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?

[Alan Gibson]

I note no disrespect intended via the small brain comment. Facts have no inherent bias. The truth is gators have a brain which is exceedingly small when compared to their overall size. Fortunately they haven't figured out that they could easily roll a boat and eat its occupant. On the other hand, a swimming mammal is just what the doctor ordered to fill that belly.

I would use some caution at the waters edge especially if I was fishing from shore and had already landed several splashing fish. Gators have extremely good hearing........if you doubt that fish a topwater lure in gator country. If one is around he (or she) will suddenly "magically" appear as if out of thin air.

[Michael Palozzola]

Oh trust me I understand that all completely. I have seen gators careen out of the water after fish. I always use caution around the waters edge for they are a true apex predator honed through millions of years of trial and error. All I say is that to assume stupidity based on brain size is to in itself underestimate them.

[Alan Gibson]

Point conceded. Perhaps the question of intelligence is beside the point. Besides, they are plenty "smart" enough to generally avoid detection if that is what they choose. Suffice to say I have respect for any critter who might just view me as lunch.

[daniel]

eeesh. i think this was originally my comment, a year or more ago. all i meant was, if you get near dark tannic stained water, maybe low light, etc etc, maybe a zillion year old killing machine (that i love, am awestruck by, and think is wonderful) might not differentiate you from a deer or a heron or a raccoon in the split second it takes to drag your everglades lovin ass into the water. that's all. no disrespect to alligators or crocs. i see them all the time, i love them. but they tend to eat stuff at the water's edge, by ambushing their prey. and i have seen huge ones in the area being discussed. that's all.  

[Alan Gibson]

Yup, I'm a bit late on this.....(ya think?). But I'm not shy and it interested me. I love gators to, quite tasty. The trick is to let them age in the fridge for at least. 2 days in a mix of Italian dressing and milk.......it will get nice and tender.

[Henry Engel]

Heading out there again this Friday.

Can't frickin' wait. 

Look out redfish....

[Bob Bonnen]

Henry I was out there yesterday 1/6/14 and there were redfish tailing in the weeds and muck at the southeast end of West Lake close to the creek that takes you down to long lake. We took Noble Hammock canoe trail to Still Creek and didn't have enough time to make it all the way to Alligator Creek. Had to head back before the weather came in. Noble / Still Creek is a great scenic route but takes much longer than paddling from the West Lake boat ramp.

[Henry Engel]

Appreciate the update. I've wanted to do the Still Creek route for a while, but we're staying out at Alligator Creek a couple nights so time is of the essence. If we make good enough time on the way in I may run up that route and have the others pick me up up the road.

Hook any of those reds? Usually in the last pond before you enter Alligator Creek there's a lot of activity, and in the Lungs as well.

[Bob Bonnen]

Henry we weren't fishing. If you like I can send you the coordinates for the south end of still Creek where it meets West Lake. It took us about 4 hours to get from the Noble put in to West Lake.

[Terry]

Depends on the wind, if the wind is against you West Lake long ways can be brutal.

That's where Still Creek shines, it's also a lot more scenic, oozes with history and is off the brochure.

The spirit of Willie Noble will be riding with you while you paddle the original Noble Hammock Trail.

[Swamp Witch]

I met an interesting alligator while camping at Canepatch.  He’s been hanging out there for years.  Some University researchers  who camp at Canepatch regularly have dubbed him the Spaghetti Monster because someone accidently dropped a plate with some spaghetti remainders into the water by the dock and the alligator came over and ate all the floating little pasta fragments.  The first photo shows where he hangs out during the day, and the second at night.  I can’t remember who said it on this thread, but they were absolutely right when they said don’t stick your hand in the water by a dock/chickee, use a bucket attached to a rope.  The Spaghetti Monster never came into camp.  When I first got to Canepatch I stood on that dock for the longest time wanting to dive in and swim.  No alligators in sight.  Arguing back and forth with myself, “The water’s so clear you’d see an alligator” and “Don’t be a doofus, just because you can’t see him doesn’t mean he’s not here.  You’d never see him coming.  Wait until the boaters come back and ask if there’s a resident alligator.”  Well, I managed to overcome temptation and when the researchers got back I heard the story and was glad that I had not taken the chance.  At Harney River chickee I made the opposite decision because being drowned by an alligator seemed like bliss compared to being exsanguinated by mosquitoes and no see ums.  Just a quick dip while hanging on the ladder, cover myself in Skin So Soft, and run for the tent.

[Swamp Witch]

Forgot to add these photos.