Starting a 1,108 Mile Hike w/ My Girlfriend - Florida Trail Thru Hike ep1
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- čas přidán 24. 07. 2024
- Part 1 of 3, The Florida Trail thru hike begins! Hiking 1,108 miles southbound down Florida, from Pensacola to deep into the everglades west of Miami. Through beaches, swamp land, wetlands, oak hammocks, palm hammocks, open prairies, along rivers, and bike paths. We see more than 100 alligators, some snakes (water moccasin/cottonmouth) loads of different species of birds, and mammals.
As you would imagine our Florida hike began on the beach! For our first two days we walk Santa Rosa Island (where the Truman Show was filmed) in and around sand dunes, along the Gulf of Mexico, ocean crashing next to us, and not a sole in the world out doing it with us.
We chose southbound on this hike for the solitude, and to have a less harsh beginning. Those that go Northbound have a much more brutal start with 30 miles of swamp leading directly into a hard compact bike path making even the strongest of hikers feet mush.
After the beaches we enter the largest Airforce base in the country, Eglin AFB. We had to get special permits, and walk in sections that weren't currently being used for military training exercises. Daily we saw fighter jets, and could hear the exercises, and tests being held nearby. Despite this it was incredible. Bridges over clear creeks, elevation change in the form of deep hills, the highest point on the florida trail, rainbow colored swamps, and beautiful deer moss across the ground.
Our hike takes us through Econfina an area previously devastated by hurricane michael, a category 5 hurricane, as bad as it gets. This path takes us through the hardest swamp hiking in Florida, Bradwell bay in the Apalachicola National Forest. This path takes us through St Marks National Wildlife Refuge with thousands of birds, and alligators. We see stunning sunrises and sunsets, we deal with nights colder than freezing, we wear orange to avoid hunters. It's an interesting trail.
This is part one of three. The hike continues!
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Just a quick note, these videos were filmed before the corona virus social distancing precautions were in effect. We are currently at home, making videos, and hope everyone enjoys the new content. Given the current situation of things, I'll try to make as many as I can in this time. Stay safe friends
JupiterHikes thank u. where’d ya get that tshirt?
I think so more Jupiter humor videos right now would be a blessing.
Really enjoyed this man and a awesome break from all that’s going on, can’t wait to see the rest. You guys stay safe. Much love from the UK ✌️ Ben.
Wilderness Ways:
seconded
oh thank god, I thought you turned into the trail hunter for a second
We live in Florida and to be honest we’re never interested in this trail, my husband and I love the mountains. But your video has stirred up an interest. Thank you for posting this. Everyone does the AT or PCT etc so this was more unusual. Good job
It really makes me sad how many hikers ignore this trail, from your video you can tell that it is very beautiful. As are the other National Scenic Trails that nobody talks about like Ice Age and North Country. I hope in time that more hikers give these trails a chance.
At this time I think people ignore a ton of trails! any trail that isn't part of the triple crown, a short 200 mile thing(or shorter) like the JMT, or the AZT gets ignored. The florida trail currently and unfortunately has too much roadwalking to be desirable for most. It's understandable and is changing. More focus on reroutes in the woods would be great.
Glad to see new trail content from ya. Really hope you both enjoyed your hike 😊. Stay healthy!
Epic. Excited for this series. Good stuff Jupiter!
Amazing video! I am a Canadian that has fallen in love with Florida and can not wait to thru-hike this trail in the next coming years!
Great video. Good format and interesting editing. Looking forward to the next episode.
Wow! What a beautiful movie! Thanks Jupiter, I really needed this.
Can't wait for more. THANKS
More to come!
Man, great video, the Florida Trail looks amazing...looking forward to the next one!
Just what I needed! Can't wait to get back to trail life! Thnx! ✌
Wow! That trail looks sick man. Think I’m gonna put that on the bucket list
Well put together video. I like the "interview" pieces spliced in with trail talk, stills and vid clips.
Look forward to the rest of the series.
Thanks!
Perfect timing! So looking forward!
That's looks like a fun trail. I cant wait to see the rest of it.
Love Crestview! One of my best buddies lives there. Just visited at the end of January 😊 It's so cool to see you pass through there!
I don’t know Jupiter; I don’t think you could’ve found a better person to share the hike with. Lotus seems like an awesome person.
Thanks for making these videos of the Florida Trail and promoting the trail system all your videos are great.
Great video bro!! Trail has been added to the "Must thru hike," list for sure.
Nice to see you out on the trail again!
Thanks! Glad we finished before all of the corona stuff came along. So here's to hoping that passes, we're all in good health, and can get back to hiking soon!
Awesome hike! Thanks for sharing. 👍
Great video, you really give a good look at what it's like to be on that trail.
I appreciate that!
Awesome adventure, thanks for sharing
Glad ur alive and well and enjoyed following the trip on insty
Such a beautiful landscape out there! I also have a nice view these days - the bureau complex from across the street! :)
Lovely, lovely video. Thanks!
Looks like a beautiful hike. Cant wait to see the rest of it .
Can hardly wait for next videos! Thanks for the 🐦🐦🐦🐦!
I always look forward to Jupiter videos- Great work!
Nice work y'all!
I instantly love you and your channel. My hometown is Pensacola and we go to Ft Pickens almost every weekend. I really love seeing my home filmed so nicely
I have hiked portions of the Florida trail at Fort Pickens in the Gulf Islands national seashore and in Blackwater River State Forest, but today I actually found another portion of the trail going into Eglin from Holly, just 10 minutes from where I live! So I came out - - it was too hot to walk far but I will go back - and found your videos. What fun! Your photography is beautiful. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with all of us.
Great to see a different perpective on some of the same sections of the trail I day hiked in the last six months :)
We get the same rainbow swamps here in Virginia Beach swamps. Pretty cool to see, usually best in the early morning when it is colder
Graet video. I was standing right next to you in the photo at Billy Goat day! I was there meeting another FT hiker. Didn’t even know it, so upset I missed out on meeting you.
Cool Video. I live just north of the trail in Spring Creek before you get to St Marks. Great area.
i find it awesome that you can do it with the one you love. I wish I'll be able to do the same one day. Sharing these adventures must be amazing.
Hi. I enjoyed this first video, look forward to watching the others.
I'm an Appalachian Trail hiker (1,025 miles done via section-hiking) but have developed an interest in the Florida Trail.
I've watched the northbound thru-hike series done in 2016 by Chris Berry, and I recommend you look at that playlist if you want to see what you have in store for you in the remaining part of the trail.
At 67, I'm not sure if I will finish the AT, will definitely try. But, Lord willing - I will should be able to do some FT hikes (winter only) in the future, regardless of age!
RE: Ring Dike campsite
From Chris Berry's series (mentioned above), that was his favorite campsite also!
I hope to be there one day...
Hoping you and your family stay safe and healthy.
God Bless...
Your state truly is a gorgeous place! I'm from North Carolina and I really want to hike this. Our Mountains-to-Sea Trail is probably decades away from completion, so we don't have a state-wide trail yet. I want to get into backpacking and got a book from the library on the largest trails in America. The Florida Trail really caught my interest because I assumed that it would be the hardest due to the heat and swamps. Plus, I spent many a Christmas on the marshes of South Carolina and the pictures of Florida's subtropics reminded me very much of that. After this pandemic a trip I really want to do is to see the Everglades for the first time as well as the tropics in general (on the Continental US), but I'll also try to camp out on the trail at least once on the way down.
Hi from England. It's a shame more people do not watch your films. Always a great view. I throughly enjoyed this one and look forward to the rest. Beautifully filmed. The stills looked awesome. The nature reserve in particular looked beautiful. Stay safe.
Thank you very much!
Nice work Jupiter 😉🤘
It’s awesome that you’re able to share the Florida trail with your girlfriend.
Armadillos are crazy around here lol nice hike. Thanks for sharing
I love the armadillos, i scared some on accident and they jump like 2 feet in the air! had one run directly into a tree after startling it.
@@JupiterHikes I've done that before it's hilarious lol can't wait to get out there and start filming some more hikes.
Great Cobain glasses!!!
wow I didn't realize the FT went through Crestview, that's my hometown! My dad was stationed in Eglin. Maybe I will hike it eventually...
Really enjoyed the content.
#1 UXO rule is "don't pick it up"... 3:00 Jupiter's like, "hey, what's this?"
Beautiful scenery, as usual!
So was waiting for this vid. Can wait to get out there. What do you think about the ocean to lake trail. Are you going to end your trip there or go south of the lake.
south of the lake! Though i firmly believe the Ocean to Lake would be a better start or end point as you would avoid so much of the bad parts north of big cypress. but you would also miss big cypress.
As someone from south FL, I have to admit I'm hesitant to do the FL trail. I don't think I would enjoy it. It might have to be something I revisit after I move out of FL lol. My AT start date was March 29th, now I'm just at home trying to watch as much hiking content as I can to keep my spirits up. Love your videos!
great video and hike wow! when you said it got down to 27 degrees one night what degree bag did you both use and were you warm?im learning about backpacking thankyou
I was using a 30* and Lotus was using a 20* and both were quilts from Enlightened Equipment. The Florida Trail gets surprisingly cold in the winter, but it'll just be like freakishly cold for two days, and then hot for a few days, then back cold. Very off and on, with large swings in temperatures.
Beautiful video as always! I’m a hiker but never thru hiked yet, so all your thru hiking videos are such an inspiration 😊 I might be wrong but your adorable gf sorta looked like the ranger from your PNT video where you sworn in as a jr ranger.
You are very observant! That is the same lady ranger from Olympic National Park. Guess you never know where you'll meet someone 🙂
JupiterHikes sweet! So happy for you. Happy Trails ⛰
You seem really familiar with those southern trails. I am from Canada, and work construction. That means no work in the winter (Nov-March). Ideas for winter hiking in the south?
WOW that was fun! I dreamed it was me there...thx
Glad to see you made another video.
Kinda was wondering if you were coming back...I figured the new girlfriend got you whooped haha!!!
Right on! Stay safe, enjoy life...and SHARE more...k.👍
More on the way!
Great video. It's a shame the Altha tract was shut down due to the hurricane. (y'all road walked around) That section is cleared now, except for one damaged bridge. Still not officially opened, but I walked it and the trail repair guys did a great job.
We went through altha, despite the closure. I have a few clips in the video from that section with all the downed trees!
awesome quarantine content, hell yeah brother. those shoulder straps are lookin' pretty thin! carrying a stove must've really put some strain on those bad boys lol
old pack, and old design! Time to swap out maybe but its still got life
@@JupiterHikesdon't blame you, body and mesh still looks bomber. would love for you to try their new one just to hear your thoughts on their new xpac and regression back to lycra
What did you do for water on the Florida trail?
Awesome shades! Do you have googly eyes under them?
So nice to see this video when in Lock down for at least another 3 weeks.
I figured it would give people something to watch! working on the next two, coming out as soon as possible
@@JupiterHikes well it is much appreciated, thank you.
In 1872, my great-great-grandfather Israel Garner led his and other families from South Alabama to the Tampa area by wagons. He left a diary. His path paralleled the trail - quite broadly at first -- but from the area around Madison and on to a good portion of the Western Corrider after Pete's Island, it looks like the two of you would have bumped into each other several times had you only started your hike 148 years earlier.
I'm looking forward to seeing the landscape you encounter to better understand his descriptions. Here's a link to his account of the journey: lookingbackintime.tripod.com/Looking-Back-In-Time/id12.html
For those wanting to follow the Florida Trail hike on Google Earth, here's a link to the KMZ file: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd540663.kmz
I live in Fort Myers , do you know of a good short hike to do on this trail? A couple days maybe? Not sure how to plan it
I would start with parks nearer to you, personally I have always greatly enjoyed Myakka river state park but there's definitely hikes closer to your area than that even. While what you see in the video, the 1,100 mile Florida national scenic trail, it's closest point to you would be Big Cypress NP which I wouldn't categorize as a good starting point because of all the swamp walking. Anyway Myakka river SP for instance had a great 40 mile loop I believe which would be beyond the perfect place to get going! If you do want to venture further away from home, three lakes WMA also has a great loop trail that is part of the FNST. Loop trails would be easier logistically, and both of these areas would be very pleasent
I gotta ask what hat you are wearing, I love camp hats and didn't see it mentioned on your gear list!
been waiting for this lol
Lol I've been seeing your comments in Guthooks. Looks like you did Osceloa around February.
You bet! I tried to leave a lot of guthook comments to hopefully provide information to the other hikers out there. Some are useful, some maybe less so!
Looking NOW. Hot DAMN Hot damn, started in Ft Pickens. 1959 was first time I visited there. Ha! The water, all that tannin
awesome!...it would be nice if the entire trail was woodlands and no road walks at all....then it would make a great wildlife corridor as well!
I fully agree, but something I saw this hike compared to 3 years ago... so much of the roadwalks have been moved into the woods on trails! There's still a lot of them but every year it gets better. I personally have a few ideas to easily remove two of the worst roadwalks if theyd listen to me
Nice !
Where should I start around merrit island area?
I’m really interested in a sort of guide to the Florida trail. Water. Logistics. Permits. Seasons. Bug control.
How many days on average between re-supplies?
i think on average it was 2 or 3 but sometimes more often, and rarely less often. nice to carry less food. could go further if you want for better foods
Right nice 👊🏻
What were the low and high temperatures on the trail? What was the longest food carry? Are the towns so close to the trail that you have to worry about crime?
The hottest day was probably 90, and that was just because we were starting to push into the later times in the season finishing and is not at all a representation of most days. The coldest night was 27 degrees with winds even lower! Our longest carry was 4 or 5 days, and definitely don't need to worry about crime. Most people dont even know the trail exists.
@@JupiterHikes What about alligators are they near the trail or campsites?
Yes!!!!
Love the Kurt Cobain glasses!
How do you get used to alligators? Being from the northeast that freaks me out!
Lotus is from Arizona and got used to them pretty quickly. Just knowing they arent a threat, especially in the cooler winter months. They might look jurassic and scary but they want nothing more than to lay in the sun, theyre cold! they dont want anything to do with you, or anything else. but beyond that, you dont often see them *on* trail, more so far off it along a riverbank or canal. A very small dog, or a very small child id keep away but as grown humans we are far to large for them to be interested in, and more so they are scared of us.
The views and beaches had me wishing and thinking about the trail until you said 35 alligators. NOPE. I’ll just watch your video.
it looks beautiful
aw I’m a florida baby too I need to get out there
Can you hike the FT without sending yourself resupply boxes?
Yeah absolutely, most of the trail you pass by some sort of food every couple days. I send boxes because most of the nearby stores don't have a wide selection
How mountain bike- able it is?
I just love your stuff !
When I started to watch this, all I could think was; Not the tarp, not the tarp~!! When I was younger I spent time in Central/South America and SE Asia. I was young and had to sleep on the ground more than once. How you keep the slithering things at bay, evades me. I've seen others ask the same thing. You should do a video on that subject alone.
I asked a herpetologist, college biology professor, and snake breeder this and he basically said, while im sleeping their sleeping. while its night time its generally colder and a lot of those animals need the sun to be active during the colder months. In the end I'm no expert, just know it's very extremely rare for someone to have a problem like that
@@JupiterHikes Well my buddies always say they never worry about snakes because they always find me! Your very brave my friend. If you ever need transportation or anything up here at the Mackinaw Bridge let me know.
"Southbound.....beacause it was your idea". Resentment detected.
Yeah boyyyyyyy
I live for these
@@JupiterHikes Thanks for another great video. I made a gear video if you feel like laughing at what I currently use. Also looking forward to more Van videos! czcams.com/video/mOrhUNHzI0Q/video.html
@@andyveres3982 Andy as I said on CZcams. Saw this. This old coot LIKED and Subscribed. Thanks very much. What is your pooch's name?
Another "like" 210604FR Still a wonderful video.
did you pack out the ammo belt
Naw I felt that was interesting enough for other hikers to want to see, or the military to pack out. I'm sure some guy got a good ringing over losing it though
@@JupiterHikes yeah that would look weird draped across your chest #blastcraft
Florida Trail for people who don't like hiking up mountains 😎😎
or people who want a break hiking up mountains :D
I need to get a yoyo!
Yoyofactory makes some awesome yoyos cheap! That's what I've used
You’ve been tagged. Luxury items.
I did a luxury items tagged video not too long ago, I think it's probably the same stuff!
Thanks for getting back to me. I based my luxury item reduction on your “how to pack your pack” video.
Eglen literally tells you DO NOT PICK UP ANY ORDINACES OR BULLETS YOU FIND! COULD GO BOOM OR POP!?
South florida isn't even the u.s. anymore lol idk wtf it is, nasty ass place down there 💀
Clout goggs
trail associations all around are asking people not to hike hope this was filmed a while back
This was indeed filmed a while back!
AT: "The ATC does not want to do too little, too late. We cannot close the Trail. We cannot physically bar access to trailheads or connecting trails. We can and do, however, urge everyone to please stay away from the Appalachian Trail until further notice."
CDTC urges anyone considering a trip of any length on the Continental Divide Trail to follow these recommendations. If the CDT is your neighborhood trail, and local trail conditions, your own skillset, and local land manager recommendations allow you to safely access the trail, it continues to be a great place to practice social distancing, enjoy our public lands, and get some exercise and fresh air.
@@MikesFitnessGoals Any of the trail on private land being shut down by owners. I rather hope so.
I wish i had a girlfriend willing to hike with me 😢
smart, now that you got a girl, you'll start racking up those views