March 2011 loop trip

[Keith W]

Finally got some time to post a short trip report of my 8-day March loop from Hell's Bay out to Willy Willy and back. I won't go into all the details and will focus on the first 3 days of the trip, where I accomplished a long-sought goal of finding an inside southern route that completely bypasses Whitewater Bay, and takes you through some of the prettiest backcountry creeks that nobody ever gets to see. I started at the Hells Bay trail dock and spent my first night at Lane Bay. The Google Earth screenshot shows days 2 (red line) and 3 (green line) of the trip. Day 2 started at Lane Bay and runs through the maze of creeks that Terry calls the Old Camp Route, and crosses Roberts River, North River, and ends at North River Chickee. Day 3 was the most challenging of the trip and followed a long, tortuous series of small creeks and bays we call the North Watson Route, which starts at North River chickee and comes out near the entrance of Watson River. The entire route from Lane Bay to Watson River was passable with deep water in the creeks and bays, and there were no significant obstructions of any kind. If there was ever a prime candidate for an Alternative Wilderness Waterway trail, this is it. Having a route that allows paddlers to bypass the open water of Whitewater Bay is a very nice thing and this will probably become my standard route for future trips along the eastern shores of Whitewater Bay. I will post detailed aerials of these routes in the near future, but you should be warned that they are not marked on the ground, and are for those who already have some experience in following charts and aerials without a GPS. If you're just getting started paddling the Everglades, then get some more experience before attempting these routes, at least until the ENP gets around to marking them.

 

 

 

The rest of the trip was pretty much the usual WW stuff. Day 3 ended at Shark River Chickee after a long westerly detour through the Labyrinth to Shark Cutoff, and back up the Little Shark River on the rising tide. Day 4 took me to Broad River via the Nightmare. Day 5 was Willy Willy via the Gulf and Lostmans' River. Day 6 was a bit more exciting, as I got caught by a strong cold front on my way down Rogers River to Highland Beach. 50 mph wind gusts threatened to tear loose the mangroves from the river bank where I was holed up while the front blew through. Day 7 was a wild ride down the Gulf coast from Highland Beach to South Joe River with a 25 mph NW wind screaming at my back while crossing Ponce DeLeon Bay. The wind raised 3 foot standing waves against the falling tide at the mouth of the Little Shark, and I got a little whitewater action there. The last day took me from South Joe River across the south end of Whitewater Bay back to Hells Bay trail, and the end of the journey.

 

[Jay]

Vivian and Connie - great reports.  Nice pictures both of you - under challenging conditions.

[vivian]

Jay I appreciate your help in confirming with your last trip through this area, that I was on the right track. It gave me much confidence!

[Kim Gass]

I've learned SO much from all of you  and I appreciate the opportunity to learn..Living in Maine I have a limited time to go to the Everglades, ( we don't handle warm weather well!). Thank you for all you have given in regards to the history of the area. The Everglades are so special the closer you look,   I have traveled by canoe up to the Arctic Circle  but sometimes a place just grabs you and says "look closer...there is more than the eye can see"..

I found it and I love it.

[Jay]

Glad to be a help.  It was uncanny that we both picked almost the identical route!  I will be out there Wed. - Fri. after the gale drops.  I can't believe how quickly the temperatures are supposed to rebound.

vivian said:

Jay I appreciate your help in confirming with your last trip through this area, that I was on the right track. It gave me much confidence!