Your favorite ten day loop trip out of Flamingo

[Kim Gass]

I am reading some of the summer discussions about paddling and the wish for A/C.  I just bought a catalytic propane heater for October camping in Maine.

 

That means one thing. Everglades paddling season is near!

 

All my trips so far have started in Everglades City. This time I am thinking of mixing it up and making a loop trip out of Flamingo.

 

Any favorites? I have ten days.  After that the water weight starts to sink my canoe.

[Miami101]

I was lucky Keith, and Terry took me on a trip, and showed me Still Creek path. It is a very nice tail out to West Lake.

[Kim Gass]

Somre times there is no ladder. I remember one tide at Sunday Bay the platform was at neck height when I stood in my RapidFire. Fortunately the boat I was standing in could be secured to another boat.

Solo seems to be another animal entirely. Ladders are good.. I have had trouble with webbing straps when they rotate UNDER the chickee.

Is Sunday Bay still usable? I read that it was hydrillaed and no longer accessible

[Connie Mier]

I hope Vivian can get you those photos of how she is rigging her boat for chickee loading and unloading. It works like a charm.

Are you soloing for this trip?
Avoid Oyster Bay chickee on a low tide for getting on and off. We had a 7 foot drop last time we were there, but it does at least have a ladder.

If you are launching from Flamingo, and have 10 days, include the nightmare on your route, get to Canepatch and/or Camp Lonesome (on a weekday if you are alone; sorry but those powerboat fishermen can be a bit, let's say, obnoxious), and be sure to explore the Lane Bay, Hells Bay, Pearl Bay area. Lane Bay is a wonderful place to spend a night. Plus, no powerboats in that area, for the most part.

[Juan Estevez]

Actually I'm very curious as well, I read about it in Vivian's blog (beachcamper) and she mentions how easy it was for her and Alex to load/unload their boats from a chickee, looking forward for those pictures too.

[Kim Gass]

Vivian, any pix of your "chickee ascending device?"

[vivian]

Kim I do not have one but will see if I can take a picture of the canoe with the attached ropes at a dock this coming weekend. It is a very simple solution using two lengths of line/rope.