Events February - March 2005

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February - March 2005

1/8 Saturday 10:00am Leisure Orange	West Orange Trail Bike Ride – Join us for a leisurely ride through mixed rural orange groves and homes to Oakland, then on through the nature preserve and a planted xeriscape garden and a quick view of Lake Apopka then on to Winter Garden, through the center of town with landscaping and a road on either side of the trail, and head north through some expensive developments and orange groves to another marsh system with a second glimpse of Lake Apopka. Between 16 – 18 miles round trip. All black top with some rolling hills and bridges. Meet at County Line Station Trailhead on north side of Hwy 50. Take 408 West to exit 267B on the Florida turnpike. Merge left to Winter Garden. Approx 1.2 miles west of the interchange. Registration required. Event Host: Yvonne and Brian Baldwin ybaldwin@cfl.rr.com or (386) 314-6510
1/14-17 Fri-Mon Moderate/Strenuous Collier	Everglades Paddle - We will be paddling Black Water River through a mangrove forest. The Black Water River flows from the park, allowing access to the Ten Thousand Islands and the Gulf of Mexico. Other paddles will be in the Sandfly Island Trip and/or the Turner River Trip, the scenery changes from pine and freshwater cypress forests, to open prairie, to tropical saltwater cypress forests. It is important to have good paddling skills and a sea or touring kayak (boats 14' or longer). Please contact me as soon as possible if you plan to attend. Host: Mabel Magarinos magarim@ocps.net or 407-251-7546. More Info on Message Center
1/14-16 Fri-Sun Leisure Hillsborough	Hillsborough River Paddle/Camp – Our base camp for Friday and Saturday nights will be at the Hillsborough River State Park. On Saturday we plan to paddle an 8-mile section of the beautiful Hillsborough River from Sargeant Park to Trout Creek Park. Boats are available to rent at Canoe Escape 813-986-2067. On Saturday night there will be a group dinner around the campfire where everyone should bring his or her favorite dish to share. Reservations are required limited to 12 boats, members and invited guest only. Please make your camping reservation early, as this is a busy time of year. Reserve America at 800-326-3521 or online at www.reserveamerica.com. We plan to stay in the Rivers Edge Campground section. Hosts: Dennis and Kim Gonzalez dennisg@cfl.rr.com.
1/16 Sunday 9AM Leisure/Moderate Orange	West Orange Trail Bike Ride - Join me for a leisurely ride on the West Orange Trail. We will start at the Clarcona Horseman's Park and travel on the paved trail toward Winter Garden. This portion of the trail goes through mainly rural areas of Orange County (come see it while you can). There aren't many steep grades, but there are some long gradual hills to deal with. We will stop at Chapin Station along the way and take a look at the garden there before we continue on to Winter Garden. Then we turn around and head back. Round trip distance is about 20 miles. Open to anyone. For information contact host Tony Owen towen@finfrock.cc (preferred) or 407-884-0570
1/21-23 Fri – Sun Moderate Osceola	Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park Hike, Bike, Camp. Join us for a tour of Florida’s natural cultural heritage that has all but disappeared. In the heart of Florida’s grassland palmetto country, it covers 75 sq mi of unaltered landscape on the east side of the Kissimmee River near Okeechobee county. We’ll hike and bike many roads and trails where we might spot endangered crested caracara, FL grasshopper sparrow and Sandhill crane. Meet at the park Fri night or join us Saturday and join a potluck BBQ and stargazing. Make your camping reservations at www.ReserveAmerica.com as early as possible. Reservations required; open to members and non-members. Contact host for further info. Event Host: Ken Booker 407-791-8378.
1/22-23 Sat-Sun Moderate Highlands	Arbuckle Creek Paddle/Camp - If you haven't done this creek east of Avon Park and Sebring, you're in for a treat. It's terrain varies quite a bit along its 28 or so mile corridor: tree tunnels, pastures, high banks, etc. and we usually see lots of birds, not to mention cows. Our Saturday night campsite on a curve in the creek is one of the prettiest around. Friday night, we'll be up in the Arbuckle Tract of the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest. Linda Leeds, lindamarie7@juno.com or 561-683-2851.
1/29 Saturday 9:30am Volusia	DeLeon Springs Paddle – Come and enjoy a day at DeLeon Springs State Park. We will paddle approx 4 or 5 miles. Park Entrance fee is $3 per person or $5 per car. Rentals are available, but advise that you call ahead and reserve. There are picnic tables and a great swimming area at the springs if you want to stay at the park after the paddle. DeLeon Springs is just off Hwy 17 just beyond the town of DeLeon Springs. Members and invited guests. Limit of 12 boats. Reservations requested. Hosts: Yvonne and Brian Baldwin ybaldwin@cfl.rr.com or (386) 314-6510.
2/5 Saturday 10:00 am Moderate/Strenuous Marion	Santos Bike Ride - Just west of Ocala, this portion of the Cross Florida Greenway is best known for mountain bike trails. Over 30 miles of trails with three levels of difficulty are available to accommodate beginners to experts. The Santos trailhead draws riders from all over the state and country to experience what many call the best bike trails in Florida. We will plan to bike the yellow trails (beginner) though if there is desire and skill, others can bike the blue or red trails. Helmets required. Directions – Turnpike north wildwood exit and right 301. Turn left at 441/27. Go about 5 miles and watch for signs for Santos Trailhead and turn left. Trailhead is on the left. Event host: Shelley Claudin, shelley.claudin@cubic.com
2/5-6 Sat-Sun Moderate Volusia	Blue Springs State Park Backpack - We will hike in 3 miles in the well known winter home for Florida's endangered species at Blue Springs State Park in Orange City. These large mammals gather each winter in the spring's 72 degree water. Paddlers are welcome to join us for the night by paddling to the remote campsite. Take I-4 and exit #116 and follow the brown state park signs. $5 entrance fee per car. Hosts: Kurth Chin Fatt and Lynn VanHorne LynnV@oco.net or 407 331-8609
2/11-13 Fri –Sun Leisure Alachua	Paynes Prairie Explorer Weekend - Join us for a weekend of camping and sampling some outdoor adventure at Paynes Prairie just south of Gainesville off I-75. We will camp for 2 nights taking time for hiking in the park as well as biking 8-10 miles of the Gainesville-Hawthorne Rail Trail, one of the prettiest in the state. We also plan to try to take in one of the ranger walks or programs offered that weekend. A potluck Saturday night will give us a chance to show off our culinary skills. If camping please make reservations as early as possible through www.floridastateparks.org cost for camping is $15 a night. $4 per car day use fee. Please feel free to e-mail or phone us with any questions. Hosts: Liz and Bob Rood rrood@cfl.rr.com or 321-724-4970
2/18- 21 Fri – Mon Strenuous Lee	Cayo Costa Island State Park Kayak & Camp – Miles of white sandy beaches, acres of pine forests, oak palm hammocks, mangrove swamps and a spectacular display of birdlife are waiting for us. Cayo Costa is accessible only by boat. On Friday noon we’ll paddle from Pine Island to Cayo Costa. Saturday and Sunday we will explore the area. We will hike, paddle, snorkel and/or do some shelling. I talked with the park rangers about the hurricane damage. They said the hurricanes brought extraordinary shelling and the beaches are more beautiful than ever. (Strange, isn’t it?) On Monday we’ll return to the mainland. I have reserved four tent sites. This trip is limited to 8 tents and 16 experienced kayakers. Cost will depend upon # of tents or attendees – about $27 per tent. Reservations are required by 2/5/05. Details will be provided upon reservation. Host: Mabel Magarinos – magarim@ocps.net or 407-251-7546.
2/26 Sat Leisure Seminole 9:30 AM	Seminole Trail Bike Ride – We will meet at Panera off of Lake Mary Blvd. at 9:30 am for a leisurely 10+/- mile ride on the trail. Contact Host: Jerry O’Keefe for details @ 407-767-2442 or 407-353-8099 e-mail: euph201@aol.com.
3/5-6 Sat-Sun Moderate Alachua	Santa Fe River/Camp/Paddle – Come join fellow Trekkers on a 2 day paddle down the Santa Fe River near High Springs, Fl. Gazetteer page 65. We will meet at the Santa Fe River Outpost (386) 454-2050 at 9AM sharp. This will be a 20-mile paddle in 2 days, starting at the Outfitter’s launch by US 441 just South of the Santa Fe Bridge. We will paddle upstream for 2 to 3 miles seeing part of the river most have not done. After reversing our course back past the Outfitters, we will stop for the night at Lilly Springs to camp. Nature Ed has an agreement with Santa Fe Outfitters for groups to camp overnight. The cost for the Outfitter will be $20.00/boat (insurance has gone up), and $8.00 per person at Lilly Springs. Nature Ed will provide firewood for the campfire. The group will continue down the river on Sunday morning and take out at the Hwy 47 bridge. This is a new and exciting river paddle and camp. As always stated, this is primitive camping (though Lilly Springs has an outhouse). You will need to provide camping gear, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, and a breakfast. The Outfitter can provide transportation of some camping equipment to Lilly Springs. Reservations are required. Limited to 16 members and their guest. Event Host: Lee Simmons leedeland@yahoo.com (preferred) or 386-943-8745.
3/12-13 Sat-Sun Moderate Putnam	North Florida Hike and Camp – We will meet at 10:30 on Saturday morning at Ravine Gardens in Palatka for our first hike. We’re hoping that the azaleas will be in full bloom. This is an unusual Florida hike along a steep ravine near the St. John’s River. Next we will go to Moses Creek Conservation Area and backpack 0.7 of a mile to our campsite for the night. There is a security person at the Moss Creek parking area so cars will be safe. After we set up camp, we will hike 1.5 miles to the bluff observation point. Faver-Dykes State Park is nearby for anyone who wants to join in the hiking but can’t backpack. In the morning, we will go to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. British colonist, native Americans, and American Planters have left their marks here. Shaded trails take you by gardens and the ocean. Trekkers are welcome to join us for the day hike only. For members and guests. Please make reservations by 3/10. Kurth Chin Fatt and Lynn VanHorne lynnv@oco.net or call 407-331-8609.
3/19-20 Sat-Sun Leisure Polk	Peace River Paddle – Spend two days on the best section of the Peace, where it’s narrow, twisty and has some mini-rapids when water levels are right. We’ll launch at Fort Meade and run down to Zolfo Springs, camping along the river bank on Saturday night. I haven’t been on this section since the hurricanes; it might be rather more interesting than usual. Friday night we’ll camp at Peace River Park in Fort Meade. Host: Linda Leeds, lindamarie7@juno.com
3/19-27 Sat-Sun Leisure Alabama	Choctahatchee River Camping/Paddling – Join me for a spring break river camping trip on the Choctahatchee River coming down from Alabama. It will be a slow, relaxed trip. For further details contact trip host: Nancy Doucette 561-368-1789 or kayakldy@yahoo.com
3/24-27 Thurs-Sun Moderate/Strenuous Puerto Rico	Rain Forest Hiking/Biking/Kayaking/Ocean Front Camping – We can hike the world known “El Yunque” on Friday. We can start the hike along a river with several waterfalls along the way and go to the very top where you can see the ocean on both sides of the island. On Saturday, we can hike “Toro Negro” (another rain forest in the center of the island). On Sunday, we can bike along a coastal bike trail, visit Old San Juan or visit beaches. If we go early to the hikes, we will have time in the afternoon to bike, kayak or visit some beaches. We will camp at Cerro Gordo – one of the most beautiful beaches in Puerto Rico and great for snorkeling. I will make the camping reservations and I can rent a car or a van and do all the driving. If you have time off, we can add more days to the trip. Trip planning will be finalized with the attending group. If you are interested, you need to contact me by January 30. Host: Mabel Magarinos: magarim@ocps.net or 407-251-7546. Cost will be $350 - $450 (depending on airfare/kayak/bike and car rental.)
4/2 Sat Leisure Flagler 9:00 AM	Old Florida Trail Bike Ride – Fellow Trekkers, join Anita and I on a nice (old Florida) bike trail alongside A1A from just North of Flagler Beach to Marineland and return. This will be a 12-14 mile easy ride along what use to be part of old Florida. We will also make a stop at Washington Oaks State Gardens along the trail as well ($1.00). We will meet at the Flagler Pier Restaurant just South of SR 100 and A1A at 9 AM for breakfast. Hosts: Lee and Anita Simmons. Please e-mail me at leedeland@yahoo.com (preferred), or (386) 943-8745.
4/3 Sun Leisure Seminole 9:30 AM	Wekiva Springs State Park Hike – We will meet inside the gate of the park at the parking lot at 9:30AM. Parking Fee is $3.00. We will be having lunch at Sweet Tomatoes after the hike. Lunch is optional. Contact Host: Jerry O’Keefe at 407-767-2442 or 407-353-8099 e-mail: euph201@aol.com.
July - 4 Days Costa Rica	Costa Rica. Hiking / Kayaking and Rafting. Details will be available soon. To get a good airfare deal, you need to contact me before February 24. Host: Mabel Magarinos magarim@ocps.net or 407-251-7546. Right now the airfare is $330 and the trip below is $340. This is a possible itinerary that can go in More info…Day 1 - Río Reventazón. Class III. La Florida (12 miles) This section of the mighty Reventazón River is some of the fastest and best 10 miles of Class III rapids you'll ever paddle! If you're a first-time or experienced paddler looking for the excitement of big waves, hydraulics, and stunning scenery, then this trip is for you. Overnight at Turrialtico or similar. Day 2 - Río Pacuare, A River of Pure Magic. This trip will take us to the beautiful, scenic and endangered (by proposed hydroelectric plant) Pacuare River. This is a class III-IV river. After a stop for breakfast we will put in and head downstream to our riverside Riostropicales Lodge. The six miles of paddling down this quintessential tropical river, will give us the opportunity to familiarize ourselves with the steep, technical drops typical of the Pacuare. This is a river of unsurpassed beauty, exuberant wildlife and ravishing rapids. Overnight in our Lodge, just in the middle of the rainforest. Day 3 - Hike the Rainforest. Today will be devoted to hiking around this beautiful Riostropicales Lodge that is immersed in a tropical rainforest. Here your guides will have the chance to explain to you the marvels of Nature's Masterpiece which surrounds you. There will be time to bathe in the refreshing pools in the creeks. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are also at the campsite. Day 4 - The Pacuare Gorge. On this day we enter the magical, lush, virgin gorge of the Pacuare. The rapids take on a more powerful personality. Beautiful waterfalls tumble down into the river and wildlife abounds. We might even be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of some of the exotic birds and animals that inhabit this jungle area. The take out is near the town of Siquirres and then we will head back to the city of San José.