What we’re about
June 4th, 2021
This group is operated by the Florida Trail Association.
We are a community who love to get outdoors to hike, backpack, paddle, and give back by way of volunteer trail maintenance.
Joining this Meetup does not constitute membership in the FTA and unless specifically mentioned, you are not required to hold an FTA membership to participate. Events which are FTA Members Only will be clearly indicated.
The Suncoast Chapter serves over 500 FTA members in Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. We maintain The Florida National Scenic Trail between US 98 north of Lakeland and Hernando. Find out more about the FTA Suncoast chapter at https://sites.google.com/floridatrail.org/suncoastfta/.
Within these boundaries we also maintain a section of the Florida Trail Western Corridor which encompasses the Citrus, Croom, Richloam Tracts within Withlacoochee State Forest, and Green Swamp West, as well as popular loop trails within these tracts.
https://floridatrail.org/maps-and-databook/
Trail systems that we also are responsible for include Hillsborough River State Park, Little Manatee State Park, Myakka River State Park, Potts Preserve, Upper Hillsborough WMA, Terra Ceia Preserve State Park, and Withlacoochee River Park.
Our chapter regularly maintains over 200 miles of trail and offers recreational and volunteer work events throughout the region.
We work in cooperation with the US Forest Service, State Forest Service, SWFWMD, DEP, and other land managers to keep the Florida National Scenic Trail, the Western Corridor, and designated side trails open for recreational use.
We sponsor many events on non FTA designated land tracts, trail systems and waterways.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK
Certain risks are inherent in any Florida Trail Association, Inc (the "Association") activity. Each Association member, guest, or non-member participant agrees to accept personal responsibility for his or her safety, and the safety of minors accompanying such persons.
The Association cannot ensure the safety of any participants on hikes or activities. In participating in Association activities, each such person agrees to hold harmless and free from blame the Activity Leader(s) and the Association, its officers, directors, and members, for any accident, injury, or illness which might be sustained from participating in hikes or other Association activities. Neither the Association, Activity Leaders, nor landowners are in any way liable for any injury or illness I might sustain from participating in an Association activity.
By joining the Suncoast Chapter Meetup Group you are agreeing to the assumption of risk as stated above.
JOIN THE FLORIDA TRAIL ASSOCIATION
http://www.floridatrail.org/make-a-differen...
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Jolly Jaunt at Boyd Hill PreserveBoyd Hill Nature Preserve, St. Petersburg, FL
Join us for a jolly jaunt at Boyd Hill Preserve, and enjoy a green space within urban St. Pete! The entry fee is $3 per adult, and $1.50 per child ages 3-16. We will follow a trail marked by Healthy St. Pete trail runners.
https://www.stpeteparksrec.org/parks___facilities/boyd_hill.phpDirections:
We will meet in front of the Visitor's Center under the flagpole.
I will have an FTA yard sign by the road entrance of the preserve.
Please arrive a little early to allow time to sign paperwork and to have an accurate headcount. This park is popular on weekends, but there is ample parking.What to expect:
This hike will be about 3.1 MILES long.
There is a section of the trail that requires going under a tree, and then immediately after climbing over another tree.We will experience varied conditions, such as stretches of open sun as well as sections of shady oaks. Be prepared for high and dry as well as muddy sections, dependent on the recent weather. We will walk approximately 2 1/2 - 3 MPH or less. We will take breaks about every half hour. The weather will likely be humid, even in the morning.
After the hike, you are more than welcome to check out the features of Boyd Hill Preserve, such as the raptor aviary and the visitor center.
What to wear/bring:
Comfortable shoes that may get wet
Appropriate clothing for the day's weather
Sun hat and sunglasses
Bug spray
Snacks
2 liters of water
Happy attitude
All participants are required to sign an "Assumption of Risk" form the day of the event.
This form can be previewed at: https://floridatrail.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FTA-Assumption-of-Risk-March-30th-2022.pdf
All participants are encouraged to join our non-profit organization, Florida Trail Association.
For more information on the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) and the Florida Trail Association (FTA) & how to join FTA:
https://floridatrail.org - Work Party Weekend ---- Potts PreservePotts Preserve Campground, Inverness, FL
Details
Join us at Potts Preserve to paint blazes, a little lopping and a whole lot of Fun. Join us for the day or stay for the weekend with Free primitive camping is available March 25-28th . You do not have to camp and you may come out for all or any part of the weekend. Camping will be a long the river with no potable water to drink and a porta potty for restroom. You park and then can camp anywhere in the field from a foot to 4,000 feet from your car.Work schedule:
Friday
Arrive anytime to set up camp
12:00ish We will head out to work on trails returning 3:00ish
5:00 campfire to make your own hotdogs (provided), roast peeps, s'more, donuts.....
Saturday
8:00 meet at Camp site to gather supplies and divide up into groups
1:00 return to campSunday
8:30 ish group breakfast
After - Hike or Kayak the river up to the crystal clear springs (6miles)
1:00 return to camp rest and maybe a hike. you can stay until Monday morning.All maintenance equipment will be provided (you can bring loppers). Must have closed toe shoes, long pants with long sleeved shirt recommended to keep bugs, poison ivy, sun and paint off. Gloves and eye protection will be available (you can use your own sun or regular glasses and gloves) . You most likely will get a spot of paint on yourself. We will meet at 8:00am Friday at the campsite (gate code will be provided) and blaze out from from there. Camping is privative with a clean port-a-potty but bring your drinking water. There is river water to clean up with or add to a solar shower.
I will email you a code to enter the camp. Check your email address on meetup to make sure it is correct.
Goal is to be safe and have lots of fun!
Potts Map click here
Georeferenced Trail Map --
Georeferenced maps require special apps to fully utilize. To learn more about them, please read the guide posted on our Recreation Maps page - ANNUAL FTA STATEWIDE MEETING, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State ParkMike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, Keystone Heights, FL
Save the Date! Make camping reservations if you want to camp! Reserve at
reserve.floridastate parks.orgDetails so far: Per our new CC Chair Karl Byars:
The Board wants to make this an event to be remembered so here's some information to share with your members. We've reserved the Recreation building to have the general meeting and a pavilion for socializing. The Rec building is air conditioned and a full kitchen so we plan on having some meals at this event. More details to follow. Most importantly, we found out the LOOP LAKE campground is going to be CLOSED during our meeting time frame. That leaves Loop SAND and Loop TURK as the only sites available. Please look at reserve.floridastateparks.org for further information. Periodic updates will be in the Friday Waypoint email so make sure you keep up to date.
Sounds like an awesome time! Hopefully you can make it!
