Wow Moose, I just read what happened. Hope you have a speedy recovery and get back to what you enjoy real soon.

Gerald

Big Cypress is "Big" If you ride far enough, you will hit I-95!

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It depends on water levels. From what Anoriginal described, I would think there will be more water than dry trails like this one. I would suggest taking off from Monroe Station and heading North. This is the highest area and gives you the most options on different areas to ride. It also tends to be the dryest.

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This is Concho Billy.

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This is what you guys are in for. Notice the high water lines on the cypress trees, this was taken in the dry season. Have fun!

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I have to renew my permits as well. My wife and I bought new ATV's this year and they wanted to charge me to reinspect the bikes. I figured that the summer wet season was here anyway and I would wait to renew when we can get a full year out of it. They do not pro-rate the permits.

Look forward to the update anoriginal. In speaking to the rangers, they have not had a problem with breakins of vehicle at BC. I do share your concern, and the visitor center is probably the safest area. Monroe station is also very busy right off the highway and visable. People leave their tow vehicles for the weekend with no problem. My truck was broken into at Macks a while back so I am sensitive to this.

Keep in mind that sections of the trail in from the visitor center is terrible. Miles of coral rock holes for your small ATV tires to fall into. A few miles of this and your brains turn to scrambled eggs. I have gone a few times from Monroe Station to the Visitor Center and back and now I tend to stay away from the Oasis side of the trail.

Sorry, but I have never camped overnight at BC. Besides the camping areas you mentioned, camping in the back country would be primative and where ever you find a dry area (next to impossible now). In my trips their, I have found two good back country camping areas. One is just a few miles in on the trail north of the Oasis visitor center. The other is 12-15 miles in from the Oasis Visitor center just before the trail crosses the 11 mile road. GPS coordinates are N 25 57.451 W 080 56.841 With this summer dumping more than the average amount of rain, it will be a while until an ATV can make it their. If you want GPS coordinates of BC I have quite a few, let me know.

From what I read in the rules, you are permitted to camp anywhere in the back country of Big Cypress. I have been to Bear Island camping area and I know you can ride to the trails from there. Bear Island riding is not very interesting as they are all maintained trails for the most part. I don't believe camping at the trail heads is permitted. Camping at Bear Island is only allowed at the designated camping areas. Go to the Big Cypress website http://www.nps.gov/bicy/ and all your questions will be answered. Also, check out http://www.bigcypressswamp.com/ a lot of information and history about Big Cypress.

BTW, Concho Billy and Monroe North trails are my favorite.

If you can swing the price, get the Garmin 276c. I have it with a RAM mount on my handle bars and it is the best GPS I have ever owned. You can't beat the bright color screen and the rechargeable battery lasts 12+ hours on one charge. I purchased addition memory cards and have the topo software with detailed trails of ONF, Big Cypress and more. 

I can remember when I first joined this forum, Claude was the first member to welcome me. I was green, just bought my first bike and knew very little about the sport. Claude answered a lot of my questions, showed me the local riding spots, and our families have been riding and camping together ever since. When the personal attacks started, I was out of the Country for almost 3 weeks and was out of touch with what was going on. By the time I got back, the damage was done. I was shocked. 

There are no bigger advocates for ATVFlorida.com than Claude and Marjory. They have flags, banners, signs, stickers and anything else you can imagine all over their trailers, ATV’s and more. They have done so much for so many of us. Strangely, they have also done more than any Moderator or even the Site Administrator. They are the ATVFlorida poster children.

I made a choice to stay out of all the childish behavior on the site and hold myself to a higher standard. So did Claude as he refused to lower himself to the level of his attacker. Even now, attacks are still being made and we see no action from the Administrator of this site to stop it.

I am watching several of my friends, Grizz, Mama Grizz and Budman, be driven away and it upsets me. From the posts being made on this thread, it is obvious that many others feel the same.

So, I encourage everyone to join in and help me with this appeal:

Mr. Bones, where are you? Get involved. Forget your Moderators, some issues have to be dealt with by the boss. This cannot be delegated away. You know the problem, solve it and encourage Claude,  Marjorie and Budman to come back. The health of your website is at stake as everyone sees the deterioration. Claude and Marjory do not deserve the treatment they received, they have earned your support many times over and it is time for you to act.

Gerald     

Sorry to hear what happened and glad your both OK. It is a reminder to all of us that the areas we ride in are very out of the way and will also attract bad people who may be hiding from the authorites or simply looking for trouble.

On another note, shooting or killing someone (justified or not) will bring more legal troubles than anyone would ever want to deal with. I own a gun and carry a concealed weapons permit. It may sound wimpy, but I carry pepper spray on me when I am going into questionable areas. Non lethal protection that will floor most people. A officer friend I used to ride with suggested this over a gun and I have done it ever since.

Thanks to everyone for the good wishes. My wife asked me what I wanted for my 40th birthday, I told her "you have to ask?". Three solid days of riding, of course! We just got back and had a great time. Thanks again everyone.

Gerald

Happy B-Day Jeff. I am only 10 years and 2 days behind you!!

Gerald

I put 26" mud lites and C series rims on my 04 Kodiak 450 and noticed a small power loss. More noticable was the handling. Stock tires and wheels are about 15-20 pounds ea. Mud tires on aftermarket wheels will be 38-42 pounds ea. This is about doubling the unsprung weight of your tires and wheels. Just be prepared for your handling to be slower and steering to be heavier.

They say in stock form, you shouldn't go through water deeper than the top of your tires. I have gone through deeper with my Kodiak. I have gone through water to the bottom of the head lights with no problem.

My buddy bought 2 Vinsons for a steal of a price. They have been great quads for him at a very reasonable price. For a little more, you can get an 05 Grizzly. I picked up one of my new Grizzlys for $5999 + shipping from a dealer in Alabama. What a difference from my Kodiak, the Grizzly rides like a Cadillac.

Ya right! I could throw them in at Monroe Station and let the current float them to I-75.

The wife and I treated ourselves to new Grizzly 660's.

My pleasure. I hope you have as much fun as I did with the Kodiak. It's great when fellow ATVFlorida members can help each other out, that's what it is all about. 

Your ATV must pass an inspection including, I believe, a muffler and spark arrestor. Go to the link posted above and you can read the rules and requirements. Big Cypress rangers are fair, but very strict and will enforce the rules.

Summer is no time for ATV's in BC. Last year at this time we tried to ride on the improved trails and in 4 miles failed to find 1 dry spot of land to even stop. We turned around loaded up and went home. One good thing, the water was so deep, our machines looked like we just went through a car wash, very clean!

No, BC is between Miami & Naples. No dirt bikes and riding their is by permit only. I would think it is so deep right now that anything but a swamp buggy would be swallowed up quick. If anyone goes out their, post on the current conditions and whether it is rideable or not.

Not one of the most modern quads out their but still one of the best. I looked at all of them and just bought a close out 05 and am very happy. One of the most comfortable quads to ride.

From what I have seen, it must be a real challenge for even a swamp buggy in Big Cypress during the summer months. How is it getting to your camp and are their times you just can't make it?

Smooth. The Kodiak is a great bike (they never break), but the Grizzly with its independent rear susp. is a more comfortable ride. Power is good, but my Kodiaks have enough power for me so the better ride is what I like the most.

BTW, a little while ago, someone posted about the Grizzly getting terrible milage. I rode over 35 miles yesterday some of it was slow water crossings and mud and only used 1/4 of a tank. The Grizzly getting bad milage just isn't true.