The latest from Deb Blick, Trail Resource Coordinator for the Florida Trail Association:
The Florida Trail within the Juniper Prairie Wilderness, the Yearling Trail, and the Juniper Canoe Run have reopened. These recreation areas were closed during the Juniper Fire which started on March 10, 2009. Forest Service personnel canoed Juniper Creek Canoe Run and hiked the Yearling Trail and the Florida National Scenic Trail yesterday and deemed them safe for visitors.
Deb will be joining section leader Bill Taylor for a visit to the wilderness area this week to assess the damage to the Florida Trail. The trail will not be re-blazed until this assessment is complete.
In addition, Deb reminds everyone:
With the current rain this fire is well and truly out and fire bans are being lifted in some areas. But I would remind hikers that this fire, which burned for 20 days and covered the entire Juniper Prairie Wilderness Area, was started by FT hikers who let their campfire get away from them. Please be careful with your camp and cooking fires at all times, but particularly during periods of dry conditions and high winds such as we experienced earlier this month.
Me and a friend hiked from pats island 4/29/09 to the prairie. The trail was marked but burnt real bad. Most of the ponds are dry but did not go out to hidden pond. Beware of charcoal and bring extra water and no cover so watch for your dogs paws the ground is real hot. Other than that its not that bad with downed logs. Happy trails to you.