Florida Trail Thru Hike

[@lonelycrescendo]

I love the constant, rhythmic swooshing sounds when walking through water

[@adamtedder1012]

You guys remind me of my friends and I growing up playing on the trails in the swamps of Florida. It takes a different type of person to not only go out there but to be happy doing it.

[@HikingAmerica]

how could you not have fun while doing it?! it’s just such a unique experience that we don’t get every day got to take the chance to joke and have a good time. we actually did some swamp push-ups with chest to ground or face in water, Hardy filmed those ones, but yea it was a blast! you and your friends must have had an incredibly fun childhoood out there!

[@karldean2]

I'm impressed with your prolific use of the National Scenic Trails.

[@HikingAmerica]

Going for all 11 this year :)

[@kimvelker]

I have also been watching Daisy Hikes on the Florida Trail.

[@HikingAmerica]

I think she’s going Sobo? would be interesting to intersect at some point!

[@baskets8429]

DUDE you know id be all about that Mystery camp spot to get a 20 in lol , damn Swamp miles looked gnarly ! the tent color could have been better but that tent is top notch for florida! the new Camera is awesome, im guessing its a New Go Pro great footage!

[@HikingAmerica]

Thanks man! Ohhh the swamp miles they only ever continue, today we legitimately were swimming floods of the Suwannee River it was insane! And the new camera is actually the IPhone 12, a buddy Sie recommended it!

[@NickandRachel]

Awesome hike! Thanks for sharing your experience with us

[@HikingAmerica]

thanks for coming along :)

[@NickandRachel]

@@HikingAmerica you're welcome! We really enjoy making outdoor content also

[@Elizabeth-pt4bv]

Just subbed. Daisy is SOBO so you should pass, she's close to finishing. Good luck to both.

[@CinkSVideo]

A shame the section just north of 75 was closed. They just reopened it about three to four weeks ago. I was doing a little day hike and they were taking the signs down that said the reservation was closed. It’s a lovely area and so much better than the road walk you had to do.

[@iattrekker2400]

That’s the trail dialogue we have been waiting for. Amusing as always Constantine.

[@HikingAmerica]

haha thank you, I didn’t think I was talking or joking too much through that section, but glad you enjoyed it :)

[@youreworthyourweightinavoc7189]

I love how you didn't edit out the fart at ~ 24:00 😆😉 ...loving this vid, gonna sub

[@happyweener]

Was hoping someone noticed that too hahaa

[@leftfinned]

exactly why I’m reading the comments 😂😂

[@mushroomcomic897]

Love these videos! Very relaxing

[@reidsadventures]

FT will be my first thru hike ever, I'm so excited, I'm leaving in January :D I'm working like crazy to save up! And watching these videos to get more excited!

[@JazzFlop212]

Omg hey! I’m doing the Florida trail starting Dec 27th!! Good luck to you, happy trails, maybe I’ll see you along the way!!

[@freedomphilsgood2007]

Are you guys wearing your normal hiking boots through the Swamp or are you using a second pair? Some type of water shoes looks like hiking boots to me.

[@jamesvassie1764]

You pass by several small ranches,some with air craft runways just out of sight of the trail. Good all weather roads throughout Big Cypress and the trail passes over them, thus the gate. Called off road trails used by rangers, fire fighters and locals who live in the area.

[@blazentoo4904]

Turtle tapped a scoop cup to a treking pole to get water without sticking your hand in or if steep bank

[@HikingAmerica]

That is wayyyyyyyyy smarter than what we have been doing! smart hiker for sure!

[@jamesvassie1764]

Oasis Road goes to a private ranch called Romor, Two or three other ranches close by with many limestone roads throughout. Was surprised by how inhabited the Swamp is and all the roads just out of sight of the trail when flying over in a Cessna 172. Several ranches had private airports for private aircraft.

[@HikingAmerica]

Yea that kind of blew our mind too that an airport was kind of in the middle of nowhere!

[@danmatherlee1311]

You really should hike the glades if you can't tell the difference between a real gator and a plaster one.

[@lonelycrescendo]

I love the humor in this vlog hahaha

[@blazentoo4904]

Great info tks!!..

[@HikingAmerica]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kenwbrenner]

I'm glad to hear you are walking this trail - it is one I hope to hike one day (perhaps northern FL only?). I enjoy your videos because you provide the potential hiker of the trail a great and detailed view of what the trail looks like and what to expect. I look forward to following you on this trip! God Bless...

[@HikingAmerica]

thanks for coming along :) as we get closer to northern Florida I was going to say would try to go extra in depth around there so you can see the trail you have planned in the future, but honestly our filming style is already so in depth that I will just make sure to continue bringing you the trail.

[@malcolm20091000]

They will be out of the swamps soon, when they hit the highlands of Central Florida. Why, I've heard that one of those peaks tops 300 feet.

[@HikingAmerica]

we are almost through central Florida! those peaks have been real lung crushers, just way to much elevation gain to even handle! funny enough though we have had very very tiny elevation changes starting throughout the day and our bodies are so used to flat miles you can actually feel different muscles working on those steep steep ups and knee crushing downs and it is glorious!

[@leftfinned]

I’d be scared in the deep water.

[@jamiehudson4516]

So what exactly is happening to all these folks that are going missing in Florida on these trails is they getting ate by alagaters or is it something else getting them

[@_type1rider]

All of a sudden I’m craving Taco Bell 😂

[@tropics8407]

Very cool ! 👊

[@tropics8407]

All the way baby ? 👊

[@HikingAmerica]

ohhhh you know it can only be all the way!!!!! about 1/3 done now, we are stepping through them!

[@tropics8407]

All the way to Canada ? 😅 😉 would be awesome ! 🤩

[@Nate-hq8no]

Can you teach me how to afford this lifestyle?!? So jealous/happy for you

[@HikingAmerica]

hi Nate, it’s not really something that can be “taught” because everyone can go about it a different way. what I have been doing for the past 6 years is spending about half the year on trails and then in the off trail time working 7 days a week straight until trail again, sometimes 12-15 hour days. I am a workaholic off trail most of the time juggling two full time jobs. within in 5-6 months with this schedule off trail I am able to work more than an average employees entire year worth of work. that’s the quick just at least... if you want more in depth I have done a few interviews about this on podcasts and videos

[@jamesvassie1764]

Why did you leave the trail? Good road walking from I-75 rest stop north through fence gate.

[@HikingAmerica]

Yes Seminole Reservation was closed for all hikers this year in 2021 so we had to compensate miles with a road walk back around to meet up where we were allowed back on trail

[@jamiehudson4516]

Do you think it is some one doing it

[@pedromiranda9411]

I’m planning to go T this solo on 2 weeks. I’m a novice hiker so a little concerned with getting turned around. Thoughts on how clear the trail is and if the blazes are spaced out close enough to easily stay the course? Also, where do you get the contact info for trail angels and water caches?

[@JazzFlop212]

Hey I’m starting the 27th! As far as I’m aware it’s not terribly unmarked but it’s always good to check far out every few minutes in areas you feel uncomfortable navigating! You got this! It will be AMAZING!!! Embrace the misery!

[@adlhikes3159]

Just started watching. Water sources? Can u filter the trail water ur walking thru, or is that brackish/salty?

[@HikingAmerica]

You "could" filter the water you are walking through....it wouldn't necessarily be my first choice as the bottoms of your shoes are pretty nasty on a hike.... but if need be you could. If I was going to filter swamp water, I would usually try to find a piece of dry land, and then before I had to wade into the next bit, take my pack off and get water before my shoes touched the next part. I mean also its all connected in a sense, so it just made me mentally feel more comfortable doing it that way, but you could do it whatever way makes you feel the most comfortable.

[@malcolm20091000]

Wouldn't it be great if the FT started in Key West? Or ever better, the Dry Tortugas.

[@HM-gk3rq]

Is there an alligator equivalent to bear spray?

[@HikingAmerica]

quick feet and cat like reflexes :) haha honestly though I do not believe so, a spray would not really “affect” them, it would however startle them to say the least so it may be effective in a way

[@siarrafanning]

What is the name of his yt channel?

[@HikingAmerica]

HardyTrails

[@randysanders5560]

What did I miss? Whats the destination?

[@HikingAmerica]

we are currently thru hiking the Florida Trail. started February 1st, 2021 the previous videos were our edited down versions of the PNT that we hiked back in 2019. we have long versions but wanted to tell a story in quicker edited versions for people who were curious about the trail but didn’t want to watch the full thing.

[@tropics8407]

Welcome to the tropics guys 🏝 hey Hardy what is your channel ? 🧐

[@HikingAmerica]

thanks time to get to stepping some tropical thunder type miles! Hardy’s channel I believe is HardyTrails

[@inthedirt3224]

z-lite crew

[@HikingAmerica]

z life squad! squad up!

[@billprice6458]

One of the few trails I don't want to do. Looks like a gross bug infested bog to me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder though.

[@JazzFlop212]

It’s an incredibly diverse trail. It’s not just bogs/swamps. There are praries and jungles and road walks along canals too. It’s a cool trail. Definitely not a first choice to be fair lol.

[@suelancaster6959]

Gotta love people that only like nature when it's been sanitized for their precious urban/suburban sensibilities.

[@dcwcreations1]

Where's Magpie ? We love seeing you two hiking together.

[@adventurousmagpie4598]

I'm chilling out in BC (literally, it's -30c here today!) making money for the next hike! I'll join him later this season.

[@HM-gk3rq]

@@adventurousmagpie4598 yay!!

[@HM-gk3rq]

And -30 in Whistler? Brrrrr

[@dcwcreations1]

@@adventurousmagpie4598 Great to hear from you. Yes the Dam vortex has put us in Wisconsin in -40 F windchill for 15 days should climb out of it in the next few days. Can't wait to see vids of you again. stay safe and sane.

[@HikingAmerica]

Hi S-Cheetah, Love You :) as she said she is grinding (.....) it out until the NCT but she will be joining for the big hike this year, tried to convince her to do this trail and the others with me but let’s face it we all honestly knew she was always the smarter one of the two of us :) CANT WAIT!

[@leftfinned]

all the construction makes me sad…

[@nayaleezy]

would waders be useful for those long water logged trails or nah?

[@HikingAmerica]

No, unless you were only doing 5-10 miles a day, waders would make it way more difficult. Heavier footfalls and then having to sweat bullets in them when the water levels changed. That being said everyone hikes differently, but from my opinion waders would add to the difficulty of being able to move quickly through a lot

[@nayaleezy]

@@HikingAmerica that makes a ton of sense. you're a brave one, loving the florida & pnw trail content

[@rickrayn]

Where is Magpie?

[@HikingAmerica]

She will be joining on the NCT in about a month and a half, she had other obligations and couldn’t do the FT ;(

[@cynthiaberry2019]

You’re not counting the trail marker signs? What?

[@HikingAmerica]

I’m disappointed in myself honestly, but that task is better left to a better man or woman than myself.... there are just soooooo many!!!!

[@user-mp9xz8yg4j]

How are you financially able to hike so much? I’m very curious to know.

[@HikingAmerica]

Hi Tim, Short answer: is I’m a workaholic in the off-season and work 7 days a week, 2 full time jobs. Now I also own an outdoor gear company that I started last year. Long answer: I have done many interviews on this going in depth, you can always listen to those if you want the long answer on my website.

[@ClaytonSea]

LET THERE BE COWS!

[@HikingAmerica]

This comment makes our heart happy! and yes there have been sooooooo many cows we knew we had to keep a spot in our heart for those Florida Cows!!!!!! so beautiful

[@malcolm20091000]

Alligators. Cotton mouths. Pumas. Leeches. Oh yea, mosquitos.

[@adamtedder1012]

Forgot the bears. There are black bears in those swamps.

[@HikingAmerica]

The Lovely Creatures of the Swamp :) we have made friends with them..... besides the fire ants.... that was horror story.... I woke up to literally thousands inside my tent with me, they had chewed their way inside, I can’t wait to upload that footage it is insane!!!!

[@saskhiker3935]

There is nothing glamorous about that trail. Swamp, allogatora, leeches and mosquitoes. No thanks.

[@HikingAmerica]

see that is in fact in where the glamorous lives inside of everything you just listed combined to test endurance :)