This Is One Of My Favorite Sections Of Trail EVER

[@SDSsongs]

If I were a gator, I'd just wait next to the trail. It's like those sushi restaurants where dishes come by on a conveyor belt. =)

[@Pack.Leader]

LOL!!!

[@stephaniem999]

OMG best comment ever 🤣🤣🤣

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

🤣🤣🤣

[@suzannehedderly1331]

Lol!

[@joeyblueeagle2707]

LOLOLOL

[@Chris_Martin707]

Dixie hiking the AT Me: Maybe I can do that! Dixie on the PCT: Me: Yeah, that's close by me. I'll try that. Dixie on the CDT: Me: Maybe one day Dixie on the FT: Me: OH HELL NO!

[@jimmyjenkins9240]

😂😂😂

[@L_yeah]

My thoughts exactly! I live in Louisiana and when I learned about this trail in Florida I knew it was not for me. This video confirmed that. No Way, No How!

[@wingnox]

Haha yall babies come on we only have the most poisonous and dangerous species in the United States 😄. Im a Florida Native and love the FT but I won't even put myself through big cypress. I lived close to it growing up its a beautiful place.

[@jurassicstroller803]

Lol Funny how we approach things so differently. This one goes on my list. I just bumped it up to #2. Although I'm fine with gators it's the mosquitoes that will be annoying.

[@Mtnsunshine]

Lol...same here! ☺️

[@jenniferlawrence1372]

Aaron's excellent music choice drove me to find it. In case you're wondering too, it's Debussy's Girl with the Flaxen Hair.

[@hikerJohn]

That owl call was amazing

[@MarDeBrooks]

Thank you sir

[@woodchip2782]

Yeah! It was amazing, especially the reaction of the owl! It looked insulted.

[@MarDeBrooks]

Yeah, I’m not sure what I said to him but he didn’t think it was nice 🤣🤣

[@ChrisSunHwa]

I think most people would think this is weird, but I appreciate that you just turned the leech loose instead of harming it for doing what it's designed to do. I know you have to do what's necessary with mosquitoes and such, but I like that you have compassion for innocent creatures and don't do pointless things just to be cruel.

[@evermar1]

Convinced in the first minute I will never hike Florida.

[@MrHerks]

AMEN!! 😂

[@ceoatcrystalsoft4942]

Crawdads do you no harm. I didn't even know they left the water

[@surfandstreamfisher5749]

me too, no desire to hike the florida trail!

[@evangelist2251]

Yeah, I understand your sentiment. I've hiked about a hundred miles of the Florida Trail starting at the southern terminus. To me, it's definitely not as exciting as the Pacific Crest or even the Appalachian Trail. But our 16 year old son loves the Florida Trail most of all.

[@leleprtk]

ZERO desire to hike the florida trail, not my type of trail at all 😫

[@russelljackman1413]

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Another reminder of what a good soul Dixie is-- when she put a leach back in the water and says, "Be free!" That touched my heart!

[@621bmt]

As a Georgian, it made me incredibly happy to hear someone else tell bugs to “g’on. Git!”

[@melburnett]

I didn't think nothing of it. I say it all the time. Or "g'on, git on outta heya". (Translation--Go on, get out of here.) I'm a Georgia Boy and when you hear me talk, you'll damn well know exactly where I'm from. hahaha Kinda like Dixie. haha

[@alanhelton]

Bless their little hearts!!

[@lindsayslifecafe7569]

😂😂😂

[@demoncleaner80]

Made me think of Neebs Gaming (all my gamer / hiker crossovers will understand!)

[@RyanCarpenter]

I've always like encouraging people to do the Big Cypress swamp. It's a wonderful experience and it can make even a triple crowner feel like they're going backpacking for first time because it's so exotic and different! Definitely one of my favorite sections of trail ever as well. *nodding* =)

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

🙌🏻🙌🏻

[@vernonprevatt-usmc]

Waiting for the references to the Florida State bird, the mosquito 🦟.

[@thomashodge1154]

Too funny 😂

[@mikeroy6713]

Yes they are Ravenous here and much meaner than Alaska or Costa Rica. And don’t get me started on the no-seeums....

[@georgebecht6357]

We call them "Tankers"

[@antsy_does]

LOVE how you loved this section. It's underappreciated by many and a NO-GO for those who shy away from the wetness. It really is one of the coolest stretches of trail anywhere.

[@melaniebacca2081]

Seeing it through Dixie’s eyes makes it seem pretty cool. I’m still not doing it though!

[@kcricket39]

These Florida Trail videos make my heart happy. As a Louisiana transplant stuck in Maryland, seeing swamp and cypress trees and gators makes me smile and very much miss home.

[@stevekingsbury7190]

LOL. Reach "Thank God Island" just in time for a rain shower. Classic "Hiker Luck". Thanks for the post.

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Right?! 😂

[@cribbage]

You're living the dream Dixie! Thanks for taking us along!

[@robertmiller2830]

Glad to see you’re not doing this one alone

[@kylemay6043]

That was definitely Skunk Ape you heard at night! Welcome (back) to Florida. I love seeing hikers vlogging the Florida Trail. It's so beautiful in so many ways.

[@candylanes6462]

Florida has the best night ambience, easy to fall asleep too.

[@susiehilsman1360]

That transition from the setting sun to lighting the stove-💯!

[@MyraHart1943]

The Biodome Homeostasis reference SLAYED ME! 👌

[@vickirogerson179]

Gorgeous Barred Owl! All those different native air plants are types of tillandsias. Great video showing this part of the trail.

[@doryliggett8407]

Nice to watch you do this, because I never will.

[@Pack.Leader]

Amen. I can't believe she's doing it of her own free will and enjoying it too.

[@extremelydave]

Dory, I am now seriously wondering about our intrepid hiker. I think that leech injected crazy venom in her. Every step on this trail made me think of an old prison break movie in the swamps.

[@djg5950]

I watched Daisy Kirby do this SOBO this past winter and decided that you will never see me walking through all that swamp. I'm not afraid of gators but the snakes I do not want to encounter. I'm not really afraid of snakes, at least not rattlesnakes, encounter them 3 times in my travels but the cottonmouths and copperheads are down right scary to me. Glad to see Daisy, Dixie, and Second Chance hike it though so I don't have to.

[@emmabalduzzi4665]

Yes!!

[@asherdog9248]

Funny,

[@raeperonneau4941]

Dixie, thank you for creating a community where reading the comments either fills my soul or makes me laugh out loud! ...and this IS super cool terrain.

[@LifeHappensLetsFixIt]

Great video. I just finished canoeing 145 miles of the Savannah River with a couple of guys and we saw some similar sights and sounds. Gators, snakes, cypress trees, owls, plus Spanish Moss. I agree with your sentiment... trips like these are unique with lots of sights and sounds that most people won't get to experience.

[@28105wsking]

Was hoping to hear gators 'growling' oooooo scary! Put salt on leeches to get them off. The last time I saw a leech in Nepal, the local family pulled it off me and put it on a hot coal from the pit fire in the living room floor to kill it. And you gently pull it off and put it back in the water with a wish and blessing! Your compassionate mind is so lovely.

[@defeqel6537]

I don't know if it depends on the type, but leeches usually let go after a little while.

[@macgyver1951]

Hey Dixie. Love your videos. So glad you got to experience the underrated Florida trails. I've lived here nearly all my life and love the diversity and uniqueness of our ecosystems.

[@robertlaur3019]

Florida trails are awesome! I live here so we enjoy them often!

[@RPalo71]

I'm living vicariously throught your trail videos. Currently I can only do overnighters because of work. Looking forward to a small section hike on the part of the Florida Trail in summer.

[@ajensen2713]

Summer is not the best time to hike in Florida. Its much nicer October-April.

[@RPalo71]

@@ajensen2713 Summer is thre time I have. I don't have the luxury to wait until October.

[@suzan1mal]

“Dry out” in FL? LOL...that’s so funny! That’s one thing I do not miss about Florida. Things took FOREVER to dry naturally.

[@sugarstick6990]

This is one of my favorite hiking vlogs ever! Really outstanding production. Love the natural history 💚🐊🌴🦉

[@AidaJof]

Crikey - You are a brave woman, Dixie. There is not enough money to entice me through this terrain but OMG - it is beautiful and thank you for posting it for us! Happy trails!!!

[@Red_Twizzler]

The only KZbin channel that knows how to incorporate music without being distracting. Love it. Ya’ll are true artists. Thank you!

[@emilycourtney6696]

Long-time listener, first-time caller. I just have to express how refreshing your perspective is. For someone such as yourself, who has seen and hiked such magnificent landscapes, to appreciate and enjoy this type of wilderness and wildlife is incredibly inspiring. It says so much about your genuine love for the natural world. Grateful to get to watch your journey. Thank you for sharing.

[@melissaworkman1578]

I'm so glad you are showing the beauty of natural Florida! So many people associate Florida with Disney, never realizing how amazing the flora and fauna can be. Thank you for showing my homestate some love!

[@sarahgreen3663]

I am flat on my back recovering from a foot injury. Was supposed to be doing the OR and WA sections of the PCT this July but will not be. I’m depressed when it comes to anything hiking. I can’t get myself to watch any videos. But yours I can. You even get me thinking that I want to do the Florida trail despite really having no natural inclination to. You’re something special and I like your vids!! Thank you so much for keeping the dream alive!!..

[@oliverkrell9290]

This is the coolest trail I never want to hike.

[@101taiga]

I’ve lived in Florida for 30 years and the farthest I hike is from my air conditioned house to my air conditioned car. I cannot hike in heat and humidity like that. Sucks the life right out of me. You and your friends are made of strong stuff! 💪🏼

[@stephaniem999]

My ac in my truck is broken I'm hating life rn and come july it'll just be worse

[@antsy_does]

Florida's "hiking season" is rather short (December - April) but man is it beautiful out in our woods. Summer hiking means getting up at the crack of dawn to beat the sun, and hiking with LOTS of ice cold water in your backpack :). I'm out there year-round!

[@ceoatcrystalsoft4942]

Nothing against you but that's why people say global climate change isn't a thing. I hope you don't feel the same

[@gailhitson6722]

I have been outside at the crack of dawn to mow my lawn, and it is still steaming hot in the summer. I live in Northeast Florida, too.

[@danielcluley870]

I am a native Floridian and have sectioned a great deal of the Florida trail, but never hiked this swamp section. Always did the dry land areas in Central and North Florida. You are making me want to do a through hike! (have been camping in the Everglades and swampy areas before, but never hiked/backpacked). The great thing about the Florida trail is that it is so diverse. You get Everglades/swamp, pine forests, scrub, prairies and marsh prairies, sandhill, upland forest, and some deciduous forest up north and in the high elevation areas. So much diversity throughout the state!

[@danielcluley870]

BTW, Gators kind of sound like a bigger, deeper bullfrog grunt. Biggest gators I have ever seen were in Lake George up north.

[@rebeccaB8668]

Aaron does a great job of capturing the feelings of the "moments" with his music and transitions. I still loved his CDT edits. Dixie you are an inspiration for us "maybe one day" hikers and adventurers. I am going out this weekend to hike ... but I'll stick to seeing the pesky squirrels instead of an alligator.

[@thatscool1550]

I cannot thank you enough for taking us along on your adventures!!!!!!!!! love from Oregon

[@pilateshotty]

Simply excellent. The trail craft, the stewardship, the fellowship and the passion for a new and different challenge. Inspiring and one of the better uses of You Tube I've seen.

[@DavyDave]

Hey, Dave class of '80. War Eagle 🦅 just retired and as I've always just day hiked. I needed guidance on overnight things. So glad I found your channel. Thank you so much. Living in the Denver area and hiking the Rockies. Thanks again.

[@BrianDenton3]

Really great that you're doing a Florida Trail thru hike. I'd be interested in learning if you're doing anything special in terms of foot care for the Big Cypress section of the trail. That water must be killing your feet.

[@RyanCarpenter]

I can't speak for Dixie, but when I did it, I didn't feel like my feet required any special care. They'd be wrinkly like I'd been standing in a bathtub all day, but they never got any hot spots or blisters and the cool water kind of felt refreshing on an otherwise hot day. The mud when I got out of the water was much more problematic!

[@waltquandt6226]

Not gonna lie.. hiking through all that swamp water is not my cup o tea. I liked watching you all do it though! 😊

[@maple_fields]

Grew up in Florida, can confirm this is how I went to and from school each day.

[@brandonmizner1699]

Please upload more video of Florida ASAP : ) we love watching your videos with our son

[@alexmarchica5264]

I love that you're down in my neck of the woods! The florida Trail is something else, Im glad you appreciate it as much as you do!

[@orangew3988]

Just wonderful to see someone truly enjoying a trail so much. I doubt this type of hiking is for me, its pretty different terrain than where I live, Scotland, but thank you for sharing it with us and showing us all the wonderful parts it shared with you.

[@oldschooljeremy8124]

Dixie's next "favorite trail": Snake Island in Brazil. Or maybe Fukushima Prefecture in Japan. :o

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

On top of everything else is illegal to go to Snake Island without permission from the Brazilian navy. Most of Fukushima is safe to visit though, and there are a lot of old post roads in Japan that would be nice they hiking trails if you aren’t afraid of bears and aggressive troops of monkeys.

[@larryoliver6935]

just so you know.. your videos are very addictive, i don't hike but i have watched at least 30 of your videos.. keep them coming

[@matiasrios2719]

You are such an amazing people, I've lived here in Immokalee for 20 years and would never dream of trying this, but thank you . I have followed you all over the country.

[@nana73carol46]

This is not the hike I would ever do! More power to ya.

[@holdswoa]

Love this video. I went through a week after you and loved it. Hopefully after watching this people will realize how beautiful it is and realize they will not be attacked by gators.

[@doctorjoey3]

Thanks for the G R E A T video, I've been in Florida for 30 years, and have always gone North to backpack, LOVE Florida, but not the swamps .. Power to you both .

[@UHollis]

one of the more instantly remote and beautiful places I know of. You made it look even wonderful. Florida is magical, get ready.

[@robdunaway5061]

I did the same section last February solo. The noises at night on Oak Hill Island are an experience.

[@richardouellette8785]

I love hiking and watching videos of hikers, but this is especially incredible. Never in a million years would I hike here though but it is fascinating.

[@casimirpoholek1214]

Hi Dixie! I am so happy to see you’re on the Florida Trail. I’m a Florida hiker and seeing our beautiful state on your channel has been awesome. Florida doesn’t get enough recognition for its trails. It is amazing here! Hope you enjoy the rest of the trail. I’ve hiked pieces of it and have loved every minute!

[@julsscarlett3681]

It looked just like Dr. Seuss...Horton Hears a Gator. Great video! 😜

[@aimlesslyrunning5127]

when he drops the filter I about lost it rofl talk about something you DONT want happening in the swamp lol I also love that your fire looked like a makeshift gator head.

[@kmonnier]

I have been in FL a few times and your video reminded me of the smells down there

[@matthewgodwin4626]

Visited there as well but only hiked the Everglades a bit this December. The amount of wildlife out there is pretty amazing 🦐

[@johnalden5821]

This is so cool, and so beautiful. I think you guys are major bosses for hiking through that. But this is the first time I have watched somebody hike a long distance trail and thought, "Watching the video is good. I don't think I need to actually do that." I can't understand how your feet were not totally rotting off by the end of that.

[@tailgunnerhikes4703]

6.55 As long as someone doesn't reply "Those aren't mountains, those are waves!"

[@melburnett]

From the Movie "Interstellar". Good one Gunner.

[@scanzaroli]

This looks amazing, and I love your excitement and how you appreciate nature. I can't wait to hike this! Thank you.

[@christopherconnelly6912]

Thanks Dixie. That looks beautiful, now I have another addition to my bucket list.

[@Sixbears]

I was at Big Cypress last year, but have no desire to hike it for any distance. Good for you. I went to see the wildlife and was not disappointed.

[@erinross4014]

I'd be worried about "trench foot" most of the trail seems to be under water. If it wasn't for that I'd prob be inclined to try it.

[@Oldsparkey]

The Gators will sound off during mating season ( Summer ) and it's the big bull gators who will make you sit up and take notice. The best way to describe the bellow is about like a very large Tiger with a hangover but a lot stronger. On a nice quiet night the sound will carry and when it's close to your camp it's even louder.... really loud. A Panther will make two different sounds , either the meow like a domestic cat or a scream which will make every hair on you body stand straight up. Back in the middle 50s one screamed outside the house and it's something to remember , especially when all the windows are open. That same night a neighbor , down the road , heard a cat meowing and went out to chase it away. He came eye ball to eyeball with it and it wasn't a tabby cat.

[@nedkraft6566]

Thank you for sharing your video. I was on the first survey backpacking trip, in 1972, thru the Big Cypress to determine the location of Section 1 of the Florida Trail . The group included Jim Kern, founder of the Florida Trail Assoc.

[@thereisaplace]

Hello Dixie - great video and so happy to see you hiking Big Cypress. If you ever do the FT again, there is an old section of the trail south of Oasis down to The Loop Rd. Gorgeous beyond description! It was always strange that the FT ended on The Loop in the absolute middle of nowhere… guess that’s why it now ends at the visitor center. Anyway, thank you for posting this. Liked and Subscribed!

[@Anna31415926]

That music though 😍 I loved watching this-- the landscape is so gorgeous and foreign. Also hiking through there looks like a nightmare I never knew I had 😂

[@chrisestill8825]

I can deal with rain, wind, hot, cold, long climbs, bushwhacking, snakes on land, almost any of it. There is no way I’d slog through all that water. I do my best to avoid sharing a pool with moccasins and gators. And the grit in your socks! My feet would be shredded. Dixie, this is one of the most hardcore hikes I’ve seen anyone tackle and you’re loving it.

[@forresthikes2891]

Gives me goosebumps to watch it through your eyes and seeing it again! Hope your toe is feeling better!

[@twwtb]

Watching you all hiking through the swamp. I got that song, "Polk Salad Annie" playing in my head. The gators got your granny.

[@anthonyalessandrini3240]

Love and appreciate your choice of background music. Very symphonic.

[@bigfoot1465]

Many years ago I lived in Whiteville NC, and spent a lot of time camping on the Waccamaw River. All those trees remind me of those younger days. We always went by small boats down river and never hiked through it. Had a couple encounters with what the locals called water rattlers. The guy I was with was a local that used to dealing with them and they never caused us any problems.

[@ismaeliribar]

So happy to hear you loved Big Cypress. I feel the FT doesn't get enough love. But Florida is beautiful.

[@Josephhikes]

So awesome watching you back on trail .

[@guermeisterdoodlebug7980]

I had pretty much given up television in favor of KZbin for my entertainment and education during the past year. Now that I have discovered Dixie the transition is complete. What a beautiful person.

[@harleydavis2655]

I live pretty darn close to bits of the Florida Trail. You've convinced me to get over my fears and start getting out there with them gators 😂😂 ...and panthers, bears and snakes

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Yayyyy!!

[@altaris2000]

And don't forget the piles of fire ants! :)

[@johngerson7335]

@@altaris2000 ...or the skunk-apes

[@kathleenbutler8879]

My family had a hunt camp in the 60's, 70's and early 80's out there before the GOV designated the Big Cypress Preserve. The high spots where you camped are called "hammocks". We traveled out there by homemade swamp buggys. The best memories. Good to see it again. Thanks!

[@WeOutHere]

What interesting terrain, completely different to what I’m used to hiking!

[@lindsayslifecafe7569]

This trail gives me anxiety! 😂. You sure know how to give people and adventure. I keep waiting for the gators to come out!

[@kathysmall3616]

I just watched hopfrogg finish his southbound hike thru cypress swamp and it had dried up so much. Love the owl he looked mad at you. Lol can't wait to watch the rest of your journey.

[@BackpackingFlorida]

I am chomping at the bit. I just overnight backpacked my first part of the Florida Trail and it was amazing. I need to be talked out of quitting my job and starting a thru-hike right now!

[@jurassicstroller803]

Lol stop it right now! I can retire anytime and you are not helping. Can't wait to get on this trail.

[@BackpackingFlorida]

@@jurassicstroller803 I did it! I've never seen so many slacked-jawed people in my life. I will be starting my thru-hike of the AT on the 20th. :D

[@glyndaburton8396]

So happy you are bringing positive attention to our state trail! - Good Witch

[@superdave54811]

I have been waiting to see you hike Florida since your PCT trip. Love you. Watched you since you started the Applachian Trail.

[@kellydtth2749]

Definitely an amazing section. I’lol have to give it a try. Beautiful video, much gras.

[@80polishprincess]

While I'm not fond of spiders I would enjoy this hike. You edit your videos so wonderfully. Stay safe and adventurous

[@saralopez193]

Omg... this is so relaxing to watch. Thank you for posting.

[@Ratatrail]

Great episode Dixie!! Such a different trail, wanna hike it one day!

[@summittheworld]

There’s to much water, swamp...alligators 😳

[@padave7505]

Gators, no problem...snakes, not an issue...mosquitoes, slight annoyance...leeches, I’m out!

[@john50054]

2:58 Nice shot of some carnivorous Bladderworts (Utricularia). The leaves kind of float with bladders which do double duty by capturing small organisms.

[@kylewaite9041]

I was wondering if I was the only one who recognized these! They're super cool, and much less well-known than things like Venus fly traps or pitcher plants.

[@VirginiaGeorge]

I’ve heard of butterwort but not bladderwort. Thanks for sharing!

[@HM-gk3rq]

Love how much you loved it! Almost makes me want to go there. Your enthusiasm seems like you have renewed your love of thru-hiking. Not that it ever seemed like you didn’t like it... but a renewed awe and appreciation is evident. 💛

[@HalfInsaneOutdoorGuy]

Dixie I love watching your videos. It was well worth the 17minutes and 23 seconds less sleep I'll get tonight! I can't wait to get my trail legs back!

[@PapaRocks]

Thanks for this interesting adventure. It’s better than a Hollywood movie to me!

[@jjf7775]

My anxiety is through the roof watching this. I’m just waiting for a snake to pop out 😬

[@HomemadeWanderlust]

Haha sorry!

[@extremelydave]

Snake? Oh no, I was lookin' for that huge gator or a Chupacabra!!!!

[@drewstephans3436]

@@extremelydave Don't forget the pythons that have invaded the glades and go after anything that looks edible to them!

[@paulgoeke758]

@@drewstephans3436Hiker Terminology: eaten whole by python- Blunt Wrap????

[@Tier1Citizen]

I'm so glad to see you back out on the trails Dixie.

[@maureenleahy8292]

Wow, incredible. Nice shots of the owl and bird.

[@framingvagrant]

Cool moment with the owl!!