We will be hiking along the southeastern section of the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST), from the Pahokee Marina north to Canal Point, and back.  The hike will be 3.4 miles each way, for a total of 6.8 miles.  This should be a fairly easy hike, as it is all flat.  Actually, there is a very minor elevation gain at the start, as we hike up from the parking lot to the top of the levee (about 10 feet up), where the trail is located.  This section of the LOST is one of the few that is still open, as most of the levees and dikes in this area are being repaired by the Army Corps of Engineers, and are closed to hikers.  Hiking on top of the levee offers wide open views of the lake on one side, and of the vast cane fields on the other.

There are no trees on top of the levee, so come prepared for full exposure to the sun, and to the winds from the lake, which at this time of the year may be on the chilly side.  So, bring one to two liters of water, some snacks, a light windbreaker, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and comfortable hiking shoes.  This hike is organized as part of the Third Annual Gay Outdoors Gathering at Vitambi Springs, but feel free to join us for this hike if you prefer to come just for the day.

If you are staying at Vitambi Springs, we will meet at 9:00 a.m., in the parking area in front of the Lodge.  We will try to make carpooling arrangements, in order to take as few cars as possible to the trailhead.  It should take about 45 minutes to an hour to get to Pahokee from Vitambi Springs.

If you are not staying at Vitambi Springs, you can meet us at Pahokee Marina, at approximately 10:00 a.m.  Please note that this is indeed an approximation, as it may take us a bit more time, or less, to get to Pahokee from Vitambi.  In any event, we should be on the trail hiking by 10:30 a.m.  The address for the Marina is 190 N. Lake Ave., Pahokee, FL, 33476.  We will be parking in the area to the right (north) of the Marina, closer to the bathrooms/port-a-toilets.