Tampa Hiking Meetup Group

Saturday, August 15, 2026
Meet at 7:45 AM
Step off at 8:00 AM sharp

## Location

Morris Bridge Conservation Park
13630 Morris Bridge Rd.
Thonotosassa, FL 33592

## Ready-to-Post Meetup Description

We’re planning a 14-mile Mammoth March training hike at Morris Bridge on Saturday, August 15th.
This hike is intended for those training for Mammoth March or anyone who is already comfortable with longer distances. We will keep a steady, sustainable pace and focus on building endurance, hydration habits, and time-on-feet.
Morris Bridge is part of the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness area, with trails connecting toward Flatwoods and Trout Creek. This is a beautiful area with wildlife and plenty of Florida scenery.

### Important

This is not a beginner hike. Please only RSVP if you are comfortable hiking/walking long distances in summer heat.
I strongly recommend that participants have recently completed at least an 8–10 mile hike before joining this event.

### Distance

Approximately 14 miles

### Pace

Moderate training pace. This is not a race, but we will be moving consistently.

### What to Bring

Please bring:

• At least 3-6 liters of water
• Electrolytes
• Snacks or fuel
• Sun protection
• Bug spray
• Comfortable broken-in shoes
• A fully charged phone
• Optional: AllTrails map downloaded ahead of time

### Heat Note

This is an August hike in Florida. We will start at 8 AM, but it will still get hot quickly. Please hydrate before the hike and bring more water than you think you need.
If the heat index or weather looks unsafe, we may adjust the plan.

### Parking / Fees

Parking is $2 per vehicle.

### Dogs

No dogs recommended for this hike due to the distance, summer heat, and wildlife.

### Route Link

### Lettuce Lake Park - January 24th, 2026

Fee: $2.00 per car

Distance: Hammock Trail 1.2 miles. and the Boardwalk trail 1.8 mile loop
Address: 6920 East Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL 33637

Meeting Place: The parking area near the Visitor’s Center. Meet at 9:00 am, hike starts at 9:05 am. Please be on time if you want to hike with the group.

Dogs: Must be on a leash no longer than six feet. Pets not permitted on the Boardwalk. Part of the hike is on the boardwalk.

Lettuce Lake Park consists of 240 acres of stunning Florida land that includes parts of the Hillsborough River. Plenty of opportunities for spotting wildlife including birds, bunnies, and alligators.

The park features large playgrounds and picnic areas. You can choose between the 1.25 mile paved exercise trail or the 1/2 mile boardwalk (we will be doing both.). Part of the boardwalk has an observation tower that offers some stunning views of the Hillsborough River. Hiking both trails is about 1.8 miles.

The Audubon Center is an interpretive nature center open Fri-Sun 12-5. Stop here to learn more about habitats and their inhabitants along the Hillsborough River. They also have a map of the park available in their interpretive brochure.

What to Bring:

• Water
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Bug spray (just in case!)
• A hat or sunglasses