Trip Log: 10/6/2001, Blue Spring State Park, Orange City, Florida - Hiking

My watch showed 9:27 a.m. "Good, I'm still on time." I always tried to be on time when I'm supposed to meet with someone. I hate it when people are late, so I try not to do that to others. This morning I was supposed to meet with Aaron at 9:30 to go to Blue Springs. As I was driving up to the front of the Administration Building at my university, there he was, sitting on the hood of his car. He has not missed any Outlander (my university's Outdoor club) activities I've been to since I met him for the first time a month ago. The man keeps his word, that's a good quality to have.

I have become quite familiar with Blue Springs, I come here at least once every other week for freediving. With crystal clear water unaffected by the weather condition, and the deepest cavern in all the springs around the Orlando area, this spring has become a favor of mine. But today we first hit the hiking trail. Continuing my training for my planned backpacking trip next year, I shouldered my backpack (now loaded to be 40 lbs) and started on the trail. Half of the trail was still flooded from the rain a couple weeks ago, so we only had 2 miles (single way) of trail available for hiking, instead of the full 4 miles. We made it out and back in one hour and 15 minutes, not bad with a 40 lbs backpack on your back.

After the little hike, I was hot and sweaty I couldn't wait to hit the water. I waited for a while for my body to cool down, and had a powerbar for lunch while I waited. But once I got into the water, I knew I made a mistake going hiking first. The cold water was very shocking to my body. I tried to relax and kicked slowly to the headspring, but as soon as I tried to dive, my calf muscles started tightening. I knew I was not in a good condition to dive too deep, I went to the shallows and stretched my leg out a little, it got better, my calf muscles weren't tightening up anymore. But I still opted to stay above 30 feet, just to be safe.

Aaron on the other hand, was diving great. This was his third time diving at Blue Springs. The first time he went down to 10 feet, the second time, 20 feet. But this time he made a big jump going from 20 feet max to 60 feet max. He kicked all the way down there too, without pulling on the ledges for help. I was very impressed. I made that progression from 20 feet to 60 feet very slowly.

All in all, this was a pretty good trip. But next time, I will be sure to go freediving first, then go hiking.

• Resources:
  • Blue Spring State Park:
    • Webpage 1
    • Webpage 2
  • Phone: 904-775-3663
  • Trail difficulty: Easy
  • Trail length: 4 miles single-way (8 miles round-trip)
  • Admission: $2 for single occupant vehicle, $4/vehicle up to 8 people, $1/person after 8 people.
  • Florida State Park Annual Pass: $30/individual, $60/family
  • Operation Hours: 8:00 a.m. to sundown daily, 365 days a year
• How to get there:
  In Orlando, take Interstate-4 East to exit 53CB, which heads toward Orange City. Turn right on Enterprise Rd (one mile west of I-4 exit). Then drive another mile and turn right on 17-92 (S. Volusia Ave). Follow 17-92 for two miles until you see a brown sign hanging across the street for Blue Spring State Park, turn left on W. French Ave after the sign. Two more miles on French Ave and you will be at the entrance to Blue Spring State Park.