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?

[Miami101]

Keep it for the winter this time of year there are lots of bug's. If you right out side to there is a water camp site. For the record those are babies in the photo I seem them up to, and bigger than 17 feet. I agree yiu can never trust them we on food....

but if your going hit me up.....I think Flex, and myself are looking to do some trips soon.

The only thing is we like to have a good time........no sticks in the mud!

John Bob over, and out.

[Miami101]

FYI I go to the park year long........for those that don't go all year long I always direct them to Winter.

[Dallas]

I meant to say I think the Crocodile Point Trail would be more challenging than the Coastal Prairie Trail. I'm not sure how one would cross Alligator Creek.

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.

[Michael Palozzola]

How wide/deep is alligator creek? Depending on that and precautions taken it could probally be forded easily just gotta be prepared to get a lil wet.

[yakmaster]

If you look at the topos, the old cottonpicker trail ends on the tip of Crocodile Point ( just past where the old camp used to be. There is a spur to the north, but it ends on the shore of Terrapin Bay. Nothing mapped east of there. & having been in the area, I would assume, for good reason...

Plenty of mangrove & deep marl to the east..

Crossing Alligator Creek is easier than crossing the Western canals. 

Getting there is another matter. I agree with you that the west side is probably easier going than the east side!

Dallas said:

I meant to say I think the Crocodile Point Trail would be more challenging than the Coastal Prairie Trail. I'm not sure how one would cross Alligator Creek.

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.

[daniel]

you guys won't be able to cross alligator creek on foot. too deep. plus, as disucussed before, there are somne really big reptiles (alligators as well as big crocs) that call that area home---and the water is always tannic-y and dark and dirty. i would not want to be in that water. just fyi.

yakmaster said:

If you look at the topos, the old cottonpicker trail ends on the tip of Crocodile Point ( just past where the old camp used to be. There is a spur to the north, but it ends on the shore of Terrapin Bay. Nothing mapped east of there. & having been in the area, I would assume, for good reason...

Plenty of mangrove & deep marl to the east..

Crossing Alligator Creek is easier than crossing the Western canals. 

Getting there is another matter. I agree with you that the west side is probably easier going than the east side!

Dallas said:

I meant to say I think the Crocodile Point Trail would be more challenging than the Coastal Prairie Trail. I'm not sure how one would cross Alligator Creek.

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.

[Michael Palozzola]

This is really just spitballing I have not looked at the topos or anything so dont blast me for a "stupid idea" but If we are talking blazing a trail is it the type of creek we could put up something makeshift ... Some 2x4s or something to make it passable for future hikes? Something that maybe during the wet season would be under 4ft o water but as the dry comes around would be exposed??

[daniel]

hi michael, i wasn't "blasting" anyone. i'm all for exploring. just saying that creek is pretty deep, water moves thru it pretty good, and it's too wide for it to be easy, at least in my estimation. not to mention the critters. and i think the park would have a hard time with 2x4s or anything. it's a creek that people see on a regular basis, so i am pretty sure someone would report it or the park guys would find it pretty quickly. 

[Michael Palozzola]

I meant blasting me for the 2x4 idea... And I didn't know it was a well visited creek from the way it was being spoken of it seemed to be way back in the thick back country so I figured something that could be bridged unnoticibally.

[Dennis McDonald]

So you have me wondering about the Crocodile Point area. We are thinking of going down around Christmas and paddling out that way. I would be love to have a hiking trail into the area.We have camped at Alligator Creek many times. What about making a sort of ladder/bridge to cross? Kind of like the do when crossing crevaces (sp?) on Everest. Something you could drop in place then lift up when finished. I talked to a ranger who told me someone used to hike the old road years ago but no had done it in a long time. We have talked about it but with limited time something less adventurous is always the one that wins out. Someday maybe.

[Gary M]

If anyone paddles out to the campsite, "crossing" the creek is no big deal... ya just pull the canoe up on the south side, then start walking. I do not think there is any other way to access that last portion of the old road out to Croc Point, without making a base camp at the established camp site. And, considering the terrain and the length of the road, I don't expect anyone could make it to Croc Point and back in one day... so it would just be to see some new territory, take some photos, and experience some of the disappearing history of the park.

BTW...the next time you paddle out there... if you pay close attention you can find some of the remains of a second old bridge. Its within the first few hundred feet of the beginning of the tunnel that starts just below Long Lake. The old paper topos show the trails. Its kinda fun to try to figure out what all went on out there before it became the Park.

[Michael Palozzola]

I've never been out that way and now I'm so curious I want to see all the things being mentioned with old bridge and tunnel etc lol