To Whom It May Concern,
Last winter, we, Josh Gathro and Nicholas King, formed an idea. An idea that would be exciting and challenging: to hike one hundred miles in one week. When presented to him, Wayne King agreed to be the project mentor for our ambitious goal. After twice designating a week for the trip to be done, and twice postponing it for the sake of preparation, we began to realize the full import of the project. In December 2009 we finally set our plans underway.
Our plans have developed and matured. We have finalized the 100-miler to take place over Spring Break, which will be April 5 - 10. The trip will actually be completed in six days, starting Monday the fifth, and concluding on Saturday the tenth, so as not to interfere with Sunday. The entire hike will be along the Florida National Scenic Trail, starting ten miles west of Starke, off State Road 100, and finishing at Salt Springs in Ocala National Forest. We will be carrying backpacks the whole time, and will cover sixteen miles per day on average. We also decided to hike each section of the trail in legs before doing the entire length. So far we’ve covered fifty-one of the one hundred miles, and have two more trips planned prior to the final hike. Part of the challenge of this hike is reducing the weight of our pack to increase comfort, speed, and safety. Our target base weight is ten pounds, excluding food, water, and fuel. We’re confident that a light pack will contribute much to our success.
We also believe success to be more likely with an increase of publicity. With more people aware of the project, the more support we’ll receive. Additionally, we’ve identified the purpose of this hike to be a commemoration of the 100 years of Scouting. We are familiar with the host of benefits afforded us because of our membership in the Boy Scouts of America. We want to show the community the possibilities that Scouting has to offer for learning and for personal growth. It is our hope that this trip will inspire others to invest time in Scouting, where the reward is multiplied many times over. Thank you for your time and interest in our endeavor.
Josh Gathro
Nicholas King
Wednesday, February 17
Leg 2 and 3 - Jan 22/23, 09
Left around 7:45am.
Arrived at Gold Head around 8:45am. Had to pay $4 pedestrian park fee. Started hiking at 8:47am.
Ten minutes in, Nick has reception. About 9:05, we passed a small pond, water looked ok. 9:11 we spot a doe. Terrain has varying elevation.
9:17 Josh got reception.
9:32 hear running water to our right.
At intersection of Ridge Trail and Loblolly Loop Trail, theres a bridge with running water. Looks ok. After one hour, found more water, looked ok.
Found a spiggot by the lake, off the trail about 100 ft in an open area by the pavilion. Spotted a building with a telephone. Christian Camp Rd is hot. Reached CR 315 at 10:55 (5.1mi). Hit Bellamy Rd at 11:35. It’s hot. Stopped at 12 at 1776 Bellamy Rd to snack and pee.
Reception on Bellamy is good for Nick, not for Josh.
12:58pm we hit Coral Farms Rd. Stopped to rest at a boarded house at 1:05pm, resumed at 1:12.
1:27 we hit Tinsley Rd. The trail turns left down Tinsley. Find a kiosk. Left Tinsley Rd Kiosk at 1:39pm.
It’s 3:50 and we’re about to leave the parking lot in Etoniah, with “1.5 mi” left. We stopped a long time and dried our feet after they were soaked in a ½ mile slosh. Loaded up on water.
4:45 and we finally arrive at Iron Bridge shelter. Went to bed at 7pm.
Woke up at 7:30, took couple minutes to get up. Had breakfast and packed. Left at 8:41am. Chilly morning.
At kiosk outside camp we see a different picture of the trail route. From were we are,
3.1 miles, then 3.5, then 3.2, then 1.5 to Rice Creek Shelter. After kiosk, some water looked ok.
Had to make a small detour around a 200 ft swamped section of trail.
Terrain is wild, exciting, and lovable.
At 11:15 we came to an intersection (Old Starke Rd and Carraway); found a notice to hikers regarding relocation of the trail. The trail now follows a public road to SR 100 and “cuts off 1.5 miles of trail.” Need to verify mileage.
Section along SR 100 is actually a Rail-to-Trail corridor running paralled to SR 100.
Man on corridor says hunting is going on just north of us. Hunting is over Jan 24.
Reached Lindsey’s Dock about 12:55. We were going to hike to “mail box” in Rice Creek but trail was wet. Shelter in Rice Creek is two-story.
Arrived at Rice Creek parking lot at 1:10pm. Waited til 1:55pm for Dad.
Arrived at Gold Head around 8:45am. Had to pay $4 pedestrian park fee. Started hiking at 8:47am.
Ten minutes in, Nick has reception. About 9:05, we passed a small pond, water looked ok. 9:11 we spot a doe. Terrain has varying elevation.
9:17 Josh got reception.
9:32 hear running water to our right.
At intersection of Ridge Trail and Loblolly Loop Trail, theres a bridge with running water. Looks ok. After one hour, found more water, looked ok.
Found a spiggot by the lake, off the trail about 100 ft in an open area by the pavilion. Spotted a building with a telephone. Christian Camp Rd is hot. Reached CR 315 at 10:55 (5.1mi). Hit Bellamy Rd at 11:35. It’s hot. Stopped at 12 at 1776 Bellamy Rd to snack and pee.
Reception on Bellamy is good for Nick, not for Josh.
12:58pm we hit Coral Farms Rd. Stopped to rest at a boarded house at 1:05pm, resumed at 1:12.
1:27 we hit Tinsley Rd. The trail turns left down Tinsley. Find a kiosk. Left Tinsley Rd Kiosk at 1:39pm.
It’s 3:50 and we’re about to leave the parking lot in Etoniah, with “1.5 mi” left. We stopped a long time and dried our feet after they were soaked in a ½ mile slosh. Loaded up on water.
4:45 and we finally arrive at Iron Bridge shelter. Went to bed at 7pm.
Woke up at 7:30, took couple minutes to get up. Had breakfast and packed. Left at 8:41am. Chilly morning.
At kiosk outside camp we see a different picture of the trail route. From were we are,
3.1 miles, then 3.5, then 3.2, then 1.5 to Rice Creek Shelter. After kiosk, some water looked ok.
Had to make a small detour around a 200 ft swamped section of trail.
Terrain is wild, exciting, and lovable.
At 11:15 we came to an intersection (Old Starke Rd and Carraway); found a notice to hikers regarding relocation of the trail. The trail now follows a public road to SR 100 and “cuts off 1.5 miles of trail.” Need to verify mileage.
Section along SR 100 is actually a Rail-to-Trail corridor running paralled to SR 100.
Man on corridor says hunting is going on just north of us. Hunting is over Jan 24.
Reached Lindsey’s Dock about 12:55. We were going to hike to “mail box” in Rice Creek but trail was wet. Shelter in Rice Creek is two-story.
Arrived at Rice Creek parking lot at 1:10pm. Waited til 1:55pm for Dad.
Leg 1 - Dec 28, 09
Left at 6:48am.
Had trouble locating trailhead. Skipped the 2.2 section to find trail easier. “Hikeability – insanely easy.” - Nick.
Started hiking at 8:12am. Josh no cell reception, David does.
Reached end of 4.5 section at 9:43. Pace = 3 mph. Stream and bridge at the [Sampson] terminus, Josh has reception. Water was frequent along the 4.5 section, nasty water. Passed a lot of houses around Lake Sampson. Took a break at railroad tracks [by Sampson]. Socks were wet from dew. Nick says his feet were raw (index toe).
Hit CR 227 at 11:08am. There are powerlines. The terminus at the CR 227 has a No Trespassing sign posted by the trail. We called 352-236-7143. Lyn recommended that we not pass. We decided we should. Resumed hiking at 11:27am.
Reached US 301 at 12:02pm. Tyler says, “Where’s the scenic aspect?” Trash all over.
Hit Hampton BP Station at 12:30pm. Had pizza lunch, gas station had good supplies, restroom, and a spiggot outside. Tyler was hit on. Cell reception at 301 and Hampton.
Started hiking after lunch at 1:11pm. (Time in between notes was spent hiking the boring railroad bed). Stopped hiking about 2:57pm. Trail is somewhat confusing as it breaks away from CR 18, but orange blazes are visible. We got up about 3:14. Lady came out, brought us oranges.
Went down trail, passed straight dirt road that led to SR 100. After passing we went back and took the dirt road. Turned left at SR 100 to Montgomery Camp, had to turn back. We should have crossed SR 100 straight across. Going down that trail we saw facilities that turned out to be Montgomery Camp. We talked to the counselor about 4:30pm, he gave us direction.
Continuing on the FT we hit an intersection of trails. We decided to go left and were highly confused but it was the correct way to go. That path starts going west, away from Little Crystal Lake, but cuts back around the ravine to Lakeview Campsite. We reached camp at 5:23pm.
Ate dinner, made fire, had hot chocolate. Went to bed at 7:20pm. Woke up several times in the night. Woke up at 7am. Frost everywhere in the morning. Cell reception available at Lakeview.
Had trouble locating trailhead. Skipped the 2.2 section to find trail easier. “Hikeability – insanely easy.” - Nick.
Started hiking at 8:12am. Josh no cell reception, David does.
Reached end of 4.5 section at 9:43. Pace = 3 mph. Stream and bridge at the [Sampson] terminus, Josh has reception. Water was frequent along the 4.5 section, nasty water. Passed a lot of houses around Lake Sampson. Took a break at railroad tracks [by Sampson]. Socks were wet from dew. Nick says his feet were raw (index toe).
Hit CR 227 at 11:08am. There are powerlines. The terminus at the CR 227 has a No Trespassing sign posted by the trail. We called 352-236-7143. Lyn recommended that we not pass. We decided we should. Resumed hiking at 11:27am.
Reached US 301 at 12:02pm. Tyler says, “Where’s the scenic aspect?” Trash all over.
Hit Hampton BP Station at 12:30pm. Had pizza lunch, gas station had good supplies, restroom, and a spiggot outside. Tyler was hit on. Cell reception at 301 and Hampton.
Started hiking after lunch at 1:11pm. (Time in between notes was spent hiking the boring railroad bed). Stopped hiking about 2:57pm. Trail is somewhat confusing as it breaks away from CR 18, but orange blazes are visible. We got up about 3:14. Lady came out, brought us oranges.
Went down trail, passed straight dirt road that led to SR 100. After passing we went back and took the dirt road. Turned left at SR 100 to Montgomery Camp, had to turn back. We should have crossed SR 100 straight across. Going down that trail we saw facilities that turned out to be Montgomery Camp. We talked to the counselor about 4:30pm, he gave us direction.
Continuing on the FT we hit an intersection of trails. We decided to go left and were highly confused but it was the correct way to go. That path starts going west, away from Little Crystal Lake, but cuts back around the ravine to Lakeview Campsite. We reached camp at 5:23pm.
Ate dinner, made fire, had hot chocolate. Went to bed at 7:20pm. Woke up several times in the night. Woke up at 7am. Frost everywhere in the morning. Cell reception available at Lakeview.
Thursday, February 11
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)