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Green silhouette of 2 hikers looking at a natural path with animals and trees in the background
Date November 9, 2019 9:00 AM - 2:15 PM

2019 - 2020 Hiking Spree Kickoff Party

Join us at Upper Tampa Bay Conservation Park to kick off the spree with free food provided by Friends of the County Parks, music, games, outdoor skills workshops, guided hikes, and prize giveaways!

Guided hikes schedule

  • When choosing your hikes, make sure there are at least 20 minutes between the ending of one hike and the beginning of your next hike
  • Hike times are subject to change and/or delays
  • All hikes are between 0.5 and 1 mile long, except for the Adventure Hike which is approximately 2 miles

Click on the name to see the meeting location, trail, max participants and a description of the hike.

  1. Intro to Orienteering - 9:30 to 10:15 AM or 10:30 AM to11:45 AM
    • Meeting location: C
    • Trail: N/A
    • Max participants: 20 people
    • Description: Learn to use a compass to navigate the hidden orienteering course
  2. Native vs Invasive - 9:40 to 10:40 AM or 10:50 to 11:50 AM
    • Meeting location: D
    • Trail: Otter trail
    • Max participants: 20 people
    • Description: Learn about the difference between native and invasive plants on this short hike along the Otter Trail
  3. Birding Walk - 9:45 to 10:45 AM or 11 AM to Noon
    • Meeting location: A
    • Trail: Eagle Trail
    • Max participants: 20 people
    • Description: Join us on a short walk along the Eagle Trail to see how many different bird species we can identify!
  4. Bug Walk - 9:50 to 10:50 AM or 11:40 AM to 12:40 PM
    • Meeting location: B
    • Trail: Fire lanes
    • Max participants: 30 people
    • Description: Let’s discover the amazing and diverse world of insects on this short walk through some of UTB’s fire lanes
  5. Native Plant Walk on the Saltern's Edge - 10 to 11 AM
    • Meeting location: D
    • Trail: Bobcat trail
    • Max participants: 20 people
    • Description: If you are curious about all of those thick leaved, succulent type plants you may see near the water's edge, join us for this ~0.5 mile walk around the Bobcat Trail to learn about the plant species that occur in and near the salt barrens, the mangrove forest, and the coastal hammock which it borders. (Be prepared to get your feet wet - some areas of the trail may be wet and muddy depending on the tide)
  6. Prescribed Fire Walk & Talk - 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM
    • Meeting location: B
    • Trail: Fire lanes
    • Max participants: 30 People
    • Description: On this hike you will learn all about how Hillsborough County uses prescribed fire to ensure healthy ecosystems and reduce wildfire threat
  7. Native Plant Walk in the Coastal Pine Flatwoods - 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
    • Meeting location: D
    • Trail: Otter trail
    • Max participants: 20 people
    • Description: Let us lead you on this ~0.8 mile walk around the Otter Trail to learn all about the ecology and flora of the coastal pine flatwoods system. We'll traverse across salt marsh, coastal hammock and pine flatwoods and briefly discuss the role that fire and other abiotic factors play in shaping these ecosystems while identifying all the fall flowering species we see.
  8. Map App Training Hike - 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM
    • Meeting location: A
    • Trail: Eagle trail
    • Max participants: 30 people
    • Description: Join us for a map app training hike to learn how to use the Avenza app which will keep you on the right path for all your Spree Hikes! Download the free app before the hikes starts so we can jump right into it!
  9. Orienteering Scavenger Hunt - Noon to 1:10 PM
    • Meeting location: C
    • Trail: Bobcat trail
    • Max participants: 50 people
    • Description: Put your map and compass reading skills to the test and see if you can be the first to find all the hidden waypoints. The winner will win a Hiking Spree Medallion from the inaugural year of the Hiking Spree.
  10. Adventure Hike - 1:15 to 2:15 PM
    • Meeting location: C
    • Trail: Hidden trail
    • Max participants: Unlimited
    • Description: Grab your hiking sticks! We are going to end the day with a ~2 mile group hike on a hidden trail. You’ll want waterproof boots or an old pair of shoes for this hike, which will get a little muddy and wet in some spots.

Outdoor workshops schedule

All workshops will meet at the shelter.

  • Leave No Trace - 9:30 to 10 AM
  • Knot Tying - 10:05 to 10:35 AM
  • Snakes and Reptiles - 10:40 to 11:10 AM
  • Knife Safety and Skills - 11:15 to 11:45 AM
  • Hiking Essentials - 12:15 to 12:45 PM

Games and activities

  • Bag Toss
  • Giant Pong
  • Mini-Golf
  • Hula Hoops
  • Ladder Ball
  • Nature Arts and Craft Table
  • Live Animal Presentations

Things to know

  • Cost: Free
    • There is a $2 park entry fee per vehicle for up to 8 people
  • Participants should meet at Shelter 1 and 2
  • Weather related cancellations are possible
  • Under 18 must be accompanied by adult
  • Per County ordinance, no alcohol is allowed
  • Walking/Hiking information: Length: ~ 1-2

Things to bring

  • Required to bring
    • Closed-toe shoes
  • Recommended to bring
    • Water in refillable container
    • Hat
    • Sunglasses
    • Sunscreen
    • Bug spray

Register

Check out the 2020 Hiking Spree Trail List with a new set of trails and adventures, including Trail Magic. Get registered and stay tuned for updates.

Register

Contact

For more information, email Chris Kiddy or call (813) 672-7876.

Event Details

Location

Upper Tampa Bay Park

8001 Double Branch Rd.

Tampa FL, 33635

Date

November 9, 2019 | 9:00 AM

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