THE FOOTPATH NEWSLETTER | |
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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.
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Central Florida Chapter Update
New Year, New Goals
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As we welcome 2025, I find myself reflecting on a year of growth, change, and new beginnings—both personally and for our chapter.
In September 2023, I welcomed my son Torrey into the world, embarking on the journey of becoming a parent all over again. With my youngest child now 11 years old, this new chapter has been a wonderful and humbling experience, blending the joys of parenting older children with the challenges of starting fresh. Balancing a career, family life, and my roles in the Florida Trail Association has been rewarding and has deepened my appreciation for the importance of our work.
Over the holiday break, my family and I broke a two-year streak of no backpacking trips by taking Torrey on his first overnight adventure at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. This trip reminded me of why I’m here—both as a lover of the outdoors and as a leader in our community. It was a powerful reminder of the impact we can have, not only on the trails but also on the people who explore them and the way we appreciate our natural spaces together.
In my leadership journey, I transitioned from serving as Secretary of the Florida Trail Association Board of Directors to becoming the Nominations Coordinator. During this time, I also took on the role of Chair for our local chapter. Along the way, I’ve worked with inspiring individuals who are passionate about our mission. These roles have also highlighted the importance of building a strong and sustainable leadership model within our chapter.
As we set our sights on 2025, here are some resolutions for our chapter:
- More Activity Leaders and Activities: Expanding our team of leaders will allow us to offer a broader range of opportunities and experiences for our members.
- Diversify Our Membership: We aim to make our chapter more inclusive, welcoming people from all walks of life, ages, and lifestyles—including growing families like mine. Whether you're a solo adventurer, a retiree, or a parent with young children, there’s a place for you here.
- Shared Leadership to avoid burnout: Transitioning from “Swiss Army knife” leadership, where a few people do it all, to a "toolbox" model, where leaders focus on their strengths, will allow us to accomplish more while maintaining balance.
Whether you’ve been part of this journey for years or are new to the trail, your contributions are invaluable. Together, we can grow as a chapter and strengthen our community, ensuring the Florida Trail continues to be a source of adventure, connection, and inspiration for generations to come.
I’m lucky getting the newsletter out earlier wasn’t my New Year’s resolution—or I’d already be off to a rough start! With that said, we are going to start pushing this out earlier in the month. Stay tuned!
Here’s to a year of exploration, inclusion, and unity. I can’t wait to see what we achieve together.
Happy New Year!
Chelsey Stevens
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Rob Rogers, author of
Finding My Way Home
đź“… January 16th
🕡 6:30 PM – Social Time | 7:00 PM – Presentation Begins
đź“Ť Leu Gardens - Magnolia Room
Join us for our monthly meeting at Leu Gardens! We’ll kick off with some social time at 6:30 PM—feel free to bring a snack to share. The presentation will begin at 7:00 PM.
This month, Rob Rogers, author of Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida, will share his inspiring journey of overcoming personal struggles through solo backpacking adventures. Please note: Rob's story includes candid discussions of mental health challenges, which may be sensitive for some attendees.
Don’t forget to participate in our popular 1/2 back raffle for a chance to win!
đź“Ś Details & RSVP: Sign up on Meetup
We can’t wait to see you there!
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Remembering David Waldrop
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It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of David Waldrop, a longtime member and dedicated volunteer of the Florida Trail Association. David’s passion for the Florida Trail and his tireless contributions over the years have made a lasting impact on our community.
David was leading an FTA hike in Bellini Preserve, surrounded by hikers who knew and loved him, truly in his element, loving life on the trail. His history with the Florida Trail is immense, having served as a board member and integral volunteer for many years.
During this difficult time, we invite you to join us in keeping his family and loved ones in your thoughts.
If you would like to share any memories or condolences, please visit David’s memorial webpage.
With heartfelt sympathy,
The Florida Trail Association
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Highlighted Hike of the Month! | |
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Wekiwa Springs State Park
Locally famous as an extremely popular swimming area during our hot, humid summers, Wekiwa Springs State Park boasts an extensive network of hiking trails, maintained yearly by the Central Florida Chapter of the Florida Trail. The trail system offers hikes ranging from under a mile, exploring boardwalks near the springhead to an all-day adventure along the 13.5-mile white Hiking Trail loop.
The trails showcase an assortment of natural landscapes that are meticulously cared for by the park staff. Rolling sandhills transition to scrubby flatwoods, and mixed hammocks border floodplain forests alongside Rock Springs Run. Two main starting points are available for hikers, the parking area near the spring, and Sand Lake Trailhead, located further into the park. A pair of primitive campsites serve as destinations for backpackers who want to spend a night in the wilderness under the stars.
Our chapter recently wrapped up their final maintenance in the park for this season on January 7th, so the trails should be freshly mowed and trimmed! While the spring usually attracts throngs of visitors in the warmer months creating a line of cars that wrap from the entrance to over a half mile down Wekiva Springs Road, the park is a lot easier to get into when it is as chilly it has been the past few weeks.
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The Little Big Econ State Forest: A Great Way to Taste the Florida Trail in Our Region
By Rob Rogers
Having recently written a book about several one-night backpacking trips I did last year while discovering backpacking in Central Florida, I had not yet actually done a trip within the three counties served by our Central Florida chapter of the Florida Trail Association. I finally got around to it the Monday before Christmas, and if you haven’t yet hiked or backpacked in the Little Big Econ State Forest, you should do so immediately. A short trip backpacking the approximately 10-mile stretch of the Florida Trail there is easy and will allow you to enjoy a night of low impact paradise camping beside the pristine Econlockhatchee River.
Established in 1994, the Little Big Econ State Forest spans more than 10,000 acres just east of Oviedo and north of Chuluota and largely surrounds a natural section of the sandy Econlockhatchee River spanned by only a single pedestrian bridge. The Florida Trail enters the southeast corner of the state forest south of the river just north of Brumley Road, and then treks approximately 3 ½ miles through forest, then joins the multi-use Flagler Trail for about one mile, before crossing the river, turning west, and tracing most of its remaining miles in the state forest along the northern bank of the majestic Econlockhatchee River. This is the best known and arguably the most scenic section of the Florida Trail within the Little Big Econ State Forest, and it also intersects with the Kolokee Trail, which passes through the remains of an old Florida ghost town.
Most people access the Little Big Econ State Forest from the Barr Street parking area near the river and along the northwest border of the state forest along North County Road 426, which is adjacent to the river and the only campsites along the Florida Trail in the Little Big Econ State Forest, called West Camp. But because I wanted to stay at that campsite, I chose to leave my car along Brumley Road where the trail crosses, then backpack in approximately 6 ½ miles north and west to the West Camp, spend the night along the river, and retrace my hike in back to my car the next day.
This was quite an introduction to our region. The eastern portions enter multiple habitats, from swampy bottom land with small crosswalks to avoid the mud, through palmetto fields with pine and fern-covered scrub and oak forest before eventually meeting the Flagler Trail. Although the Flagler Trail runs straight along a berm through a cypress swamp (and is audibly close to a gun range), the highlight of the hike begins the moment you cross the river. For more than two miles before you reach West Camp, you move from scenic overlooks of the river and its sandy banks bordered by cypress, live oak, and palm, into and out of a jungle-like forest to cross tannic streams on sturdy bridges maintained by our FTA volunteers. Except for small patches of mud and sugar sand, the hiking surface throughout the Little Big Econ is perfect after the rainy season ends, and even though the views above the ground are pristine and as natural as you’ll find in Florida, the trail is wide enough to limit any fear of stepping on snakes or other plants or animals that could ruin your day.
West Camp is also an easy place to experiment with camping on the trail. Each campsite has a sturdy picnic table and firepit on a gravel bed, with plenty of clear flat ground for multiple tents. On the downside, you are a bit close to highways and will therefore hear cars throughout the night. But that’s more than made up for by being a stone’s throw from the river. I had both dinner and breakfast on a sandy overlook beside the river that was a short stroll from my tent, and even watched a hawk try to catch its own breakfast along the riverbank while I sipped my morning coffee. I was also pleasantly surprised by the lack of mosquitoes, even though I was there on an evening when the temperatures did not drop below the high 60s before dawn (although it was December). So as primitive campsites go, West Camp is a great place for those looking for convenience and relative comfort with the natural spectacles of a deep backwoods camp.
And just in case you forget why the Florida Trail here is in such good condition, I ran into Central Florida FTA superstar Jerry Rogers on my hike out, wearing his hard hat, carrying his chainsaw, and asking about any remaining downed trees covering the trail. Even though it was Christmas Eve, Jerry was getting the trail ready for the Florida Trail thru hikers who will be surely arriving soon. Talk about dedication!
Rob Rogers is the author of Finding My Way Home: Fighting Depression Backpacking in Central Florida. He also writes a blog called the “Central Florida Backpacking Desk Jockey” (backpackingdeskjockey.blog).
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Activities
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Trail Maintenance
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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!
Send us a message or email to sign up for our work hike email list. We provide important details the week of and day before each work party, including location to meet and time.
January 2025
January 18: Work Party with Indian River Chapter – Tosohatchee WMA
January 28: cut and drill for LBESF bridges
February 2025
February 04: replace the skinny bridge at Barr St.

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Spring-To-Spring Trail Ride
Continue with your New Year's resolutions for more activity with a fun bike ride on the Spring-To-Spring Trail. Meet at Lake Monroe Park, 975 S. Charles Beall Blvd. (17-92), Debary, FL 32713, near the entrance to the Bike Trail in the back of the Park. We will ride 13 miles to the Osteen Diner on SR 415, and enjoy one of the area's best Diners.
The round trip is 26 miles of flat paved trail with some shade. Bring your bike helmet, a water bottle and a bike lock if you have one. Attendees must sign up on Meetup prior to joining the activity.
Saturday,February 1 @10:00AM
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Bike Ride to see the Manatees
A fun bike ride to Blue Spring State Park and see the Manatees! Meet at the back of the Park near the bike trail. We will ride 10 miles to Blue Spring State Park. We will stop for lunch at Highbanks Marina on the return to Lake Monroe Park.
The round trip is 20 miles of flat paved trail with some shade. Bring your bike helmet, a water bottle and a bike lock if you have one. Attendees must sign up on Meetup prior to joining the activity.
Saturday,February 8 @10:00 AM
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Tosohatchee White Loop
A botanically-rich immersion into Tosohatchee WMA, the White Loop combines the Florida Trail and the White Trail for a hike of nearly 11 miles.
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The Florida Trail Fest is an annual event celebrating the Florida Trail Community, held at the approximate halfway point for thru hikers who started at kick-off in January. This year’s event takes place on February 7th-9th, 2025 at Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, in White Springs. Admission is free.
Florida Trail Fest 2025 Festivities will begin on Friday at 5 pm. and end Sunday before noon. Be sure to check out the Florida Trail Association tent for information on a planned day hike Sunday!
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31st Annual 2025 Winter Series
Join us for our annual Winter Wednesday Hikes and Thursday Paddles. Each event is numbered for your convenience and scheduled to allow you to explore the unique beauty of Central Florida's natural landscapes. These activities are perfect for anyone who loves the outdoors and enjoys exploring with others.
The Winter Wednesday hikes will be listed in the Footpath and past participants will be notified by email but they will not be on Meetup.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the leader
Rachael Augspurg lourayfl@mac.com or text 352-552-0626
WEDNESDAY HIKES - Start at 9:30 AM
Jan. 22, 9:30 AM - Winter Wednesday Hike 3
Ocala NF/ Florida Trail - Juniper Wilderness
Jan. 29, 9:30 AM - Winter Wednesday Hike 4
Ocala NF/ Buck Lake Loop & Florida Trail

Feb. 5, 9:30 AM - Winter Wednesday Hike 5
Withlacoochee SF/ Croom Loop A
Feb. 12, 9:30 AM - Winter Wednesday Hike 6
Withlacoochee SF/ Citrus South Loop C
Feb. 18, 9:30 AM - Winter Wednesday Hike 7
FWC/ Chinsegut Conservation Area - FT
Feb. 26, 9:30 AM - Winter Wednesday Hike 8
Withlacoochee SF/ Citrus A Loop
Mar. 5, 9:30 AM - Winter Wednesday Hike 9
Rice Creek Conservation Area/Florida Trail
Mar. 12, 9:30 AM - Winter Wednesday Hike 10
Caravelle Ranch WMA
Mar. 19, 9:30 AM - Winter Wednesday Hike 11
Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve
Mar. 26, 9:30 AM - Winter Wednesday Hike 12
ONF-St. Francis Trail
THURSDAY PADDLES - Start at 9:00 AM

Jan. 16, 9:00 AM - Thursday Paddle 2
Alexander Spring Run
Jan. 23, 9:00 AM - Thursday Paddle 3
Juniper Springs Run
Jan. 30, 9:00 AM - Thursday Paddle 4
Blue Creek to St Johns River
Feb. 6, 9:00 AM - Thursday Paddle 5
Withlacoochee River
Feb. 13, 9:00 AM - Thursday Paddle 6
Chasshowitzka River
Feb. 20, 9:00 AM - Thursday Paddle 7
Withlacoochee River
Feb. 27, 9:00 AM - Thursday Paddle 8
Rainbow River
Mar. 6, 9:00 AM - Thursday Paddle 9
Ocklawaha River
Mar. 13, 9:00 AM - Thursday Paddle 10
Deep Creek to St Johns River
Mar. 20, 9:00 AM - Thursday Paddle 11
Spruce Creek
Mar. 27, 9:00 AM - Thursday Paddle 12
St Francis Dead River
For additional details, including exact locations, times, and preparations,
please contact the hike leader, Rachael Augspurg,
at lourayfl@mac.com or by text at 352-552-0626.
We look forward to having you join us for these wonderful outdoor adventures!
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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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Chelsey Stevens - Chapter Chair
Jerry Rogers - Trail Maintenance Coordinator
Stephen Grieger - Membership Coordinator
Kelley Galvin - Treasurer
Doug Kucklick - Outreach Coordinator
Chris Stevens - Media Coordinator
Vacant - Secretary
Bill Turman - Activity Coordinator
David Magness - Program Coordinator
Media Committee
Rob Rogers
Outreach Committee
Rue Nilson
Stuart Dropkin
Roxane Abelow
Hospitality
Rue Nilson
Jean Williamson
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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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Central Florida Chapter Activity Leaders
Bill Turman, Activity Coordinator
One of the most important areas of the FTA and the Central Florida Chapter are the on-going stream of enjoyable and exciting Activities. These give our members the opportunities to experience and hopefully learn from the outdoors, whether hiking, backpacking, kayaking, cycling or a multitude of other activities. Participation in these activities also allows our guests to experience the FTA, get to know our members, enjoy themselves and hopefully this will result in them joining the FTA. This is only possible through the dedicated
work of our FTA Activity Leaders.
Our current group of certified Activity Leaders are as follows:
- Rachael Augspurg
- Mary Slater Linn
- Ron Aube
- Tom Regan
- Jerry Rogers
- Kelley Galvin
- Chelsey Stevens
- Joan Jarvis
- Erica Johnson
- Steve Grieger
- Russ Klette
- Judy Minter
- Bill Turman
- Chris Stevens
- Jim Krell
- Jackie Warren
- David Magness
- Stuart Dropkin

In-Process:
- Jeanne Panciera (In-Training, 1 of 2 Co-Led)
- Kristen Gilbert (In-Training, 1 of 2 Co-Led)
- Elda Larche (In-Training, 1 of 2 Co-Led)
Being an Activity Leader is an excellent way to get involved, conduct exciting activities (whether a couple hour hike or a multi-day expedition), meet a lot of great people, while expounding the value and benefits of the Florida Trail Association. We really need you to step up and get involved. If you would like to become a Certified FTA Activity Leader (AL), please contact me: Bill Turman, 407-413-2950 or HokieBill@bellsouth.net
We will work to get the process started. To become an AL, you will need to co-lead two activities, working with and learning from two
different current Activity Leaders. We also hold training sessions from time to time to allow you to build upon your initial training.
Looking forward to growing the list of Certified FTA Activity Leaders, with hopefully including your name.
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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! | |
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Sign Up for Our Volunteer List!
If you're interested in participating and receiving updates about future Outreach events, please forward your name and email address to
Rue Nilson at rumagoo@embarqmail.com and Doug Kucklick at dkucklick@cfl.rr.com
Let's come together to create meaningful change and build a brighter, more sustainable future for all!
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