Charley Creek

[Erik]

Planning on a trip in December and want to include charley creek. Anyone have any updates on the condition of the route? 

[Walt]

As of last november it was passible. The entrance behind Turkey Key is guarded by a large mud flat, you'll want to enter or exit when you have the right tide. Water does flow fairly strong through the creek, and it's easier to go against the flow. If you paddle down stream, the flow will push you into snags that should be avoided, and you can end up broaching. Keep some bug screen handy.

It's a really cool detour, lots of birds and fish; Enjoy!

 

[Daniel Madrigal]

I passed through in March and it was very passable, even saw a guy fishing in a motor boat in there. If timed correctly it should be no problem at all. Walt is right, lots of birds and fish. Really unique place in the glades I haven't seen anything else quite like it. Let us know about your trip after you do it!

[Walt]

Use the tide readings for the entrance to the Chatham River.

http://www.saltwatertides.com/dynamic.dir/floridagulfsites.html#sable

They'll be almost the same for the entrance to Charlie Creek. An hour to an hour and a half after low should give you enough water to enter/ exit the mouth of the creek. Allow more time for a negative tide, and keep in mind that wind can affect those tides. 

[Erik]

Thanks for the info!

[Jason Berry]

Headed up Charley creek last Monday during an incoming tide (entered the mouth near mid-tide). The entire route to Cannon Bay was passable in our canoes. There was a small, semi-submersed log that required some work to get the boats over, plus a few fully submerged ones we just floated over. Plenty of low hanging branches to duck under with snags here and there, but in general it was fine. As expected for mid-November, bugs were still heavy. Pelican Bay was full of wildlife. Tides and time permitting this is a great alternate route between beach sites and the WW. 

[Erik]

Thanks again for all the info. The trip was wonderful. Started at chokoloskee, spent the first night at Lopez. Then off to Wastons Place where the Bobcat came of to visit us, from there to New Turkey Key. The next day went up Charley Creek, amazing! The birds were incredible!!! Spent the night at Darwin's Place and then the last night on the new Crooked Creek Chickee. Couldn't have asked for better weather!

[Connie Mier]

Erik, sounds like a great trip. A friend was recently at Watsons and must have seen the same bobcat walking through camp. We are planning to go through Charley creek in a few weeks, thanks for the info Erik and Jason.

Connie

[Jeremy Clark]

Any updates for Charley Creek? 17 foot kayaks ok?

[Kim Gass]

Its fine . Watch the tide tables. The narrow part of the river easily accommodates my nearly 18 foot long sea canoe.  Best to go in on a rising tide.

[Jeremy Clark]

Enter from the gulf with a rising tide? I have read a few reports that it is better to have the tide against you.

[vivian]

Yes, enter from gulf with a rising tide there are some shallow areas between turkey and entrance. We have had long sea kayaks and canoes through there no problem.

[Flex Kayakfari.com]

Charley Creek is basically a long mangrove tunnel. If you haven't already, you check it out about 2/3 of the way down at:

https://kayakfari.wordpress.com/trips-sea-stories-pics/camping-hell...

Also this is me in a 20ft sea kayak going through it in an interactive panorama:

http://www.dermandar.com/p/dOoDpA/charley-creek-kayakfari-everglade...

You really shouldn't have any trouble going through. It's the section between there and Gopher Creek that can get really shallow so you need to be on a higher tide.