Upcoming Events

June/July 2008

06/01/08 Sunday 9:30am Strenuous Ocala	Silver River Paddle - This 10 mile, round-trip paddle has abundant wildlife including turkey, otter, birds, deer, monkeys, bear and even the occasional wildcat and panther. The put-in will be at Ray's Wayside Park ($5.00 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. Please RSVP to Event Host: Kim Joiner at kjoiner2@tampabay.rr.com
Early June'08 Exact dates & days TBD River Camping Strenuous MISSOURI	Ozark Mountains of Missouri - River Camping originally set for July 2008 has been re-scheduled for Early June 2008 - exact days/dates pending. Please contact Host Nancy Doucette if interested. We will be river camping in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. These rivers are paradise on earth. They are crystal clear spring-fed rivers that can be warm enough for comfortable swimming. There is more wildlife and more birds than I have ever seen anywhere. There are fabulous cliffs and caves. Anyone interested may join me. Nancy Doucette (561) 968-1789 Call Now!! kayakldy@yahoo.com
06/19/08 Thursday 9:30am Paddling Leisure to Moderate Spring Hill	Weeki Wachee Mid-Week Paddle - Calling all teachers, retirees, and folks who need a mental health day - join me to paddle/float these crystal clear waters without having to share them with the weekend motorboaters. Meet at the Canoe Outpost at the far south end of the Weeki Wachee parking lot. At 10 a.m. we'll shuttle the cars -So plan your arrival accordingly- to the takeout by the Gulf (so we get to paddle through the canals and out past the saw grass with the current and won't have to paddle back). They now charge a $10.00 put-in fee per boat. Canoe and kayak rentals are available, and they'll pick you up at their usual site. Call 352-597-0360 for rates and to make a reservation. This will be a leisurely paddle with stops for swinging from rope swings, swimming, lunch, etc. Host Judy Campbell judyreads@earthlink.net or 407-788-8919
06/21/08 Saturday 8:00am Hiking Leisure to Moderate Apopka	Wekiva Hike/Swim - Saturday, June 21st 8:00AM Meet us at Wekiwa Springs State Park in front of the swimming area. We will carpool to the trailhead and hike for 6 miles in mostly shaded woods. We will end up back at our cars in front of the swimming area and cool off in that 72 degree water. It is the perfect way to end a hike in Florida! Bring a hat and plenty of water. Reservations not required but appreciated. Lynn and Kurth 407-331-8609 LynnVH@embarqmail.com
06/28/08 Saturday 9:30am Paddling Moderate Dunnellon	Rainbow River Paddle - Meet at K.P. Hole County Park at 9:30 for launch. From there we will paddle up stream for about 1.1 miles to the Spring head. For those that wish, we will disembark at the State Park and make a few dives into the pristine waters for about 20 minutes, but you have have to have your $1.00 bill for the entry fee. Others can just idle over the spring head. Then on our way back down stream will will get out and swim the river a little bit. This is an especially good time if you have a snorkle. The Rainbow has the clearest water and on a hot day is quite refreshing. We will have lunch at K.P. Hole Park. Then we will continue down stream 4.8 miles to State Road 484 for take-out. We will shuttle some of the vehicles to the 484 parking lot which is a very active place and used by the tubing and canoeing businesses, so it's not like you will be parking in a remote area. The reason for the early start is because the parking lots can fill up early and the place becomes mobbed by noon, so we want to get an early start to obtain a "near" wilderness experience. Probably by the time we perform the shuttle and get back, it might be after 10 before we launch depending on everyone's promptness. Please be early so we can organize the shuttle efficiently. AND THIS YOU MUST ABIDE BY, STATE LAW PROHIBITS ANY DISPOSIBLE BOTTLES OR PACKAGING ON YOUR POSSESSION WHEN YOU ENTER THE RIVER AND THEY WILL INSPECT AS YOU LAUNCH. Make sure all refreshments are in tupperware or bicycling type sport bottles or Thermoses; lunches in lunch boxes, food in reusable containers. Coke bottles or cans, Gatoraid bottles, chip bags, grocery bags etc will be considered contraband and they will turn you away. Gas prices are high, if you want to carpool with someone, place posting or look for a posting on the Wilderness Trekker discussion board. Hosted by Clark Getz, reservation required, members and guest invited, cagola1@aol.com or 407 222 2846. K.P. Hole Park is located 4.2 miles from the intersection of U.S. 41 and S.R. 484 in Dunnellon. Go north on U.S. 41 for 2.2 miles to S.W. 99th Pl, turn right. Go 1.1 miles until you bear left onto SW 109th Ave. Go 0.7 miles and bear right on SW 186th Terrace.
07/05/08 Saturday 8:30am Bicycling Leisure	Lake Mary Seminole Wekiva Trail Bicycle Trip - Don’t stay up too late on Independence Day because we will be enjoying a leisurely rails-to-trails bicycle ride in north Seminole County the following morning. The Seminole Wekiva Trail is a paved recreational trail that has been designated as one of Seminole County's showcase trails because of its length, beauty, and accommodation of many users. This trail takes in some of the areas most beautiful suburban scenery. The existing Seminole Wekiva Trail is 14 miles long, however we will ride about 10 miles. We will begin at the northern terminus and ride about 5 miles south to the Panera Bread on Lake Mary Blvd for a quick bit to eat and head back. If we can accommodate we may try to shuttle for a 1-way trip to EE Williamson Road. We will meet at Markham Trailhead Park off Markham Road located 0.5 miles west of Lake Markham Road, and in section B-1, page 80 of the Florida Gazetteer. Call or e-mail (before the prior Thursday) Eric Kendrick to confirm attendance 407-970-3373 or jerickendrick@hotmail.com. On a side note, Erimi has learned to ride without training wheels (yippee) and can scoot @~10mph but she will not be joining us the weekend.
07/12/08 Saturday 10:00am Paddling Leisure Longwood	Wekiva River Paddle - with swimming & lunch at State Park - We will meet at Wekiva Marina, 1014 Miami Springs Dr., Longwood, FL #407-862-1500, wekiva-marina.com at 10:00am to un-load, or rent canoes on-site. (call ahead) We will paddle from the marina upstream 30-45 minutes, then tie up our boats (bring rope!). We will get wet getting out of our boats in the shallow, clear water & eat our own packed lunches within view of our boats. We'll swim & play in the Wekiwa Springs waters, then paddle back to our put-in location. Bathrooms are available at the marina, and at the State Park. Cost: $5.00 put-in fee (own boat) + another $1.00 per person cash to enter the State Park (collection box). Pack lunch(es), drinking water, and bug spray! Come playful. Families/kids welcome! RSVP to Valerie Mundo (& her kids)VALERIEMUNDO@YAHOO.COM 407-920-3221
07/19/08 Saturday 9:00AM Paddling Safety-Education All Experience Levels Lake Mills Park Chuluota Note: WT Board Meeting 8:30am	Kayak Recovery-Rescue Class - The Wilderness Trekker Board encourages all members, from the novice to even the most experienced, as well as anyone that doesn't own a craft yet, but may utilize one in the future, to attend an important training class on recovering from a flipped kayak (this includes sit-upons as its not as easy as you think). Even though we frequently paddle shallow rivers where standing is often the recovery option, there are a number of events where there is deep water or you might need to cross a lake or you might consider intracoastal trips. Any deepwater situation places you at greater risk if you are unprepared for a capsized situation which are never planned. Mariam Mohsenin, Ken Knapton, and Michael Schugg have taught this class to numerous groups and have considerable experience; in fact, they get very excited that people are placing emphasis on safety and are here to promote it. Lake Mills provides excellent training grounds because of the sandy bottom and the long shallows for getting started on your training. Although not required for this class, you might consider adding a "paddle float" to your inventory of gear. Example - http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=1598. Sorry, this class is designed for Kayaks only. Reservations Required, members only, focus all reservations to cagola1@aol.com. Additional question, call Clark Getz at 407 222 2846. Lake Mills Park is in west Seminole County, click this link for directions http://tinyurl.com/4ej4t2. Board Meeting at 8:30am, members be early to commence meeting on time.
07/19/08 Saturday 6:00pm-ish Paddling Moderate Ocala	Moonlight Paddle on the Silver River - We'll paddle up this beautiful clear spring as the sun sets, stopping for a snack at the state park ramp. As the moon rises we'll float back. Please bring glow sticks to attach to the bow and stern - no flashlight or headlights allowed unless we have an emergency. If it is a rainy night it will be cancelled until next month, August 16. Put-in time will depend on sunset and moonrising times, probably around 6 p.m. That info will be sent out to all who signup. We'll meet at Ray's Wayside Park which is located right off Route 40 east of Ocala and just west of the Oklawaha River. There is a $4.00/ vehicle county park fee. Bug spray and moonscreen recommended! Host Judy Campbell judyreads@earthlink.net or 407-788-8919
07/26/08 Saturday 7:00am Paddling Moderate/ Strenuous	Oviedo-Geneva Middle Econlockhatchee River Paddle("Econ") - Attention Early Risers !! If you like the wilderness, you trekkers, come join me on this scenic, popular canoe trail for an 8 mile paddle. We'll get an early start since there's very little shade on this river. Depending on water levels, it may be strenuous. Expect to see bald eagle, egret, owl, heron, maybe even an otter, definitely alligators. It's gator nesting season, so we'll respect the river banks accordingly....they prefer to avoid us people anyway. Bring your waterproof camera! Pack a lunch, plenty of water, bug spray and sunscreen. We'll meet up at 7:00AM 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 7:45am. I expect we'll be done by around 12:45pm. Experienced paddlers only, please. Members & guests welcome! RSVP to Valerie Mundo VALERIEMUNDO@YAHOO.COM (407) 920-3221
JUNE/JULY Weekends Times Vary Bicycling w/Snorkeling Strenuous West Palm Beach, FL	Palm Beach Inlet Bike and Snorkel ~ This is the best off-the-beach snorkeling in the Palm Beach County, almost as good as you’ll find in the Bahamas or the Keys. We go on the ocean side of the jetty on the Palm Beach side of the inlet. As there's no parking at the inlet, we park a ways down and bicycle the lovely bicycle path 3.5 miles before our short walk across the beach. After floating around for a couple of hours, pedal back to the vehicles and then engage in a time-honored WT tradition – eating! The deck at E.R. Bradley’s is a favorite. We go in the morning because the water is calmer, and on the high tide because the water is clearer. The early bird sees the great fish! You need your own gear. (By the way, for anyone looking it up, this is officially the Lake Worth Inlet.) Linda Leeds, lindamarie7@juno.com, (561) 683-2851.
08/16/08 Saturday 9:00am New Member Orientation Leisure Apopka,FL	New Member Orientation, Hike and Swim - At Wekiwa Springs State Park - Come learn more about the Wilderness Trekkers and enjoy fun activities. State Park fees apply. If you don't have an annual pass, I have room for 4 people. RSVP for meeting location. Non-members and long-time members also welcome. Cathy Edwards, oviedoedwards@earthlink.net or 407-716-9811
July 2008 10/04/08 10/30/08 - 11/02/08 11/07/08 - 11/09/08 11/14/08 - 11/16/08 Thanksgiving Weekend Thanksgiving Weekend 2008 02/07/09 05/16/09	Ozark Mountains of Missouri - River Camping with Host Nancy Doucette - We will be river camping in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri. These rivers are paradise on earth. They are crystal clear spring-fed rivers that can be warm enough for comfortable swimming. There is more wildlife and more birds than I have ever seen anywhere. There are fabulous cliffs and caves. Anyone interested may join me. Nancy Doucette (561) 968-1789 kayakldy@yahoo.com New Member Orientation & Hike - Spring Hammock Hike, Longwood, FL Florida Paddlers Rendezvous 2008 http://www.clubkayak.com/rendezvous2008/ at Hillsborough River State Park (Tampa area) recommended by WT member & trip host Wilderness Trekkers ANNUAL GATHERING Tillis Hill Recreation Area/Withlacoochee Forest Inverness/Citrus County....much more to follow!! Weekend at Silver River State Park, Ocala, to include Hiking, Off-Road Biking at Santos....more to follow! November 2008 Thanksgiving Weekend 2008 - LONG KEY STATE PARK Florida Keys Camping/kayaking in the Keys over Thanksgiving. Call ReserveAmerica ASAP to reserve a spot and if full keep checking back for cancellations. 1-800-326-3521. Host: Cathy Phillips (561) 688-2398 or kyklvr@earthlink.net (preferred) LONG KEY STATE PARK Florida Keys Camping/kayaking in the Keys over Thanksgiving. Call Reserveamerica ASAP to reserve a spot and if full keep checking back for cancellations. 1-800-326-3521. Host Cathy Phillips 561-688-2398 or kyklvr@earthlink.net (preferred) New Member Orientation & Hike, Lake Lotus Nature Park, Altamonte Springs, FL 9:00am New Member Orientation & Hike, Lyonia Preserve Hike, Deltona, FL 9:00am Sat.
NOTES TO ALL TRIP PARTICIPANTS: On all each individual is responsible for bringing the appropriate gear & provisions for the trip. For ideas check out our GEAR CHECKLISTS. Guests are welcome unless designated a members only event. Groups will wait no longer than 5 minutes beyond the set meeting time. Unless otherwise stated, Wilderness Trekkers events are free. R/T indicates round trip. Difficulty ratings: L - Leisurely, a short event of less than 4 miles. M - Moderate, a 4-7 mile event. S - Strenuous, an event of 8 miles or more. Other factors such as tides, terrain, temperature also determine difficulty ratings. The term "moderate" can indicate an event that may be stressful to some persons. Know your skills. If you are not a strong hiker/ paddler/ biker or have physical limitations, check with the event host before you sign up. Lengths of trips, distances, and times are all approximate. As always, No pets, firearms, radios, or TVs please.