Backpacking the Everglades - 3 Day 2 Night Adventure (Experienced Hikers Only!)
- Location
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Tamiami Trail E
Ochopee, FL 34141
239-695-1201
How to find us
"Ask for David the T.A.G Organizer or look for him in the green TAG hat!"
- Attendance
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10 people attended.
Who organized?
Tampa Adventure Group (T.A.G.)
Background Info:
Spanning the southern tip of the Florida peninsula and most of Florida Bay, Everglades National Park is the only subtropical preserve in North America. It contains both temperate and tropical plant communities, including sawgrass prairies, mangrove and cypress swamps, pinelands, and hardwood hammocks, as well as marine and estuarine environments. The park is known for its rich bird life, particularly large wading birds, such as the roseate spoonbill, wood stork, great blue heron and a variety of egrets. It is also the only place in the world where pythons, alligators and crocodiles exist side by side.
Itinerary:
Friday Day 1
9:00AM: Arrive at the trail head/parking, gear up, and head north on the trail.
1:00PM: Break for lunch, take off boots and dry feet, change socks if needed
4:00PM: Arrive at the Campsite and setup camp in an dry area.
5:00PM and on: Free time to relax, and explore the area and go for a night hike!
Saturday Day 2
9:00AM: Wake up, Breakfast and pack up camp to head deeper into the everglades
1:00PM: Break for lunch, take off boots and dry feet, change socks if needed
4:00PM: Arrive at the Campsite and setup camp in a dry area.
5:00PM and on: Free time to relax, and explore the area and go for a night hike!
Sunday Day 3
9:00AM: Wake up, Breakfast and pack up camp and begin our hike south back to the parking lot
11:00AM: Break for snacks, and water.
1:00PM: Back to the parking lot and cars. Goodbyes on our way back to Tampa.
Backpacking Gear and Tips:
*Important - Bring Water and water purification system or tablets!!! - Carry enough water to last at least one day, I carry a camel back as well as 2 large Nalgine bottles full. Without enough water, your body just doesn't work. You can go three days without food and you will lose some weight, but if you go three days without water, you're body will shutdown.
Food - You can burn thousands of calories a day while backpacking, so carry enough food to at least keep you from getting weak. Have at least an extra day or two of rations in case you eat more than expected, a detour losing the trail, or an injury. Take carbohydrates as your primary content and power bars/dried fruit for a quick boost during breaks.
Hiking boots - or strong walking shoes and at least 3 pair of socks. Your feet are your most valuable tool while hiking, protect them! We will be hiking up to 8 miles so please no flip flops, sandals, or bare feet. Most important a good pair of shoes. More hikes end early due to blisters than for any other reason.
Full size backpack - To store your gear and allow you to keep your hands free. Please do not bring a suitcase, fanny pack, or plastic bag and expect to have enough room for everything. Backpacks with internal frames work best and make it easier to carry your gear.
Small tent - Small 1 or 2 person tents work best for backpacking. The lighter the better when hiking. No need to bring a 6 person tent for just you! No 8 person dome tents unless you are sharing with the entire group.
A range of clothing - The weatherman isn't always right especially in Florida. It may be sunny and warm, or may be around freezing and foggy. Key word with clothing is to be "Prepared". Dress in layers of synthetic materials when possible. Avoid *denim* and cotton, unless you want to weigh 100 pounds heavier when wet. Carry at least a lightweight water-proof jacket or poncho if there's any chance for rain.
Bug Spray/Repellent - Florida is know for is bugs, this time of the season is the lowest for bugs, but they are still out there. 100% Deet works great just don't spray it directly on your skin. Nothing drives me nuts quicker than a buzzing horsefly.
Knife or multi-purpose tool - Army knife or multi-purpose tool such as a "Gerber". You can't imagine how often you'll use one of these on the trail.
Flashlight/Headlamp - For finding your way in the dark and signaling for help. Hands-free headlamps are best.
Sunglasses/Hat/Sun block - Otherwise you can fry your skin or hurt your eyes if you're out all day in the sun.
Sanitary Items/TP - When nature calls be prepared.
Camera - Lot's of Kodak Moments on the trail.
Hand Cleaner/Baby Wipes - Waterless hand wash/Towelettes. Keep your hands clean, and you'll be less likely to catch something nasty. Keep the rest of you clean, and you'll feel better, sleep better, chafe less, and smell better to your partners.
Small-diameter nylon rope - It doesn't weigh much, but is handy for all kinds of things. Hanging clothes, food away from critters, etc. and duct tape is useful for everything from blisters to tent repairs.
Trekking Poles - Trekking poles are a great addition on any backpacking trip; well worth the cost. Help in balancing across creek crossings; taking pressure off knees going up and down hills.
Extra Socks - Nothing's worse than squishy socks. From creeks or sweat. Take 3 pair. One to start out day with; one to swap out midday.
Beef Jerky/Dried Fruit - Pound for pound, the best food reserves you can have. Heavy, yes, so take just enough to eat up first day or two out.
Extra Batteries - If you're taking electronic anything. Flashlight or GPS, etc. Take some extra batteries. GPS units will burn through a set of batteries in a hurry if you leave it on for very long at a time.
Plastic Trash Bags - Use to cover your pack or at least protect your sleeping bag if it starts raining. Also great to have to set your gear out on dewy mornings and then later to carry your trash out.
Fluid Enhancers - Gatorade is good on hot or long hikes as a continual light calorie source and helps keep muscles from cramping. Anything with caffeine is good in the morning to get you started for the day.
Cost for TAG Members:
Free for Paid TAG Members!
Transportation/Carpooling:
If you wish to carpool and either ride with other TAG members or drive TAG members please let us know by submitting a comment at the bottom of this page. Thanks!
Backpacking Experience:
You need to have backpacking experience for this event, and be comfortable using the equipment that you carry. Please do not make this event your first backpacking experience. TAG has a backpacking trip almost every month.
Directions and Address:
Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center
US-41
Ochopee, FL 34141
[masked]
Click here for Google maps and directions.
Hiking Maps:
Click here for the map we will be using during our hike.
Click here for Hiking trails in the big cypress preserve.
Contact the Tampa Adventure Group
Phone: 1-888-3111-TAG(824)
Email: [masked]
Who attended?
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10 attendees
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Paid TAG Member 9/09“ Idyllic weather, the complete absence of mosquitoes, and delightful backpacking buddies set the stage for yet another memorable experience with David's TAG! We traipsed through mud and water, navigating our way through limestone rock and cypress knees, drank purified swamp water, laughed around camp fires, and slept under night skies lit with stars more brilliant, and in greater numbers, than I've ever before seen. Creatures seen included gators, birds, bobcat, a baby water moccasin, deer, and a box turtle. Thank you yet again, David, for all you do to ensure our every trip is as safe as it is entertaining and educational! My heartfelt thanks to everyone in the group, especially, Giovanni and Mark, for your selfless assistance throughout. My word of honor, I'll come properly equipped next time. How were the Everglades?....smash
ing! How was the company...better still! Thank you all! ”
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Paid TAG Member 05/09“ This was a great event. Weather was perfect! No bugs! Would love to do this again around the same time of year but go deeper. The Blue trail was beautiful through the long cypress dome swamp. That was my favorite then the paries that came after. Sorry I got split from the group. I needed to be at work that night, and based everything on getting on the road by noon or 1 at the lastest. ” -
Paid TAG Member 01/10“ Like being on another planet. Rugged, Remote, Primitive environment . Let' do it again next year! Requires good physical tone, and proper backpacking equipment. Let this, not be your first overnight hike! ” -
Paid TAG Member 1/10“ Hiking the Everglades was fun! David did a fantastic job organizing, leading and ensuring everyone's safety throughout the weekend. It was quite interesting hiking through the swamplands and Couscous/Lentil Trails!!! Sleeping under the stars on Friday night was beautiful. Thank you to those members that contributed in a positive way to the group. You guys ROCK!!! :) ” -
Paid TAG Member 04/10 -
Paid TAG Member 09/09 -
Paid TAG Member 06/10 -
Paid TAG Member 02/10 -
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I also found a pair of Cabela's 40/Reg Tan Convertibles pants if anyone wants them for $10. They might be closer to 38's.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.js...
Ok, with all this prep i see going on, i'm getting "cold feet". Ha! This will be a cake walk in the sunshine. (Well, except a 40 pound pack). I will be trying a hammock for the first time, but i have ground back-up. See y'all there ....markiemark.
Ok, I'll bring them.
Jesse, those pants should fit me if you still have them. I can get them from you when we meet up down south.
Found a pair of zip off Cargo Pants at goodwill size 34x29. They are Sonoma Life Style Convertable Cargo Pants. You can get them at Kohls buy one get one free for $55. 70% cotton 30% Nylon.
I just picked these up if someone knew they fit and wanted them $10. They look brand new.
Nervously excited for this adventure! Nice Michael! April- thanks for the information...glad you did not have any encounters with snakes. I think the week you were visiting it was a bit too cold for them. This week promises to be somewhat warmer. I'd love to get some great wildlife/migrating back north birds/snake pics. I'll be bringing my better camera to photo document. :)
Got the gear, got the heart, got the boots and best of all - got the guts! :)
Six days and counting, my adventuresome little buddies!!!
Finally did go on an air-boat though!! Was SOOOO fun! DIdn't see ANY snakes of ANY kind. Just lots of gators and birds.
I just got back Sat. from spending 4 days out and around the Everglades. It was cold camping! Hope you guys have better weather. Sketers were not too bad. Only had a few around Shark Valley. I have never hiked with all my gear on my back either....just done wimpy day hikes with heavy stuff left in the car to come back too....or else I might have come and done this one with you guys! :) Have fun!
Hey don't forget the more important issue - BUGS! Try to get mosquito proof shirts, hats and pants. The sprays usually don't work if you are getting wet a lot. Consider adding a mess screen over the brim of any hat you already have, its easy just buy a 1/2 to 1 yard of mosquito net and make a bag that fits over your head and hat. thread a draw string through the bottom and you are good... or buy a really expensive hat with netting attached... more fashionable.
Oh and Jesse, I'll have my snakebite kit with me for all those snakes that will be attacking you.
I agree with Dave - get gaiters if you want protection from ankle biters. (Not talking about YOU Dave... really I'm not. ;)
Hey all, I'm going with my La Sportivas and Sealskinz socks. I've hiked a lot and never had issues with snakes. they leave when they hear you coming and if you've ever hiked with TAG well you know we won't be sneaking up on anything. :)
The Sportivas are lightweight trailrunners (I don't have ankle issues) and sort of mesh. They will dry out overnight which is very important and since the socks are waterproof AND seal at the calf, my feet will be dry no matter what shoes I wear. Socks are $40 so good deal. Waterproofing just means when the water goes over the top of the boot it will take longer for them to dry out.
Looking forward to this adventure! If anyone has room, I would like to carpool.
Me, too, Rose. Not sure what happened w/Mary. I'll respond to her invitation in a minute. Jesse, you are a little scaremonger. :-)
Rose Rose Rose... Don't let David fool you. He and I both know.... It's the people at the end of the pack that dissapper first! Don't you watch movies and TV? :)
Thanks for all the helpful information everyone! David- I definitely feel better knowing you will be at the front of the pack!!! I love the critters just not wiggling up my leg! Jesse- Thank you for the links. Boy, that last pair of ladies boots is U G LY !
I've never owned or purchased gaiters. Is there anything in particular I should look for when buying? Anne- Looking forward to our adventure. Did Mary accidentally leave the group? It now reads a former member?!! D'oh =D
David, you said just what I wanted to hear! Thanks! You 'Rock!' :-)
Anne,
The water will be at different levels ranging from dry ground to water up to our waist at the deepest. As for what to wear on your feet, wear anything that you don't mind throwing away after this trip. It would be foolish you go out and buy brand new hiking boots or hiking shoes for this event just to have them filled with mud, dirt and water for 3 days, instead wear old sneakers, running shoes, or old hiking boots that you don't mind throwing away after this hike.
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