Feb.- Mar. 2000 

2/5
Saturday
Leisure

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/central/wekiwa.html
http://fcn.state.fl.us/gfc/viewing/sites/site50.html
http://riverpage.com/outdoors/wekivabu.htm

2/6
Sunday
8:30AM
Strenuous

Come Mountain bike this trail near New Smyrna Beach. It takes you to high overlooks of Spruce Creek and it’s tidal waters. We’ll ride along a swampy spot with lush vegetation and meander through hilly oaks and pine. Helmets are mandatory. Reservations required, limited trip, members and non-members invited. Event host: Mary Ellen Bell (904)761-7418 or bellme@cts.db.erau.edu

2/10
Thursday
9:00 AM
Leisure

From the dock a free ferry service will take hikers across the narrow river channel to the Island. A 5 mile trail begins at the Ranger Station and follows Hoontoon Island Dead River to a large Indian mound of discarded shells. The scenery of the Island varies with the elevation. Directions: I-4 exit 54 to SR 472 and go 3.4 miles; right on to 17-92/S Woodlawn Blvd. 1.4 miles; left on SR 15-A/Spring Garden Ave. 2.8 miles; left on SR 44/NY Ave. 0.7 miles; left on Old NY 1.9 miles; left on Hontoon Rd. 2.4 miles; left on CR 4125/River Bridge Rd. 0.8 miles. Hontoon Island is at the end of CR 4125. Host: Mary Kelsh (407) 628-4908. Please call if you are planning to meet at the trailhead.

2/12
Saturday
9:00 AM
Leisure

Part of the Three Lakes Water Management Area, this area is bordered by Lake Jackson and Lake Marian and is just east of Lake Kissimmee. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife such as armadillos, wild pigs, deer, hawks and eagles. We’ll hike one or both of the 5+mi. loop trails depending on the conditions and our endurance. Bring lunch. Directions: From St. Cloud, travel south on route 523 (Vermont Ave. becomes Canoe Creek Rd.) approx. 25 mi. Pass the sign for the Three Lakes WMA and continue approx. 2 mi. to the Jackson-Prairie Lakes sign. Turn in, pay $3 daily use fee and proceed over the bridge at Parker Slough. Turn at the Jackson Boat Ramp sign and turn into the parking area on the left. DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteer p. 94. Guests welcome. Reservations not required. Event Host: Chuck Russakov russakov@mpinet.net (preferred) or (407) 774-5737.

2/19
Saturday
Moderate

The beautiful Econ River winds its way through East Orange and Seminole counties, punctuated by narrow channels with high banks and snow white sandbars, alternating with broad, slow stretches through dense woods. We'll paddle the upper section from Hidden River Park at Hwy. 50 to CR419 for a scenic 4-5 hour trip. Some carry-overs may be encountered and basic paddling skills are a MUST. There is a small put-in fee, but we will shuttle our own vehicles (bring a truck/van if you have it). Directions: Hidden River Park is located roughly two miles east of the intersection of the East West Expy (SR408) and Hwy. 50. Turn left just prior to the bridge over the Econ River. Arrive early for the shuttle - the put-in is 9:00 SHARP. Members and one invited guest only. Limited to 12 boats - reservations required by 2/12. Trip co-hosted by Larry Reed paddlefl@aol.com  and Valerie Gohlke valerievtp@aol.com

2/20
Sunday
Moderate
9:00 AM

Famous for its diverse wildlife and semitropical feel. Listening to the cacophony of strange bird sounds, surrounded by the dense green foliage. The river flows slowly though a dim and mysterious channel. One of only two rivers in Florida designated as WILD and SCENIC. Difficulty will depend on the river level. Put in at state park for a out and back, no shuttle available. Shirley and I will be camping Feb. 19, 20. For those wanting to camp call park at (941) 361-6511. We will bring wood for camp fire. Located 12 miles east of Sarasota. Members and guests. Contact Peter Blichfeldt (preferred)kayak@cfl.rr.com or 407-298-6662.

2/26
Saturday
9:00 AM
Leisure

Join us for this lovely, shaded hike. We’ll hike out to the swinging bridge, and have lunch on the river banks of the Econ River before heading back. This is ~5.0 mile trail. Directions to trailhead: FROM EAST COLONIAL (SR 50): Take Alafaya Trail (SR434W), North 6.5 miles to center of Oviedo. Make a right onto CR 426 E. and follow 3.3 miles to Barr Street Trailhead on the right. FROM I4: Take exit 49 to SR 434 East and go 12 miles to center of Oviedo. Make a left onto CR 426 E. for 3.3 miles to Barr Street Trailhead. Guests welcome, no reservations required. Event leader: Jerry Sirmans, (407)359-9422 (Evening) or jerry_sirmans@stricom.army.mil

2/26-27
Sat-Sun
Moderate

Located in Putnum County, this trail section is for the most part, without sign of man. Mostly canopied, it passes through pine flatlands, oak hammocks and swamps. It crosses several small streams, some fed by huge artesian wells. A beautiful feature is Etonia Ravine, a forty foot canyon with Etonia Creek at the bottom and wild azaleas and dogwood on its banks. This will be a leisurely trip (green-blur hikers need not apply (:>)), with plenty of time in camp to read, nap, journal-write, hang out in the hammocks or do additional exploring and wildflower identification out of camp. Limited trip, members only. For reservations & full details send your SASE & $3.00pp (as usual, made out to WT) to Trip Host, Dave & Kim Lippy, 8611 Bay View Ct., Orlando, Fl. 32836-6309. (407) 351-9966 Wildtreker@aol.com.

3/3-5
Fri-Sun
Strenuous
8:00 AM

Join us for a 3-day/2-night paddling trip in the 10,000 Islands. We will put-in at the East River and paddle out to Panther Key in the Gulf of Mexico where we’ll enjoy two nights camping and one day paddling around nearby islands. Sunday we paddle to our take-out in Everglades City. We will paddle about 12 miles every day mostly in open, salt-water bays. Both kayaks and canoes are welcome. Rentals are available from the Ivey House. Recommended places to stay Thursday night are the Ivey House Bed & Breakfast (941-695-3299) or camp at Collier-Seminole State Park (941-394-3397). Reservations required by 2/29, limited to 20 people. We will meet at the Ivey House in Everglades City. Host: Steve Rodney Phone: 954-474-6687 E-Mail: srodney@stanfordalumni.org

3/4-5
Sat-Sun
Moderate

http://lakefl.com/camping.htm
http://www.geocities.com/~wild-trek/3newsltr/listbackpack.html
http://www.bpbasecamp.com/wilderness/fl_ocala/
http://camping.about.com/travel/camping/blaastFL.htm

3/5
Sunday
8:30 AM
Strenuous

Come Mountain bike this trail near New Smyrna Beach. It takes you to high overlooks of Spruce Creek and it’s tidal waters. We’ll ride along a swampy spot with lush vegetation and meander through hilly oaks and pine. Helmets are mandatory. Reservations required, limited trip, members only. Event host: Mary Ellen Bell (904)761-7418 or bellme@cts.db.erau.edu

3/11
Saturday
9:00 AM
Leisure

Located 15 miles south of St. Augustine in Flagler and St. johns Counties, join us for 8-mile paddle on the beautiful Pellicer Creek. Pellicer is a tidal creek and we can expect to see much wildlife, especially wading birds alligator, otter, raccoon and Bald Eagles. The put-in and take out will be at Faver-Dykes State Park as this is a 4 mile out and back course and no shuttle is necessary. There is a small entrance fee at the State Park. Reservations required limited to 14 boats, members and their guests only. There is camping available nearby at Faver-Dykes State Park (904-794-0997) Directions: I-95 to exit 92, north on US 1 about 500 ft. to Faver-Dykes Rd. and turn right. The road ends at the State Park. Follow the signs to the boat ramp which is our meeting place. Hosts: Dennis Gonzalez dennis-gonzalez@worldnet.att.net.

3/12
Sunday
9:00 AM
Moderate

The scenic Bulow Woods Trail runs north from Bulow Creek State Park to Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic Site. White-tailed deer, barred owls, and raccoon are often seen amid lush stands of live oak, hardwood swamp, and saltmarsh. We'll begin our 7-mile hike at the Park, arriving at the Historic Site in about 4 hours, then take some time to explore the ruins and interpretive center. We will arrange our own car shuttle back to the trailhead. Parking at the Historic Site is $2/vehicle. Directions: Take I-4 north from Orlando about 45 miles to I-95, then north 17 miles to exit 90 (Old Dixie Hwy). Turn right (east) and follow 1.5 miles to Park entrance on left. NOTE – we are meeting at the PARK, not the Plantation Ruins! Members and their invited guest only – no reservations required. There is camping available nearby at Tomoka State Park (904-676-4050) Event Host: Larry Reed paddleFL@aol.com

3/16
Thursday
9:00 AM
Leisure

The 7.5 mile hiking trail is located in the Croom section of the Withlacooche State Forest. It affords the hiker dry, all-weather hiking, crossing a slightly hilly terrain and passing through sandhill scrub, oak thickets and stands of pine. Directions: We will meet at 7:30 AM at the K-Mart parking lot on SR-50 in Winter Garden. K-Mart is on the north side of SR-50 just west of 9^th St. From there we will carpool to the trailhead near Brooksville. Host: Mary Kelsh 407-628-4908. Please call if you want to carpool.

3/18
Saturday
Leisure

"...tight and hauntingly beautiful" as it snakes through an ancient, maybe prehistoric areas. The silence of the cypress swamp is sometimes hypnotizing, and the mood may only be broken by the passing of an animal resident. Lake Norris, the headwaters of Blackwater Creek, is the jewel of the trip. Guarding the lake from all approaches, the cypress woodlands extend into the water, creating an intriguing area to explore--that plays host to a metropolis for osprey and other bird life. We'll spend hours investigating the lakeshore, weaving our canoes through the maze of cypress, observing the bird life. This will be a very slow, relaxed pace paddle. Must have your own canoe/kayak. Members only, reservations required. Meeting point will be disclosed with confirmation of reservations. Hosts: Larry Blundell 407-381-4969 or email: larry.b.blundell@lmco.com

3/18
Saturday
Moderate
8:30

Join us for a day of quality mountain biking at one of Florida’s premier off-road riding destinations. With its 20 miles of quality trails, Santos Trail attracts mountain bikers from all over the state. Trails are easily marked. Helmets required. Directions from Orlando: take 301/441/27 north toward Ocala. About 7 mi. before Ocala, turn left on 80^th St. (CR328), turn just past the Marion County Sheriff’s Station, turn left on the dirt road, and then .2 miles to the trailhead parking area. Reservations required by 3/16, limit 15. You must bring your own bike, water and lunch. Hosts: Douglas Boyce fl_mtnbiker@hotmail.com or 904-264-2864 Shelley Claudin claudin@bellsouth.net or 407-281-7181.

3/25
Saturday
Leisure
8:00 AM

Join us for one of Florida’s most beautiful waterways. This is a leisure 8-mile trip through dense cypress, pine, and hardwood forests of Central Florida. The clear water of the run flows swiftly through some stretches, but slows in others where the stream widens into quiet pools. We’ll meet at kings landing in Apopka and do our own shuttle. Rentals are available, call livery for directions and rental info (407-886-0859). Camping is available at nearby Kelly Park (407-889-4179) Launch and take-out fee $6.00 per boat. Reservations required. Members and their guests only. Limit 12 boats. Host: Jim Adtkins 407-892-5373 0r kboat@webtv.net.

3/26
Sunday
Leisure
8:00 AM

We'll get an early start at Seminole County's newest wilderness area that is very popular. This will be a quiet, stop often to look and listen explore - Roadrunners need not attend! Deer, bobcat, and other more commonly seen wildlife live there, and the goal is to respectfully venture into their home with the hope of catching a glimpse of them. The trail is flat and loop choices allow for 3 to 7 mile walk. Original plan calls to cover it all, weather permitting. Most trail is canopied, though some open, sandy areas are present. Bring a snack. Directions: From Oviedo take Rte 26 to Geneva. Turn right (east) on 46 - Wilderness area is well marked on the left in less than a mile. From 1-4 take Rte.46 exit and carefully follow route signs through Sanford to Geneva. Reservations required, limit 15 people, members and invited guests only. Host: Judy Campbell judyreads@aol.com or 407-365-9889.

4/1
Saturday
Moderate
9:00 AM

This is a beautiful 7-mile spring run through a variety of protected forest areas, ending at Wayside Park where the river crosses SR19. Canoe rentals including shuttle approx $24. Shuttle fee for personal canoes/kayaks is $5 per person. Participants must make their own advance arrangements for canoe rental and paddling partner. Meet in front of canoe rental office at 9:00 AM SHARP! Camping available in Park. Directions: Juniper Springs is located on SR40 approx five miles west of intersection with SR19 in the Ocala National Forest. For canoe rental or camping info contact: Juniper Springs Rec. Area, 26701 E. SR 40, Silver Springs, FL 34448 or call (352) 625-3147. Members and their invited guest only, no reservations required. Event host: Peter Blichfeldt (preferred) kayak@cfl.rr.com or 407-298-6662.

Discover a four mile hike right in the middle of Seminole County. Our trail will follow alongside a stream, past a spring, and over boardwalks to the huge expanse of Lake Jesup. This might be a bit muddy if we've had rain. This is a beautiful walk for being so close to civilization. We'll meet at 9:00 AM at the south end of Soldiers' Creek Park on 419, between 434 and 17-92. Think of these three roads making a triangle. There are three close entrances to this sports park, we will park at the most eastern end in the grass. The park is closest to 17-92 and, in fact, at one end of the hike we will see and hear 17-92. Bring water and we will have lunch when we finish. No reservations required. Hosts: Kurth Chin Fatt and Lynn VanHorne 331-8609 Leisurely Children welcome.

4/7-9
Fri-Sun
Leisure

Spend a leisurely weekend base camping at a privately owned Peace River Wildlife Sanctuary near Arcadia. The primitive camp is at the riverbank. On Saturday we will paddle a 14-mile stretch of the Peace River from Gardner boat ramp back to the camp. Relax, hike or paddle on Sunday. This is intended to be a relaxing camp-paddle weekend (vs day use only). Reservations required and limited to members and their invited guests. Limit 15 boats. Make your reservation by 3/25. Send a $5.00pp (made out to WT as usual) with a SASE to host. Complete info will be provided after registration. Host: Carl Mazorek cliffyNTN@aol.com 407-894-4775 (2923 Carmia Dr. Orlando, FL 32806) Co-Host: Dave & Kim Lippy

This is a 6.8 mile section of the Florida Trail, located within the Withlacoochee State Forest. We will hike from Hog Island to River Junction, with a lunch stop at the scenic Iron Bridge Day Use Area. The meeting spot will be the trailhead in the River Junction Recreation Area. We will take a minimum number of vehicles to the starting point and hike back. Directions: From the intersection of SR 50 and Florida's Turnpike, west of Winter Garden, go west approx. 36 mi. and turn north on US 301. Go about 5.1 mi. to the yellow blinker and turn left on CR 656. Proceed about 2 mi. and turn left on SW 50th Blvd. Just under a mile down this road, you should see a River Junction Rec. Area sign. Bear left into the Rec. Area." There is good camping (water and restrooms) at both River Junction and Hog Island. Members and their guests. No reservation required, but please notify host by 4/5 if planning to attend. Hosts: Chuck and Gail Russakov russakov@mpinet.net (preferred) or 407-774-5737. 

The following events require early reservations.   Additional events for April through July will be listed in future newsletters.

Follow the musical waters to an emerald world hidden in a Deep-South gorge. Verdant forest, too beautiful and too far not to spend more than a weekend. Come and enjoy the enchanting beauty on a backpack in Bankhead National Forest’s Sipsey Wilderness in Double Springs Alabama. We will backpack through the hollows filled with ancient yellow pines and eastern hemlock in this 26,000-acre wilderness area. We’ll descend the hollow until it becomes a canyon, narrow and shallow at first, then deep and impressive with huge boulders. The canyons resonate with music of the water, tumbling in cascades from the canyon rims or dropping with wild abandonment off the bluffs or cliffs. We will meet at the Forest Service Office in Double Springs, Alabama Friday at 9:00 AM and car caravan to the trailhead and be off the trail by Sunday afternoon. Registration is required, members only, limit 10. This trip will be moderate to strenuous. For a complete information packet, send a SASE to the trip leader. Registrants include a $10.00 check made out to Wilderness Trekkers. Trip Leader: Jason Preston, Co-Leader: Kelly Preston 205-991-1761 (evenings only). 3060 Riverwood Terrace, Birmingham, AL 35242 kpreston@brookhills.org

7/16-23
Sun-Sun
Moderate
*Early Deadline

Toiyabe National Forest, Austin, NV. Help build new section of trail along Kingston Canyon in mountains of central Nevada. Free camping at old historic ranger station. In cooperation with USDA Forest Service, Austin Ranger District (where John Browning is seasonal Recreation Ranger). Mostly grubbing out sagebrush and building up trail. Central breakfast and dinner (everyone cooks and cleans). Tools provided by Forest Service. Lake for swimming, trout fishing, hot springs 10 miles away, petrography, lots of hiking areas. Remote area. Car pooling/transportation from Reno Airport. Primitive camping available. Must provide own camping gear and work gloves. RV camping available also (no hook ups and away from tent camping). Transportation provided from Reno Airport to Kingston campsite (200 miles one way). Meals provided. $60pp (checks made out to AHS). Register: American Hiking Society at www.americanhiking.org/events/vv/register.html or Shirley Hearn (301) 565-6704 x206. Trip Hosts: Daryl Wells, 12119 Armenia Gables Circle, Tampa 33612, (813) 930-2278 dwells1@tampabay.rr.com and John Browning, 892 E. Board Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787, (407) 656-2408