Apalachee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association

Join us for our chapter meeting on Tuesday, June 9th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM: Binoculars: the Telescope You Already Own

RSVP on Meetup:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/31487537

DeWayne Carver, Education Director for the Tallahassee Astronomical Society, will teach us how to use the binoculars many of us already own, for night sky viewing - when on a night hike, camping trip, or full moon paddle.

DeWayne is a long time Tallahassee resident and the current Outreach and Education Coordinator for the Tallahassee Astronomical Society TAS). He's been an amateur astronomer for over 30 years and completed a number of observing programs through the Astronomical League, including the Binocular Messier, Binocular Deep Sky, and Binocular Double Star programs. He's been a TAS Member since 2012. As a professional city planner and urban designer, he has taught classes as an Adjunct Professor at the FSU Department of Urban and Regional Planning as well as prepared and conducted many professional training sessions for his work.

If you own binoculars, DeWayne suggests bringing them along.

Join us for Florida National Scenic Trail Maintenance on Sunday, June 7th from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

RSVP on Meetup:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/312732462

Take this opportunity to explore new trails and volunteer to maintain this precious resource! We plan to work across the Apalachee Chapter's area of responsibility (Aucilla River - Apalachicola River) to address specific trail maintenance needs.

All tools and safety equipment will be provided, however if you have special tools of your own, feel free to bring them. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes and prepare to work in water at times. To help with the bugs - good idea to bring a change of clothes for the ride home. Bring lunch, snacks, bug repellent and sunscreen and plenty of water. All skill levels are welcome. Work involves blaze painting, lopping and mowing.

We usually work 4 to 5 hours, depending on weather conditions.

Join us for A Walk in the Woods: Lafayette Heritage Trail Park (Piney Z) on Monday, June 1st from 5:15 PM to 6:45 PM

RSVP on Meetup:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/314955942

A Walk in the Woods is beneficial to one's mental and physical health. This park offers shaded trails and lake views. Depending on the season, wild flowers and local wildlife may be present. Lafayette Heritage Trail Park

Meet near the restrooms. We meet at 5:15pm for sign-in and a 5:30pm start.

This will be a moderate to strenuous hike typically at 3 to 4 miles/hour. This may be the trail to Tom Brown Park and back (approx. 4 miles), or the trail to Alford Greenway, Bill’s Trail and back (approx. 3.7 miles). We will rest for a few minutes at the midway point near a public drinking water fountain. Expect walking on uneven ground and 50-foot elevation changes. Most of the route will be shaded, but there may be unshaded sections.

Bring water and wear shoes appropriate for trail hiking. Bug repellent and sunscreen may be needed. Watch for snakes and poison ivy along the trail.

Well-behaved dogs on a leash are welcome. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

🌲 National Trails Day® 2026 is almost here — and we’re celebrating BIG!

Pack your daypack, grab the family, and join the Apalachee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association on Saturday, June 6 at Camel Lake Campground for a full day of hiking, swimming, games, and good food in the Apalachicola National Forest.

🥾 Choose Your Adventure:
• 7‑mile Bonnet Pond Hike — starts 8 AM
• 1‑mile Camel Lake Loop — starts 9 AM (great for kids & new hikers)

After the hikes, cool off with a swim, enjoy outdoor games, and refuel with a grilled lunch (hot dogs, chips, drinks). Not hiking? Swing by around 10 AM and jump straight into the fun.

🏕️ Weekend vibes: Camping is available Friday–Sunday — perfect for anyone wanting a full forest getaway.

Let’s hit the trail together and make this National Trails Day one to remember 🌿

For More Info & Sign-Up:
meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/314385344/

Join us for our May Chapter Meeting on Medicinal Herbs on Tuesday, May 12th from 6:30-8:00 PM.

RSVP on Meetup:

meetu.ps/e/Q16Yq/TT992/i

You are invited to join our chapter meeting with guest speaker Camilla Barry, herbalist, teacher, and speaker for over 40 years, will present information about medicinal herbs she has encountered along the Florida Trail, how to identify them, and how they can be used.

All FTA Apalachee Chapter Meetings are open to the public. We open our Chapter meetings with a Social, featuring delicious member-provided refreshments, at 6:30 pm. At 7:00pm the meeting begins, we adjourn at 8:00pm.

Join us for a Phipps Park Hike on Tuesdays in May at 8:45am. Please check Meetup for exact dates and to RSVP:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/calendar/

Phipps Park provides a wonderful opportunity for wilderness hiking inside the city. The trails are interesting and moderately challenging, featuring mature forest, wetlands, creek beds, ravines, and meadows, with the possibility of seeing wildlife. Some routes will include an overlook at Lake Jackson with bald eagle habitat.

This is an approximately 3-4 mile hike on a single track, primitive footpath in the woods, with lots of ups and downs and exposed tree roots. Hiking poles are recommended. We'll hike at a speed of 2.5-3.0 mph. Come at 8:50 and be ready to start at 9:00.

There is no water available, so be sure to bring your own. Wear comfortable shoes. Apply bug repellent and sunscreen as needed. Snacks optional.

Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park Hike on Sundays in May. Check Meetup for exact dates and to RSVP:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/calendar

Enjoy hiking in one of the most beautiful and ecologically, diverse parks in our area, featuring mature forest, wetlands, creek beds, ravines, and Meadows. The hike includes an overlook at Lake Jackson with bald eagle habitat.

This is an approximately 4-mile hike on a mostly wooded trail with frequent inclines and declines, and lots of exposed tree roots, which are potential trip hazards, so hiking poles are highly recommended. We’ll hike at a speed of 2.5-3.0 mph.

Spring Creek Bridge Project - CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS on Monday May 4th, Tuesday May 12th, and Monday May 25th from 8:00am-4:00pm.

RSVP in Meetup:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/calendar

Volunteers are needed for the exciting Spring Creek Bridge Construction Project. Jeff Glenn, FTA Senior Regional Trail Program and Field Project Manager, advised that things are going well at the Creek. There were delays on getting the road access complete, but it is done, and are fully set up now, with piles ready to set.

Please visit Meetup for who to contact and more information about how to get involved, or how to donate food for the volunteers!

Join us for Florida National Scenic Trail Maintenance on Sunday, May 3 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

RSVP on Meetup:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/309520082

Take this opportunity to explore new trails and volunteer to maintain this precious resource! We plan to work across the Apalachee Chapter's area of responsibility (Aucilla River - Apalachicola River) to address specific trail maintenance needs.

All tools and safety equipment will be provided, however if you have special tools of your own, feel free to bring them. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes and prepare to work in water at times. To help with the bugs - good idea to bring a change of clothes for the ride home. Bring lunch, snacks, bug repellent and sunscreen and plenty of water. All skill levels are welcome. Work involves blaze painting, lopping and mowing.

We usually work 4 to 5 hours, depending on weather conditions.

Join us for a Flower Moon Hike on May Day on Friday, May 1 from 8:15 PM to 9:45 PM at the Miccosukee Greenway.

RSVP on Meetup:

meetup.com/apalachee-florida-trail-hiking/events/314015198

See a 3.5-mile section of Miccosukee Greenway in a unique way, cast in shadows and moonlight. It’s magical! It's romantic! We will meet at the Edenfield trailhead by 8:15pm for check in and instructions. (Sunset is at 8:15pm.) At 8:30pm, we start the hike to Thornton trailhead and return. We take a 5-10 minute break at Thornton. So, have your stargazing apps ready.

The pathway is mostly broad level ground. The white stones will make following the path an easy task, but be sure to bring a flashlight or wear a headlamp. Turning off your light in certain areas will reveal the fireflies in the forest (a treat for adults and children alike).

Learn more about the Flower Moon.
https://www.timeanddate.com/astronomy/moon/flower.html

Bring water, wear comfortable shoes, and apply bug repellent as needed. Meet near the restrooms. No dogs are allowed at night events. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the hike.