Hike in Florida's Big Cypress Preserve

One could not have asked for better weather, as seven Florida GO members (David, David, Orlando, Brent, Clarence, Carlos, and Carlos) hiked the Fire Prairie Trail of the Big Cypress National Preserve.  Established in 1974, the Big Cypress is a vast swamp just north of Everglades National Park, and is home to a unique mixture of tropical and sub-tropical plant and wildlife.  Fortunately for us, the Fire Prairie Trail is in a drier area of the park that resembles a prairie, hence the name of the trail.  Though South Florida experienced some heavy tropical downpours a few days earlier, on the day of the hike, we were greeted with cloudless skies, and a very comfortable 75F.  The hiking was relaxed and fairly easy, and we soon reached the end of the trail at an old abandoned oil drilling platform.  There is no longer any sign of the drilling that was done in the 1970's, except for a slightly elevated rounded area that served us well as a rest stop.  Except for one deer that we saw scampering in the distance, we saw very little wildlife on the trail itself.  On the approach road, however, there were alligators and over 20 species of birds on the canals and sloughs.  Four of us were hungry enough after the hike to take a short detour to Chokoloskee Island, the gateway for the Ten Thousand Islands Preserve, for a well deserved meal at Havana Cafe, where the two Carloses noticed that one of the specials was named Carlos' Stone Crab Enchilada.  Of course, it was ordered, and of course, it was spectacular.  A fitting ending for a great day.

We will be hiking the Fire Prairie Trail for a total of 5.2 miles on a fairly easy graded trail, with no elevation gain.  Although the Big Cypress Preserve is named for the Big Cypress Swamp, this trail is generally dry even during the rainy season.  It is built on an abandoned gravel road used in the past for oil and gas exploration.  In fact, this hike ends on what once was a drilling platform.  The trail starts in a cypress strand, but then opens up on what is often described as a typical Florida prairie habitat.  We will be exposed to the elements for most of this hike, which generally means plenty of sunshine at this time of the year.  So come prepared.  Bring at least one liter of water to drink, some head cover and sunscreen to ward off the sun, insect repellent, sturdy hiking shoes (no open toed sandals), and snacks.  Wildlife abounds in the Big Cypress, and we are likely to see quite a number of birds and other typical fauna, such as alligators (hopefully not on the trail itself).  We will probably miss seeing the famed Florida panther, as it tends to shy away from any type of human contact.  After the hike, if there is time and desire, we may grab a late lunch/early dinner at Havana Café on nearby Chokoloskee Island.  This hike will cancel on the unlikely event of a forecast for heavy steady rain.