I head out tomorrow morning for nine days on Florida’s Big Bend Saltwater Trail. I’ll provide a full report when I return. Here is a link to information on the trail: Big Bend Saltwater Trail
The trip is being guided by Scott Locorini of Adirondack Exposure Below is a day-by-day itinerary.
Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail Exploratory Trip
3/9/08 – 3/19/08
Below is the general itinerary (subject to change based on weather, tides, etc).
Daily distances (except for the first on-water day) are between 8 – 15 miles.
3/09/08 – Afternoon - Meet in the town of Suwannee, Fl at a rental house. Local airport (Gainesville) shuttles are available for a fee. Dinner will be in town.
3/10/08 – Breakfast in town. Load up and be shuttled to the put-in on the Econfina River. Camping is at Econfina River State Park primitive campsite.
3/11/08 – Rock Island. This is a remote, scenic island of about twenty acres. Camping is on the west side of the island in a small cleared area with a fire ring, partially shaded by live oaks.
3/12/08 - Spring Warrior Creek. This campsite is nestled along scenic Spring Warrior Creek about a half mile north of the town of Spring Warrior. Campers will enjoy a full view of the river and night sky.
3/13/08 - Sponge Point. Just past Keaton Beach, Sponge Point is an island-like hardwood hammock connected to the mainland only by salt marsh. Camping is in a shaded grove of live oaks.
3/14/08 - Dallus Creek. Located in a remote hammock at the mouth of Dallus Creek, one must reach the campsite by walking down a cleared trail through needlerush. Camping is in a grassy area beneath weathered live oaks.
3/15/08 - Steinhatchee Lodging at Gulfstream Motel and Marina – 2 paddlers per room (2 full size beds). Dinner/breakfast in town.
3/16/08 - Sink Creek. Camping is in a scenic hardwood hammock along Sink Creek. One can take long hikes behind the campsite along the edge of the marsh and several other hammocks. The area is remote and wild.
3/17/08 - Butler Island. Camping is beneath mature cedars, live oaks and palms near huge shell middens left by early Native Americans. The coontie palm, a protected species, is present, but beware of poison ivy.
3/18/08 – Take out at our rental house in Suwannee, Fl. Dinner in town.
3/19/08 – Breakfast in town and check-out at 11AM.
