The Eastern Continental Trail

Keys Glades Connector
     
 

 

The Eastern Continental Keys Glades Connector/Roadwalk

The ECT Keys Glades Connector is an unblazed road walk. There are some options for alternative routes along the way, but for most of the route, there is consensus as to what way to go.  My primary mission is to document the "standard" route that is active today, and then I will venture into the alternative routes later on.  Because I think of this hike as a northbound route, my narrative descriptions may favor that direction, but the actual routes will reflect data bi-directionally.  

I've being reading everything I could on this section of the ECT, mostly from trail journals, and have identified three possible routes.  All routes share the begining and ends in common, but differences between Key Largo and US41 affect the distance traveled and services available.

The first two routes are essentially the same, with the only difference the route from Key Largo to Florida City.  The third route allows the hiker to venture off the main roads along some remote greenways.
Route 1 - US1 to the mainland
Route 2 - Card Sound Road to the mainland
Route 3 - The Greenway option 

At this time, due to construction on US1, only the second route is viable.  Please see this *alert* from Nimblewill Nomad's site to see how bad it really is!!!

Routes 1 and 2 of the ECT Keys Glades Connector

 

These routes traverse the following roads and trails.  
A) The Keys 
 

This is the longest section, but also the easiest to hike of the four.  It begins at the Southernmost Point of the Continental United States and follows US1 through Key Largo.  The state parks organization is in the process of establishing this as the Overseas Heritage Trail.  There are ample services available to hikers, so I will be focusing on landmarks and key points of interest.  The Keys feature mile markers along US1, making location of points of interest especially simple.  

 
B) Getting to the Mainland
 

These are the shortest sections.  Services in this section are virtually non-existent, but you will be able to restock when you get to the mainland/Florida City/Homestead (northbound) or Key Largo (southbound).  There are only two routes from the Keys to the Mainland:  

US1 (The "18 Mile Stretch") (NOT CURRENTLY RECOMMENDED FOR HIKING)
Card Sound road
 

When one road is closed, the other must be utilized.  It is important to have information on both routes with you because one or the other of the roads may be closed for any number of reasons. Although route 1 should not be chosen for hiking due to construction (when a choice is available) should there be any reason for the closure of Card Sound road, you will need to take this route and be VERY CAREFUL. Alternatively, you might "Yellow Blaze" (get a taxi or other transportation - named for the yellow lines on the pavement) the dangerous sections of US1, depending on your personal opinion of that practice.
C) Krome
 

The Florida City/Homestead area is the last highly urban area you will see on the ECT for a long time if you are going north.  Services on the trail after this point are limited.  The generally accepted route to US41 is along SR997, which is also known as 177th Ave or "Krome".   Krome brings you through the rural section of the greater Miami area.
 
D) The Greenway Alternative

This is an alternative to the more urban road walk.  It takes you along two greenways, the Southern Glades Greenway and the Everglades Trail, that follow the canal system next to the Everglades.  What you gain is solitude.  What you lose is easy access to services.  This alternative route requires that you take the US1 route between Key Largo and the mainland.  US1 is not readily available at this time due to construction and because of that, this section will be documented at a later date.

 
E) US 41/Loop Road
  The point where SR997 intersects US41 is your last good chance to obtain supplies for a long time if you are heading north, and your first opportunity to really stock up after many miles of limited choices if you are headed southbound.  Since all services lie along US41, all features will be with respect to that road, but it is possible to hike approximately 10 miles of the US41 section along a parallel canal road, which affords you some terrific views of the Wilderness Management Area.   Other than the locks at the beginning and end of the canal route, there is a single bridge midway that allows you to cross over for services.  You will immediately enter the Everglades region once you make the turn onto US41.   As you progress west, you will pass through the Miccosukee Reservation, branch off to Loop Road and eventually enter the backcountry of the Big Cypress National Preserve, leaving the urban hiking behind you altogether.