The Fort Braden Hiking Trail meanders along three loops through the hills and bluffs of the Lake Talquin State Forest, providing a great outdoor experience only minutes from Tallahassee. On October 12th through 14th, the Ft. Braden F-Troop crews hauled in four tons of material and built 306 feet of puncheon-style boardwalk and bridges through wet seepage areas, over “rooty” areas and across creek drains on the east and west loops.

This was accomplished with an American Hiking Society grant, Florida Division of Forestry funding and the hard work of 25 FTA volunteers from all parts of Florida who traveled far and worked long hours. As Howard Pardue wrote in his report, “I remain in awe of the volunteers who made this dream come true. With this long awaited project, sensitive environmental areas are protected and young and old can hike more safely.”

The weather cooperated with lower temperatures and no rain, Caroline Pardue provided the crew with six delicious meals, Howard Pardue and Gus Johnson blessed us with some campfire music in the evening, and everyone received a nice F-Troop T-shirt.