Florida Trail Association

Central Florida Chapter

THE FOOTPATH NEWSLETTER

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.

FLORIDATRAIL.ORG

April 2024

Chairside Chat

Bill Turman, Chapter Chair

Hello Fellow FTA Members and “Future” FTA Members,

Hope everyone is having a great year so far!

We are three months into the year, coming out of winter and moving into spring. The winter Wednesday Hike / Thursday Paddle series which was completed last week was a rousing success, with Rachael Augspurg putting on twelve weeks of activities throughout Central Florida. Several of our other Activity Leaders have been putting on hikes around the area as well.

The weather is starting to warm up, but that should not limit us from getting outdoors, whether it is to hike, bike or paddle. We are still looking for new Activity Leaders to put on outings, we really need you. We will be holding an Activity Leader Training Course in the coming weeks. If you are interested becoming an Activity Leader, contact me or one of the other Activity Leaders in the chapter.

There are still bridges to build, and Jerry Rogers our Trail Coordinator is looking for you. If you are interested contact Jerry.

Our year wrap up meeting and cook-out will be in May at Wekiwa Springs State Park. One important item at the meeting will be the election of chapter officers for the coming year. This is your opportunity to take on a position of leadership within the chapter. We would love to have a few new Activity Leaders as well, to provide activities. Whatever you chose for your FTA resolution, your commitment to meeting it is greatly appreciated.

I would like to thank you in advance for making 2024 the best year ever for the Florida Trail Association and the Central Florida Chapter, and making my 10^th year as Chapter Chair so memorable.

Happy Trails!

Bill

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.”

― Dr. Seuss

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

― Mae West

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”

― Oscar Wilde

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

― Albert Einstein

Your Generosity

Makes a Difference!

We are immensely grateful for the response to our call for donations towards acquiring a new DR brush mower for the 2024 trail maintenance season. Your unwavering support and generosity truly exemplify the spirit of community stewardship that lies at the heart of the Florida Trail Association.

We'd like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you who contributed towards this important endeavor. Thanks to your kindness, we reached our goal to ensuring that our trails remain well-maintained and accessible for all to enjoy.

Your contributions are not just financial support; they are a testament to your dedication to preserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the Florida Trail. It is because of supporters like you that we can continue our mission of conservation and trail stewardship.

We also wanted to share a heartwarming story that underscores the significance of our encounters on the trail. Members of our leadership team recently had a chance encounter with two thru-hikers from Virginia while inspecting the new Christmas Creek bridge. After learning about our work and mission, one of the hikers, Blaze, expressed his desire to support our chapter. Little did we expect the incredible gesture that followed—a generous donation towards our cause. This serves as a poignant reminder that every interaction on the trail has the potential to create a ripple effect of positivity and support.

As representatives of the Florida Trail Association, each one of us plays a vital role in fostering connections and building relationships that transcend geographical boundaries. You never know what meaningful connections and opportunities may arise from a simple conversation on the trail.

Once again, thank you for your continued support and dedication to the Florida National Scenic Trail. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the preservation and maintenance of our beloved trails.

BECOME A MEMBER

Chapter Operating Procedures

Activity Leader Training

Saturday, May 4th

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Little Big Econ State Forest

350 Snow Hill Rd. Geneva, FL 32732

To register please contact Bill Turman

407-413-2950, HokieBill@bellsouth.net

Navigating Trails as an

Activity Leader

The Florida National Scenic Trail has been my sanctuary for years, even before I knew what the FNST actually was. While I've held various roles within our organization, stepping into the shoes of an activity leader was a leap I hesitated to take. As with many of us, I went to the trails for solitude. Yet as our organization faces the challenge of dwindling activity leaders post-COVID, I realized the significance of stepping up to ensure the vibrancy of our community.

Last year, despite juggling the demands of work, motherhood, and pregnancy, I committed myself to recruiting and training new leaders, beginning with my own journey. One of the requirements is leading 2 hikes with two separate activity leaders. This was not easy as we had few leaders to choose from and many hikes did not work with my schedule. I was finally able to finish my second hike when I was six months pregnant.

With my little one now six months old, I ventured forth, determined to lead hikes and empower others to do the same. I chose a familiar location with low milage so I would not overwhelm myself. The day of our hike dawned with perfect weather, a good omen for what was to come. Organizing through Meetup, I was delighted that 16 out of the 22 people who RSVP'd showed up, along with 3 additional enthusiasts who hadn't registered but were eager to join.

Before setting off, I introduced myself and our organization's goals, outlined our route, break locations, and briefed everyone on safety measures. As I chose to advertise this hike as family and pet-friendly, we reminded pet owners to keep their furry friends leashed and emphasized the Leave No Trace principles to all. I also conducted a head count that I would repeat during and after the hike.

My husband (who was waiting on official approval to be a activity leader) and our co-leader in training were invaluable supports. With a large group, we strategized—my husband leading, myself in the middle, and an experienced hiker designated as sweep to ensure no one lagged behind. I felt more comfortable in the middle of the group as it made it easier to keep an eye on all of our participants; it also provided me with the ability to speak with each participant.

The hike went very smoothly, and we took intermittent stops to catch our breaths and admire the surroundings. I found joy in answering questions, sharing insights about the area and our organization. What filled me with the most gratitude was when we started to wrap up, folks asked me when the next hike would be and enquired how they could become a member of the FNST.

Reflecting on this experience, I'm reminded that the journey from training to leading can seem daunting. But trust me, it's worth it. You'll find yourself in control of your adventures, choosing the activity, date, and location. And remember, you're only obliged to lead one activity a year to stay active.

If you've ever felt the call to become an activity leader, I urge you to take the leap. Reach out, and let's coordinate to make it possible. With more leaders available, there will be more opportunities to co-lead. Together, let's pave the way for countless adventures and memories along the trails we hold dear.

Our Activity Leader Training is coming up soon on Saturday, May 4th, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Little Big Econ State Forest.

To register, please contact Bill Turman at 407-413-2950 or email HokieBill@bellsouth.net.

Let's blaze trails together!

Chapter Events

Monthly Chapter Meeting

Folks with the Orianne Center will be doing a presentation on endangered eastern indigo snakes!

The Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation (OCIC) is operated by the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens and is the only captive breeding facility for the Eastern Indigo Snake with the sole purpose of releasing the offspring into regions where the population has been extirpated.

In addition to our monthly speaker, we will have snacks, a half-back raffle, and discussions about exciting future events.

Join us at Leu Gardens on April 18th at 6:30!

Meetup

Activities

Trail Maintenance

Discovering exciting events has never been easier! Our engaging activities and Trail Maintenance events are posted and shared exclusively on Meetup.

Due to their overwhelming popularity, spots fill up swiftly. To ensure you never miss out on the latest updates and happenings, we kindly request all members to join our Meetup community. Stay informed and be part of the fun!

Visit our Meetup Page!

Highlighted Hike of the Month!

Charles H. Bronson State Forest

River Loop

Located directly south of perhaps the most visited state forest in Florida, one of the least visited forests offers a 9.5 mile loop trail through a spectacular variety of habitats in the St. Johns River floodplain. Acquired by the state in 2008, Charles H. Bronson State Forest was opened to the public in the early 2010’s. This new addition allowed the Florida Trail to leave a substantial road walk behind as a dedicated crew of volunteers re-routed the trail through the forest.

In addition to the orange blazed Florida National Scenic Trail, the Central Florida Chapter added the white blazed River Trail, blue blazed County Line Connector, and established the Fern, County Line, and Joshua Creek Campsites. All three campsites can be reserved online, and they are spaced out at distances to accommodate folks who are new to backpacking and seasoned hikers. Prone to seasonal flooding, springtime is one of the best times to explore this loop trail while it is still dry.

Past Highlighted Hikes of the Month

Kayak Trip - Econ River

Snow Hill Road to Rt. 46 at C.S. Lee Park

Location: Snow Hill Road Bridge over the Econ River
When: April 13, 2024, Meet at 8:30 AM
Total Participants: 10, FTA Members Only
Sign-Up: Through 4/4 Contact Me Directly
After 4/5, go to meet-up site
Activity Leader: Bill Turman (Cell) 407-413-2950, (email) HokieBill@bellsouth.net

This is a paddle trip that I have not done for many years. For those who have not kayaked the Econ River it is a truly unique environment. The first half the river travels through the deep woods of the Little Big Econ State Forest, then the second half is traveling through the flood plain approaching the St. Johns River, then you enter the St. Johns and proceed a couple of miles to C.S. Lee Park. The wide openness of the last half is daunting as you can see the bridge over Rt. 46 off in the distance, but it is still miles away. We will end the trip with a nice lunch at the Lazy Gator Fish Camp Restaurant.

We will meet at the Snow Hill Road bridge over the Econ River at 8:30 AM. Look for my Red F150 Ford Truck. We will then proceed down under the bridge on the south side of the bridge, where we will unload our kayaks. We will then shuttle our vehicles down to C.S. Lee Park on Rt. 46 on the west side of the bridge, and then return to Snow Hill. Hopefully we have someone who can stay with the boats during the vehicle shuttle.

We will then launch our boats and paddle east down the Econ River. The paddle consists of around 4 – 5 miles through the forest, 4 – 5 miles through the St. Johns River flood plain, and around 2 miles of paddling on the St. Johns River down to Rt. 46 and C.S. Lee Park. This trip is considered moderate due to the length around 10.5 miles, and participants should be experienced kayak paddlers, capable of paddling this distance and who have seaworthy boats.

Kayak Trip - Haw Creek

Russell Landing to Bull Creek

Haw Creek from Russell Landing (County Rd. 2007, Bunnell, FL 32110) to Bull Creek Campground / Dead Lake (3861 W CR 2006 Bunnell, FL 32110)
May 18, 2024, Meet at 9:00 AM
Total Participants: 12, FTA Members Only
If you would like to reserve a space on this trip - Prior to April 18 respond to me directly, afterwards go directly to Meet-Up to Sign Up

Bill Turman (Cell) 407-413-2950, (email) HokieBill@bellsouth.net

I did this paddle less than two years ago, but things will be different this time as that was just after Hurricane Ian, and the water level was very high as it was at flood stage.

We will meet at 9:00 AM at the Russell Landing on county route 2007. This landing is about 34 miles due north of Deland. Driving north out of Deland, you drive on US 17, then bear right onto state route 11 going north for around 20 miles, then turn left on county road 304 then turn right on county road 305, then left on county road 110, then a left turn on county road 2007. We will then shuttle vehicles up to the Bull Creek Campground / Dead Lake, leave vehicles and then return. Hopefully we have someone who can stay with the boats while we shuttle the vehicles. We will then launch and go upstream for a short distance until it becomes impassible due to vegetation growth in the creek, and then turn around downstream. The paddling distance from Russell Launch to the Bull Creek Campground / Dead Lake is around 6 miles. The first part is a creek and the last half is out in open water of Crescent and Dead Lakes. The only moderate part about this paddle is if there are strong winds in the lakes. There hopefully will be good wildlife viewing along this paddle. Sadly, the Fish Camp Restaurant at Dead Lake was destroyed by Hurricane Ian, so bring your lunch. Please ensure that you have a seaworthy kayak, and are a competent paddler. This should not be a strenuous trip but bring water, sunblock, a snack, etc.

Longleaf Pine Preserve

A series of connected loop trails immerse hikers within a large, seasonally wet pine flatwood habitat, featuring boardwalks and a group campground.

Take a Hike!

Are you passionate about making a positive impact in your community? Do you enjoy engaging in outreach activities that promote environmental awareness and sustainability? If so, we invite you to join our team of dedicated volunteers for upcoming Outreach events this spring!