Fakahatchee River

[Terry]

Vivian asked on 26 January "...is the Fakahatchee River open?", I take that as an

invitation to the next probe.   Faka Union River and East River shown here as

white lines are open excellent canoe routes.  The Fakahatchee River, the blue line, has

the best landing and would make another great addition to a loop trip connecting with

either Faka Union or East River.  The only little reconnaissance I have heard so far is

it's closed up.   Does anybody know anything about the Fakahatchee River from

Tamiami Trail down to Fakahatchee Bay?

[Jay]

Regarding my planned probe on 12/12.  I am considering trying to extend the time available to explore down there.  I noticed the statement "Good camping exists on Fakahatchee Island" on the East River trail map that is posted on the State Park's website.

Has anyone ever camped out there?  Looking over the GE image from 2010 - it looks like there might be a little beach (10m) on the north shoreline.  In some of the older images - it's not so clear. Any thoughts?

[Jim Peele]

It's my understanding that the NPS suggests the Fakahatchee site when Picnic and Tiger fill up, according to a paddler I met heading in that direction over the year-end holidays.  I have never camped there, or paddled past, but it's an old townsite so . . . 

Jay said:

Regarding my planned probe on 12/12.  I am considering trying to extend the time available to explore down there.  I noticed the statement "Good camping exists on Fakahatchee Island" on the East River trail map that is posted on the State Park's website.

Has anyone ever camped out there?  Looking over the GE image from 2010 - it looks like there might be a little beach (10m) on the north shoreline.  In some of the older images - it's not so clear. Any thoughts?

[Daniel Madrigal]

There is one great spot, and one good spot in the Island. Lots of building remains and an old cemetery. Also, lots of trails and exploration opportunities. One of my favorite spots to camp and also NO PERMITS. 

[Jay]

Thanks Jim and Daniel?

Any hint as to where that "great" spot is?

[Jim Peele]

Does anyone know if it would be OK/not OK to pitch a little tent on that big grassy patch next to the canal (our put-in) at Weaver station on Friday night after dark?   Or, at the end of the abandoned road to the west from the same pull-off?  Does one need permission from the Fakahatchee Strand State Park folk?

[Jay]

CHANGE OF PLANS - for my probe on Tuesday - 2/12. I am actually going to go down on Monday - 2/11 afternoon and camp on Fakahatchee Island.  Depending on what time I can get away on Monday and what time I get down the East River, I may do a bit of exploring on Monday afternoon.

I plan on hitting it early on Tuesday morning with a trip back up the East River Tuesday afternoon.

I had not heard from anyone saying they were going to join me for the day trip....but just in case someone was going to show up Tuesday AM....I'll already be on the trail.

I'll set up a SPOT page this weekend in the event anyone wants to follow along.

Cheers!

[Gary M]

Jim,

I don't know how "legal" it is, but camping next to the canal was a common practice a few years back. But... be very careful of the soft "sugar sand". It is very easy to get your truck sunk to the wheel wells in that stuff (don't ask me how I know). I definitely would not drive back there at night without first scouting the area in daylight. Its not a grassy as it appears on the sat photos.

You will not want to camp at the dead end of the road to the west... its a hard road bed and within spitting distance from the traffic flying across the Trail. It was becoming an illegal dump site that last time I looked.

Jim Peele said:

Does anyone know if it would be OK/not OK to pitch a little tent on that big grassy patch next to the canal (our put-in) at Weaver station on Friday night after dark?   Or, at the end of the abandoned road to the west from the same pull-off?  Does one need permission from the Fakahatchee Strand State Park folk?

[Gary M]

Jay

Its kinda looking like I'll be over in the area this weekend, and if I have time I'll poke up the Fakahatchee and see if I can still get up to the lakes to the west.

If I do, I'll post the results by Sunday night.

[Jay]

Jim - not sure about the legality.  When I returned  from the last probe, I did have a card from the Sheriff on my warning me not to leave valuables visible in my car (empty travel container and tie down straps???) Last month, the only signage in that area was a sign warning of fines for littering. Last month the lawn was actually pretty lush in most areas....however watch out for the fire ants.

Gary - Thank for that and I look forward to the report.  An estimated time to that big lake would be good  -  for my planning.  If I got there, I was going to try to push further North. I see some interesting options on GE.

Have fun.

[Jim Peele]

Thanks for the info, Gary and Jay.  First, I was able to secure a campsite (last one available) in Collier-Seminole for the night of the 22nd.  Second, I was over/down there recently when the sheriff's deputy was passing out those notices.  He handed me mine at the parking lot at the Ten Thousand Islands NWR.  I asked him if there had been any problems and he replied "not yet."  I particularly inquired about the East River put-in, hidden from view as it is, and he said again "not yet."  Yes, the lawn was lush at the put-in when I looked around there, one of the reasons I inquired about the "legality" of pitching a tent there, the other being the before-sunrise start!

[Flex Kayakfari.com]

I parked succesfully at the East River put-in on a day trip. It's completely secluded and parking was tight! My vehicle is a 1986 ..lol  ;)

[Dallas]

I parked overnight at East River put-in. The car was fine. Although there were several cane pole fisherman sitting and leaning on it when I arrived. They told me it was uncommon to see cars there overnight and that they had considered reporting it as an abandoned car.