Also budget in extra time for the slower speed limits on rural or national park roads near your chosen trailheads, as well as for the earlier setting of the sun in more northern latitudes
(especially after the switch to daylight savings time). I always budget enough time to get from the gate where I land to my campsite at least one hour before sunset. Similar considerations will also be needed if you plan to fly home on the day you return from the trail, although I prefer to finish backpacking at least two days before flying home to avoid cramming cramped legs into a small airplane seat.
Pick Your Route Before You Go and Research Reservation Requirements: Print your maps or download them onto your phone before you leave, as you don’t want to count on having phone reception in the backcountry. Consider also googling the altitude and elevation gain on your route to be sure you’re not biting off more than you can chew. Perhaps most importantly, confirm whether you need to book a backcountry campsite at your desired destination before you go, particularly for national parks. For example, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia requires you not only to purchase a permit for your preferred camping zone before you arrive, but also to have a printed copy of it in hand when you arrive. Also check hunt dates and take orange to wear just in case.
Check on Local Updates Before You Go: Backcountry trails are routinely damaged by fires, floods, rockslides, blizzards, and even construction. So you should always be ready to tweak your route based on changing conditions. Websites for national and state parks and forests routinely post updates on trail maintenance and road/entrance closures. I also google other conditions that could impact my trips like rabies or tickborne disease outbreaks. The comments sections on the AllTrails app is also a great place to find out what people are saying about recent trail conditions.
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Rob Rogers is the award-winning author of Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida. He also writes a blog called the “Central Florida Backpacking Desk Jockey”, and his essays and articles on backpacking have been published on FloridaHikes.com and in the Wilderness House Literary Review, Outdoors Unlimited, and Go World Travel.
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Scrub Point Preserve
A hidden preserve tucked behind neighborhoods along Johns Lake in Clermont provides options for hiking, picnicking, and paddling.
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Bike Ride on West Orange and South Lake Trails
When: August 22nd, 8:00 AM
Activity Leader: Stuart Dropkin
This 28 mile ride will start at the Winter Garden Public Library, to Epic Cycles, and then return. This ride is NOT for beginner bike riders because this ride will encounter numerous hills and elevation changes.
Epic Cycles has a coffee and smoothie bar inside the air-conditioned store. Upon return to Winter Garden many of the participants may decide to break for refreshments at one of many dining establishments in downtown Winter Garden. All members of the Florida Trail Association are welcome to attend even if Meetup places you on the Waitlist. Bike Helmets are required and bike locks and hydration are recommended.
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Kayak Trip, Mosquito Lagoon - Round-Trip from Riverbreeze Park
When: August 29th, 9:00 AM
Activity Leader: Bill Turman
This is a repeat of a trip that we have done for ten years, which the participants enjoyed. For those who have not kayaked in the Mosquito Lagoon, it is a truly unique environment. At times you feel as though you are in the middle of wilderness, then you come around an island and can see the condos of New Smyrna Beach.
As far as navigating, it can also be challenging based on the numerous islands and shallow water depths. It is easy to get lost and end up in a dead end waterway. We will put in at the Riverbreeze Park kayak launch and boat ramp, cross the inter-coastal waterway and then we will paddle east and north across the lagoon working our way around numerous islands, stopping at one or two of the island campsites for break stops, navigating through part of the shipyard island canoe trail, ending up at JB's Fish Camp restaurant in Bethune Beach where we will have lunch (Grouper Sandwiches?).
After filling our bellies we will shove off from JB's and work off our lunch by paddling south to Turtle Mound, which is one of the largest Indian shell mounds in Florida. We will then paddle west back across the lagoon returning to the Riverbreeze Park kayak launch and boat ramp. The day will include 11 to 12 miles of paddling round trip.
With the lagoon being flat and exposed, with tidal currents possible and the potential for strong winds with corresponding waves in the shallow bays, this trip is considered moderate and participants should be experienced kayak paddlers, capable of paddling this distance and who have seaworthy boats.
In May it will probably be hot and sunny, and there is little shade, so appropriate clothing and hats is recommended along with sunscreen. Bring plenty of water to drink. Bring money for lunch. You may need to pay a fee to tour Turtle Mound as it is within the Canaveral National Seashore, although for the past several years we beached our kayaks and walked the boardwalk and did not have to pay.
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Chapter Need: Temporary Housing for FTA Staff
Do you have a rental, guest house, apartment, RV, or other private space that could house FTA staff?
FTA is looking ahead to several upcoming trail projects in our area beginning in January 2027, and staff will need temporary housing while they are here working on the builds.
Rather than relying entirely on hotels or short-term rentals, FTA would love to see if there is an opportunity to rent from someone within our own chapter or extended trail community.
What they're looking for:
- A private guest house, apartment, rental property, RV, or similar space
- Ideally two bedrooms, as there may be weeks with up to three FTA staff members
- Housing will generally be needed for approximately 12–15 days per month
- The arrangement is expected to continue for a few months beginning in January
- FTA has a budget for housing. This is not a request for free accommodations.
- They are looking for a separate/private space NOT a spare bedroom in someone's primary residence
If you have something that might work, or know someone locally who does, please reach out to us. Even if you're not sure your space is exactly what FTA needs, we'd be happy to make the connection and let you discuss the possibilities directly with FTA staff.
This is a unique way our chapter may be able to support the crews doing the hands-on work to improve the Florida Trail while potentially helping FTA stretch its project dollars a little further.Text Link
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Welcome New Members👋
Joining the Florida Trail Association and affiliating with our Chapter has it’s perks...taking that step forward since our last newsletter were:
Jessica Naumann
Dave Morgan
Aiden Fowler
Robert Von Werder
Lorena Matejowsky
Donna Nemeth
James Watts
Joe Marsh
Susie Marsh
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Upcoming Trail Maintenance
Our chapter has a bridge build project coming up at Mills Creek on September 15-16, and our annual Trail Maintenance Kick-off will take place at the Mills Creek Woodlands on September 19th!
September 2026
September 15-16: Mills Creek Bridge Project Infrastructure
September 19: Mills Creek Woodlands Saturday work hike
September 23: Little Big Econ State Forest Wednesday work hike
September 30: Wekiwa Springs State Park Wednesday work hike*
October 2026
October 7: Wekiwa Springs State Park Wednesday work hike*
October 14: Wekiwa Springs State Park Wednesday work hike*
October 24: Little Big Econ State Forest Saturday work hike
October 28: Charles Bronson State Forest Wednesday work hike
Oct. 30 - Nov. 1: Indian River Chapter Work Party – Bull Creek
November 2026
November 4: Seminole State Forest Wednesday work hike
November 11: Seminole State Forest Wednesday work hike
November 13-15: Indian River Chapter Work Party – Prairie Lakes
November 18: Chuluota Wilderness Wednesday work hike
November 21: Little Big Econ State Forest Saturday work hike
December 2026
December 2: Little Big Econ State Forest Wednesday work hike
December 8 -12: Tropical Trekkers Chapter Work Party – Kissimmee Prairie Preserve
December 9: Charles Bronson State Forest Wednesday work hike
December 16: Seminole Ranch CA Wednesday work hike
December 19: Savage Christmas Creek Preserve Saturday work hike
January 2026
January 5: Charles Bronson State Forest Tuesday work hike
January 8 – 10: Indian River Chapter Work Party – Three Lakes
January 23: Indian River Chapter – Tosohatchee Saturday work hike
*Wekiwa Springs State Park requires attendees to be registered volunteers with the Florida State Park system.
Request to be added to the Trail Maintenance email list here - cfchapter@floridatrail.org
| | Second Edition of the Hiker's Guide to the Sunshine State is Now Available! | | |
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🌟 Ready to Lead the Way?
As the trail comes alive with fall wildflowers and cooler breezes, it’s the perfect time to turn your passion for hiking into something even more impactful—becoming a Certified Activity Leader with the Central Florida Chapter.
Our trail community thrives because of the volunteers who step up, lace up, and lead the way. If you’ve ever thought, “I could do that”—you can. And we’re here to help you every step of the way.
🥾 It’s easier than you think:
To become certified, simply co-lead two different activities with two different certified leaders. This shadowing experience is a great way to build confidence and learn the ropes in a low-pressure, supportive environment.
🤝 Team up with current leaders:
Many of our Activity Leaders have upcoming hikes and would love a helping hand. Whether you’re interested in weekend treks, beginner-friendly walks, or rugged backwoods adventures—there’s a space for you.
📞 Let’s get you started:
Reach out to our Activity Leader Coordinator, Bill Turman, at 407-413-2950 or email HokieBill@bellsouth.net. He’ll connect you with upcoming opportunities and answer any questions you may have.
✅ Certified Activity Leaders:
Rachael Augspurg
Ron Aube
Stuart Dropkin
Kristen Gilbert
Kelley Galvin
Erica Johnson
Ned James
Jim Krell
Elda Larche
Mary-Slater Linn
David Magness
Tom Regan
Jerry Rogers
Chelsey Stevens
Chris Stevens
Bill Turman
🌱 Whether you want to give back, grow your leadership skills, or just share your love of the outdoors with others, becoming an Activity Leader is one of the most meaningful ways to make a difference. Let’s hit the trail—together.
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Newsletter Archives
In August of 2023, our chapter newsletter moved from printed copies to a digital format. Thanks to our Past Chair and acting Activity Coordinator Bill Turman and his safekeeping of these documents, our website now hosts Footpath Newsletters dating back to September 2013. All of the newsletters can be viewed on our website here!
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10% off all regularly priced clothing, footwear, and gear
Offer limited & some exclusions apply
Travel Country Outfitters supports Florida Trail Members Simply show proof of membership at the register
www.travelcountry.com 407-831-0777
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VACANT - Chapter Chair
Jerry Rogers - Trail Coordinator
David Magness - Membership Coordinator
Kelley Galvin - Treasurer
Doug Kucklick - Outreach Coordinator
Chris Stevens - Media Coordinator
Tara Treuil - Secretary
Bill Turman - Activity Coordinator
Mary-Slater Linn - Program Coordinator
Media Committee
Rob Rogers
Chelsey Stevens
Outreach Committee
Rue Nilson
Stuart Dropkin
Roxane Abelow
Hospitality
Rue Nilson
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Join Our Committees!
Interested in getting more involved without the commitment of a leadership position? We're excited to announce the formation of committees to support our leadership roles, and we're seeking enthusiastic volunteers. Initially, we're focusing on the following committees, with plans to expand to additional roles in the future:
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Media Committee: This team will manage social media, share photos, write articles, and coordinate contributions from others.
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Outreach Committee: Members will help set up and staff tables at various outreach events.
If you're interested in joining one of these committees, please don't hesitate to reach out to us!
We hope everyone enjoys a cool and safe summer. Thank you for your dedication to our community and for taking the time to connect with your leadership team. Have a wonderful season!
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📬 Note on Newsletter Distribution
We’re excited to share that our chapter membership is growing — and that’s a great thing! To ensure we’re able to continue sharing updates with our active members, we regularly remove addresses from our email list who are not current members of the Florida Trail Association.
Due to the limitations of our current email platform, we’re capped at 500 subscribers. As much as we’d love to send the newsletter to everyone, the cost and platform restrictions make it unsustainable.
If your membership has lapsed, this newsletter may no longer arrive in your inbox — but you can still access it anytime on our website and social media pages.
Want to keep receiving updates by email? Simply renew your membership and we’ll gladly add you back to the list!
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