Ocala Tread Lightly Trail - Southern Half - State of the trail.
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- IT'S THE TREAD LIGHTLY TRAIL... SO OF COURSE WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT TREADING LIGHTLY. THANK YOU FOR THE TUMBS UP! We appreciate it.
State of the trail: We took a ride down the southern end of the trail on March 27th. A small groups assembled and we head out after a brief drivers meeting. The trail crosses Hwy 40 at FSR - 97 just west of the forestry tower and runs down the west side of Ocala before heading over to Baptist Lake and then back NW to Hwy 40.
On a scale of 1-10 here are this months stats.
Scratchiness 1-2
Ease 1 -3
Sugar sand 4-5
Ticks 8-9
Hunters only 1
So bring bug spray and have plenty of water. Don’t go it alone the auger sand is random. Follow a official map and you should be good. Get a friend and go see Ocala.
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#jeep #Jeeplife #wrangler #Trails #jeeping #offroad #Treadlightly
Those gophers are dam good eating
But just dont illegal now
Small game season is almost here. Been wanting some squirrel, it's been a long time. It would make a cool camping meal.
Hmmmm I know that Forrest like the back of my hand. At 12:46 in video I recognized y'all driving out of a restricted area because I seen the restricted area sign you drove past. The Forrestry continues to close roads because people driving in restricted areas. Atleast y'all weren't rutting it up like some do.
That was part of the new at that time Tread lightly badge of honor trail through Ocala. We use Advensa Maps that has an updated open trail listing. I agree there are way too many people who not only disrespect the land but also the hunters.
OCALA NATIONAL FOREST is a Our "jewel" here in Florida. We need to continue an protect it for future generations.
Yes, that is the key. If we don't take care of it we wont be able to drive through it. It's disheartening when I see trash just dumped on the side of a trail.
I recently found your video from the north Florida ride you did. Love the videos.
Thanks glad you enjoyed them.
Hi I am a bigggggggggg fan
Welcome.
Thank you! I really enjoy your videos. Keep it up.
Thank you - Orlando Jeep Club ran the north part on Saturday. We did not make it back from Nevada till real late and were unable to ride this time:
I brought some good memories back I used to travel that way 19240 to go to camp blanding the back way.
You guys ride hard I wish I was there.
Ocala is still a good place to wheel.
It’s better to ask for forgiveness than ask for permission. Florida Forestry luvs to write tickets and they ain’t cheap!
The trails that are approved change from time to time. If it's a week day the office is down on 19 just south of Altoona.
Matt, great job on all your videos. I'm trying to locate the FSR97, but it doesn't show up on the GAIA maps; it's labeled as "09". Any reason why it's given another name now?
Thanks, Fernando...
Some of the roads did get a name change, but that was a long time back. Try Avenza Maps.
@@FloridaJeepRides Ok, will try that, thanks. We have a property in the area and wanted to begin exploring more around there. Keep the videos coming, thanks
can you drive SxS through there?
Only in certain areas. The best thing to do is stop at the Ranger Station. Centennial OHV Trailhead is one of the places to park. maps.app.goo.gl/qzbCtTzbPGct3atB8
I would like to join you guys on next adventure
We should be heading out to Croom this month to check on how dry it is.
@@FloridaJeepRides let me know please
I may have missed it and I apologize if I did but didn’t you mention in a video that the clay pits are not to be driven in? A fine if $500 or more correct?
Yes the Clay pits are off-limits according to the ranger station that is down south of Altoona on Highway 19. Apparently people were getting injured and then trying to sue the forestry service.
@@FloridaJeepRides well, that is too bad, thank you for getting back with me.
"Tick" season.....Brrrrrrrr
Every time we get out to film... I got bit by a lonestar tick last year. Bug spray time.
I had a great time Matt, Thank you!
As always a great video!
I look forward to future rides with you and Randi!
Can't wait! Soon.
How do I procure one of them cool FJR shirts?
We are on red bubble under offroad travels. Visit OffRoadTravels's shop, for cool artwork on awesome products!
@@FloridaJeepRides Done!
@@FloridaJeepRides Done! Can’t wait to get my new gear ⚙️
Thank you - enjoy the gear.
As always, thanks for sharing and the info. It is awesome that you share the history of where you are and explain what used to be. those stories are not easily found. Tread Lightly!
PS, the merchandise link is working.
My pleasure! Thanks we just ordered some stickers.
Nice video, thanks for posting. Your Jeep appears to be running good after the repairs you made.
You bet - Thanks for the thumbs up.
I’ll be down to the Tampa Bay Area come April. I’d love to come out with y’all!
Let us know when it gets about that time. P.m. us on the Facebook page.
That part that you said was it looked like a raging fire came through there that was where the Southern Pine Beetle killed it all and they were trying to burn it to kill them and I think that's what you had on your shirt at the end of the video.
We had to deal with pine beetles on Stonemont golf course up in Georgia. Took out a whole section between holes. Not sure what kind of beetle exactly was on my shirt but I’ve always called them click beetles, if they’re upside down they can snap their body and flip up into the air. Cool bugs
Is it just jeeps or do you have other 4x4/AWD tag along?
When its us its all good, if its with the Orlando Jeep Club its all Jeeps. We have some friends who have a Bronco and Hummer that are ready to go out.
It’s been at least 7-8 years since I’ve been on the trail, but I remember hitting it off 19, just north of 42 and down a power line trail. Is that trailhead still open?
On one of the last rides I was on, we ended up at a spring. It may Have been Juniper, but it wasn’t the park, it was undeveloped except for split rail fencing. I can’t remember if that was up that way or if it was the trail that runs off 42 by the cemetery.
This trip around it seems as though the Avenza Maps has drastically reduced the amount of roads that you can drive on. Are used to will hear back when you could still go into the clay pits. You could go almost anywhere, and it was an awesome place to do 150 mile triathlon. We did not have any GPS, did skeet shooting and canoeing as well. Great rides, sponsored by southern off-road and tread lightly back in the 90s.
I’ve got a JL with no lift and 33” AT. Something like this looks perfect. Might have to join you guys once covid lightens up. Also that Boba Fett Jeep looks awesome.
Please do! Ill pass that on. The North end is still scratchy, but you should do fine.
Awesome video, the trail looks a lot nicer from a jeep than from a Nissan Altima that's for sure
It does! Now we need to get back and check how the north end looks.
Nice drive... Dry terrain for a change. :)
Yes indeed! Very dry out on most trails. It would be a good time to get out to Richloam and see just how deep the holes are.
I was just out at Richloam. It is scary how deep some of them holes are. Cant believe I made it through a few of them.
What app do you use for trail maps?
We have been using GAIA gps for a few years.
We had a great time. Thanks for letting us tag along.
Any time! Always great to have you two traveling along.
Great channel. Will you all be putting any type of trail ride together during Jeep Beach Week ? Just curious ...
I know YellowFlordaJeep is doing some runs. Ron was with us on the ride.
Keep an eye out for possible rides during the 2022 Jeep Beach.
Ron Rogers on FaceBook.
I hope some one will answer my question. Love your channel. We will be heading to Ocala in a few weeks to camp, which we do frequently. I would like to do this trail sometime once I get rid of my stock tires. Are there any other stock friendly roads/trails near Alaxender Springs you could reccommend? I appreciate your wisdom. Have a great day.
There are so many trails out there. The Badge of honor trail is stock friendly , other then some sugar sand.
I have made some runs south of there and east of Hwy 19 often.
So would my TRD OFF ROAD Tundra leave this trail with any paint on the sides. I heard they widened it.
Someone just commented and stated that the trails are still somewhat tight. It always has scratched my jeep when I’ve done any of the badge of honor trail in Ocalla.
If you are ever on the north end of the state, let me know. We wheel in Cary State Forest most of the time because it's convenient, but Osceola is fun.
We are trying to make a trip up that way. The Alapaha River is on the list too.
@@FloridaJeepRides the Alapaha river trail is iffy on legality. We were going to go with Florida Trail Stompers and they cancelled because nobody could figure out if we were allowed to be there.
Thanks for the Info.
Nothing but sand and flat land don’t seem to exciting to bother going.
Plenty of swamps and places where mining changed the terrain. ua-cam.com/video/QmA9kSrYNk8/v-deo.htmlsi=MMEqsuyk9oVNzFrc This place is great.
@@FloridaJeepRides sorry buddy but all I saw was flat lands and color green trails. Nothing compare to what we see up here or out west. But does it look nice to driving around… yes but for the rock crawlers guys like me is not something we could say that’s a hardcore trail. Nice place but not a rock crawling trail.
Does anyone have a map of this trail
Yes we do. There should be a image on the community page.
www.gaiagps.com/public/jczUg0zTAsCyU73nyiouHEvG
I recommend the App....US TOPO PRO....you are going to like it very much, (due to having multiple Maps that depict the whole Forest). When I "do the Trails, I complement the US TOPO PRO with a GARMIN GPSMAP64s....Always Happy Trails..!!
The USGS sells the "paper version" for $14.00 bucks.
Witch gps system do you normally use while you are out on the trails? Is there any emergency radio frequency in Ocala National Forest? Just in case. Thank you and always enjoying your videos
We use Avenza and Gaia. But I also use trails off road.
looking to ride the trail and primitive camp next weekend, Will I be able to fit my 16 Ram Rebel make it thru the trail?
If its wider then a JK it will take some scratches. Some of the thicker branches were inches away from the JK. But there are plenty of trails up there that are wide open.
@@FloridaJeepRides ya i am about 12" wider, thanks for the info and hope to see you guys out there some time.
Sounds good most scratches buff out. Watch out for the ticks they are in full swing right now.
If you don't tread lightly then you may not be treading there at all eventually.
Thank you - A few people don't get it and want to tear stuff up and ruin it for future generations.
How do you like the Patagonias?
So far so good, the price was right. They can wear out fast if the alignment is off. I also replaced the ball joints on the 2010. The 31s on the 95 should hold up for a long time. Sand is good. Mud gets a little caked if there is clay in the mix. They grip well on rocks. Would I buy them again? Yes I would.
amzn.to/31A93hd
Idk am I missing something that looks really boring to me. Needs some tough trail as well. Maybe some small hills or something.
Most of Florida is kind of flat and sand and mud. A few places have some small hills but nothing like North Georgia or Tennessee. ua-cam.com/video/Da1DLTB-wjw/v-deo.htmlsi=5Qx7LpnuwCh-wmTJ
One question you think a stock Compass Trailhawk can make it
There may be some areas that could give an issue. I would go with a group who can recover if needed. There is places with sugar sand and some holes.
Im wondering the same thing I really want to get some badges of honer and meet new friends to go off-road with in my trailhawk compass
I have always been amazed at what a Trail hawk can do. We have them out at Judd and they do just fine.
Are you in reference to the jeeping with judd ? I'm new to all this I live near the compound in palm Bay but I won't go without a way to be pulled out
I'm trying to figure out where you started...I cannot find forest service road #97...actually, I can't find any designations in the map legends showing forest service roads. I think it must be on map pages 13 or 14? Thanks
For the southern half Road #97 starts just west of the forestry tower. ua-cam.com/channels/LEK3jVD3lCE-5qgl9X9W1A.htmlcommunity?lb=UgylJpgFwnVOJr4MNNl4AaABCQ
That would be the gas line or the pipeline as the locals call it
This is what i dont like about florida, for a state that has a lot of jeeps and supports the jeep life, i dont think theres enough trails available for us… i love jeeping but i haveto drive too far to start wheeling which is a big turnoff…
Out west there are so many places to wheel, here we have to hunt down any place to ride.
I would love to tag along with you guys, I've actually been thinking about joining your club. I have a 2021 KL
Come on out to a meet and greet some time. They have them weekly. East west and south of Orlando. Its a great way to see what its all about.
@@FloridaJeepRides , In live in E. Orlando, hopefully I'll be able to meet up with you soon, just need a weekend event or meet, I work nights and During the week.
how can someone inquire about trail riding with you guys
Watch the FaceBook page we sometimes ask about up coming rides.
Why do they fine you for going to a clay pit? You can't hurt them. Also I can't believe that they'll send you to court or jack up your insurance with a ticket just because you got lost, missed a sign, or came out without someone who understands all the rules. I guess if you don't know someone who's been going there a while you're just free game for the cops out there. Scummy tactics.
Thought the same thing. It may be that people roll or get hurt and then try to put a lawsuit on the forest service. I miss the days of driving in the clay pits.
Used to be wide open in the '80s and '90s but people drove off them cliffs a lot of people got hurt out there any given weekend there would be 200 trucks out there. Was a wonderful time to grow up in the Ocala National Forest
They closed the clay pits due to people getting drunk and driving off cliffs AND underage drinking, fighting and some that decided it was a good idea to bring guns to a fist fight