Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail

The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST) is a 109-mile multi-use path around Lake Okeechobee, the seventh largest lake in the United States and the largest in the state of Florida. The trail began as the Okeechobee Segment of the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST), a 1,000 mile trail that runs from Miami to Pensacola. The USDA and National Forest Service dedicated the Okeechobee Segment as part of the FNST in 1993.[1] Most of the trail is atop the 35-feet tall Herbert Hoover Dike.[2] The trail crosses five counties, Hendry, Glades, Okeechobee, Martin and Palm Beach. Many stretches run along state and county highways, including Florida State Road 78.

Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
Length109 mi (175 km)
LocationClewiston, Florida, United States
Hiking details
SeasonYear round
SightsLake Okeechobee
HazardsSunburn
Heat stroke
Alligators
Pythons
Traffic
SurfaceAsphalt
grass
dirt
concrete

Facilities

There are 13 camping areas around the trail, most of which have no water or sanitation facilities.[2] While the trail circumnavigates the entire lake, there are portions in which the traveler must come down from the levee. In these areas, they may encounter heavy traffic and/or alligators.[3] Because most of the trail runs atop a levee, there is very little shelter from the Florida sun,[4] and running off the edge may result in a dangerous, rapid descent.[5]

Restrictions

Because the trail is administered by the federal government, firearms are prohibited. Groundfires are prohibited, pets must be kept on a leash, and all trash must be carried out.[3]

Closures

Because of the age of the dike and the instability of the terrain, there are frequent partial closures of the trail.[6] A thirty-mile section[5] from Mayaca to Canal Point is currently closed for renovation of the levee.[7] Additionally, the portion of the trail running from Taylor Creek to Nubbin Slough section, the portion from Pahokee to Torry Island section, South Bay to Clewiston (sic. South Bay to Clewiston may be open. Fences are gone and biked it on Jan 21st 2019),Belle Glade to Rardin Park, and Liberty Point to Lakeport section of the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail as well as a portion of the Florida National Scenic Trail are closed for extensive dike rehabilitation work. The Corps anticipates some of these sections will remain closed until 2020. The US Army Corps of Engineers maintains the trail and posts information about trail conditions on their website.[8]

Access points

According to the Corps of Engineers, the following access points are available:[9]

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References
  1. "Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail". State of Florida Office of Greenways and Trails. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  2. "Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST)". Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  3. "Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST)". Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  4. "LOST Port Mayaca to 50E". Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  5. SOBCZAK, charles (26 January 2011). "LOST Trail offers unparalleled views and challenges". Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  6. Ahart, Mike (10 December 2013). "Corps to close section of Lake O. Scenic Trail". Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  7. Little, Scott. "Cycling in the Glades: Lake Okeechobee". Retrieved 20 May 2016.
  8. "Lake Okeechobee and Florida National Scenic Trails CURRENT CLOSURES" (PDF). US Army Corps of Engineers. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  9. "Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST)". US Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District. Retrieved 20 May 2016.
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