Little Sable Creek

[Terry]

Date: 20 January 2008

Location: Little Sable Creek runs from Lake Ingraham to the gulf just north of
Northwest Cape, Cape Sable.

Condition: Open for hand propelled craft.

Caution: NOAA Nautical Chart 11433 has not kept up with the severe erosion in the
Middle Cape Canal area. It is not as it appears on the chart but both the creeks that
head northwest from the lake will take you to the gulf.

[Rolando Willimann]

This looks like something need to run on a rising tide, how shallow is it at low tide?

[Terry]

Nope. From what I saw, which was at a higher tide, it had plenty of water. About 5 years ago
some friends of mine ran the whole thing in a 17 Mako with a 115 motor. They had to raise the
motor once to go over a log. Whether it needs to be at a higher tide or not it obviously is safer
at a higher tide.
The little canal right after entering the north side creek on the lake end is most interesting.
I did not go all the way through, I was running out of time, but the water was gushing out of
there, indicating passage is possible. This would put a paddler on the inside and could go
behind Lake Ingraham all the way to the canal in the middle of the lake on the north shore or
even over to East Cape Canal. If they finish clearing the old Homestead Canal (Bear Lake Trail)
to Gator Lakes you could canoe all the way from Buttonwood Canal at Bear Lake to the gulf north
of Northwest Cape with never going in open water. That backcountry stuff appeals to us open
canoers.

[Keith W]

Did you day "finish" clearing Bear Lake Trail? I never knew they started! I ran up the Bear Lake Rd on my way out of Flamingo last month to take a look and it was not a pretty sight at the east end. If they are really clearing this then I will be truly grateful. I have an idea to skiff the area between Bear Lake and Ingraham sometime next season. Alan says he saw flocks of flamingos on a trip through there.

[Terry]

That's what I'm told, the park has two volunteers from Homestead that are working on, or
maybe going to be working on the Homestead Canal. That's a real shame.
Homestead Canal used to be THE way to get to Cape Sable. I couldn't tell ya how many
times I canoed the canal to East Cape Canal to camp at East Cape. And, I also almost
always saw Flamingos in the long straight stretch to East Cape Canal. Crocodiles too.
You mean it's even grown over between Bear Lake and Buttonwood Canal?! How do
people canoe the little loop from the parking lot to Bear Lake through Mud Lake through
Indian Creek to Coot Bay and back to the parking lot via Buttonwood Canal?!
I used to take student groups on that little loop. Hmm...maybe the gladesgodeep group
will have to drop the wild deep adventures for a little while and pitch in to help keep
some old familiar routes open. Keep that thought.

[Rolando Willimann]

I'd be willing to go out and help on my days off, wed-thursday...anytime.

[Bob Quirk]

I just ran up Sable Creek on Saturday the 4th as far as the second larger lake in a 21 foot bay boat at low tide. There is plenty of water the whole way and lots of Red Fish. There is also lots of water flow so canoes and kayaks should plan to go with the flow and not get stuck up there. I'm not sure where the outgoing/ incoming flow reverses but would be currious to find out.

[Esther Luft]

Hi all - I'm taking some people out next weekend, weather permitting, to paddle down Little Sable Creek. Any tips? Any warnings? Thanks!