13 March Day 3 Slouging through muddy swamp all day. Not much surface water, mainly muck that sucks feet at each step, hard going, hot. Stopped at 4:30, as came across puddle of clear water. Hiked about 14 clicks (9 miles). Worn out from sucking mud.

14 March Day 4 Leaving camp at 7:45 Am, already hot. More muck through cypress prairie, for 5 to 7 kilometers, till getting to Alligator Alley (SR 84). A canal runs next to highway, water didn't seem to be flowing much, but got water out of it. Walked east down highway, as no trail, and wanted to get to CR 833 and head north. Crossed a highway bridge, dry underneath, so stopped, as storm clouds coming, got under it, set up tent. Luck? First rain of hike, I'm dry, under bridge. Only hiked about 15 clicks (10 miles).

15 March Day 5 At 7AM, started east on SR 84 again. Not sure if I missed CR 833, saw no sign, so turned on a canal road heading north, no shade on road. Started to thunder about 4 PM, so stopped and put up tent. It only rained hard for about half an hour, but stayed cloudly. So I stayed at spot for night.

16 March Day 6 Broke camp at 6:30AM. Keep going north, finally came to CR 833 road sign. Walking it, came to the Big Cypress Seminole Bingo Hall. Asked someone inside, who was cleaning, if I could set up camp in woods behind, as would like to take a chance at Bingo that night. Person said didn't matter to him. So, I stayed, but didn't win, but cleaned myself in bathroom, and stuff my face with goodies!

17 March Day 7 A week on the FT! Got up early, walked on CR 833 still. Stopped at an Indian Chickee, which sold cold drinks, and ice cream! Got ice water for canteen. In a short time, got to CR 846, started walking north towards Clewiston. Feet sore from all the road walking, but covered close to 32 k's (20 miles), making up for short hike days.

18 March Day 8 Arrived at Clewiston about 7:30PM, Lady at campground, right next to lake, let me camp for free. Couldn't take shower though, as she was locking office, as I learned about 30 minutes later, a key is needed for shower house. Hiked about 21 k's (16 miles) today.

19 March Day 9 Got up about 5:30AM. Climbed up dike to walkway on Lake Okeechobee. Will hike dike on west side. Boats were all lined up, to take channel to the lake. (Their noise had woke me up) Came across a fish camp named Joe's. Stuffed face with cold drinks and sandwiches. Stayed awhile, as it was very hot, no shade on dike. Also had to treat blisters I still have. Got to Moore Haven about 4PM. Campground wants $8 to camp, so went about another 3-4 clicks on dike, finally came across trees, on lakeside, stopped for a while, waited till dusk, and hiked some more.

20 March Day 10 First day of Spring! In this area, had to get off dike several times onto SR 78 , to bypass locks. Did meet a guy operating a floodgate, he gave me cold water. At a bypass, came across several stores, got goodies. Later in day, had to get of dike, as it was burning. Got to Okee-Tantie rec area about 5PM. Wanted $8 to camp, so went on dike on Kissimmee River. At dusk, still could see smoke from fire, so went a little further on.

 Top

21 March Day 11 Got to a lock, a guy gave me water. Following trail over a footbridge in a cattle pasture, I didn't see any more blazes, so followed road to SR 70. Stopped at fishcamp, got goodies. Very hot today, again.

22 March Day 12 I was 7-8 clicks from Lorida, a food resupply. Walked on US 98 to town. Small PO, got care package. At store there, got goodies. Left on road to Kissimmee River Trailhead. Had to crawl under a locked gate to get on trail, I guess this is because the AF Avon Bombing Range is just to the west? But it's a wildlife management area also? Set up camp on dike. Hiked a little over 28 clicks (18 miles).Rained at night.

23 March Day 13 Broke camp at 06:30. Shade on side made for real good hiking time. But, it started to pour. Somehow, missed a stile over a fence. Went about a half a mile before realizing I was going wrong way. Went back to trail, as it passed a ghost town. Got on trail again, camp across water pump at Fort Kissimmee. Camped there, as good water. Cleaned up, hot supper. Probably rain again tonight.

24 March Day 14 Two weeks on the FT! The trail is flat, some open fields, some Palmetto forest. Reached River Ranch marina about 1PM. From phone there, tried to get hold of Prairie Lakes Preserve, to make sure I could go through, but number I had was out of service. Went on, camped right off SR 60, as didn't know what lay beyond highway bridge.

25 March Day 15 What a day! Glad I stopped near SR 60 last night. Sky overcast, so cool walking to Prairie Lakes, about 6.5 k's. Got to 3 Lakes are about 11AM. Followed blazes along a fence across a field, as noted in the trail guide. At a burrow pit, got water, then lost trail several times, finally lost it all together. Went north on roads, then a little west. Got caught in a Palmetto and bush thicket for a half mile. Decided to head northwest to intercept canal, Lake Kissimmee, or Lake Jackson. No luck, at dark put up tent in field, ate cold supper, as low on water.

26 March Day 16 Easter Sunday. Had good nights sleep. Heard a boat last night, to the south. Figured that's Lake Kissimmee. I went west from camp, and in a short time, came to a boundary fence. Followed fence for 2 clicks, nearly getting shot by a turkey hunter. Lucky I was singing, as was in a better mood! A road there headed northwest. Followed it, and within 1 click, was at the canal. Followed it northwest, finally came to some white blazes. Followed those to a camp spot. Hunches were right, I now know were I'm at, so stopped.

27 March Day 17 Hiked out of the WMA, not before having a gator pop up as I was gettin water in a creek. At Panies Auto, at a bridge, woman gave me potato slad and cold coke. Hiked on US 441, to US 192 junction, about 24 k's (16 miles).

28 March Day 18 Ate breakast at store at junction. Then walked 192 TO CR 419. Another store, got goodies. Stopped at dike for night. Hiked 32 clicks.

29 March Day 19 Hiked to CR 532, then to CR 520. Follwed 520 to FT Trailhead with white blazes, red stopped. Couldn't find campsite, so hid in woods. I think this Deseret Ranch land, ranch not indicated on maps, so no trail., and no tresspassing. Followed one of those public highways through it, the road is a little rolly in places, unusual for FL. Another 32 clicks this day.


Click
Hike to
Page 3 of 5
<BGSOUND SRC="stamp.wav">CF'sGuide