The Hike of Nightmares / My Will Power was Tested!

I return to Myakka River State Park to attempt the entire 32.7 mile loop (actually closer to 37?) in one day while on vacation in Sarasota Florida. I have not had good luck on this trail. Last year the trail was destroyed from a tropical storm and this year most of the trail was under water and tested my will power.
2023 hike at Myakka River State Park:
• Hiking 20 Miles at Mya...
00:00-1:53 Intro
1:53-3:14 Going to be a wet one!
3:14-4:13 Mossy Hammock Campsite
4:13-10:44 Open scrub land and filtering water
10:44-13:05 Oak Grove Campsite
13:05-14:40 Very wet and unmaintained trail
14:40-15:05 Wild boar piglet runs at me!
15:05-18:36 Unending water on trails
18:36-20:01 Prairie Point Campsite
20:01-21:05 Starting to think about quitting
21:05-21:38 More wild boar
21:38-23:19 Deepest water yet, almost fell in!
23:19-24:02 Panther Point Campsite
24:02-26:17 I SURRENDER!
26:17-28:16 Bee Island Campsite
28:16-28:52 Final thougts and conclusion

[@MrDjwave7]

I always enjoy watching your hiking videos! As someone who works in IT, I make it a point to grab my day pack and hit the trails whenever I can. There's truly nothing quite like immersing yourself in nature!

[@jasonwish-]

I absolutely agree! Glad you make time to get on trail, thanks!

[@stanparker9948]

Hey Jason, great video. The jugs of water at the pumps is for priming the pumps. The ones with full jugs probably would work as someone had refilled them after priming.

[@jasonwish-]

I never even thought of that! I'm just so used to seeing the ones in Michigan that don't need primed haha....thanks!

[@zakkmiller8242]

Hurts my soul seeing trails in those climates being neglected like that. The wild life to the plant life to the stellar weather, youd think that would be enough to inspire some folks to get out there and show the trail some love. But of course it wasnt enough to break your spirit! Love the uploads bro.

[@karenwernert1744]

There was a major hurricane that decimated that region of Florida. He is now hiking during an El Niño year. Florida swamp is no joke.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Zakk! At least they did have most of the trail cleared of all the debris from last year when i did it but my goodness, that water just wouldn't end! I kept thinking that I would come out of it but that was a bad assumption, lol! I just always thought that sany soil soaked up water quickly, but not so much when they've had that much rain I guess!

[@SawyerStreamz]

Hey Jason, Love watching your channel! Me and some friends actually mimicked a couple of your paddle trips and always turned out to be a good time! Keep it up!

[@jasonwish-]

that is so awesome, thank you! I have some big plans for kayaking and canoeing in 2024, stay tuned! Thanks!

[@robertbdesmond]

A man has to know his limits. Enjoyed your video. Thank you. Great job!

[@jasonwish-]

for sure! and after 9 hours of that crap I had just about found mine! Thanks!

[@enochfoss8993]

November through May is typically the dry season in South Florida. However, we have been having a lot of rain due to El Nino. Not surprised to see this much water on the trails.

[@jasonwish-]

I had just assumed that the water would have soaked into the ground quickly with all the sand but I was wrong!

[@theresabassemier9901]

I would have turned around at the first sight of the water. You are a tough man to push through it.

[@jasonwish-]

I just kept thinking the water would end and that was a bad assumption!

[@darrenroberts1713]

Holy ChemTrails in the Florida scrub...... Wow

[@jasonwish-]

I won't be going back there again, at least those sections!

[@DMSAdventures]

Oh my word!! No thank you! We probably would have been done in that first 100 ft! So Mister and I came across a large, luckily dead, boar on the Swamp Fox Passage when we did it. There was also an area close to our campsite you could tell they messed up! Those things are nasty! Kudos for making it through all that, it would have freaked me out. Just like your title said, I've had nightmares that look like that! Great way to spend a vacation!! 🙂

[@jasonwish-]

Yeah, never again, I've had my fill of Myakka for sure! More beach time next year, lol!

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Wow it’s hard to even say that was a trail. This video was the videography definition of type 3 hiking. I know they’ve got a lot of challenges down there with trails but wow…thanks for sharing bud!

[@jasonwish-]

let's just say that I won't be going back to that trail anytime soon, especially after a lot of rain, thanks AJ!

[@karenwernert1744]

Things grow year round down here. It is an El Niño year and that water isn’t going anywhere in winter time. The park was closed for months from flooding from Ian in 2022.

[@jasonwish-]

yeah, I had a similar experience last Jan when most of the trail was still closed from all the damage and I went for it and paid the price..it was horrible!

[@kellydtth2749]

Great video! Those style pumps usually have to be primed. Use the jugs to fill the pump until it overflows then start pumping. Definitely filter what you get. If there is silt or clay, you may get a few gallons of clear water right out of the gate. Just keep an eye out for when it gets funky. Refill the priming jug after you get your water. Cheers.

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks, Kelly! I should have known those pumps needed primed, I’m just used to the ones in Michigan that are self priming.

[@cgriggsiv]

Will Jason I'm glad you made it out alive or the hellish hole of swamp water semi land trail Florida parks system really has got to steep up there trail maintenance That was actually quite appalling😢

[@jasonwish-]

I won't be going back there again...I've had my fill for a lifetime! Thanks CG

[@deathclock9]

I wouldn't have been able to keep the idea of snakes out of my head while walking through the water.

[@theresabassemier9901]

Same here

[@jasonwish-]

so glad I didn't see any...I think I was more worried about spiders, lol!

[@SeniorHiker77]

That didn't last long. What a nightmare Jason. I can't believe you were jogging on that trail. Surrender I don't think I would have even started that trail.

[@jasonwish-]

I was really craving a long run that day, but never should have chosen that trail after all that rain in the weeks prior! lesson learned, thanks John!

[@user-ig1yd7vm5f]

Very poor trail maintenance. I enjoy going off trail, but at least then you're prepared for it, lol.

[@jasonwish-]

Exactly! I don't mind a little bushwacking from time to time, but not when i'm trying to run 35 miles, lol.

[@thomasc7332]

Appreciate the video Jason! Thank you for reviewing the water filtration system you use. I recently purchased a sawyer for my hiking and kayaking trips. Do you use any tablets to treat the water after filtering?

[@jasonwish-]

I used a sawyer for years before trying out the Platapus. I never use tablets, I don't even carry any but it probably is good idea to carry some, you never know when a filter could fail. Thanks!

[@thomasc7332]

@@jasonwish- Great info, thanks for your reply.

[@DryBonesOutdoors]

Yeah I ain’t messing with any wild bore..,lol

[@jasonwish-]

yeah those things are freaky! I would like to eat one though!

[@jaxcoop1511]

Jason, do people even hike and camp that trail anymore? (Except for you 😉)It seems like the entire area is deserted except for a few wild boar

[@jasonwish-]

sure seems that way doesn't it! I really don't know...I think I'll stick to the Florida trail next time I'm looking for a long hike in Florida!

[@TheBane1979]

30+ miles in 9 hours....shut up lol Are the dang boars aggressive? Any gators in the area? Getting my feet wet generally doesn't bother me...but gators in the water would freak me out lol

[@jasonwish-]

atually there are tons of gators around but fortunately they are mostly over by the Myakka River closer to the main State Park area. The boars are normally scared to death of you kinda like a black bear, but if cornered or with young they can get aggresive. When I backpack I prefer to just hike 15-20 miles in a day but when training for 50K or 50 mile ultras I need to get a long run in once a week and I thought this would be the perfect place, boy was I mistaken, lol!

[@TheBane1979]

@@jasonwish- well you’ve got me adding it to my list. I’m slow, but I hike all day

[@rosesmith6208]

is this part of the florida trail? its florida it is flat and hence doesnt take much water to causes water on the trail. bpars are somethings for sure

[@jasonwish-]

No not part of the FT…it is its own trail system all within the state park boundary. However, I’ve been on 100 miles of the FT and it has a very similar feel. Wild hogs are getting out of control down there!