Meeting Time: 9:00 AM

Max # People: 25

Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Come join us on the annual Swamp Stomp-a FLAGO tradition for over 15 years.

About the hike:  The route will be determined the day of the hike.  We'll probably follow the Gator Hook Trail or the Robert's Slough Trail.  You will traverse several different ecosystems typical for the everglades. We will be sloshing though water on the average at least ankle-deep, but it may be dry or up to thigh deep in places, depending on the conditions this year.  It is possible that we may encounter a snake or two (venomous and non-venemous) but we have never had any problems with them in the past.  The hike takes anywhere from 6 to 8 hours, depending on how much water there is and how much we linger.  

Keep in mind—you WILL get muddy and wet.  This is not a difficult hike but it does require stamina and a positive attitude.  You will be experiencing the only ecosystem of its kind in the entire world and you will see it as only a fraction of people ever do—up close and personal.  You will see that the everglades really is a living ecosystem. 

We will meet at the Oasis Visitors Center, about 50 miles, or one hour, west of where the Tamiami Trail (also US 41) crosses the Florida Turnpike

More information about the Robert's Strand Trail can be found at: http://www.nps.gov/bicy/planyourvisit/florida-trail.htm. 

.  See the section entitled Highway 41 to Loop Road.

What to bring:

Ø  Footwear:  You need to wear hiking boots or army type boots or sturdy sneakers that the mud won't suck off your feet.  The harder the toe area the better because you may bump into submerged logs or rocks.  Sandals or flip-flops are not suitable. If you don’t have any boots, just go to Goodwill or a thrift store and buy a cheap pair of sneakers that you can throw away after the hike.  However remember that all this mud and water may ruin a good pair of boots so something cheap might be best.

Ø  Short or long pants, depending on your personal preference.  Long pants are better at protecting your legs from scrapes and scratches in the brush but they can get hot as well if the day is warm.  Non-cotton pants (no jeans) are best since they won’t soak up water like denim will.  However, jeans will work if it’s all you have.

Ø  Shirt—if you prefer short sleeve that’s fine but then bring a light jacket in case the weather is cool or if the brush is too thick.  Long sleeves will protect your arms from scrapes and scratches.

Ø  Food:  whatever you want for a trail lunch—snacks, trail mix, granola bars, fresh fruit, etc.  I usually bring bagels (they don’t get squished); apples or oranges; hard boiled eggs, granola bars; raisins.  This is not a sit down fancy type of lunch but more like a picnic and “snack as you hike” type of eating.

Ø  Water—at least 2 liters minimum—more if you are overweight or prone to drink a lot.

Ø  Rain coat—even just a cheap $1 poncho is fine—just in case we get a unexpected shower.

Ø  Toilet paper—just enough for your personal use.  There are NO facilities anywhere once we are on the trail.  If nature calls, the closest bush (or one an appropriate distance away) will have to do.

Ø  Optional items: 

o    Mosquito repellent (the mosquitoes are usually not bad at all).

o    Sunscreen—you will be out in the open most of the day and the sun can be intense.

o    Hat for sun protection

o    Sunglasses

o    Camera or binoculars

o    Walking stick-they are useful to probe in the water for submerged logs and to keep your balance.  But if you don't have any, you will get along fine without one.  Or you can bring a simple broom handle or an old ski pole.

Ø  A change of clean clothes and shoes for the ride home.

Ø  A backpack to carry it all (a small day pack is fine).

Ø  The right attitude:  Gawkers at the visitors center on return will ask you in disbelief if you “really hiked in here??? through that swamp??? are you crazy??? what about alligators, crocodiles,  poisonous spiders, snakes and other perils???”  You will need to be able to be sufficiently blasé about your swamp-stomp adventure—as though you do it every day!

Note: The trip leader has designated this hike as clothing optional.  This means that once we are away from the main road you are free to hike "au naturel" if you choose.  

It is REQUIRED that you RSVP for this trip since we might need to shuttle hikers in vehicles depending on the route we choose and we will need to have an exact count of people and vehicles. The trip leader will also attempt to arrange a carpool from the Hollywood area and will connect other hikers who want to carpool from other areas.