Winter Break Backpacking in Ocala National Forest, Fl

OVERVIEW

Sooo, classes don’t start until January 20th, let’s go backpacking!

Ocala National Forest in Central Florida has about 70 miles of continuous trails that run through a mix of pine and hardwood forests, prairies, lakes, and swamps. The plan is to backpack the length of the forest over 6 days. Here is a great resource with info about the trail http://www.floridahikes.com/florida-trail-ocala.

Itinerary:

January 10th: Leave Charlottesville (or Richmond if it makes more sense logistically), drive 10 hours, camp near trailhead
January 11th-16th: Hiking (Tentative mileage: 10,15,11,16,10,8 )
January 16th: Start the drive home and camp somewhere cool
January 17th: Arrive home

What you bring:
Backpack (club can provide)
Sleeping bag and pad (club can provide)
Headlamp (club can provide)
Appropriate clothes (could drop to 40s at night)
Raingear
Bowl and Utensils
Capacity to carry at least 3 liters of water
Snacks
Reading material
Anything else important that I’ve forgotten

Club provides:
Space in a car
Gas up to $150 per car
$6/day/person for food
Water Filter
Tents

Full Disclaimer: I have never been to Ocala National Forest, but I’ve researched it a good bit.

Finally, because we have to shuttle cars, the trip can’t go out unless another driver signs up. Everyone is on the waitlist at first so I can figure out logistics. Drivers will be moved off the waitlist first.