Ocean to Lake Trail - MP 0-15 W-E

We had picture perfect weather – 84 & sunny Sat., and 76 & sunny Sun., Sat nite lows were mid-sixties & partly cloudy – stars were visible throughout the night. No rain.

What a wonderful & talented group, Andrew, Clarence & myself with complimentary experiences made the whole experience an all around pleasure. Great comraderie & sharing of experiences.

We change the start to inside the DuPuis Reserve at the group campground via the improved park roads about a mile from the Ocean to Lake Trail. This shortened the total distance from 27 miles to 17 miles by starting 5 miles in from the original plan. 10 miles in Sat. 7 miles out Sun.

We started at 8:30 & the trail maintenance inside the DuPuis Reserve made for easy going. Other parts of the OTL trail can be rocky & tedious. We made our first 3.5 miles by 10am averaging 2.25/mi./hr. We made it to campsite by 1:30. 10.5 miles. 5 hours. Up-to 1 hour rests. Overall average 2+/mi./hr.

Plenty of time to scope our site, gather firewood, setup tents, & hammock, have dinner for an early evening retire at 7.

Even though we had ideal conditions all around, being the first pack-in camping for me & Clarence, we opted to shuttle back for our gear & take the return trip light. Andrew completed in and out with full gear pack.

We encountered several groups of horse-backers about a half mile from our on-trail campsite. No good. Trail is restricted to foot traffic only. We were taking a break & they acknowledged they were on “our trail”, meaning they knew this was hiking only. Clarence has full video for the deposition. No problem – sort of – but then one now has to navigate horse poop with a full pack – they left a few piles within a 150 yards where we put down for the night.

Two women - looked like thru-hikers arrived 6-ish & set up camp further down the trail. They had started 5 miles further than we did – our original plan – my guess they were doing the whole 62 miles to the ocean.

So, about 10pm I needed a bath break, & noticed the hammock was touching near the ground, the tree saver straps had slid down some; so I readjusted & no sooner than I sat back down to get in, the tree snapped; it seemed sturdy when I set it up; no problem!; had practiced several times at Vitambi and just routed that side to another tree. But I think that was my farewell to hammocks. I'm off the ground, but there's no ever getting completely comfortable & flat like in a tent. & had it rained I realize I have nowhere to stash my gear. New project.

On the way back at time the fire break would be tedious – esp. a mile plus segment of soft sand & no shade – at other points we had hard packed field.

Clarence spotted a group of baby alligators – there had to be at least twenty – by the time we got the camera pointed & them hearing us they began scattering & Clarence kept warning Mama's going to come back so we didn't want to linger between a mama gator & her babies. Had a wild hog running up towards us as close as 50 yards – likely never saw us – as soon as it looked up – turned & ran away – estimate about 300 lbs. ???

We all got to try out some new adventures, gear & friendship. Glad & grateful for the opportunity & for Gay Outdoors as a way to meet folks.

BY POPULAR VOTE!!! MOVED TO SAT-SUN - FEB 25-26

The Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) is 1 of only 11 National Scenic Trails in the country, and 1 of 3 contained entirely within a single state. This hike is the first 15 mile segment from the west - of the Ocean to Lake Trail - technically a side trail of the (FNST) - which runs from Lake Okeechobee to Hobe Sound on the ocean.

This will be a one overnight - backpack / camp - at a primitive campsite on the trail at the border of the DuPuis Reserve & Corbett wildlife areas in northwest Palm Beach county Florida.

We will begin on SAT- FEB 25 @ 8AM at milepost 0 at the LOST (Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail) / NENA (Northeast Everglades Natural Area) trailhead & small parking area (4-6 cars).

The first day is 15 miles east through the DuPuis Reserve following the familiar orange blaze of the Ocean to Lake Trail. The first few miles are fairly civilized with road & levee hard packed trail. Then we'll skirt the southwest portion of the DuPuis Reserve's loop trail. Here the trail becomes more remote and passes through classic Florida pinewoods & cypress swamps. We expect some water on the trail but no flooding during the dry season. The campsite for the night is right on the boundary of the DuPuis Reserve & Corbett wildlife areas. Daytime temps are forecast in the mid seventies & the overnite low averages in the mid fifties.

We apologize for the late posting as we have been preparing now for a couple of months - getting the proper gear - which should include a sleeping bag, tent or hammock, airpad optional & warm clothes (wool hat & socks) to make the overnite lows comfortable. Food for one dinner & breakfast plus lunch the second day along with water (which is available on the trail).

Both trip leaders have lots of camping & backpacking experience. For me this is the first combined backpack/camp. Very excited.

Day 2 we hike back a shorter distance (12-13 miles) utilizing the network fire breaks of grassy open spaces to shorten the distance and have fresh scenery for the return trip.

Many of the normal hiking essentials are required - sturdy hike shoes/boots; plenty of spare socks (wool are best); sun screen; bug spray (deet preferred); water; water purifiers; matches. There are NO hunting seasons of any type these dates. Small Game Season:ended January 22. Spring Turkey Season starts March 7.

You should have ample backpacking / camping experience. This will be strenuous in that we plan 15 miles the first day & 12-13 the second with rocks, mud, and although no elevation the trail can be tedious at times.

Please contact the trip leaders to make arrangements to meet up.