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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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Happy September to our current and future members! As we move into a new month, I want to take a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made and share some exciting updates.
First, I’m thrilled to announce that we raised $335 from sales in our chapter’s spirit store! We partnered with LVR on this, and the process was a great fit for our leadership team, as it required minimal time from our volunteer staff and involved no upfront costs to the chapter. Given the success, we’d love to do it again soon, and we’re open to your suggestions for future products to feature. We’d also love to hear your feedback—what did you like about the process, and are there any areas we could improve?
I’m also excited to introduce a new contributor to our media committee, Rob Rogers. Rob has written a wonderful article for this newsletter, offering tips for beginning backpackers. We’re excited to have him on board and look forward to more great content from him in the future.
Speaking of the media committee, we are looking to grow our team! If you’re interested in writing articles or helping with social media management, we’d love to have you join us. It’s a great way to get more involved with the chapter and help us share the important work we do with a wider audience.
Another exciting update: We’ll be holding a trail maintenance day on September 25th, and we’ll have a special guest joining us. A member of Spectrum News 13 will be covering the event and putting together a segment on our trail maintenance efforts. It’s a great opportunity to highlight the hard work our volunteers put in to keep the Florida Trail thriving. This spotlight will help raise awareness and hopefully encourage even more people to get involved!
Lastly, I’d like to offer a huge congratulations to Chris Stevens, our media coordinator, on the upcoming release of The Florida Trail Guide. Chris collaborated with legendary trail guru Sandra Friend on the newest edition, and it will be his first officially published book, coauthoring alongside Sandra. This is the 5th edition of the guide and is now available for preorder, and we couldn’t be prouder of his achievement. Be sure to check it out and grab your copy to support a fellow chapter member and expert on the Florida Trail.
Thank you all for your continued support and dedication to our chapter and the trail. I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events!
Best regards,
Chelsey Stevens
Chapter Chair
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Central Florida Chapter Activity Leaders
By Bill Turman, Activity Coordinator
One of the most important areas of the FTA and the Central Florida Chapter is the ongoing stream of enjoyable and exciting Activities. These give our members 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 result in them joining the FTA.
This is only possible through the dedicated work of our FTA Activity Leaders. Our current group of approved Activity Leaders are as follows:
Certified FTA Activity Leaders:
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
In-Process:
David Magness (Approval Ongoing)
Stuart Dropkin (In-Training, 1 of 2 Co-Led)
Jeanne Panciera (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, at 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, hopefully including your name.
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Guest Speaker: Stephen Stipkovitz
Join us for an inspiring evening with This month's speaker, Stephen Stipkovits, a seasoned Forester with the Florida Forest Service. Stephen has extensive experience in developing resource management plans, conducting prescribed burns, and managing invasive species control programs. He’ll provide valuable insights into forest management and conservation - don’t miss this informative talk!
Location: Leu Gardens - Magnolia Room
September 19th
6:30pm-7:00pm: Social time
7:00pm: Presentation begins
Guests are invited to bring a snack to share before the start of the meeting. We will also be having a 1/2 back raffle where you can purchase one ticket for $1 or six tickets for $5. The winner will receive 1/2 the pot! The raffle will conclude at the end of our meeting.
Next month's speaker: Chris Stevens will be discussing features of the FarOut App. How to use the app while hiking the Florida Trail and beyond, and for collecting tracks and creating waypoints.
If you have a special interest you would like to share, or suggestions for future speakers, please feel free to click here to Submit Monthly Chapter Presentation ideas!
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Tips for Novice or Born-Again Backpackers
By Rob Rogers
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Although many of you have probably been backpacking for years, some of you may, like me until recently, be long time avid hikers who avoid camping in the backcountry because of the difficulties involved, especially if sleeping on the ground away from air conditioning or relieving yourself outside sounds unpleasant. But Central Florida’s wonderful outdoor spaces—especially the backcountry campsites on the Florida Trail—are best enjoyed immersed in the serenity and isolation of the forest beside a campfire or waking up to a sunrise between the boughs of a live oak.
It is never too late to start backpacking, and you don’t have to climb a mountain or hike the Appalachian Trail to do it. One year ago, I would never have dreamed of backpacking or sleeping outside, and I had not camped since 1991 when I was a pre-teen Boy Scout. But after losing a little weight and seeing my sleep apnea go away, I succumbed to the temptation to backpack, and in the process fell in love with our Central Florida home and the Florida Trail. If you’re thinking about backpacking for the first time (or for the first time in a long time), here are some of my tips for how to begin. Hopefully it will change your life as much as it has changed mine.
1. Get a Tent and Try Sleeping Outside at Home: Buy a tent (the smaller and lighter, the better) and spend the night in it in your backyard on a cool, clear night, safely near a flushing toilet and an air-conditioned bedroom. This will let you know if you can handle the quiet and claustrophobia of a small cloth bedroom and sleeping on the ground—and provide you an easy way back to civilization if you can’t sleep outside.
2. Hike with Weight: The rule of backpacking is to carry no more than 20 percent of your body weight, but it’s not easy to get a backpack that light when you’re carrying a tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, clothes, food, and water. I started carrying relatively small amounts of weight in backpacks while hiking (first 10 pounds, then 15, then 20), until I felt ready to tackle a trail with a 35-pound backpack. This also lets you figure out how to adjust the straps for greatest comfort. You might also walk around your home with a fully loaded backpack for 30 minutes at a time to accustom your body to the weight.
3. Read Up and Prepare: Two great books for new backpackers are How to Suffer Outside: A Beginner’s Guide to Hiking and Backpacking by Diana Helmuth (a funny how-to guide for beginning backpackers) and Backpacking Florida by Johnny Malloy (which has great trail recommendations, and a section aimed at novice backpackers that includes a checklist for what to bring). For trail recommendations, also check out floridahikes.com. Sandra Friend and John Keatley, the operators of floridahikes.com, also have sections with tips for novice backpackers in two excellent books, 50 Hikes in Central Florida and The Florida Trail Guide.
4. Start Easy at a State Park: State parks in Florida charge only $5.00 per night for primitive campsites and offer parking spots less than one mile away. Many state parks also have longer interconnected trails running past their primitive campsites that you can use to practice backpacking, where you can more easily bail out if you’re not having fun. This is also a way to enjoy sunrises and sunsets in the forest, and that is why many of us keep returning to the trail.
5. Eat Well and Take a Lot of Water: Although canned food is easy, those fancy freeze-dried camp dinners are light and easy to cook, taste great, and minimize cleaning (you just boil water and add to the zip locked package, then use the package afterward as your garbage bag—it fits safely and easily in any bear bag or bear canister). You’ll never regret taking too much water, and the more you drink, the lighter your pack becomes. Also take your favorite candy as a reward—There is no more enjoyable way to burn off candy calories than backpacking.
6. Practice Fire in a Solo Stove: Florida’s humidity can make starting a fire here deceptively tricky to the uninitiated, and before I returned to primitive camping, I talked my wife into buying a Solo Stove and became reacquainted with fire and how to move and manage burning logs with a stick. It’s essentially like learning how to bake cookies in a toaster oven, as Solo Stoves are engineered to make fire easy. I also still take the kiln dried kindling and fire-starting briquettes sold for Solo Stoves on the trail to get my backcountry fires started.
7. Look for Hiker’s Only Trails, Especially the Florida Trail: Seek out “hiker’s only” trails, which wind through more pristine settings on trails unsuitable for horses or vehicles, so you’re less likely to fight sugar sand (the soft stuff that sinks under your feet like quicksand). As I’m sure every member of the Florida Trail Association is aware, the gold standard in Florida for hikers only trails is the Florida National Scenic Trail. But other excellent hikers only trails can be found in state parks like Wekiwa Springs State Park and Lake Kissimmee State Park.
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Recognize this Central Florida Chapter location on the cover? | |
The Florida Trail Guide, Fifth Edition cover is Mills Creek, in the Mills Creek Woodlands! | |
Highlighted Hike of the Month! | |
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Lake Lizzie Conservation Area
Located a few miles east of Downtown St. Cloud, Lake Lizzie Conservation Area showcases a variety of natural habitats on the eastern side of its namesake lake.
A network of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails traverse the property, leading through scrub, swamp, and flatwoods communities along the way. Primitive camping is available, by reservation for $12 per person.
The preserve has a north and south entrance, and 3.5 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail span between the two trailheads. As part of a major future reroute in Central Florida, orange blazes will eventually connect lead north to Split Oak WEA, and southward to Holopaw Conservation Area and Triple N WMA.
The Marsh Trail on the south end is the only route designated specifically for hiking, with a scenic loop and boardwalk leading out to views of lakeside marshes.
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FTA Cycle Trip, East Central Regional Rail Trail, Beck Ranch Park to Green Springs and Return
By Bill Turman
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On September 14th, eight adventurous cyclists met at Beck Ranch Park. From there we cycled north along 415 to Osteen, were we crossed the pedestrian bridge and headed west on the E. Central Reg. Rail Trail (ECRRT) over to Green Springs. We stopped at the springs and the pavilion for a nice break. We then turned around and headed back east to Osteen, where some of us continued east to Guise Road. We then returned to Osteen and had a great lunch at the famous “Osteen Diner”. After a meal, we headed back south to Beck Ranch Park, our vehicles, and then home to the afternoon football games. For those who cycled the entire route, the mileage was a little over 21 miles. We had outstanding weather, a great day and excellent company!
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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!
🌴Our Chapter Trail Maintenance kicks off this month!🌴
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.
Work Parties are hosted across the state by the Florida Trail Association. They include an area for free tent camping and breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sign up for these events in advance on the FTA website - https://floridatrail.galaxydigital.com/need/
September 2024
September 21: Mills Creek Woodlands work hike
September 25: Little Big Econ State Forest work hike
- Please be aware that a reporter from Spectrum News 13 will be joining us on the September 25th hike.
October 2024
October 2, 9, 16: Wekiwa Springs State Park work hike
October 19: Little Big Econ State Forest work hike
October 23: Charles H Bronson State Forest work hike
October 25 – 27: Indian River Chapter Work Party – Bull Creek WMA
October 30: Chuluota Wilderness Area work hike
November 2024
November 6: Seminole State Forest work hike
November 8,10: Indian River Chapter Work Party – Prairie Lakes WMA
November 13: Seminole State Forest work hike
November 16 – 20: Little Big Econ State Forest work hike
December 2024
December 4: Little Big Econ State Forest work hike
December 11: Seminole Ranch Conservation Area work hike
December 18: Charles H Bronson State Forest work hike
December 21: Savage Christmas Creek Preserve work hike
January 2025
January 2: Charles H Bronson State Forest work hike
January 9 – 12: Indian River Chapter Work Party – Three Lakes WMA
January 18,19: Indian River Chapter – Tosohatchee WMA
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Bicycling, Spring to Spring Trail |  | |
Activity: Bicycling, Spring to Spring Trail – Lake Monroe Trailhead to Blue Springs State Park and Return
When: October 5, 2024, Meet at 9:00 AM
Total Participants: 12
Sign-Up: Go to Meet-Up to sign up for this activity
Activity Leaders:
We are continuing our bike rides along the Spring to Spring Trail, building on the momentum we've gained over the past year. This time, we’ll enjoy a leisurely ride starting at Lake Monroe Park.
Details:
- Meeting Point: Lake Monroe Park (restrooms available). Look for Bill’s bright red Ford F-150 truck.
- Route: We’ll cycle north to the Gemini Springs North Trailhead, cross 17-92, and continue to Blue Springs State Park. At the park, we’ll pause to see if there are any manatees in the spring run before heading back.
- Lunch Stop: On the return, we’ll detour at Highbanks Road to the Swamp House Grill for an early lunch, then ride back to Lake Monroe Trailhead.
- Total Distance: Approx. 11.5 miles one way (23 miles round trip).
Important Notes:
- Helmets Required: All participants must wear bike helmets.
- Bike Check: Please ensure your bike is in good working condition prior to the outing.
- Florida Heat: It’s early October, but it can still be hot in Florida. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Looking forward to a great day out bicycling!
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Kayak Trip, Mosquito Lagoon |  | |
Activity: Kayak Trip, Mosquito Lagoon – Round-Trip from Riverbreeze Park
Location: Mosquito Lagoon, Riverbreeze Park, Boat Ramp / Kayak Launch
When: November 16, 2024, Meet at 9:00 AM
Total Participants: 12, FTA Members Only
Sign-Up:
- Prior to 10/11, contact Bill Turman directly
- After 10/11, sign up on Meet-Up
Activity Leader:
This is a repeat of a popular trip we’ve done for the past several years, and it’s always been a great experience for participants. For those who haven’t kayaked in Mosquito Lagoon, you’re in for a unique adventure. At times, you’ll feel as though you’re in the middle of the wilderness, only to round a bend and catch a glimpse of New Smyrna Beach condos. Navigating the numerous islands and shallow waters can be a challenge, so it’s easy to get turned around in the maze of waterways.
Details:
- Launch Point: Riverbreeze Park kayak launch and boat ramp. We’ll cross the inter-coastal waterway, paddle east and north across the lagoon, and weave around several islands.
- Stops: We’ll take breaks at a few island campsites and navigate part of the Shipyard Island Canoe Trail. We’ll end up at JB's Fish Camp restaurant in Bethune Beach for lunch.
- Lunch: Enjoy a meal at JB’s (Grouper Sandwiches, anyone?) before continuing south to Turtle Mound, one of Florida’s largest Indian shell mounds.
- Return: After touring Turtle Mound, we’ll paddle back west across the lagoon to Riverbreeze Park.
Paddling Distance: 11-12 miles round trip.
Skill Level: This trip is rated moderate due to tidal currents, potential strong winds, and waves in shallow bays. Participants should be experienced kayakers capable of paddling this distance and have seaworthy boats.
Important Notes:
- Weather: Mid-November is still warm and sunny, with little shade. Wear appropriate clothing, hats, and sunscreen.
- Bring: Plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Turtle Mound: There may be a fee to tour Turtle Mound as it is part of Canaveral National Seashore, although in the past, we’ve beached our kayaks and walked the boardwalk without having to pay.
Looking forward to another great day on the water!
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Shingle Creek Management Area
Boardwalks and trails venture alongside Shingle Creek and into a mosaic of pine flatwoods and cypress swamps at the headwaters of the Everglades.
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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. 8, 9:30 AM - Winter Wednesday Hike 1
Wekiwa Springs SP - Springs Loop
Jan. 15, 9:30 AM - Winter Wednesday Hike 2
Ocala NF/ Alexander Springs - Florida Trail
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. 9, 9:00 AM - Thursday Paddle 1
Wekiva River - SP to Katie’s Landing
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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41st ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S EVE CAMPOUT
Friday, December 27, 2024 - Wednesday January 1, 2025
Celebrate New Year's Eve with FTA friends at the Doe Lake Campground in the Ocala National Forest. Arrive after noon on Friday Dec. 27th and checkout by 11:00 AM on Wednesday Jan.1st. This is a group camp reserved for our group only.
There will be scheduled hiking and paddling activities in addition to group shared dinners, evening programs and campfires.
Cost is $15 per person per night due upon arrival. Those under age 18 camp free. No reservations necessary.
THIS MEMBERS-ONLY EVENT IS FOR FTA MEMBERS WHO PAY DUES TO THE STATE ORGANIZATION & THEIR GUESTS
For more information contact leader. Rachael Augspurg - lourayfl@mac.com or 352 552 0626
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Family Campout at Moss Park – Save the Date!
Our Central Florida Chapter is excited to announce a family-friendly camping trip at beautiful Moss Park! This will be a primitive tent camping experience, perfect for families and nature lovers of all ages. We’ll host group hikes and other fun activities throughout the weekend!
This event is open to both members and future members of the Florida Trail Association—we hope you'll join us and consider becoming a member!
Camping Nights:
Friday, November 8th
Saturday, November 9th
The campout will end on Sunday, November 10th.
Look out for more details soon!
In the meantime, if you’re interested in securing your spot, please email:
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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
Pam Hoepner - Secretary
Bill Turman - Activity Coordinator
David Magness - Program Coordinator
Media Committee
Rob Rogers
Outreach Committee
Rue Nilson
Stuart Dropkin
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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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!
Here are some exciting opportunities to get involved:
🌿 Volunteers Needed for Backyard Biodiversity Day!
Join us for Backyard Biodiversity Day, a fantastic celebration of Florida's unique flora and fauna, presented by the Florida Native Plant Society. Taking place on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Mead Botanical Garden in Winter Park, FL, this family-friendly event promises a day filled with informative presentations, interpretive hikes, native plant sales, kids' activities, and more!
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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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