Saturday marks the kickoff of the 18th Annual Big O Hike, a tradition of walking around Lake Okeechobee for 9 days during Thanksgiving Week to complete the full 109-mile circuit in a series of day hikes.  The group camps as a group and does cooperative shuttling to work their way around the lake.

This year’s hike begins once again in Pahokee at 8 AM on Saturday morning and offers several choices for folks who want to come out for the day: the 3.4 mile Wimp Walk, a potential 5 mile hike, or the full 11.9 miles for the day.  (See hike details for the first day)

For last minute questions, call or email hike leaders Steve Clark (954-792-5386) or Paul Cummings (561-963-9906). Guidebooks to the hike will be available at the kickoff … arrive early for coffee and donuts, as the hike starts promptly!

If you’re planning to hike all the way, as many do, read my journal about the experience. I’ve completed three circuits of the lake since 2002 and have had a blast doing it.