On Nov 2, Loop Road in Big Cypress National Preserve will close between Gator Hook Strand and the Education Center for road improvements. It will not reopen until next summer, effectively shutting off all access for thru-hikers to start their journeys north from the southern terminus of the Florida Trail. Hikers will need to start from the Oasis Visitors Center instead, and pick up this section at a later date.
Details from the Florida Trail website
Details from the National Park Service
Will this affect those doing the ECT and starting in Key West? (Maybe only if they needed to meet someone on Loop Road to get a resupply?)
Will a thru hikers need to go south for 8.3 miles then north, to be considered a thru hiker by the FTA?
Good question. I’ll ask FTA. My guess is yes …. I’ll post an answer when I find out. BTW, one of our readers shared this additional link for information: http://www.nps.gov/bicy/parknews/portion-of-loop-road-closed-2.htm
It makes me absolutely sick that they are paving Loop Road. Insane waste of money that will now facilitate idiots who want to drive through the area at 60 miles an hour…probably resulting in the deaths of numerous gators, snakes and other creatures who call that area home. The hands-down dumbest thing ever done.
Chris, they are not paving it … they are improving the road surface with better limestone. If you read the National Park press release (now linked to this post) it explains exactly why. I understand … I almost drove down there a couple of weeks ago but I don’t have four-wheel drive and it didn’t look like I could make it!
eArThworm, I’d imagine people can still walk it … the distance between the eco center and the terminus is short enough. Good thing to ask Big Cypress, though. I’ll find out.
Has there been any clarification on the walking bit? There is a FT thru hiker that is planning a trip in a couple weeks. Thanks.
I am putting together a hiking / fitness walking group tallahassee
anyone interested please contact me
trails hiked will be torreya, tom brown and lake overstreet
This stinks. My papa who lived there for years won’t be here much longer. I was really wanting to take him home once more.Perhaps we can get there since my aunt n uncle owned the Hook I can take him “home”.
I would think if you explained your situation to the folks at Oasis Ranger Station, they would help. Good for you to help you father
Ayme – The Loop is open coming from the east. It closes after Pinecrest. Not sure where the Hook was, but I hope you and your Papa get to go back.
We visited the Florida Trailhead on Loop Road last week. It is blocked with cones at the North entrance off Rt.41 Tamiami Trail but a ‘Local traffic only’ sign seemed to permit us to pass, which we did. Road is in shocking condition and beware of waterfilled potholes which are a foot or deep. Rest of road floods in heavy rain. I drive a sturdy Jeep Liberty so had no problem but watch your clearance. Florida Trail is waterlogged most of the way from either end.
If Loop Rd and access to the southern terminus of the Florida Trail is officially declared closed by Big Cypress National Preserve then the designated southern terminus of the Florida Trail is changed to the Oasis Visitor Center on US 41. Thru-hikers MAY walk from US 41 south to Loop Rd and back if they wish, but it is not required for FTA End-to-End status. ECT hikers can join the Florida Trail at Oasis.
This info was posted on the FTA website and included in the thru-hiker info packet last year. If Loop Rd is not open this winter (as seems possible) it will be in force for 2010-2011 thru-hikers as well. Similar logic is used for all official land manager closures on the trail. If in doubt, contact FTA.
Deb Blick
Trail Resource Coordinator
Florida Trail Association