Bear Lake Trail

[Keith W]

Date: Aug. 29, 2009

Location: The put-in for the Bear Lake Canoe Trail is located about 1.75 miles north of Flamingo, at the end of the Bear Lake Road, which parallels the Buttonwoood Canal. There is a parking area at the end of the road, and it's a short drive west to the dock at the put-in. The Trail can be also be reached by boat from Buttonwood Canal by landing at the dock on the canal, and then portaging about 250 yards to the put-in.

Condition: Bear lake Trail is now clear and passable for it's entire length out to Bear Lake, about 1.6 miles, The Homestead Canal beyond Bear Lake is still blocked by storm debris, and this will be the next stage of the ongoing clearing project. Please note that the gate to the Bear Lake Road is normally locked during the off-seaon, and the road is currently in very poor condition. The Park service usually mows the roadside and fills in the worst of the potholes at the start of the fall season.

[Jared E]

To do Bear lake would you recommend starting out at Flamingo or maybe Coots Pond?

-Jared

[Keith W]

Didn't think about Coot Bay Pond, but now that you mention it, that would be my choice. Avoid the portage and all the dang friggin' #%$@! motor boaters. Come in to Bear Lake through Mud Lake, a very nice route on it's own. Maybe even see some flamingos.

[vivian]

Jared I see you are a fisherman too! I launch out of coot bay pond to get to mud lake but haven't this season. It should be clear to get through from what I've heard. Remember to park on the concrete NOT on the grass when you launch or you will get a ticket. Do not fish Coot Bay Pond it is off limits to fishing. They do fine if you are caught so resist the temptation :-)

[Diego Lopez]

Gate was closed on the 30th and then open on the 1st. So I'm assuming they were waiting for the new year to open the gate. Of course my kayak trip was Wednesday so I didn't have a chance to check out the road or trail.

[Miami101]

The gates have been closed. I was out there working on the trail with Swap Ape crew a few times, and from the sound of it the goal is to have Bear Lake trail open by March. I think we might be out there again Saturday, and are making great progress.

Anyone that would like to get in, and help you are welcome to join us.

I know there are a few other projects that are coming that will really help the park, and the Swamp Ape crew are very nice guys...no ego's just good hard work, and fun times.

[Jay]

Went out and did the Coot Pond-Coot Bay-Mud Lake-Bear Lake-Homestead Canal-Buttonwood - Coot - back to the Pond loop for the second time yesterday....this time with my wife. Perfect weather. Water getting pretty skinny in the Homestead ditch.

I did the loop for the first time in January - right before the really bad cold snaps. I could tell that there has been much traffic in the ditch since then. I am relieved to see that nobody seems to be stealing the orchids.

Thanks for turning me on to this Bob....great job clearing crew!!!!

[Bob Quirk]

Good on you Jay. The gate has been open but when the road gets to wet they close it. One time you should launch into the canal go west to Bear Lakes west end thru a small creek into shallow lakes full of birds.

[Miami101]

Strange I thought I saw a posting here from Thomas a few weeks ago. The gates are open not sure it is a good thing. There has been some people leaving beer cans, and over fishing the area. Bob is right about the west end lots of nice Birds, but I tend to stay away from the back country this period of the year......it that time of the year for the Croc's...Love is in the air..., and I counted around 25 maybe more the last time I was out.

[Bob Quirk]

Actually this is a great time for viewing Crocs. I've camped out at E cape during mating season and they are more interested in each other than you. However the drag marks outside the tents in the morning did freak my friend out. Gators are much more agressive than the much maligned croc. You know come to think of it my new kevlar solo canoe might resemble a 17 ft female croc so maybe there is reason for caution. But hey it will make a great picture.

[Swamp Ape]

Welcome to John,
The Bear Lake Canoe trail is ongoing and would be a great place for breaking in to Everglades trail clearing.
We had another productive day this past Saturday. Very wet for this time of year so the water's up.
The wet has also kept the mosquitos lively. We'll continue clearing the mud flats this coming weekend.
go to www.SwampApes.com if you're interested, drop an email and we'll get you going.
We have several other ENP (Everglades National Park) approved projects in the works.
...Endure---Evolve---Achieve...

[Amazon Bill]

Any plans for having a Bear Lake Canoe Trail clearing event this winter? I'd like to see it open as a back-route to the Cape.  Back in my land survey days, I cleared a lot of survey trails. Nothin' like creatin' a trail to a new adventure spot. Keep me posted on any clearing events.  How many feet or miles are left to clear it to East Cape?

[yakmaster]

Swamp Ape & his folks are out there regularly!

 

They work year round. From what I hear, they're well on their way.  Reach out to them, they can always use help!

 

Tom, if you're out there, check under the tree. Santa's trying to come through for you.