Juniper Wilderness

[Mannlicher]

This area is in the Ocala National Forest. I drove down this morning, and did a day hike. We could use more rain, but other than that, the Wilderness is in fairly good condition.
Two years ago, there was a BAD fire, burning thousands of acres. The foliage is coming back, but the tall trees are gone for years here, and the open, rolling hills are hot, hot, HOT!
Little ponds sprinkle the area, and provide a place to replenish your CamelBak.
I stopped for lunch under some Sand Oaks, took a nap, and then hiked back out.
What a great day, heat, bugs, sunshine and all

One of the previously burned out areas

Lots of these big spiders

One of many little ponds

 

[JohnWayne360]

Very nice, I would have suffocated in that heat!

 

[Mannlicher]

Hydration is a must. I carried 5 liters of water, and used almost all of it. I did use the Katadyn Hiker Pro to fill one of the flexi Platypus bottles at the half way point.

 

[jw2n]

Boy! Does that bring back memories. As a Boy Scout, we use to go there. That was '70 thru early '74.

 

[ratamahatta]

got them snake boots on buddy!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mannlicher]

those knee high snake boots look goofy with shorts

I was wearing Smart Wool low socks, and Danner hiking shoes.

 

[JGON]

Looks like an awesome time!

 

[j williams]

Great pics man.....I love Floridas ecosystem.

 

[TheGame]

That doesn't look bug friendly

Thanks for the pics. :thumbup:

 

[Mistwalker]

Great photos, brings back a lot of memories...I haven't been there since I moved away from Tampa back in '79. It looks a lot different without the taller trees around but still a beautiful place. I never thought about it but I never ran into many snakes when I lived down that way...a few but not many.