Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 22
  1. #1
    Senior Member Floridahanger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    SW Volusia, FL
    Hammock
    Ridge Outdoor Gear Pinnacle 360
    Tarp
    UGQ Rect. and HHex
    Insulation
    DIY CDT/synth sets
    Suspension
    Straps/Speed Hooks
    Posts
    4,398
    Images
    10

    FL>Hidden Pond, ONF>March 17-19, 2023>Inaugural Florida Spring Fling REDUX

    OK...
    Starting my Florida Hang series again. Covid stopped me for a few years but we are starting over with the Spring Fling 3/17-3/19, then No Underquilt Hang 7/14-7/16, and finishing off with Summer's Last Gasp 9/22-9/24.

    Come on out for a wonderful time in the Florida Piney Woods. This is the last throws of our "Florida Winter" that ends sometime between Jan and March. March days are usually warm with average 79* and nights cool with average 52*. This being Florida, it can also be completely different.

    Since Hidden Pond is on the Florida Trail in the Ocala National Forest, It's a short(ish) hike and hang. You have your option of 3 different trailheads to suite your hiking needs.

    Coming from the North, you start at Pat's Island and hike South on the Florida Trail for ~3.5 miles. This is our medium length hiking trail of the 3. I believe this is the prettiest hike in my opinion.

    Coming from the South, you start at Juniper Springs (pay-to-park). You head North on the Florida Trail, for the longest of the 3 trailheads, for ~5.5 miles. This could be a challenging hike with less overhead coverage and a seasonal crossing of a small creek that's usually crossable without getting wet. But yall know how that can go.

    Starting at Hidden Pond Short trailhead for the shortest of the 3 trails, you can come in from the West. This is a short ~2.5 miles but semi-challenging trail that sometimes has overgrown brush and mid-day can have some sections of sugary sand. This trail is usually packed nicely in the mornings and after the afternoon thunderstorms if we get them.

    Usually, you can see all kinds of animals on the hike and listen for the calls of the Scrub Jays as you pass by their territories. After sunset, you can see fireflies in the prairies light up the sky if it's warm enough. Splash down in Hidden Pond to cool yourself off in the beach entry section of the pond.

    This is primitive camping so bring your food, cooking utensils, and bathroom needs. Also, the pond is our water source to a water filter or boiling is needed. The primitive site has many trees for hammocks and many clearings for tents, if that's your thing.

    Let us know if you're a betting person and we'll put you on the list of attendees. This is not mandatory to come out, it just helps others if they may want to hike in together.

    See yall there.

    Name, Dates attending, Trailhead to hike in, approximate Time arriving.

    1) Floridahanger, 17-19, Hidden Pond Short, 8am
    Enjoy and have fun with your family, before they have fun without you

  2. #2
    New Member
    Join Date
    May 2018
    Location
    Green Cove Springs, Fl
    Posts
    35
    I hate to miss this but, I will be volunteering at the annual fundraiser hike we do every year that weekend for the FL trail. The IDIDAHIKE

  3. #3
    Senior Member Floridahanger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    SW Volusia, FL
    Hammock
    Ridge Outdoor Gear Pinnacle 360
    Tarp
    UGQ Rect. and HHex
    Insulation
    DIY CDT/synth sets
    Suspension
    Straps/Speed Hooks
    Posts
    4,398
    Images
    10
    Love that name for a hike. See ya at the Sherpa Hang.
    Enjoy and have fun with your family, before they have fun without you

  4. #4
    Senior Member Floridahanger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    SW Volusia, FL
    Hammock
    Ridge Outdoor Gear Pinnacle 360
    Tarp
    UGQ Rect. and HHex
    Insulation
    DIY CDT/synth sets
    Suspension
    Straps/Speed Hooks
    Posts
    4,398
    Images
    10
    I haven't done much hiking in the last half year or more due to health and other obligations. That being said, at HangCon 2023, I averaged about 6 miles of walking or more. That was a jump starter for getting out for 3 different 5-7+ mile hikes this week with a small day pack. Good practice for hiking to Hidden Pond with a full pack. See y'all there.
    Enjoy and have fun with your family, before they have fun without you

  5. #5
    Senior Member Floridahanger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    SW Volusia, FL
    Hammock
    Ridge Outdoor Gear Pinnacle 360
    Tarp
    UGQ Rect. and HHex
    Insulation
    DIY CDT/synth sets
    Suspension
    Straps/Speed Hooks
    Posts
    4,398
    Images
    10
    Gone on several short hikes increasing my pack weight towards full weight with each hike. Almost ready for some hiking and camping.

    Name, Dates attending, Trailhead to hike in, approximate Time arriving.

    1) Floridahanger, 17-19, Hidden Pond Short, 8am
    Enjoy and have fun with your family, before they have fun without you

  6. #6
    Randonneur's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Lower Duck Pond
    Hammock
    Walahalla Monolite 1.5
    Tarp
    Dynemma Hex Tarp
    Insulation
    JRB Mt Washington
    Suspension
    Whoopies slings
    Posts
    420
    Images
    1
    2) Randonneur 17-19 Pat's Island Trailhead. Sometime before noon.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Floridahanger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    SW Volusia, FL
    Hammock
    Ridge Outdoor Gear Pinnacle 360
    Tarp
    UGQ Rect. and HHex
    Insulation
    DIY CDT/synth sets
    Suspension
    Straps/Speed Hooks
    Posts
    4,398
    Images
    10
    I'm up to 7.61 miles hiking with full pack in 3hr17min. Maybe willing to hike in from Juniper if anyone wants to shuttle us to come in on the longest trail. I still want to park at the Hidden Park trailhead so I can shuttle others to other trailheads if needed.

    Name, Dates attending, Trailhead to hike in, approximate Time arriving.

    1) Floridahanger, 17-19, Hidden Pond Short, 8am
    2) Randonneur, 17-19, Pat's Island, Sometime before noon.
    Enjoy and have fun with your family, before they have fun without you

  8. #8
    bendback's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Bartow, Florida
    Hammock
    WB XLC
    Tarp
    WB Superfly
    Insulation
    Hammock Gear
    Posts
    82
    Bendback, 17-19, Pats Island (medium), 12-1 pm

  9. #9
    Senior Member Floridahanger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    SW Volusia, FL
    Hammock
    Ridge Outdoor Gear Pinnacle 360
    Tarp
    UGQ Rect. and HHex
    Insulation
    DIY CDT/synth sets
    Suspension
    Straps/Speed Hooks
    Posts
    4,398
    Images
    10
    I look forward to meeting you. Although, you've been on these forums as long as I have so I wonder if we have met somewhere already.
    Quote Originally Posted by bendback View Post
    Bendback, 17-19, Pats Island (medium), 12-1 pm
    I hiked 8+ miles yesterday and I was already tired at the 3 mile mark. Need to power thru this funk. I think too much sugar on Valentines Day may be the culprit.

    Name, Dates attending, Trailhead to hike in, approximate Time arriving.

    1) Floridahanger, 17-19, Hidden Pond Short, 8am
    2) Randonneur, 17-19, Pat's Island, Sometime before noon.
    3) Bendback, 17-19, Pats Island, 12-1 pm
    Enjoy and have fun with your family, before they have fun without you

  10. #10
    Senior Member Floridahanger's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    SW Volusia, FL
    Hammock
    Ridge Outdoor Gear Pinnacle 360
    Tarp
    UGQ Rect. and HHex
    Insulation
    DIY CDT/synth sets
    Suspension
    Straps/Speed Hooks
    Posts
    4,398
    Images
    10
    With the day temps being so warm lately and for this weekend at the Sherpa Hang, at least the night temps will still be in the low 60's. I hope we get one of those rare Spring cold fronts come in for us.

    Name, Dates attending, Trailhead to hike in, approximate Time arriving.

    1) Floridahanger, 17-19, Hidden Pond Short, 8am
    2) Randonneur, 17-19, Pat's Island, Sometime before noon.
    3) Bendback, 17-19, Pats Island, 12-1 pm
    Enjoy and have fun with your family, before they have fun without you

  • + New Posts
  • Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast

    Similar Threads

    1. Replies: 7
      Last Post: 01-02-2022, 12:44
    2. Florida, Hidden Pond
      By O-Boy in forum Southeast
      Replies: 3
      Last Post: 06-15-2020, 07:04
    3. Replies: 37
      Last Post: 03-20-2020, 17:54
    4. 4/28-4/30 Hidden Pond Florida
      By HeirloomVegan in forum Trip Reports
      Replies: 14
      Last Post: 05-03-2016, 16:50
    5. FL > Hidden pond, March 4-6.
      By Bla1z3 in forum Southeast
      Replies: 16
      Last Post: 03-03-2016, 08:32

    Bookmarks

    Posting Permissions

    • You may not post new threads
    • You may not post replies
    • You may not post attachments
    • You may not edit your posts
    •