Wow, what a day.
I left my house around 7:30 and stopped in Weston to have a sandwich made. Got to the rest stop at around 9:15. I checked out the rest stop, there is actually a Collier County Fire House there. Inside the rest area there is typical vending machine fare and an ice cream machine. No tuna available here, but chips, soda, sticky buns and the aforementioned ice cream. Nothing fantastic to eat. On the north end of I-75 there is a gate to enter the trail to Nobles. There are several other trails here, they all loop around and they all enter the swamp. But the trail to Nobles is an old road, pretty easy walking. 4.7 miles to the camp.
I hiked in and it quickly became hot. I stopped about halfway to drop a water supply. On my way I saw some wildlife. A lot of birds--herons and cranes and one limpkin. I even saw a crayfish of all things in the middle of the road. Down a ways I found the eaten carcass of a snake, maybe 1' long. I heard some larger animals off in the brush. About 4 miles in I saw a bunch of green tape strung from the treetops and then some orange flags. Turns out the road has either a culvert going bad or a spring underneath it so the road was partially out. Passable, but barely. A vehicle could easily get stuck here. There were 2 6-7' alligators in the ditch here. After this point the road started to get overgrown so the walk became more like a hike.
I soon hit the turn and saw the sign pointing to Nobles, 100 yards away. Made that left turn and got into the clearing. It was obvious an FTA crew was in here less than a week ago, they bushhogged the pasture. I saw a note in the log book that they were here at the trailhead. The left a brand new fire ring here, it had not been used yet. I believe this is where the hiker who made the video camped.
The freshwater pond and the camp were off to the left. The campsite where they found MH is under a full canopy of trees. Well shaded. The picnic table is there still, moved to one side of the site, sort of opposite where his tent was found, instead of behind it. I could clearly make out where his tent was because the burned palm and the palm tree log are still there, they are easy to spot in the scene photos. The best place to get water was right there at the campsite, about 40 paces from where his tent would have been.
I decided to spend some time here from the heat. I ate my sandwich and drank some water in the shade at the table. After I felt refreshed I canvassed the site. I saw some evidence of other campers. A fire ring with some ash, an old fuel canister, and some eggshells and a couple of random pieces of toilet paper. The only thing that looked like it could have been a relic from MH's time was the canister. It was well rusted. I had brought a candle and lit it and said a prayer for him. I searched all over for anything he might have left: initials carved somewhere, a wallet hidden in the brush, etc. Nothing. Even on the underside of the table.
The sun shifted a bit and I decided to head back. On my way back I encountered a group of hikers that went through the swamp, on a different trail. They were soaked. They were about 1/2 mile from where I hid my backup water, which I needed. I went though 4 liters of water. Overall it was a nice hike, but very hot. He died in a very secluded spot, 100 yards from the main trail and sort of hidden at the campsite. I still find it hard to believe he didn't speak with others, but there were plenty of spots to disappear if he heard anybody coming.
I'll link some pictures tomorrow, I am spent tonight.