Rice Creek and the Iron Bridge Shelter (ECT Day 36)

• Hiked Today: 27.6 miles
  • The Florida Trail (480.9 – 508.5)
• Total Hiked: 726.8 miles
• Total Paddled: 99.5 miles

Weather: 55-80°F, sunny and clear, clouded up in the late afternoon, no wind.

Rodman Campground to Iron Bridge Shelter

Having in mind to make today slightly bigger miles than I’ve been, I got hiking around 6:30 am. That’s 15-20 minutes of walking in the dark. This actually worked out quite well today because it started out with roadside stuff and no traffic.

The first few miles once ducking in the woods followed the Cross Florida Barge Canal. Pretty awesome spot.

There was a built up embankment. I started on top of it, but after a while, the trail dropped down to the lower level closer to the canal.

Then, I went back up on top again. It was a wonderfully wide flat path and beautifully lighting.

The canal part ended after crossing over the Buckman Lock.

On the other side, I spotted a picnic table and pavilion that I thought would work nicely for an early second breakfast. As I neared, a hiker shouted from across the canal. He eventually made his way over to me and I got to meet Smokey Bear.

It was great chatting with him. As I set out my tent fly to dry, took off my shoes for a breather, boiled water, made oatmeal and coffee, he hung out and told stories. I did a lot of listening, which was perfect. Most of the talk related to the Appalachian Trail, so once again I’m picking up tips from other hikers for future Stevie.

Smokey got going ahead. I followed after twenty minutes or so. We had a bit of road before hopping in the forest again. The trail was not my favorite here being somewhat overgrown with tall grass and it made me think prime tick territory. I sprayed with bug spray and kept checking my legs to see if any had latched on.

I passed Smokey taking a smoke break. We both had missed a turn a ways back, so chatted about that. After that, things got more cruisy along a two track and I got a chance to have a convo via my cellular telephone.

Just had to cross this, not walk along it thankfully

12:19 pm, I entered Hoffman’s Crossing. I was getting some more swamping experience. This time though, I had this awesome boardwalk to use!

I was liking it so much I took lunch at this bench. I was wary thinking I had to be extra careful not to drop anything into the water.

Of course, I did. The sucky part of my drinking hose fell right down into the water. Luckily it floated, but figured I’d wait and give it a nice wash before using again.

I spotted a small lizard (or gecko?) here. I’d start seeing more of these tiny buggers going forward.

Leaving lunch, I hiked only a short ways when I got startled by this snake!

Pretty sure this is another Cottonmouth a.k.a. water moccasin. You can see it’s mouth open in the center of it’s coil pointed straight upwards.

Wowsers, a big one! It was much bigger than the snake I squabbled with in the Everglades. I had more time to check it out here too, since I hadn’t completely panicked this go around. Eventually I had to get by the thing though! Even if I was on a boardwalk 2-feet up, I was still terrified.

In the afternoon I was keeping it moving pretty good. I did stop to take a lot of photos though since it was pretty awesome stuff, especially around the Rice Creek Conservation Area!

Just couldn’t get enough of the boardwalks.

People always talk about the CDT having rough water sources, and it does, but Florida takes some getting used to too! Most of it is swamp water that’s filled with tannins and occasionally you get some strong sulfury tasting brews. I’ve heard it called Florida sweet tea.

Flowing Rice Creek

The last bit things just kept changing… bike path, to two track, to foresty trail going along a deep winding creek and ravine…

Not sure what the story is here.

I found Alligator at the shelter. Not an alligator, but a hiker with the trail name Alligator. Got you there though didn’t I. He’s hiking the FT thru going nobo like me, but unfortunately is having some pain, so slowing down. We chatted while making dinner, but the mosquitos descended upon us. He set up his tent which left the shelter open. I figured I’d better give it a go! My first trail shelter experience (stuff on the PCT never truly felt like a classic east coast hiking shelter)!

Today was pretty full of experiences; another great day on the Florida Trail!

Started the Audiobook: “Black Snake: Standing Rock, the Dakota Access Pipeline, and Environmental Justice” by Katherine Wiltenburg Todrys