North Fl meet and greet

[Rick]

Florida? Ooops. Never mind!

[crashdive123]

Fletcher - never having been there, are you looking at a campground, hiking in, something else? Just let us know so we can start making plans.

[Fletcher]

Well I have not thought about what to do. I was thinking we could meet up at the grocery store in Salt springs. I'm not going to make a big plan. Most of the people on this site will say.....(yes i would love to meet you guys and even give a time and place then at the last min. say something came up I can't make it) So I'll give NO plan at this time just show up at Salt Springs grocery store at 0900 on the 8th of Nov. 2008. I'll wait for one hour. If anyone shows we will take it from there. I'am going to do two or three weeks in the forest starting mid week. I will be there will you?

[Gray Wolf]

Well I have not thought about what to do. I was thinking we could meet up at the grocery store in Salt springs.
So I'll give NO plan at this time just show up at Salt Springs grocery store at 0900 on the 8th of Nov. 2008. I'll wait for one hour. If anyone shows we will take it from there. I'am going to do two or three weeks in the forest starting mid week. I will be there will you?

Fletcher, there needs to be some sort of plan! You say "I'm going to do two or three weeks in the forest starting mid week." Does that mean the Ocala National Forest? If so, there are 3 types of camping there. Is it for one day, or two? Are we bringing food in, or are we hunting? If we are not hunting then most of the areas would be closed to us. Primitive camping in the general forest area is prohibited during the general gun deer hunting season, which is November 8, 2003 to January 4, 2003. The only exception to this regulation allows primitive camping within the Juniper Prairie Wilderness, which is closed to all hunting.
The temperatures for that time, range from a daily average of 50 F to a high of 72 F.

THERE NEEDS TO BE A PLAN!

Here is some info for all:

Ocala National Park Overview:
The Ocala is a unique and fascinating forest that offers an accommodating climate for year round recreating. The mild winters are fine for family camping while a summer canoe trip down a palm-lined stream is a cool way to spend an August day. The temperatures for the dry months of November through February range from a daily average of 50 F to a high of 72 F.

Camping:
Camping can be enjoyed during all seasons on the Ocala. Visitors are welcome to stay as long as fourteen days in most campgrounds and even longer in other campgrounds, depending on the season. The majority of camping is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Salt Springs, Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Clearwater Lake now take reservations through ReserveUSA, in addition to a first-come, first-serve basis. You may make reservations online or by telephone, toll free: 877 444-6777. All of the group campgrounds and cabins are by reservation only.

Camping can be divided into three classes based on the type of facilities offered and fees charged; developed campgrounds, primitive campsites and dispersed tent camping. Developed campgrounds provide a variety of amenities including; showers, restrooms, picnic tables, charcoal grills, fire rings, lantern holders, drinking water, sanitation facilities and trash receptacles. Primitive campsites provide very few if any of these amenities. Dispersed tent camping is for the adventurous that prefer no facilities at all and is permitted throughout the general forest area.

Fees at developed areas range from $4.00 to $20.00, while primitive and dispersed camping is free. Camping permits and discount passports for senior and disabled U.S. citizens are available. Please see Passes & Permits for more information.

Developed Campgrounds:

The word Ocala is thought to be a derivative of a Timucuan Indian term meaning ?fair land? or ?big hammock?. The Ocala?s vegetation lives up to its name, as you will discover towering palms, huge live oaks and scrubby sand pines. Developed campgrounds in the Ocala are nestled in each of these settings. Of the twenty developed campgrounds, only Salt Springs offers full hook-up service. However, several campgrounds have dump stations and shower facilities. The remaining campgrounds offer fewer amenities. All of Ocala?s campgrounds allow pets, but they must be kept on a leash no longer than six feet and are not permitted in designated swimming and picnicking areas. Many swimming areas also prohibit alcohol.

An annual pass is available for several of the campgrounds. Because these campgrounds have fewer amenities, the proceeds from the sales of the passes go towards improvements. These annual passes are part of the fee demo program and are sold at Ocala?s visitor centers and ranger stations.

Accessible campsites, restrooms, showers and walkways are available throughout various campgrounds in the Ocal National Forest. Call the appropriate district to determine if the facility you have chosen will suit your needs.

Primitive Camping:

The ?Leave No Trace? ethic is a consideration for all visitors whether they are dispersed camping, primitive camping or developed camping. To leave no trace of ourselves each time we use the Forest can be challenging, but every effort to maintain the natural state of the area will contribute to protecting it from overuse. Remember to remove all garbage and trash, ?pack it in, pack it out?. Leave vegetation intact, replace sticks and logs that were moved to clear areas for tents and campfires, and preserve water systems. Erasing evidence of our presence will keep each individual?s impact on the Forest at a minimum.

Primitive campsites, can be used by individuals camping with tents or any motorized vehicle. These are specific areas in the forest that offer little or no facilities. Some of these campsites are also hunt camps and may be open year round. Those that are not hunt camps will be closed during the established hunting season. While any motorized vehicle is permitted in these primitive campsites, not all areas are accessible by all types of vehicles. Sandy and narrow woods roads may make navigation difficult or impossible for some vehicles. Visitors should treat these roads with cautious respect.

Trails:
The Ocala portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail traverses the forest north to south, winding through multiple ecosystems. Hikers can experience rolling hills in the open longleaf pine forest, vast prairies, wooden boardwalks through swamps, thick scrub oak ? sand pine, and oak hammocks. The Trail meanders approximately 67 miles through the Ocala National Forest, making it an excellent choice for backpacking. Hikers may primitive camp while backpacking as long as campsites are at least 200 feet from the trail. Those who prefer not to rough it as much will encounter a spur trail to a developed campground about every 10 or 12 miles. These developed sites offer varying levels of facilities. Backpackers are not required to have a permit nor register with the ranger station prior to their outing, although filing a hiking plan with family and friends is highly recommended. Primitive camping in the general forest area is prohibited during the general gun deer hunting season, which is November 8, 2003 to January 4, 2003. The only exception to this regulation allows primitive camping within the Juniper Prairie Wilderness, which is closed to all hunting.

Many shorter loop trails are available for hikers looking for a less arduous experience. The Salt Springs Trail, Lake Eaton Sinkhole and Lake Eaton Loop Trails are among these, while the St. Francis Trail provides 2 loops 3 and 8.5 miles long.

[BraggSurvivor]

The temperatures for that time range from a daily average of 50 F to a high of 72 F.

Balmy temperatures, Crash - be sure to pack the leopard skin loin cloth.

[crashdive123]

Balmy temperatures, Crash - be sure to pack the leopard skin loin cloth.

A little warm for this time of the year....I was thinking a nice light weight wool tartan.

[crashdive123]

Well I have not thought about what to do. I was thinking we could meet up at the grocery store in Salt springs. I'm not going to make a big plan. Most of the people on this site will say.....(yes i would love to meet you guys and even give a time and place then at the last min. say something came up I can't make it) So I'll give NO plan at this time just show up at Salt Springs grocery store at 0900 on the 8th of Nov. 2008. I'll wait for one hour. If anyone shows we will take it from there. I'am going to do two or three weeks in the forest starting mid week. I will be there will you?

Not sure exactly what you mean, and since this was your idea I don't want to step on any toes. May I make a suggestion that since primative camping is out that we just reserve a site (they probably have a group site) and just use the weekend to say hi and enjoy it. There are plenty of hiking trails. I am planning on bringing some material to make a sling (Runs With Beer request) and maybe a few rocks to practice some knapping. Fletcher, if you don't want to make any plans, let us know. I can call and reserve a site (as can everybody else). My plan is to go Friday afternoon and leave on Sunday - still not sure if my wife is coming.

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

I am ready to go !

[crashdive123]

RWB may be able to provide info since he lives in the area. I checked out the website and currently out of 163 sites about 20 are available (they take a lot of reservations for extended stays). The tent sites can have 2 vehicles per site. Looking at the site map it is possible (now anyway) to get several sites nearby each other.

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

There is a camp ground out 588 near Big Scrub I havent been there for years though Many places dont allow primitive camping

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

Google .. The florida trail segment 16: clear water lake trailhead to CR 314

[crashdive123]

Since this was Fletchers idea, let's see what he has in mind.

[Fletcher]

Guys I can't believe that I chose Nov. 8th the first day of hunting season.
Is there any way to change this thing to the week before?
If not thats ok we can make do theres other places to go anywho.
Other places in the Ocala N F many many places!
Ok what do we want to do? Does every one have a back pack? Do you want to use it?
How do you feel about a primitive camp out? Bringing food, shelter I know of a place
on the reservoir we can walk to. It requires a alternate meeting point. Same area. And a Short walk.
I'll go and check it out make sure its still there. G W and RWB the place I'm talking about is just west of the spillway on the right I think its part of the Fl trail. Alot of people park there and ride atvs. We can meet fri. and go from there. I'm going in the middle of this week and staying until ya SHOW YOURSELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chiye tanka]

If we're going to do this the weekend before or after, I'm in.
I say we bring at least a little food, in case we can't find enough. If anyone needs a pack and doesn't have one, let me know, I have several someone can use.

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

nov. 1 st. is ok with me just tell me when and where, i'm in....

[Fletcher]

If we're going to do this the weekend before or after, I'm in.
I say we bring at least a little food, in case we can't find enough. If anyone needs a pack and doesn't have one, let me know, I have several someone can use.

Hey the date has NOT changed as of yet.
I was asking if we could due to hunting season.

[Fletcher]

Or we could do both. If Chiye tanka and Eurkiswldrnsurvival and any one else that wants to. Like I said earlier I'm going to be out there for a coupel of weeks anyhow.

[erunkiswldrnssurvival]

Or we could do both. If Chiye tanka and Eurkiswldrnsurvival and any one else that wants to. Like I said earlier I'm going to be out there for a coupel of weeks anyhow.

if i know where to find you ill come out there and spend a day or two.

[chiye tanka]

Ok, just checked the vacation calander. That weekend is out for me.

[crashdive123]

Well guys and gals - seeing as the weekend of the 8th is the only weekend I have free coming up, I'm going to take a drive to the visitor center at Ocala National Forest this week and figure out where I want to camp and hike. I will let you all know once I've made reservations and would enjoy your company if you are available. If you can only make it for a few hours, stop on by for a cup of coffee or something a bit heartier. I'll let you know when I've made the reservations.