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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Directions and Address:
Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center
US-41
Ochopee, FL 34141
[masked]

Click here for Google maps and directions.

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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]