Walking the L-28 levee from Tamiami Trail to Big Cypress

[M.A.P.]

I was walking around the new (to me) boat ramp at the nexus of the L-28 levees just off the Tamiami Trail last week. One of the levees is stick-straight and goes directly north, ending at the Raccoon Point pinelands in the Big Cypress - according to this history:  http://www.fgcu.edu/bcw/Restore/History/History_L28.htm

 

Has anyone here tried to walk it, or to paddle the L-28 canal? It would be 11 miles each way.

[yakmaster]

That last piece is the most important, Dale!

I curse the folks that feed them. That's where 95% of the problems come from.

But reality is, I've been swimming in "gator & shark infested waters" (ie the any canals & beaches of south florida)  since I was swimming. Never had an issue.

But a bit of common sense goes a long way. Be aware of your surroundings, and if it's hot & you don't see any big lizards or sharks around, jump in & cool off! You see them, go down the stream a bit to a clearer place & that'll do too.

I enjoyed Shawn's trip report of cool soaking to thermoregulate! Nothing feels better than a cool canal or grass soak on a hot day. & even though wet clothes may cause other issues, it's the cool that keeps on cooling!

Most of your shark, gator, croc and panther paranoia comes from folks that have never been out there. I'm not saying that stuff doesn't happen. I'm just saying that I'd sooner jump in a canal full of gators than try to walk across US-1 at rush hour!

[Swamp Hunter]

I never worried about gators either but I had an eye opening experience that lasted a total 2 seconds but I will remember the rest of my life. When it happens, you will least expect it and it will happen fast.  But it wont stop me from swimming in the swamp.

[Richard]

I made it out to the crossover today on my bike. I had been curious since reading this discussion. It was 25 miles round trip according to my GPS. Unfortunately it wasn't the best of trips as most of the view is blocked by a wall of cocoplum running along both sides of the road. There are a few spots where the cocoplum opens up to amazing views, but for the most part you are biking down a cocoplum tunnel. I imagine this would be a great paddle though. Those spots where things do open up, like the few campsites, are pretty nice, full of birds/gators. I got to see allot of gators at the crossover. I counted around 40. The water was loaded with bass too. If I ever make it back I'll have to bring my pole.

The crossover.

Some of the local residents.

[Gary M]

Thanks for reminding me.

When a cold front comes through and the water temperature plummets, screwing up the fishing, and the winds are howling from the NE or E, a paddle up that canal for a picnic at one of the campsites is a great excuse to get out of the house. 

But not if you are afraid of big lizards! LOL

[shawn beightol]

Dark water (cloudiness/turbidity, dusk, darkness) does to animals what it does to us - allows for uncertainty.  You may be bit by a critter that mistakes you for something else or only hears your commotion and is distressed...

[Swamp Hunter]

Thats what happened to Loop Road. Its a Cocoplum tunnel in many places. And Im afraid that will happen to the new designated trails as Hollies and Cocoplum grow on the road banks. You wont be able to see anything.  This will be the result of the ORV lawsuits.

Yea 25 miles would be a very long walk. Its a long bike ride for the casual rider.

I have been hunting the Addition Lands but now that hunting is basically over, I would like to walk from mile marker 63 on the southside of 1-75 to mile marker 51 or viceversa. Im thinking 2 days.

[yakmaster]

I haven't been out there in a while, but they used to keep the levee sides mowed & the view was outstanding. 

[Swamp Hunter]

Now that the levee is slated for removal, its no longer maintained?