10/4-5
Sat-Sun
Leisure
Marion
|
Rainbow River Paddle and
Camp. Camp at Rainbow River State
Park in Dunnellon, and do a Moonlight Paddle Saturday evening, an easy
paddle upstream from the campground to the spring and back, about 2 hrs
total. Before the paddle, we’ll do a pot luck dinner at 5:30 pm.
Sunday morning we’ll paddle the River again, continuing downstream with a
shuttle, for a 6 mile trip. Rainbow Springs is the second largest spring in
the state and with it’s 72-degree crystal clear water and white sandy
bottom it is one of the most beautiful places to paddle. We cannot make
camping reservations - none can be made for the month of October—first
come first served only. (FYI – as of Nov 1, this park will be run by
the State Park system and reservations taken by Reserve America.)
Members and invited guests only. Contact host Erica Johnson, ericadj@earthlink.net
or 407-327-4044.
|
10/4
Sat
9 am
Mod/Stren
Alachua
|
Santa Fe River Paddle - Come join fellow Trekkers on a paddle down
the Santa Fe River near High Springs, Fl. Gazetter page 65. Plan to paddle a
15-mile section from the Hwy 441 bridge just North of town to the Hwy 47
bridge. We will be going downstream, but the 15 miles may make it strenuous
for some. This beautiful river boasts many springs along the way, including
Lily (a must stop), July, Blue, Ginnie, and many more. You will see many
wild Florida animals and wonderful hardwood trees along the banks. We will
use the Santa Fe River Outpost (386) 454-2050 to shuttle our boats back to
the put-in at the Outfitters. The fee will be about $13/ boat. Canoes/Kayaks
are available. Reservations required. Limited to 16 members and their guest.
Event Host: Lee Simmons - leedeland@yahoo.com
or 386-943-8745.
|
10/11
Saturday
9 AM
Seminole
|
Seminole Forest Blackwater Creek Cleanup. We
have locked down a date for our Blackwater Creek Water hyacinth Roundup.
This one day event, during State Forest Awareness Month, with focus on the
removal of this floating exotic plant pest. Bring your boat for a day of
clean up on this beautiful waterway. We are asking for
volunteers. Contact Chuck Russakov crussakov@cfl.rr.com
|
10/12
Sunday
2 PM
Orange
|
Outdoor Skills Workshop: A
Guide to Florida’s Hiking Trails -
Workshops are held at the Bass Pro Shops/Outdoor World, 5156 International
Drive, Orlando. Members and non-members welcome. No fees. Reservations
required. Contact Host, or Bass Pro directly, 407-563-5200,
Event Host Shelley Claudin claudins@eccic.com
or 407-281-7181.
|
10/18
Saturday
9 AM
Strenuous
Marion
|
Silver River Paddle.
This 10 mile r/t paddle has abundant wildlife, including turkey, otter,
birds, deer, monkeys, bear and even the occasional wildcat and panther. The
put-in will be at Wayside Park ($3.00 fee) located at the SW side of the Hwy
40/Ocklawaha River Bridge just east of Ocala. After a short canal to the
main river we will proceed upstream to Silver Springs. The first 5 miles of
the trip is strenuous and we will be paddling upstream against a 4+ mph
current. We will then reverse our path and enjoy a leisurely pace (with the
current) back to the Wayside Park. Reservations required. Members and
invited guests only. Limited to 12 boats. Event Hosts: Dennis and Kim
Gonzalez kemg@cfl.rr.com.
|
10/19
Sunday
2 PM
Orange
|
Outdoor Skills Workshop:
Basic Backpacking. Workshops are held
at the Bass Pro Shops/Outdoor World, 5156 International Drive, Orlando.
Members and non-members welcome. No fees. Reservations required.
Contact Host, or Bass Pro directly, 407-563-5200, Event Host,
Shelley Claudin claudins@eccic.com
or 407-281-7181.
|
10/25
Saturday
9 AM
Leisure
Lake
|
Alexander Springs Run Paddle.
Meet at Cty 445 bridge just east of the entrance to Alexander Springs Run
Rec Area. We will shuttle vehicles to takeout at FR 552. The paddle will be
up to the spring then the run to the takeout. I will be camping at Alexander
Springs on Friday evening. Members and invited guests only. Event Host:
Peter Blichfeldt pblichfeldt@hotmail.com.
|
10/25-26
Sat-Sun
9 AM
Moderate
Volusia
|
Tomoka Camp/Hike. Join us for a great
campout. On Saturday morning meet at 9:00 at campsite #65 to carpool to
Bulow Creek St Pk. We will hike to the Bulow Creek Plantation Ruins
Historic Site. Tomoka provides great opportunities for biking
and canoeing as well. At dusk we will head to the beach for a
leisurely stroll and then return to site #65 for a potluck and
campfire. Participants are welcome for any part of the day or
weekend. From I-95 head east on SR 40. Turn north on
5A. Call 1-800-326-3521 to reserve a spot. Then email or call trip
hosts: Lynn VanHorne and Kurth ChinFatt LynnV@oco.net
or call 407-331-8609.
|
11/1
Saturday
8 AM
Leisure
Orange/Seminole
|
Wekiva River Paddle. The Wekiva River
flows slowly through seasonally flooded wetlands and flood plains. The Rock
Springs Run State Reserve is located on the left bank and most of the right
bank is property belonging to the St. Johns River Water Management District
and the Audubon Society. This area is being returned as close as possible to
the natural state. Possible wildlife sighting are Florida black bear, ibis,
wood storks, great blue herons, egrets, river otter, barred owls and
pileated woodpeckers. We’ll paddle from Wekiva Marina to what use to be
Kaities Landing, approximately 8 miles. Members and invited guests, please
reply by October 27th. Event Host: Judy Campbell 407-788-8919 or judyreads@earthlink.net
|
11/2
Sunday
TBA
Leisure
Martin
|
Loxahatchee River Paddle.
Paddle the wild and scenic Loxahatchee River, a pristine waterway meandering
8 miles. For the first half of the trip we paddle under a heavy canopy
of Native growth, With luck the sun beams filter through the canopy
and we paddle through own surrealistic world - green and lush with
surrounded by cypress tress and strangler figs. We stop at Trapper
Nelsons museum for lunch and maybe even get a guided tour of the grounds
& history. Then back into the water and into the open tidal waters
of the river lined with mangroves flowing out to the sea, which we catch a
glimpse of at the take out. Reservations required, members &
invited guests only. Event host Peter Jarvis phone 407-657-9548 bandp2@adelphia.net
|
11/7-9
Fri-Sun
4 PM
Leisure
Volusia
|
Wilderness Trekkers Annual
Gathering. Our
annual event is here once more! Be sure to sign up early. Great programs,
learning, fun, food and friends. The event will be held at River Forest
Group Camp, Ocala National Forest and activities will include paddling,
hiking and a rock-climbing wall. Programs will include Wild Utah: America’s
Red Rock Wilderness, paddling sports, wilderness emergency first aid,
packing a pack, backpacking gear, fitting boots and strategies for new
recreation and land management. CLICK
HERE FOR MORE INFO. See you there!
|
11/15
Saturday
8:30 AM
Moderate
Seminole
|
Little-Big Econ Hike.
Join us for this lovely, shaded hike. We'll hike out to the swinging bridge,
and have lunch on the river banks of the Econ River before heading back.
This is ~5.0 mile trail. Directions to trailhead: In Oviedo, turn left off
CR 419 (also called Broadway) onto CR 426; go 3.3 miles, turn right onto
Barr St. Trailhead parking immediately on your left. Event Host: Lynn
VanHorne and Kurth Chin Fatt lynnv@oco.net or 407-331-8609.
|
11/22
Saturday
2 PM
Orange
|
Outdoor Skills Workshop: Outdoor
Cooking/Frying. Workshops are held at the Bass Pro Shops/Outdoor World,
5156 International Drive, Orlando. Members and non-members welcome. No
fees. Reservations required. Contact Host, or Bass Pro
directly, 407-563-5200, Event Host, Shelley Claudin claudins@eccic.com
or 407-281-7181.
|
11/23
Sunday
8 AM
Leisure
Volusia
|
Lyonia Preserve Hike.
Located right under our noses here in Central Florida is a short (3.5 miles)
hike that in a unique place that many people are not aware even exists.
Lyonia Preserve, located in Deltona, is a restored scrub ecosystem unlike
any found in North America. This is a last remaining relic of a time in
which the scrub of western North America was distributed east to the
Atlantic Ocean. Over time, climatic changes isolated this habitat from the
western scrub, leaving only a few pockets of scrub remaining in Florida.
Lyonia Preserve is a home to over 100 Florida Scrub Jays & it is not a
question of if you will spot a Scrub Jay, but when. Reservations required
members and guests only/limited to 12. Event Hosts: Kim and Dennis Gonzalez
kemg@cfl.rr.com. Co-host: Tony Owen.
|
11/27-29
Thurs - Sat
Leisure
Columbia
|
O'Leno State Park
Turkey dinner, Camp, Paddle and Hike. Join our Thanksgiving trip at
O'Leno State Park, north of High Springs. Thursday get together for
pot luck dinner followed by a hike at the park. Friday and Saturday we'll
paddle the clear beautiful Ichetucknee and the Santa Fe, loaded with springs
to check out. We can meander home later on Sat. There will be access
fees for the Ichetucknee. (See DeLorme Map pgs 64-65.) Make
camping reservations SOON Reserveamerica.com or (800) 326-3521; try to
get Magnolia Loop, sites 1-31). Members and invited guests.
Contact event host Erica Johnson at ericadj@earthlink.net or 407/327-4044.
|
12/6-7
Sat-Sun
8 AM
Moderate
Marion
|
Ocklawaha Paddle and Primitive Camp. Join
us for a 2-day trip on one of the most beautiful and scenic rivers in
Florida. Meet at the Ocklawaha Outfitters on CR 316 in Eureka at 8:00 A.M.
sharp to begin the shuttle ($12.50/boat to shuttle). We’ll start the
morning off with a short paddle up stream on the Silver River then begin
paddling to our campsite just before Gore’s Landing (approx. 8 miles). All
participants will need to bring all appropriate camping equipment for
primitive camp & food and water for two lunches (Sat. & Sun.),
Saturday dinner & Sunday breakfast. Saturday night will be at Ocklawaha
Canoe Outpost RV Park. We'll be on the water by 10 A.M. on Sunday and have
lunch along the river during our final 7-8 mile paddle to the Canoe Outpost.
Members & invited guests only. Limited 12 boats. Map and directions
to come. Reservations required. Event host: Lee Simmons 386-43-8745 or
leedeland@yahoo.com.
|
|
12/6
Saturday
9:30 AM
Leisure
Orange
|
Tosohatchee State Reserve Day
Hike. Join us for a 6 mile hike. We
will meet at the parking lot at the end of Bee Head Road 4 miles from the
Park entrance. Bring water and a sack lunch. A $2.00 park admission is
collected at the entrance. The hike will proceed on a loop trail through
dense woodlands past an old homestead near Jim Creek to the Tiger
Branch Campsite and then return further east to Bee Head Road and return to
the parking area. Tosohachee consists of 28,000 acres of woodland and
wetlands bordering 19 miles of the St. John River in east Orange County. The
landscape of Tosohachee is a living example of how plant communities are
shaped by the alternating cycle of flood and fire, creating marshes, swamps,
pine Flatwoods and hammocks. I have verified that NO HUNTING will be
permitted in the month of December at Tosohachee. Members and invited guest
only. Event Hosts: Bob and Liz Rood rrood@cfl.rr.com.
|
|
12/13
Saturday
3:00 PM
Party!!
Volusia
|
Trekker Holiday Party. Join us for our
annual Holiday Party at the home of Kim and Dennis Gonzalez in Deltona. It
is casual and will be both indoors and outdoors. We live on a lake so bring
your boat—we’re getting an early start for anyone who would like to
paddle prior to the festivities. We’ll have dinner at 5:30 and the meat, beer and soda will be provided. Please bring a side dish to share.
We'll enjoy a crackling fire, meet new members and renew friendships. We’ll
also have a Chinese auction gift exchange (the gift you open may be taken
from you by a subsequent person! It’s great fun!). Gifts may be old, new,
silly, or something "only a Trekker would love" ($15 or under
limit please). This is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. Limited to WT members and their invited
guest. Please RSVP by 12/9 to kemg@cfl.rr.com |
