Alligator Creek overnight

[Michael Palozzola]

I am looking to get my feet wet for camping by kayak. I was looking at possibly doing this site but the comments I read on Everglades Diaries about many gators and crocs present makes me hesitant. I was wondering possibly a stupid question. How do you keep the gators away from the site at night safely?

[Michael Palozzola]

Really glad you had a great first experience, it's the first one that either has you hooked or going, ehh I can pass in the future! Also glad u had some nice star viewing, when I was down in dec I was there for the meteor shower and had 70-90% cloud cover :(. Glad you had fun keep us informed on ur future ventures. Keep exploring

[Michael Palozzola]

u know I never actually saw this reply. Its actually not that hard, mangrove roots thought very flexible are actually decently strong, especially if you keep weight as close to the trunk as you can. We actually walked out to that spot through a series of 2x4's we found laid across the roots from previous travelers while looking for a flamingo pond we had been promised 3hrs prior by our guide.

daniel said:

yeah, i mean... not to give away a trade secret, but how did you get up there ? i wouldn't think those mangroves would support much... 

[Dallas]

So you walked all the way out to Alligator Creek campsite? 

[Michael Palozzola]

No no, the photo isn't from alligator creek. The photo is from a trip in the Galapagos.

[Dallas]

The reason I asked is that there used to be a trail that ran all the way out from Snake Bight, past Alligator Creek and onto Crocodile Point. It was called the Crocodile Point Trail. It was used by the USDA to eradicate blighted wild cotton that was growing out there.After that, it was used as a hiking trail to access backcountry campsites (which are no longer open). The trail is not used anymore, apparently due to the high concentration of Manchineel trees along the route. I've always wanted to explore it but I think it would be a pretty tough hike.

[Michael Palozzola]

I love tough hikes to see or get to places other ppl don't/can't. I'd be in

[Dallas]

I would love to give it a shot. But not until around March sometime. :)

Michael Palozzola said:

I love tough hikes to see or get to places other ppl don't/can't. I'd be in

[yakmaster]

Hell, that wasn't a trail, it was a road, the cotton pickers used to drive it in model T's. It used to go east to the point and west all the way past lake ingraham (on that side, its  remnants are the coastal prairie trail). It used to cross the plugged canals (which were crossed by log bridges when they were less than 20' wide, now look how wide they are! About 70' according to GE.So now it ends before the canals, unless you want to swim... On the east side, you have the hiking trails that are maintained (rowdy, snake), but after that, it gets thick!

Dallas said:

The reason I asked is that there used to be a trail that ran all the way out from Snake Bight, past Alligator Creek and onto Crocodile Point. It was called the Crocodile Point Trail. It was used by the USDA to eradicate blighted wild cotton that was growing out there.After that, it was used as a hiking trail to access backcountry campsites (which are no longer open). The trail is not used anymore, apparently due to the high concentration of Manchineel trees along the route. I've always wanted to explore it but I think it would be a pretty tough hike.

[Gary M]

The reason I asked is that there used to be a trail that ran all the way out from Snake Bight, past Alligator Creek and onto Crocodile Point. It was called the Crocodile Point Trail.

I've looked at the section from A Creek to Croc Point quite a bit. If you camped at the A Creek site you could pick up that portion at the bridge remnant just a little west of the camp. I've always hoped to find/ establish a portage from the Lungs into the 7 Palm Lakes area so as not to have to paddle that outside stretch to Croc Point. I've pretty much given up on that idea, but I would not mind just walking some of that old road!

[Dallas]

This might be one worth doing. I'm throwing my hat in the ring.

I've hiked the Coastal Prairie Trail all the way to the East Cape canal. I think this is way more challenging as no one uses this trail at all as far as I know.

[Michael Palozzola]

I've tried to hike the coastal prarie trail this past year problem is I tried it in April or may. The Mosquitos and horse flys were so thick they drove me off the trail within 100yrds. I'd love to go back and try again.

[yakmaster]

The Coastal Prairie trail's been kind of abandoned for years. But a couple of years ago, they started sending out maintenance teams to clear & reestablish the trail. It's tough work, because it's designated wilderness, no motorized vehicles, no power tools.

Hump it in, hump it out...and hand tools only!

Anybody want to volunteer? They're always looking for a few good men...and women!

Kevin'll get you hooked up!  [e-mail], he's the volunteer coordinator for the park.

Dallas said:

This might be one worth doing. I'm throwing my hat in the ring.

I've hiked the Coastal Prairie Trail all the way to the East Cape canal. I think this is way more challenging as no one uses this trail at all as far as I know.