Non Open Water Trail within Cape Sable.

[Michael Palozzola]

Has anyone ever done the trail that seems on Google maps to travel through Cape Sable and travel north from Flamingo all the way to the Northwestern Cape camp site. It looks like the the entire trail can be done with VERY little exposure to the open gulf waters. Has anyone ever done this trail? Does anyone know the distances of the trail, it seems to wind and weave a bit. It looks like a perfect trail because the trail looks like it is easy access to get to the 3 individual campsites along the cape with as mentioned very little open water travel. Thoughts?  Thanks all.

[Michael Palozzola]

Right as the rainy season ends would I need to worry about the lake looking like this at Low Tide?

[Michael Palozzola]

From looking at the Tide times here is what I'm thinking:

Day 1 - Flamingo to Middle Cape - Staying out along the gulf

Day 2 - Mid to NW Cape - Head out late in order to catch high tide and take the "back way through the river" to the NW cape

(Would the entry between the middle and nw cape into the north end of the lake still be on a 2ish Hr lag or would it be closer to East time considering it is direct Gulf access?)

Day 3 - NW Cape to ?? - Depending on sleep situations/deprivation due to meteor shower etc head back on gulf side to either the Mid or East Cape

Day 4 -  Back to Flamingo

[Kim Gass]

From East Cape to NW Cape is almost all beach.  There are not discrete marked campsites.  

Probably with direct Gulf access the tides will run with East Cape. However and this is a BIG however, the tides are heavily affected by wind. I cannot say what the wind will be next December.

You need not proceed with such surgical dissection. If the tides are contrary just wait.  There are ample camping places.

Remember if there is a north wind and cold front all plans can be out the window. The good news is that there is wonderful star gazing no matter where you sleep.

[Gary M]

Michael,

One thing jumps out to me right away on your tide chart.  That first 4.6 -> -1.2 tide is a monster hill tide for Flamingo.  If it is low at 8 @ East Cape, it will be low at least an hour later at Flamingo marina.  So, you are going to be heading out into very shallow conditions and you probably will not be able to hang close to the shore... there just will not be any water to paddle in.  Then, your first leg (to East Cape) will be into an incoming tide (runs W ->E). Even if you don't have unfavorable winds of any kind, that first leg will be a bitch.

BTW... that means *any* early morning departures are going to be at low tide... and all those low tides will be *low* low tides... you are going to be slogging through long distances to get your boats loaded and floating. 

You might consider a mid day departure, allowing for more water near shore in case you need it 'cuz o of winds, then camping the first night at Clubhouse Beach (easy distance) or East Cape.  You will most likely have either camping location to yourself.

Ingraham is going to be shallow (or dry) near the shores at low tide in rainy season or not.  All boats, and paddlers, will be forced to use the channel... and the boaters will most likely stay on plane, especially if they have larger boats.  The tides through there are always significant when moving, and winds in Dec can be... anything from calm to frontal.

You are going to have to play this by ear... and have many options.  I don't think you will have too much of a problem with your neighbors though... there is a lot of space along those beaches, and most of those inclined to camp out there are paddlers rather than "speed boat kids".

BTW... thanks for the heads up on the meteor shower... definitely cool to camp then!

[Michael Palozzola]

BTW... that means *any* early morning departures are going to be at low tide... and all those low tides will be *low* low tides... you are going to be slogging through long distances to get your boats loaded and floating.

I did forget about that on the gulf there are those major muck flats. Well Day 2 and Day 3 I dont think there is going to be an early morning start for anyone, best viewing of the meteors is around and after midnight so people wont be rested to break camp till later in the morning.

your first leg (to East Cape) will be into an incoming tide (runs W ->E)

This has got me a little puzzled, INCOMING tide is heading towards the ocean on the open gulf?  I would of thought the incoming tide would been filling into the gulf out in the open like that.

[Michael Palozzola]

Why would a north wind paired with a cold front specifically cancel it? And I am setting a plan, along the actual trip plans will be adjusted depending on people present, strengths weaknesses, weariness, etc. Just building up to any sort of trip I prefer to have an IDEAL scinario in mind, but i do understand very well that plans NEVER go accordingly. "We plan, God Laughs" was a magnet on my families fridge from when I was a young child, and I know the meaning of that phrase ALL too well.

[Kim Gass]

It might not cancel anything if you enjoy paddling in thirty mile an hour winds with four foot seas and surf landings.

The campsites have good capacity so chances are a plan will not go afoul there.  I haven't paddled Lake Ingraham in its entirety but some wind directions might pile the water up at one end and empty the other. Maybe like Sunday Bay is...sometimes NO water.

One thing I have learned from seven Everglades solos (the last one last week was short at five days and 65 miles) is that Nature really does rule.  Sometimes you get stuck. I got stuck on Mormon Key for three days in high winds and four foot seas.. Got around that finally by biting the bullet and paddling at night when the winds were a little less.

Sure you have to have a plan A.. but also plan B, C, D etc.  And decide when you get your permit. You will have a handle on the weather then that is likely for 96 hours.

A weather radio is a MUST.  The rangers are understanding though if the weather alters your plans. Doing that on beaches is one thing.. its a no no to simply try and take a chickee that you are not permitted for.

[Michael Palozzola]

A weather radio is a MUST.

of course, I haven't done any major paddling trips as of yet so I don't have it yet but I know the one I want and will have it before this trip.

I have Plan A in mind I have basic Plan B and possibly C in mind but most of that will not play in till much closer to the day. There aren't other "registered camp grounds" anywhere near those sites SO camping in other locals (except like the other sites along the beach between flamingo and east) is not an option. The EXACT camp sites will depend on exact days trip. The group I'm heading out with is mostly of lower kayak experience. So the trip will have to be highly modified depending on exact conditions day of.

[Gary M]

Michael,

Whether it makes sense or not, the fact is - incoming tide runs W ->E toward Flamingo marina.  And with those strong tides (must be a whole moon?... hopefully new not full for the shower), even a strong east wind will not be able to thwart it.  In fact, if you do get a strong east wind, you probably will not be able to paddle to the beaches... the opposition of wind and tide will cause waves to "stack up".

[Michael Palozzola]

I should have looked at the map before that last post I actually FORGOT about the Florida Bay, that makes sense the gulf fills the bay going into high tide.

And the moon is a New Moon, that's why this trip is being planned as it is. This shower doesn't pair up with a New Moon or unrisen moon often so I'm really hoping to make the trip workable.

[toofaraway]

Watching the meteor shower from anywhere down there will be a treat, including the campground at Flamingo.  With a group of lower experienced kayakers and no major paddling trips under your belt, good idea to keep it flexible. Florida Bay can be a bitch and anywhere on the Cape is totally exposed.  Lake Ingraham is possible but you still have to deal with the entrances which could be flat calm or mayhem.  Luckily there are tons of choices depending on wind direction.  Talk to the rangers if you can find one that actually knows the area.