Hike In the Water, Short Loop Little Manatee River State Park

It rained quite a bit this week.  The river was high.  Higher than I expected and apparently still rising.

I knew the west loop would be flooded but did not expect this much water on the east loop.

The first obstacle I came across was this bridge that went under water. This photo is looking back at it.  The water was only knee deep but it was cold.  Took my shoes and socks off, rolled up my pants, and put my flip flops on to wade through it.

 

Here was the next water obstacle.  The water was dark and you could not see the bottom.  Started across while probing with my trekking poles.  It was deeper than I expected.  Crotch deep.  Backed out, put my electronics in zip-loc bags and took my pants off to keep them dry and crossed the water.Got my underwear wet but didn't fall over or anything.  

Here is a bridge that was above the water.  What was strange was that the water was flowing from the river on the left into the wetland to the right.  The river must have been still rising.

Kept going on the trail in my underwear and flip flops with my pack on my back.  Probably would have scared anyone who saw me but I did not expect to meet anyone on the trail in this area because of the flooding.


Got to the south bridge over cypress creek.  Couldn't see the bridge because it was underwater. 

At this point, did not cross the creek, but took the cross trail for the short loop to the north leg of the trail.

The cross trail was flooded for about 1/2 mile with crotch deep water.  The blazes on the trees are far and few between.  Had a general idea of where the trail went but had to keep probing with the trekking poles ahead to make sure I stayed on it and did not go off into any holes.  Lost a flip flop but luckily it floated to the surface.  Had to do a balancing act to get it back on.

 Here is what the cross trail looked like today.  The water was cold.

I had some apprehension about going through the first section of deep water.  Should I turn back or keep going knowing there probably would be more deep water.  Decided to go ahead and when I got into it it actually was somewhat fun.  Had to be careful.  Was afraid of tripping on some unseen root or vine under the water and falling over, back pack and all.  But was careful, went slow, and kept probing ahead with the trekking poles. 

Had a whole other view of the trail from the water today.  Seems like that happens, getting a new view, every time I go on this trail. 

The cross trail intersected the north leg of the trail in a high, dry sandy area.  Found a log to sit on and had some chocolate for a snack.  Put my pants, socks, and shoes back on, and retrieved the electronics from the zip-lock bag.

Headed back to the trail head from this point.  The trail had a few puddles and mud which you could walk around. 

It was a short hike.  3.1 miles.  But it took a little over 3 hours.  It was different and fun.

Sunday, January 24, 2016, Little Manatee River State Park, North Area

Hiked about 7.5 miles this morning over 5 1/2 hours.  Started at the trail head off of US 301 just north of the river.  Took the north leg to the intersection of the short loop cross over.  There is a two track there that heads north.  Took it and crossed Cypress Creek and continued to the park boundary.  Came back across to the south side of Cypress Creek and took various two tracks and a dead end trail. 

The temperature was 37 and sunny when I started about 8am.  Not much wind which was a blessing. 

Didn't see any animals and only a couple of small birds.  Didn't even see a butterfly or moth.

The two tracks are mostly hard packed sand with very little traffic.

 There are a few small sandy streams heading west to Cypress Creek.

Tried to follow a trail.  It finally just filled in with brush and I couldn't tell where it went anymore.  Had to double back.

 Below is a photo of a small water fall on this creek the fall is about 3' high.  It is hard to see due to the palmetto leaves.

January 23, 2016, Hiking in Hillsborough River State Park

It was cold (at least for Florida) and windy today.  On the drive to the park it rained on and off.  Thankfully the rain quit when I got there.  The wind was over 20 mph with the temperature around 47 deg F.  The sun started to peak through the clouds about 11 am and made for a nice contrast to the previous couple of hours of dark cloudiness.

The park is on US 301 about 12 miles north of Tampa, and 6 miles south of Zephyrhills.  The park is old and the original development was done by the CCC during the depression of the 1930's.  Some of the picnic pavilions look like they may date from that time period.  They have hand hewn roof beams.  One of the picnic pavilions was supported by cypress tree trunks that belled out at the bottom.

There is also a suspension bridge across the river that was built by the CCC.  It was closed because the trail on the other side of the river was being repaired.

The park has some very large trees, some with interesting shapes.  Here is a live oak in the picnic area.

The Hillsborough River has a short section of rapids in the park.  It is the only grade 2 rapids in the state of Florida.

The trail to the rapids goes along the river and creates a 1.2 mile loop.  There are short board walks that go out to the edge of the river and are about 10 feet above the water level.  They make for nice views.

After returning to the picnic area on the river rapids loop trail, I took the 3.4 loop Florida Trail which starts north of the river across from the picnic area.  It is a single track well used trail in fairly good shape.  Today there were some muddy sections and puddles which you could walk around with out getting your feet wet.

The south leg of this trail goes along the north bank of the river.  Here is a large old narly tree along the river.

 The north leg of the trail goes through some low lands.  It is populated with large old growth trees.  The contrast in vegetation between the Little Manatee River State Park Trail and this trail in the Hillsborough River State Park is interesting.  The trees seem to be older on this trail.  There not many pine trees.  The dominant tree is the live oak along with many cypress trees.

There were some wet and muddy sections in the north leg of the trail but it was mostly dry.

There are four primitive campsites off the north leg of the trail.  Here are a couple of photos of the sites.  Note that site C was flooded.

I spent about 4 hours on the trails here today.  The weather was a little biting due to the cool temperature and the high winds.  But the sites made it well worth it.

Below is a map and track of my hike.

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Saturday morning hike, Jan 16th, 2016

Went to the trail north of the river at Little Manatee River State Park.  It is only a few miles from home and I always enjoy it.

Got started at 8:20 am.  Temperature was 61 deg and sunny.  Perfect conditions.

Low areas of the trail on the western loop were flooded last weekend.  Had to wade through water up to a foot deep in places.  That wasn't too bad but I didn't feel like changing shoes and socks at every flooded section today.

I skipped the west loop today and took the east loop and went on some and went on some two track trails in the northeast area of the park to make up for the lost milage from not taking the western loop.

I still ran into one area of water on the two track trail but was able to skirt around it with out getting my feet wet.

The sun was bright and everything was clean from the rain yesterday.  I enjoyed the views and sights.

The following logs the route I took today.

https://www.gaiagps.com/api/objects/track/446aba65c1a8bf37685fac784f0aa1ab.gpx/?publickey=t3SqbxCPNADcSYXG05ElQcW3

Below is a photo of the two track trail.

Below it is a photo of what I believe is a fungus that looks like fuzz balls.

Getting Ready

I'm trying to remember what gave me the idea.  Not sure what it was but it may come to me.

Sometime last fall I started thinking about doing a portion of the Appalachian Trail in the spring of 2016.  I've always wanted to go backpacking since I was a kid.  Never did it.  The more I thought about it, the more I thought this is the time or it may never happen.

I have even written the dates, April 30th through May 2nd, on the white board at work.  It is always hard to get away from work but I need to try.

I had an old REI backpack from the 70's.  I loaded it up with books, magazines, and cans of food to get to around 30 lbs.  The first or 2nd weekend of November I went to the Little Manatee River State Park and started hiking the trail north of the river.  It was Saturday morning.  The trail loops around for 6.4 miles but I took a shortcut and only did three miles.  It was tough.  Wasn't use to carrying the backpack and was out of shape.  Did it again on Sunday.

The trail north of the river at Little Manatee River State Park is very enjoyable.  The scenery keeps changing from higher ground with scrubby trees to old growth trees, swampy areas, and along the river.  It does not get old or boring for me.

Since then I have gotten a new backpack and started accumulating gear.  I can now do the entire trail and sometimes additional short legs to get up to over 7 miles.  It isn't easy.  Have much pain.  Asthma still kicks in.  And the heart is struggling.

Getting out of the condo, getting to the trail, and going the 1st half mail is the hardest.  Mind is telling me to go home and back to bed.  But then things get better and I just keep going.

I have to stop and catch my breath quite often.  My average speed is around 1.5 mile per hour.  I tell myself I am not racing.  I am out here on the trail to enjoy it, to look, and see new things.  It is hard to not keep thinking about the time and doing the trail fast.  I have to keep reminding myself it isn't a competition and that I am out there to enjoy it.

My plans for the AT are still coming together.  Most of the required gear has been researched and ordered.  Am thinking of how it will be not to worry about work and everything that goes with that.  I am looking forward to just walking on the trail, taking my time, looking, and enjoying it.  I am looking forward to it a lot.  I think I can do it.  Going up the mountains won't be easy but I plan to just take my time and let my body adjust.  I will not have any set plans to make a certain distance or time.  What ever happens will happen.  I will deal with what ever problems or adversities that may come up at the time, such as inclement weather, blisters, pains, water, food, shelter, and so on.

This hike on the AT is on my mind every day now.  That is a good thing,

That is enough thought for today.  Will continue tomorrow.