[ft-l] Re: FT-L digest, Vol 1 #161 - 6 msgs

[ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net (R Jones)]

PLEASE DISREGARD LAST MESSAGE: SORRY GETTING CARRIED AWAY THERE... You've
already talked me into it... Will do the hike later....There is plenty to do
in the Ocala area... Snowbird Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: <ft-l-request@mailman.backcountry.net>
To: <ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
Sent: Wednesday, November 28, 2001 1:03 PM
Subject: FT-L digest, Vol 1 #161 - 6 msgs


> Send FT-L mailing list submissions to
> ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/ft-l
> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
> ft-l-request@mailman.backcountry.net
>
> You can reach the person managing the list at
> ft-l-admin@mailman.backcountry.net
>
> When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of FT-L digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
>    1. citrus tract (Miranda Aust)
>    2. hiking geeks rule (Miranda Aust)
>    3. Biographical sketch (Farina6@aol.com)
>    4. February 2002 Where to go (Mark Nickerson)
>    5. Re: citrus tract (Carl Strohmenger)
>    6. Re: February 2002 Where to go (Nancy B Gildersleeve)
>
> --__--__--
>
> Message: 1
> From: "Miranda Aust" <trailma@earthlink.net>
> To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 19:37:31 -0500
> Subject: [ft-l] citrus tract
> Reply-To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
>
> sandy,
>
> please post the info you get on the citrus tract
> that doesn't come your way via the list.
>
> been interested in heading that way myself around
> feb.
>
> thanks
>
>
>
> --- Miranda Aust
>
> --- trailma@earthlink.net
>
> --- ...I shall fear no evil for thou art with me...
>
>
> --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
> multipart/alternative
>   text/plain (text body -- kept)
>   text/html
> ---
>
> --__--__--
>
> Message: 2
> From: "Miranda Aust" <trailma@earthlink.net>
> To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 19:37:34 -0500
> Subject: [ft-l] hiking geeks rule
> Reply-To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
>
> Right on!
>
>
>
> --- Miranda Aust
>
> --- trailma@earthlink.net
>
> --- ...I shall fear no evil for thou art with me...
>
>
> --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
> multipart/alternative
>   text/plain (text body -- kept)
>   text/html
> ---
>
> --__--__--
>
> Message: 3
> From: Farina6@aol.com
> Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 22:34:15 EST
> To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: [ft-l] Biographical sketch
> Reply-To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
> In a message dated 11/27/2001 8:25:31 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> TOKTAADN@aol.com writes:
>
>
> > ...appropriate for each subscriber to post a little biographical sketch
.
> > Since it is the start of the hiking season here in Florida maybe we
could
> > all take a moment to do that now.
>
> Well, I'm not much good at drawing, but I'll give my sketch a go.
>
> My name is Teresa.  I'm 30 years old.  I live in Bonita Springs which is
> tucked between Naples and Ft. Myers on the SW Coast.  Like much of
Florida,
> this area is growing like mad, and honestly, I don't much care for it.
I'll
> deal with it for now and if it bothers me too much, I can move.
>
> I joined FTA about 3 years ago, and haven't been to an official function
yet.
>  I was having this discussion with a fellow ft-l'er and it seems I'm not
the
> only one in this situation.  For a while I blamed it on the nearest
chapter
> being several hours away, but with a sub-chapter being formed right around
> here, the blame is all on me!  I'll get there sooner or later.  I promise.
>
> My passion for the last 5 years and most of my life really has been
softball.
>  I love to play, and play in tournaments around the state a couple
weekends a
> month from February to October, and occasionally out of state for National
> Tournaments.  I had the pleasure of meeting Rich and Sandy (Solar Bear and
> Navigator) last year when I was in Altamonte Springs playing.  That was a
> wonderful treat!
>
> Lately, I've been getting out more.  I took a trip to Springer Mtn in Ga
in
> August, camped right on the top.  Earlier this month I took my first
> backpacking trip:  20+ miles and 3 nights on the AT.  It was unbelievable!
I
> cannot describe what it meant to me.  It was everything I thought it would
be
> and so much more!  I can say I truly love being outdoors.  That trip
inspired
> me to do my recent dayhike at Collier-Seminole State Park.  I need to do
that
> more.  That's where I'm happiest.  My main hindrance is lack of
motivation.
> I sometimes need encouraging to get out there!  I'm working on that too.
>
> I don't have a trail name... well, a few have drifted by occasionally:
Dust
> Devil (by Solar Bear because I asked one more question after he said "If
you
> ask one more question, your name is Dust!") and Gator Girl (because I'm a
UF
> grad and bigtime fan).  I'm still searching for the "real" trail name.
It'll
> come along unexpectedly, I'm sure of that!  I like to joke around a lot,
so
> I'm sure I'll say or do something silly and the right person will be
around
> to label it!
>
> I found out about this list, and about the Florida Trail, by researching
the
> AT.  Go figure!  I've lived here since I was 5 and never knew about it
until
> recently.  Now, I'm determined to see much more of the FT...and hopefully
one
> day hike the whole thing!  I lurked on ft-l several years ago, but
> unsubscribed for some reason that I don't recall now.  After the AT trip,
I'm
> back on and trying hard to NOT lurk anymore.  Rich is right; there is a
> tremendous amount of information in our collective heads, we just need to
ask
> the questions and allow the conversation to follow.
>
> I would like to learn more about the rest of you too.  I have family in
Ft.
> Lauderdale and Pensacola, so when I'm in the area, I wouldn't mind putting
a
> face to a name.  And if you're in my area, you can look me up too.
>
> I've taken up enough of your time now.  I hope the sketch is clear enough.
> If it's not, well, I guess you'll just have to ask me about it then.
>
> Happy trails always,
> Teresa
>
>
>
>
>
> --- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
> multipart/alternative
>   text/plain (text body -- kept)
>   text/html
> ---
>
> --__--__--
>
> Message: 4
> From: "Mark Nickerson" <mark@nickpvb.com>
> To: <ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net>
> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 00:10:08 -0500
> Subject: [ft-l] February 2002 Where to go
> Reply-To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
> I'd like to take a St. Johns County Boy Scout troop to
> the Ocala National Forest the weekend of February 15 -
> 17.
>
> Some questions:
>
> Is hunting season over?
> Do you recommend the Alexander Springs area or the
> Juniper Springs area?
> How are the boardwalks between Clearwater Lake and
> Alexander Springs?
> Is the Alexander Springs canoe run available in
> February?
>
> Our backup plan would likely be at Gold Head Branch
> State Park.
>
> Is an FTA Trail builder available, interested in
> joining us for dinner and campfire, and tell the
> scouts about the Florida Trail?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Mark Nickerson (mark@nickpvb.com)
> Boy Scouting and the FTA a nice combo
>
>
>
> --__--__--
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 07:23:43 -0400
> From: Carl Strohmenger <cstrohme@hsc.usf.edu>
> Organization: HSC Shops
> To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Subject: Re: [ft-l] citrus tract
> Reply-To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
> Hello Miranda,
> I shared some information with Sandy about Citrus in response to her
> request. See below for the contents of the two emails. If you have any
> questions, I would be happy to try to answer them. You might also go to
> the website for the Suncoast Chapter of FTA and follow the links to
> "Hiking Trails".
> http://www.geocities.com/suncoast_hiking
> - Carl
>
> Miranda Aust wrote:
> >
> > sandy,
> >
> > please post the info you get on the citrus tract
> > that doesn't come your way via the list.
> >
> ****************
> [Message #1]
>
> Subject: Citrus hiking
> Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2001 09:00:42 -0400
> To: FTCracker@aol.com
>
> Hello Sandy,
>         I have spent many hours hiking/walking in Citrus - all 4 loops -
on
> various day hikes. What do you want to know?
>         If you wish to drop supplies at various points along the trail,
you
> will find that motor access is easy to most parts of the forest except
> in the very driest of seasons (deep fine sand can get you stuck then!)
> Camping available at various points: Mutual Mine, Holder Mine, Stage
> Pond, Perryman Place, other sites off trail. Potable water available
> only at Mutual and Holder Mines - all other water sources must be treated.
>         You share the forest with horse riders, hunters, and
(unofficially)
> off-road bicycle and motorbike people. Winter is hunting season, so
> check the hunting schedule for appropriate days.
>         Anything else?
> - Carl
>
>
> On Monday, November 19, Sandy wrote:
> > Has anyone on the list had experience hiking any of the four loops in
the Citrus Tract?
> > Since the map says the trail is 100% dry, and backpacking the outer loop
is 40+ miles,
> > there are some serious logistics that I need to work out. Let me
know...
>
> **************************
>
> [Message #2]
>
> Subject: Re: Citrus hiking
> Date: Mon, 19 Nov 2001 13:27:50 -0400
> To: FTCracker@aol.com
>
>
> Hi Sandy,
>         Parking is easy and (I believe) relatively secure at Holder mine
and
> Mutual Mine. There is a fee for camping at Holder Mine and Mutual Mine,
> but I have never been asked for a fee to park there during the day.
> However, you can drive into the forest from CR-581 onto TR-10 (Forest
> Road #10 - Entrance to Holder Mine) past Holder Mine and then turn north
> onto TR-11. About 1/3 - 1/2 mile north of TR-10, the FT crosses the
> road. I have parked at this location many times for day hikes, but never
> for an overnighter. You could do the same thing on TR-16 going past
> Mutual Mine, BUT TR-16 has a looser deeper sand and the danger of
> getting stuck is quite a bit greater on TR-16 than on TR-10.
>         TR-13 offers easy access to the forest from the south on CR-480
(aka
> Stagecoach Road). A half mile +/- north of CR-480 you cross TR-22 and a
> turn to the east takes you to where the FT crosses TR-22 between TR-11
> and TR-13. I have parked here also, but have not felt as secure in
> leaving the truck as I do at Holder Mine. As you go farther north on
> TR-13, I remember the road becoming more sandy and difficult to negotiate.
>         On the west side, I used to enter via TR-12 from CR-491. The Ft
> is very
> close to the highway (less than 1/2 mile) and I don't feel as secure in
> leaving the truck here either.
>         There has been easy access from the north via TR-13 from SR-44
> and the
> FT is only about one mile south of SR-44.
>         It has been a while since I used the western and northern access
> points, so You might want to check with the Withlacoochee Forestry
> Center's office about any road closures. Their number is (352) 754-6777.
>         Holder mine to the northeast campsite at Perryman Place is
probably
> about 13-14 miles. No water at Perryman.
>         Perryman Place to the southern campsite near Stage Pond is
probably
> about 14-15 miles. No water at the southern campsite, but 2 miles east
> of the campsite is Stage Pond which usually has water in it. It must be
> filtered and treated before use.
>         From the southern campsite to Holder Mine is probably about 15
miles,
> but at the 9 mile mark, you could make a 1.5 mile detour into Mutual
> Mine for water, then return to the FT main loop and complete the trip to
Holder.
>         If you are only accustomed to flat Florida, you will be
> surprised to
> find some rolling countryside in Citrus, although a lot of it is flat,
too.
>         There are many forest roads crossing each other in Citrus and you
> should be able to break up the FT into segments of from 2 miles to 10-15
> miles in length. The Withlacoochee Forestry Center's office has had
> hand-out maps of the forest that show the roads and the FT - just ask
> for a map of the Citrus hiking trail.
>         Have fun.
> - Carl
>
> FTCracker@aol.com wrote:
> >
> > Hi, Carl!
> > What I'm wanting to do is hike the outer loop of all four combined
loops. If I can do it as day hikes, great, because I've got to push a
measuring wheel. If not, I'd like to split it into 2 overnights, or one
overnight and two day hikes. Water treatment isn't a problem...the map
indicated there were NO water sources along the trail. I know it's a high
and dry area, so I was worried about that. I'm taking hunting season into
account, don't want to be in there during general gun. I'd like to start and
end at Holder Mine. Any good recommendations on breaking the outer loop hike
into 3 or 4 chunks accessible by road?
> >
> > Cheers, Sandy
>
> ********************
>
> [End of quoted messages}
>
> --__--__--
>
> Message: 6
> To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
> Date: Wed, 28 Nov 2001 07:32:13 -0800
> Subject: Re: [ft-l] February 2002 Where to go
> From: Nancy B Gildersleeve <nbg3755@juno.com>
> Reply-To: ft-l@mailman.backcountry.net
>
> For FT lurkers, I can recommend a good way to get involved--go on a few
> work hikes.  You'll feel more connected if you actually work to keep our
> trail open and maintained, you'll acquire a sense of "ownership" of the
> piece of trail you work on.  I was a solitary hiker for years just going
> out with the guidebook on weekends and finally felt guilty enough to do a
> work hike, then I was hooked!
>
> I'm not much for meetings but working outdoors on a good cause is great.
>
> Nancy Gildersleeve
>
> Glad to hear you are back hiking and leading scouts, Mark!  Its been a
> long time.
>
>
> --__--__--
>
> _______________________________________________
> FT-L mailing list
> FT-L@mailman.backcountry.net
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/ft-l
>
>
> End of FT-L Digest
>