Which route to take...

[Karel Ulik]

Hi all, my name is Karel and I come from the beautiful city of Prague, Czech Republic.

We are a group of four people coming to Florida and instead of Disneyland we wanna spend a few days at the beginning of March paddling the Everglades. We are physically fit, done a bit kayaking, but not very much. I have bought the Molloy´s book, however I´m still unsure which of the many and many trips in the Glades to take.

We are looking for a route 

- that takes about 3 days / 3 nights to finish (preferably a circle rather than going the same way back)

- is not "experienced only", preferably easily navigable

- that has as little motorboats as possible

- with higher chances to see wildlife (especially manatess, dolphins)

- is preferably in the Flamingo area, but not necessarily

- includes at least one chickee and one beach camping

Could anyone recommend me a route for us? I´m sorry if my post is inappropriate or something or if this forum does not discuss topics like this.

Thank you!

Karel

[Swamp Hunter]

Welome to the forum Karel. You will love the Everglades. You are in the right place and someone will be along to answer your questions. In the meantime you may like to read this. http://evergladesdiary.com/

[Kim Gass]

From Flamingo the distances are long for a trip that you describe. Its some 17 miles to Joe River, 17 to NW Cape,  and 20 to Flamingo. If you mean four days you can have an easy last day (or first day) stopping at East Cape. Its about a three hour paddle from East Cape to Flamingo.

Between Joe River and the outlet of WW Bay tides rule..dont try to go against them.

Avoid weekends and motorboats should not be an issue. I was amazed how deserted Flamingo was when we left on a Thursday and how crammed it was ten days later on a weekend.

You have more options if you start from Chokoloskee.

I have found the map here very useful

http://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/upload/Wilderness_Trip_Planne...

[0hmgywazkroze]

Well you made the right choice coming to the everglades instead of Disney World! 

[Tony L]

This is the perfect forum for this topic!

I agree that a 3 day trip with what you want Everglades City would be better. You could do Everglades City to Crooked River chickee to Pavilion or Jewel Key to Everglades City

If the weather is good and you had your heart set on Flamingo, a chickee, and a beach,  they could do Johnson key chickee (8 mi) then to East Cape (14 mi) then back to flamingo (10 mi). Just remember to look at the posts about Johnson Key Chickee so you know what you're in for.

Also- Capt Wright at Chokoloskee Charters will run you down the coast and drop you, your boats, and your gear off at a campsite so you can make your way back and see more.  We did it 2 years ago and they were awesome!

[Karel Ulik]

Thank you all for the welcome and advice!

Since this is our first trip to the Everglades I think I will probably first test our skills and endurance on a one night trip and then see which of the longer routes to take (such as to the Pavilion Key in the Everglades City area).

For the one night trip, I like the Hell´s Bay Route It seems as a good introduction to the Everglades.

Is it easy to get a permit for that in March? If I want to be on my way at 11:00 on Sunday, when should I visit the Flamingo office? At 11:00 on Saturday? When shoul I go there to be 100% sure I get the spot?

[Kim Gass]

You cannot be sure to get a specific campsite. It could be all booked up by people ending at that chickee who have been on the water a week..  Remember Lane Bay is not too far after and Pearl Bay nearby.

You can go to the permit office at opening time Saturday for a Sunday departure.

It could be easy or it could be not.  That's why Everglades paddlers always have alternatives. Remember that there are other chickees around. Joe River for one. Alligator Creek is east of Flamingo..if its hot  and still I think I would avoid this one..

Remember you have camping opportunities west of Flamingo.. East Clubhouse Beach, Clubhouse Beach and East Cape.  The latter the most spacious and easiest to find tent sites on.