Wilderness Waterway Questions

[Daniel Madrigal]

Hey everyone. I am planning on doing the wilderness waterway in March and I had a few questions for those who have done it. First of all, does anyone know of a good website for tides at flamingo? Salwatertides.com is not very accurate due to no close location. Next question is, does going flamingo to everglades city or vice versa matter? I was planning on going flamingo to everglades city. Last question is should I take deviations from the marked waterway? Perhaps to see some nicer areas or more wildlife or something. Thanks for all your help guys! 

[Connie Mier]

Saltwatertides gives the tides specifically for Flamingo and I don't know why the link does not appear here: . But you have to look under Florida Keys (not gulf coast) and scroll down until you see Flamingo.

[Jared E]

Connie is right, the Flamingo tide info is in the "Keys" section.

I also like this site:

http://www.protides.com/map/state-map.php?Florida

[Daniel Madrigal]

Yea that explains a lot! I never looked in the Keys section of the site. Thanks! Anyone have answers to my other questions?

[Jared E]

I haven't paddled the whole thing but I have been back a ways by by motor boat ;-). I will tell you that the back country is fairly static. The Gulf offers some very nice views especially at the river mouths. Time it with the tides and you should have a great time.

-Jared E.

[yakmaster]

Excellent product!

[Terry]

Go right to the source for all these private tide prediction sites:

http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tides10/tpred2.html#FL

The tides are delayed as you go from the gulf into the backcountry and you can pretty much
count on about a 3 hour delay in the tides from the entrance of the rivers to back where the tides
don't change much. Thoughtful planning can really make a difference. I once rode flood up
Shark River to Tarpon Bay, hitting high at Tarpon Bay exactly in time to ride the ebb out Harney
River. It was so fast and easy I felt like I was cheating. But all the planning in the world won't
cover everything for an 8 day route, you will hit a spot that just can't be worked into your
schedule. Once I had to go from Broad River Campsite to Rogers River Bay Chickee during the
strongest ebb in Broad River. It took me most of the day just to get to Cabbage Creek.

After a number of through trips, I have come to like this route the best: Alternating from freshwater
environments (backcountry sites) and saltwater environments (beach sites) creating a
zig-zag route all the way from Hells Bay Trail to Collier Seminole State Park that is mostly
off the Wilderness Waterway magenta line.

[Daniel Madrigal]

Thanks for your help so far everyone! Terry, I was also thinking about doing something like that since a week is a long time to go without a fire. Beach campsites are also the most comfortable. However doing that will really tack on some miles so I would have to really find a great route.

[Terry]

There is no end to possible routes but good things to include is the Labyrinth, the north creek out of
Canepatch and the whole north route up near Otter Creek west out North Harney. Always use
the Nightmare that's a WW feature. Rogers River is better if you've already been up Broad but
if you do use Broad include Cabbage Creek. Willy Willy is a great backcountry site. The
magenta line goes through the Lostman Bays north to south by going a little east-west-east to
Onion Key, a good alternative is to go west-east-west instead. This is especially true if you are
going north from Rogers River Bay Chickee. Whether you on the outside and are coming in or
the inside going out, I've done it both ways, use Charlie Creek passing by Gopher Key.
Deep in there is like another world.
North from here there's many ways to go around islands on the Gulf side or on the inside
you can take the northeast route to come out on the east side of Sunday Bay. If you want to
cut the trip short go up Turner River or cut over to the new BCNP visitor center. For full
length travelers, Tiger or Picnic Key will always be your last night since it will take a full day
to get through the Ten Thousand Islands and up Blackwater River.
Enjoy, half the fun is planning it.

[Daniel Madrigal]

How does this look?

[yakmaster]

Excellent, but you missed the nightmare and a whole bunch of tight creek opportunities. After sleeping @ highland (very nice), go back into the nightmare (not as bad as tallked up...as long as you got water) and then take the labyrinth...and if you really want nice, work your way along the east side of whitewater and out hell's bay trail instead of the west side & south Joe.

At least that's what they tell me, I've always come home down the S. Joe ;-)

[Esther Luft]

Watch the winds too. They will obviate the tide when they blow hard. If you time it right, that ride on the moving tide is a dream. If you miss it, wait. Plus add in some night paddles. It is stunning at night.

Willy Willy, Canepatch and Plate Creek are my favorite back country sites. Use the aerials in the back country. Printed charts are off when it come to placement. Everything is just a bit off.
At Willy Willy you don't have to unload at the dock either. There is a canoe launch to the left of the port-o-let. Just duck and you will fit under the tree branch. You can move the vines but be careful with the poison ivy. Don't let this discourage you, should you choose to go there, it is gorgeous.

Canepatch is great for the fruit and dense trails. What a treat. Depending on when you go, citrus, guava, bananas and more can be plucked off the trees. The dock is long but worth the effort. The surrounding creeks are awesome. The wildlife is fantastic in the area. The resident gators merit some caution though. Just keep an eye on them, they're looking for snack from the fishermen.

My favorite untouched yet accessible area is Plate Creek. That's also one of my favorite chickees. No Brazilian Pepper, old large growth native vegetation, a protected lake, amazing sunsets; it's picture perfect. You are transported back in time there. The air even smells different.

Take the cutover between the Broad River and Rodgers River. Lots of gators here. If you can, get in behind the mangroves, you can make you way through some of the areas.

Yakmaster is correct. The East/NE portion of Whitewater is much better than Joe River. It's well worth the time. Horseshoe Bay at sunset is to die for. Ah! I love the entire thing. Make sure you have time to explore Highland Beach in h early hours. Deer will come right up to your campsite. Very cool. Also, look for old Calusa Shells. They can still be found. Huge Whelks with obvious signs they once served another purpose are still around.

Whatever route you settle on, you'll be back for more. Enjoy!

[Daniel Madrigal]

This is what I have been able to put together so far with everyone's help. Looks like a pretty good plan to me!