Environmental Center Hike - Meet us for a 2-3 mile hike that can be shortened and can be appropriate for young children or the handicapped.  It also can be adventurous because one part of the trail has not been changed since the hurricanes.  The hike will adapt for whoever shows up.  Environmental Center on Hwy 419 between 434 and 17-92 across from Soldiers Field.  There is also a Splash Park that has no charge within a 2 mile drive which is a fun way to end the hike.  Event Host: Lynn VanHorne   lynnv@oco.net or call 407-331-8609.

Middle Econlockhatchee River ("Econ")  -   If you like the wilderness, you trekkers, come join me on this scenic, popular canoe trail for a nice 6 to 7 mile leisurely, fun paddle.  Expect to see bald eagle, egret, owl, heron, and maybe even an otter or alligator.   Fear not.  Gator mating/nesting season's been over for a couple months now...they prefer to avoid us people anyway.  Bring your waterproof camera!   Pack a lunch, plenty of water, and sunscreen.  We'll meet up on SR419 in Oviedo, at Willingham Rd., where there's free parking and a well-marked Canoe Trail "put-in".  We'll un-load our boats & gear, then run our own shuttle down to Snow Hill Road bridge, our take-out location, to park our cars there. We'll take 1 or 2 cars back to the put-in and hopefully be on the water paddling by 10:15am.  I expect we'll be done by around 3:00pm, or sooner.  Come meet some new friends - Members & Guests Welcome and encouraged to come!!  See ya there!   The more the merrier! :)  RSVP to Event Host Valerie Mundo at cell #407-417-4835  and/or  e-mail any questions to me at VALERIEMUNDO@YAHOO.COM.   

Juniper Springs Paddle -  This easy paddle of about 7 miles in clear spring water has many water birds and an occasional alligator sighting.  Often narrow and twisty - a fun paddle. Rentals available at 352-625-2808. Get your boat to the canoe launch area and be ready to go by 8:30 sharp! Park admission is $3 per person and the shuttle fee is $5. Reservations required limited to 12 boats. Event Hosts: Dennis and Kim Gonzalez dennisg@cfl.rr.com

Paddle is full!

Beginner Bike Ride Seminole Wekiva Trail - Altamonte Springs to Lake Mary portion -  This trip is not for hard-core, fit & trim cycling pro's.   This is a trip for the strong-willed, perhaps weak-hearted who want to get out and ride their bikes, but don't want to do it alone.  No more excuses.  This is a fabulous opportunity to meet new friends, get some fresh air, experience a nature trail, and enjoy cardio-vascular exercise.  No pressure to cycle super fast.  We'll run our own shuttle from Lake Mary Steak-N-Shake to our cars in Altamonte Springs for those who don't wish to ride bikes back - total mileage 7 1/2 miles, not 15 miles.  If you do not want to shuttle, meet up at the San Sebastian Trailhead (free parking).  We'll take the paved bike trail approx. 7.5 miles to Lake Mary Blvd (bring your wallet, so those of you who want to celebrate at the nearby Steak-N-Shake can).  We'll chill out before cycling back to our cars.  Total trip - roughly 15 miles over a couple-to-three hours.  Bring your bike, a water bottle, and a chain/lock, and helmets are mandatory per Florida Law for anybody under age 16.  RSVP to Event Host: Valerie Mundo  cell# 407-417-4835 and/or e-mail  VALERIEMUNDO@YAHOO.COM 

Wekiva Hike and Swim - Meet us at Wekiva Springs State Park, $5 per car, for a 5 mile hike which is mainly shaded and then a swim in the cool, refreshing spring waters.  Meet inside the park in front of the swimming area.  We will carpool to the trailhead.  Event Host: Lynn VanHorne lynnv@oco.net or call 407-331-8609.

Econ River Paddle.  We'll paddle a 10 mile segment from SR 419 to Snow Hill Rd, and try to beat the afternoon rains by meeting at the put-in at 8 am.Bring snack or early lunch. The tannin colored river passes by hardwood hammocks and old ranch lands with sandy banks; its sandy bottom is visible when water is low. If the water is too high, or if storms are forecast all day, the paddle is off. Limited trip, so please contact Event Host: Erica at paddlepuff@earthlink.net  or 407/327-4044.

 

Rock Springs Paddle Meet at King's Landing in Apopka to paddle Rock Springs Run. Bring something to eat.Limited trip, so please contact Event Host:  Erica Johnson at paddlepuff@earthlink.net  or 407/327-4044

 

Withlacoochee State Forest Mountain Bike Ride. (Croom Section) A challenging morning in the Croom Forest will be the adventure. This area of dry upland scrub contains hilly single track all-terrain biking trails. Bring plenty of water, we will ride for ~3 hours and have lunch back at our cars. Helmets are mandatory, reservations required, open to members and guests, call for reservations, directions and meeting location. Event Host: Eric Kendrick 407-970-3373 or jerickendrick@hotmail.com

Juniper Springs Paddle.  Creek pumps out 20 million gallons of water a day. It is located in the Ocala National Forest, off SR 40, west of Astor-near SR 19. The run is about 7 miles and will take about 4 - 5 hours. The first few miles of paddling are a bit narrow and twisty. Beginners are welcome, but will likely be challenged. We will leave the Longwood area promptly at 7:30AM.. We will set upcarpools whenever possible. We will go to the Juniper Springs Recreation Area in the Ocala National Forest arriving around 9:30AM. Boat Owners-we will run a shuttle, if feasible. Rentals are available by calling 352-625-2808 (Go ahead and reserve a boat-I am told there is no penalty for canceling --Please confirm this) You can use a credit card to pay for the rental, but you must put up a $20 CASH only deposit for the canoe. There is a $/4 admission charge for park entry which is in addition to the canoe charge. Find your own partner or we will try and pair you up with someone. If you want to be sure of finding a partner, call early. If you wait until the last few days, you may be left behind. Be sure and bring sun protection, water, a snack or lunch and your camera. Note: You may not use any disposable containers except for water. Use reusable containers for any food you bring. For Information email Event Host: Neill Beavers at JuniperSprings@cfl.rr.com  (preferred) or call at 407-927-7974.
 

Anclote Key Paddle.  This is an open water paddle trip to the off-shore island of Anclote Key. Sea kayaks with full spray skirts are required. Self-bailing sit-on-tops of at least 12-feet in length will be OK if the weather behaves and waves are fairly calm. Trip is approximately two miles across open water. Once at the island there are miles of pristine beaches, and no crowds. Trip limited to 12 kayaks, members and guests only. Event Host:  Fred Mays.  Call or email trip leader for details. fredmays@yahoo.com or  407-963-4308.

 

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 back to the Wayside Park. Reservations required. Members and invited guests only. Limited to 12 boats. Event Hosts: Dennis and Kim Gonzalez dennisg@cfl.rr.com.

Hillsborough River Paddle.  Please join me for a paddle on the beautiful Hillsborough river. We will meet at Sargent Park for a 9am shuttle to our take out destination at Trout Creek Park. Please bring a lunch as we will stop at Morris Bridge Park for lunch. There are nice bathrooms at this stop as well. There are rentals available thru Canoe Escape # 813-986-2067, however these rentals must be set up by you directly. The trip is for members and their guests. Please rsvp to Event Host:  Kim Joiner at trekon12@verizon.net

New Member Coffee and Hike. Orientation and Hike at Big Tree Park. Open to all members but new members are specifically invited to share danish, fruit, and juice near two of the biggest cypress trees in Central Florida. We will answer questions about Wilderness Trekkers, visit the "Senator", and travel 5 miles for a short hike at the Environmental Center. In Longwood from 434 go north on 17-92 and at the light turn left on General Hutchinson Ave. About 1/2 mile there is a sign for this small county park. Please email Lynn VanHorn. LynnV@oco.net  or call 407-331-8609 for a head count.

Hiking in NE Georgia Mountains. Erica will be staying near Dillard, GA and plans to do some exploratory day hikes (and sightseeing) at Black Rock Mtn, BartramTrail, Highlands area and other. Members and invited guests only, limited size group. Camping and lodging info available. Event Host:  Erica Johnson.  If you're interested please contact event host at 407/327-4044 or paddlepuff@earthlink.net

Paddling Club Gathering, Chassahowitzka area. Come for a weekend or a day of paddling and mingling with paddlers from other clubs. We are hosting this event this year. On Fri, Sat and Sunday - choice of several paddle trips each day on spring fed rivers, including the Chassahowitzka, Homosassa, Crystal River, Hall's River and more. After you arrive, check in at the Pavilion to get the agenda and select the trips you wish to go on. Evening paddle possible Friday.  Camp fire Fri and Sat nights. Pot luck supper Sat at the Pavilion. Contests at Sat night campfire: club skits and tall tales; contest to rename the event (send suggestions to paddlepuff@earthlink.net). Make your camping reservation at Chassahowitzka River Campground 352/382-2200 and mention Paddling Gathering/ Wilderness Trekkers. Camping rates, not including tax: (one unit per site/2 people; extra person $3) $18 elec/water site; $20 full hook-up site;  $15 primitive tent site. Canoe rentals available at the Chassahowitzka launch. No registration fee, but if you’re thinking of coming please email Linda (lindamarie7@aol.com) - give your name, town & club, and whether you might want to find carpool partners.  Further info about the weekend, or to offer help  contact Erica Johnson at paddlepuff@earthlink.net  or 407/327-4044, or Linda Leeds lindamarie7@aol.com