Upcoming Camping Season

[Daniel Madrigal]

What is everyone thinking of doing in the upcoming season? It is only about 4-5 months away! After doing the entire WW in March I don't think I will be doing another 8 day trip this year. Probably just a few 1 or 2 nighters and perhaps an few day expedition to canepatch. After 3 camping seasons I have only been to a little less than half of the backcountry sites. Still so much left to explore.

[Ross Hancock]

My ambitions for October are Canepatch and several days near Gopher Key to explore it for my first time.

[Daniel Madrigal]

I explored Gopher Creek during my WW paddle in March and it was one of the best parts of the trip. Very unique and different feel to it than the rest of the trip, plus the most wildlife.

[Amazon Bill]

Daniel, I am planning my first trip with my son. Probably a two nighter. Potential routes are up Joe River and back; or Joe River then cross Whitewater Bay to North River or Roberts River chickees. Canoeing on the outside beach sites could be wavy and rough if a cold front comes.I am getting canoe specific gear this summer like handheld VHF, water proof bags. Probably 2 trips or at most 3 trips this winter. I live up in West Palm and wonder if i need to spend the night at Flamingo to get the permit first thing in the morning. Preferably the first night will be on a non-holiday but during a school holiday weekend. Maybe arrive late Thursday stay at Flamingo and get the permit on Friday AM.

[Daniel Madrigal]

I usually just have a backup plan to my campsites and get them morning of. That way it saves me two trips are an extra day out there. If you really want specific sites though doing what you suggested might be your best bet. Also for a 2 day trip look into hell's bay, alligator creek, or maybe something like fakahatchee or an island out of Everglades city. Joe River is just open water and semi boring compared to some other routes with more wildlife, mangrove tunnels, and interesting things to see.

[Ross Hancock]

I'm not sure I agree with Daniel about Joe River.  But Whitewater can be as rough as the outside, if that concerns you.

If I were based in WPB, I'd consider trips out of Everglades City, too. Up the Lopez and stay at Lopez Place and Sunday Bay.

[Terry]

 

If you go to the south part, a long weekend is perfect for the Noble Loop.

Start at Noble Hammock, take Still Creek out to either Alligator Creek or the high-rise chickee

for the first night.  Second day paddle through Flamingo to either Hells Bay, Pearl Bay, etc.

Third day paddle back to the highway on Hells Bay Trail. 

The distance between Noble Hammock and Hells Bay landings is too far to portage

but very reasonable to walk (you can see your vehicle from either landing),

leave your stuff and walk for your vehicle, you'll

probably get a ride has you walk.  This unique loop is off the brochures, and takes you in

backcountry,  Florida Bay and Whitewater Bay.   You also have a bunch

of campsites you can use to complete the loop which allows a lot of permitting flexibility.

If the wind dictates, you can do the loop in the other direction, this also allows more permitting

flexibility.  You can do the loop using all campgrounds or using all chickees or a combination.

Without a doubt the best couple day loop in the Flamingo area is Noble Loop.

 

[Amazon Bill]

Thanks for the tip. That route looks interesting with inland then saltwater bay grand presenation. Is the Noble Loop marked with trail markers through the tunnels out to Alligator Creek?

[03i9os1ohoc4b]

Terry couldnt understand the second day paddle through flamingo to hells bay? Where is the entrance to this from floriday bay that leads to hells bay,pearl bay, etc... Or I must have miss understood that you paddle back and then to Noble Hammock and then portage to hells bay entrance?

[Ross Hancock]

From Fla Bay at Flamingo up the Buttonwood Canal to Whitewater then east into Hell's Bay.

[Dave Briggs]

Daniel, I did a solo 8 day kayak trip in Feb from Flamingo and got the bug...

3 friends and I are coming down from Mass at the end of Nov for a 10 day WW trip starting from the Turner River launch to Flamingo. We plan on doing the Wood river, Nightmare, and using the chickees on the east side of WW bay. We plan to arrive early at Camp Lonesome and Canepatch so was interested in exploring the "Lost Portage" area mentioned in the "Off Trail Exploration" section in this website.

looking forward to it

Dave

[Daniel Madrigal]

That sounds great! I originally wanted to finish my thru trip at turner river but the water levels were too low so we had to settle for Everglades City. The great thing about the trip is you could do it 10 times and take different routes and stay in different sites.

[Terry]

The Lost Portage is there and easy to follow, so many people have been doing it that

the route appears on GoggleEarth.  The first time I heard about it was in the mid-1970's

from a Sierra Club leader and Outward Bound has been using it for the last couple decades.

It makes a short day between Canepatch and Camp Lonesome, however, it can't be

done without getting out of your boat, hence the name.   There's enough water to

pull your boat but you'll have to get your feet wet.  Completing that

double black diamond run is a badge of honor.