1/23
Sunday
9:30 AM
Leisure

A hike for the non-armchair athletes. The 7.5 mile Croom Hiking Trail is located in the center tract of the 113,000 acre Withlacoochee State Forest. It affords the hiker dry, all weather hiking, crossing a deep ravine, slightly hilly terrain passing through sandhill scrub, oak thickets and stands of pine and past creek bottoms and cypress ponds. This will be LEISURELY; green-blur hikers need not apply (:>). Directions: From the intersection of SR 50 & US 301; go west on SR 50 3.5 miles; north on Croom-Rital Rd. 9.5 miles to Tucker Hill Tower. Trip Hosts: Dave & Kim Lippy, (407) 351-9966 or Wildtreker@aol.com (preferred).

1/29
Saturday
8:00 AM
Leisure

Orlando Wetlands Park Bird Watch & Hike

We’ll get an early start for bird watching in the OWP. This 1200 acre man-made wetland is great for viewing waterfowl and wading birds. Over 150 bird species are known there. We will hike the dikes for about 4 miles. Directions: from Orlando go east on Rt. 50 to Christmas, then left on Ft Christmas road (CR 420) for 2.3 miles, then right on Wheeler road for 1.5 miles. Trailhead, parking & kiosk on left. Members and their invited guest, no reservation required. Trip Host: Ed Cogle (407-699-1076) or IndyEd@ptcs.net

2/5
Saturday
9:30 AM
Leisure

The Wekiva River flows slowly through seasonally flooded wetlands and flood plains. Fed by both Wekiva Springs and Rock Springs, the Wekiva is one of the most beautiful rivers in Florida. Wildlife includes Florida black bear (very rare), deer, ibis, wood stork, great blue heron, egret, river otter, owls and pileated woodpeckers. We’ll start at Wekiva Marina and paddle to Katie's Landing. Fee: $3.00 to launch, $3.00 to take out, approx. 9 mi. Reservations required. Limit: 12 boats. Members and guests only. Trip Hosts: Dennis Gonzalez  or dennis-gonzalez@worldnet.att.net

2/5-6
Sat-Sun
Moderate

Seminole State Forest Backpack/Camp

This beautiful forest is located approximately 35 miles northwest of Orlando in Lake County composed of 10,013 acres of mixed hardwoods, pine, marsh, streams. With over 1700 acres of sand pine scrub, a rapidly disappearing biological community found solely in Florida. We will hike in, having lunch along the way, set up camp in the afternoon, soak our feet in Shark’s Tooth Springs and eat our dinner around a campfire. Great for beginners. All levels welcomed. Provide your own food and equipment. Members only, reservations required by 1/31. Send $3.33 pp & SASE to Trip Hosts: Lynn & Kurth Chin Fatt, 710 Georgia Av., Longwood, Fl. 32750-4427 (407) 331-8609 KurthCF@aol.com

2/6
Sun
Strenuous

Spruce Creek Trail Ride

Come Mountain bike this trail near New Smyrna Beach. It takes you to high overlooks of Spruce Creek and it’s tidal waters. Start: 8:30 AM. We’ll ride along a swampy spot with lush vegetation and meander through hilly oaks and pine. Helmets mandatory. Reservations required, limited trip, members only. Trip Host: Mary Ellen Bell (904)761-7418 or bellme@cts.db.erau.edu

2/19-21
Sat-Mon
Leisure
*Early
Deadline

Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve, Georgia Hike and Camp

The Cabretta Island campsite within the RJ Reynolds Wildlife Refuge on Sapelo Island for the holiday weekend has been reserved. Set in a pristine natural barrier island environment...escape to a true sub-tropical setting within the coastal Georgia maritime forest, salt marshes, beaches and dunes all close at hand.... Hikes, leisure camping, and more. Expected cost $30-$40 per person, includes ferry and the camp. Limited trip, members only. Trip Host: Erica Johnson (407) 834-7786 or ericaj@magicnet.net

7/16-23
Sun-Sun
Moderate
*Early Deadline

Toiyabe National Forest, Austin, NV. Help build new section of trail along Kingston Canyon in mountains of central Nevada. Free camping at old historic ranger station. In cooperation with USDA Forest Service, Austin Ranger District (where John Browning is seasonal Recreation Ranger). Mostly grubbing out sagebrush and building up trail. Central breakfast and dinner (everyone cooks and cleans). Tools provided by Forest Service. Lake for swimming, trout fishing, hot springs 10 miles away, petrography, lots of hiking areas. Remote area. Car pooling/transportation from Reno Airport. Primitive camping available. Must provide own camping gear and work gloves. RV camping available also (no hook ups and away from tent camping). Transportation provided from Reno Airport to Kingston campsite (200 miles one way). Meals provided. $60pp (checks made out to AHS). Register: American Hiking Society at www.americanhiking.org/events/vv/register.html or Shirley Hearn (301) 565-6704 x206. Trip Hosts: Daryl Wells, 12119 Armenia Gables Circle, Tampa 33612, (813) 930-2278 dwells1@tampabay.rr.com and John Browning, 892 E. Board Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787, (407) 656-2408