Thick of the Swamp

After 2.8 miles, you reach the 0.4-mile blue blaze to the backpacker’s campsite. Continuing along the orange blazes, you walk through a high and dry forest before dropping down into a narrow corridor through a cypress slough, passing another bench at 3.4 miles. After 4 miles, you start to hear traffic on US 41, and drop into another stretch of swamp at 4.5 miles. Watch for a sharp left at a double blaze.

At 5.2 miles, you see Miccosukee chickee huts hiding in the woods. This small village is part of the Miccosukee Reservation, so respect their privacy and do not approach the village from the trail. Blazes lead left, and you wade into the wettest part of the cypress swamp, approaching a series of sloughs that drain into the mangrove marshes on the south side of US 41. A new long bridge carries you across the deepest slough at 5.6 miles. The others must be waded. Use a hiking stick for balance in the muck.

Rising back up into a shady hammock, the trail snakes between laurel oaks and cabbage palms on its way to the centerpiece of this hike: a tiny remnant of the vast royal palm hammock that once covered the high ground between the swamps. Royal palms tower overhead as the trail winds through the hammock, passing a bench at 5.9 miles, zigzagging between the bases of these regal trees. Keep alert for a sharp left turn at a double blaze at 6.1 miles, where the trail rises up into cabbage palm flatwoods. The wettest part of the hike is behind you. When you reach the forest road, turn right—and follow the dry, easy walk back to the parking area. After 6.6 miles, you emerge at the gate and parking area, completing this tiring but beautiful hike.