50 Hikes in South Florida: Walks, Hikes, and Backpacking Trips in the Southern Florida Peninsula, First Edition - Softcover

Friend, Sandra

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0881505315 ISBN 13: 9780881505313

Publisher: Countryman Press, 2003

Synopsis

This hiking guide to the region of Florida south of FL 60 includes hikes along the Gulf Coast and the Atlantic Coast, and in Big Cypress Swamp, the Everglades, and the Florida Keys.

In the entire continental United States, only South Florida can lay claim to truly tropical habitats with native tropical plants. Rare ghost orchids grow in the humid depths of the Big Cypress, a region of vast prairies, haunting cypress strands, and deep sloughs filled with alligator flag. From its traditional start at Lake Okeechobee, the world's only Everglades sweep southward. North of Lake Okeechobee lie the remnants of ancient sand dunes forming high and dry scrub habitats, while along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coastlines the freshwater marshes of the interior meet the mangrove swamps of the barrier islands. In the Florida Keys, jungles of Caribbean plants top fossilized coral reefs surrounded by still aquamarine waters.

This guide to a fascinating region contains a mix of easy nature trails, beach walks, and short interpretive boardwalks, as well as challenging day hikes and backpacking trips. The hikes range in length from 1 to 20 miles; each hike description includes mile-by-mile directions, a topographic map, and information on hiking time, mileage, and trail conditions. 50 spectacular black-and-white photographs by Clyde Butcher

About this title

About the Author:

Sandra Friend is a freelance writer and photographer whose work has appeared in Blue Ridge Country, Appalachian Trailway News, Florida Hiker, and Backpacker. She participates in the Florida Trail Association as an activity leader, a trail maintainer, and a volunteer with organization publications. She is also the author of Explorer's Guide 50 Hikes in Central Florida; Explorer's Guide 50 Hikes in North Florida; Explorer's Guide 50 Hikes in South Florida; Florida in the Civil War: A State in Turmoil, and Sinkholes. She lives in Ocala, Florida.

About this edition

• Publisher: Countryman Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0881505315
• ISBN 13: 9780881505313
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 368