Wilderness Trekker Current Calendar of Events |
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 Click Here to get a Printable version of the Calendar. Why does the print version not match the on-line version? |
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NOTE: guests, first time participants and regular members |
The Wilderness Trekker organization reminds all individuals participating in an outing to have the full understanding of the details spelled out in both the "Membership Guidelines" found on the "Join Us" page as well as utilizing the appropriate "Gear List" pages of this site. Moreover, ensure your equipment is in full and safe working condition prior to the morning of the event. Both pages cover your responsibilities as a prepared participant. |
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Calendar Corrections Since July 19th Publish date |
Location change for the 8/29 Kayak Skills Session Additional important details on the 2010 Florida Paddlers' Rendezvous Added the 2010 Miami Kayak Challenge Charity Event Added Kayak Demo on August 22nd at Katie's Landing Added North Carolina Trip to Nantahala, Sept 22-26 Added America’s Great Outdoor Initiative, Aug 26th |
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7/18 - 7/23/10 Sunday - Friday Lake Paddle, Hiking, Biking Easy-to-Strenuous Turkey Creek Campground Bryson City NC |
North Carolina Mountains with Florida Sport Paddlers-
A week in cool NC Mountains. Base camp at Turkey Creek Campground (828-488-8966; http://www.turkey-creek.com/ ) Monday through Friday canoe/kayak trips on TVA lakes (kayaks suggested). Also available in the area: mountain hikes, mountain bike trails, driving tours, etc. NO WHITEWATER on our trips. Please contact Erica Johnson by July 7 at 407-327-4044, paddlepuff@earthlink.net |
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7/21 - 7/26/10 Wednesday - Monday Rafting, Hiking, Biking Easy-to-Strenuous Big Nantahala Campground Bryson City NC |
Wilderness-Trekkers Adventuring in the North Carolina Mountains -
Six-day - OUT OF FLORIDA - event – Wednesday thru Monday, where Wednesday and Monday are basically travel days, or if you need to get back by Monday, you can cut a day off of your trip. We have 8 events planned: 4 hike trips, 3 on-the-water events and a Mountain Bike event in Tsali - the Moab of the East Coast! We will be staying at Big Nantahala Campground on the Nantahala River which is about 30 minutes from Bryson City. For all the incredible details Click Here and begin your drooling. PDF last updated June 6th. PLEASE NOTE! This 8 event adventure is still solidifying and changes to the linked write-up will occur over time, either at the event level or details based on questions I recieve. The point being, you need to visit the link to see if there are updates or changes. After version 2, text changes will be indicated in red so you don't have to read the entire document. If you print the write-up make sure you print the last version of it before coming aboard to prevent any misunderstandings. Hosts: Rich Miller sailstcloud@gmail.com and Clark Getz cagola1@aol.com 407 222 2846 RSVP - Yep, it'll be great! |
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7/25/10 Sunday Time: Call Host Bike-n-Snorkel Easy to Moderate Palm Beach Inlet |
Palm Beach Inlet Bike & Snorkel - This is the best off-the-beach snorkeling in the area, attracting all kinds of wondrous creatures to the rocks on the outside of the south jetty, but we have to wait for the water to warm up for them to come. The bike trail along the Intracoastal and the road along the ocean are lovely and safe to pedal. And then there’s lunch! We'll go on high tide. Please call host for details such as exact directions, times and specifics she would like to review with you on the phone.
Host: Linda Leeds, 561-683-2851, lindamarie7@ juno.com. |
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8/1/10 Sunday Time: 9:00AM in the water Paddling Moderate-Strenuous Wekiva River DeBary FL |
Lower Wekiva River Paddle - From High Banks ramp in DeBary (See FL. Gazetteer, page 80, coordinates A2 or See Map). We start out against the current, paddling up the St. Johns River for 1.25 miles to the mouth of the Wekiva River. On the Wekiva River we will paddle to Katie's Landing and back. That is about a 14 mile round trip. This is a beautiful run with plenty of wildlife. After the paddle, we'll go to the restaurant ( a very good one) right where we put in and have an early dinner. Give yourself ample time to arrive and get ready. Out of courtesy to the participants, please be ready to paddle at 9:00 am.
Must wear PFD ( type III ) and whistle are required on the paddle. Host: RSVP Mariam Mohsenin at mohseninma@gmail.com, Ken Knapton |
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8/7/10 Saturday Time: 9:30AM c Paddling Moderate Econlockhatchee River Oveido FL |
Econ Paddle - We will be paddling the upper or middle Econ, depending on water levels and pull overs. Either section is a great view of disappearing Florida wilderness and will be shady and beautiful. Reservations required. Members have preference. 15 boat limit.
Host: RSVP Shelley Claudin, shelley.claudin@cubic.com, 407 758 2633 for full information. |
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8/14/10 Saturday Time: Contact Host Paddling Moderate Rock Springs Apopka FL |
Rock Springs Run - Day paddle on spring-fed Rock Springs Run from King’s Landing in Apopka. Launch and takeout fees. Limited trip.
Host: RSVP Erica Johnson for info, paddlepuff@earthlink.net or 407-327-4044 |
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8/22/10 Sunday Time: 9:00 Paddling Katie's Landing Sanford FL |
Kayak Demo followed by short paddle on Wekiva - Sunday August 22nd...Tiderace Kayaks U.S. distributor, Randall Henriksen, will be at Katies landing with all 5 models of new Tideraces for all to tryout. (cool water temp on the Wekiva) See if they are everything everyone is saying. He will have the Xcite, Xcite S, Xcite X, Xplore, and the Xplore S. bring you boat, Ken will be working on skills and there will be a fun paddle upstream and back. The demo will be from 9 a.m. till noon +. Katies landing is 5 miles west of I-4 on Rt 46 near Sanford. Turn right on Wekiva Park dr. on east side of river. appox 1 mile up to Katies
Katie's Landing Location - See Map Host: RSVP Rich Miller for info, sailstcloud@gmail.com or 407-709-7129 |
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8/26/10 Thursday Time: 3:30-6:30 Public Meeting Osceola Heritage Park Kissimmee FL |
America’s Great Outdoor Initiative listening session - August 26 Thursday – U.S. Departments of Interior and Agriculture will be accepting public comment on a new government program called America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, a program to reconnect people, especially youth, to the outdoors. Help them come up with this 21st century conservation & recreation agenda and make sure paddling and water trails are part of it! The non-profit group, American Rivers, is trying to tie in Blueways/water trails. In order for this to be included, the administration needs to hear from paddlers and water trail managers around the state. Since Florida has one of the most extensive paddling trail systems in the country, we need a strong voice from our state. There is only one meeting in Florida to be held at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee from 3:30 – 6:30. Please pre-register by Friday, August 20 by sending an email to AGOOrlando@fws.gov (or fax 404-679-4082) with your name, the name of the organization with which you are affiliated, your telephone number and email address. Or submit your comments and ideas via the website: http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/ If you have questions, call Veronica McClurkin at (404) 679-7171.
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8/28/10 Saturday Time: 9:00 Hike Easy Big Tree Park |
New Member Orientation - Big Tree Park- This event is for all members who have yet to go through an orientation session. The session covers the history of the club, our volunteer event hosts, preparing for various trips, details about the Annual Gathering and answer your questions. Additional veteran members will be on hand to tell you about trips and experiences and how you can enjoy an event and participate in the success of the Wilderness Trekker organization. Following this 30 to 40 minute session at the pavilion we will drive about 2 miles to hike the Soldier Creek trail. The purpose of this is to give the new members a chance to meet some of the existing members of the club and introduce yourself so you become a familiar member of our club. The hike is as much a social event as it is an activity.
Location of Big Tree Park Coordinator: Clark Getz RSVP cagola1@aol.com |
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8/29/10 Sunday Time: 9:00 Kayak Skills Session Location: Wekiva Falls Sorrento |
Kayak Skill Session- For All Skill Levels - This session is about 4-hours long. We will have Ken Knapton, Michael Shugg and Mariam Mohsenin providing instruction. Guaranteed that you will learn a new skill or improve on existing skills. Class is limited to 10 people and will be held at Wekiva Falls Resort & RV at 30700 Wekiva River Road
Sorrento, FL 32776-9042
(407) 830-9828. See Map for location. Launch Fee is $6 per boat. Park opens at 8 O' Clock. Give yourself ample time to arrive, unload your boat, and get ready. Out of courtesy to the participants and instructors, please be ready to paddle at 9:00 am. For members only. Must wear PFD ( type III ) and whistle are required on the paddle. Bring all the gear you have, no need to purchase any new equipment. At this point, the class is FULL, but call host anyway to be put on waiting list incase of cancellations
Host: RSVP by Tuesday Aug 24 - Thanks! Mariam Mohsenin at mohseninma@gmail.com |
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9/12/10 Sunday Time: 8:00 Paddling Easy-Moderate Location: Contact Host Orlando |
Econlockhatchee River - Depending on the water level, we'll paddle one of the three sections of the river. This will be determined the Wednesday before the trip. This trip involves a 7 or mile shuttle.
Must wear PFD ( type III ) and whistle are required on the paddle. Host: RSVP Mariam Mohsenin at mohseninma@gmail.com, Ken Knapton |
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9/18/10 Saturday Time: 8:30 - 1:00 Paddle, Hike, Bike Easy/Leasure Wilson's Landing Park S.R. 46 and Wekiva R. |
Morning activities followed by Social Pot-luck Lunch - All event morning followed by pot-luck lunch and hot dogs. Events include: paddling the Wekiva, Hiking the Seminole Forest or Rock Spring Preserve and biking the Wekiva Trail. Individual hosts will state their start time and place. Revisit this for other host details. Event hosts will have all participants convene at 11:30 at the park following their short event for a pot-luck lunch for an hour and a half of social time. Hot dogs provided, bring your own hydration, camp chair and something healthy to share (doesn't have to be a lot). Just make sure it stays cold for the duration before lunch time. Great time to mingle and talk about past and future trips. Wilson's Landing Park is a very nice and new park right on the Wekiva River on the SOUTH side of S.R. 46.
Clark Getz will lead a road cyclist group on the Wekiva trail starting a 9:00 leaving at the Markham Road Trailhead (that is the northwest terminus of the trail, not Lake Sylvan Park) Additional activities will be posted for paddling (which will be the Wekiva) and hiking which has 2 options. Location to Wilson's Landing Coordinator: Clark Getz cagola1@aol.com |
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9/19/10 Sunday Time: 8:00 Paddling Easy/Leasure Haw Creek Bunnell FL |
Haw Creek Run - Please meet at 8:00. Contact host for launch location. Then we will then drive to the actual launch location. Estimated 10-mile paddle. Bring cash with you on the paddle as there is a restaurant for lunch.
Must wear PFD ( type III ) and whistle are required on the paddle. Tucked away in western Flagler County lies Haw Creek Preserve, a 1,005-acre tract of land bordering Haw Creek for about two miles on its southern boundary. This area was set aside to preserve the cypress, oak and hardwood swamp that borders Haw Creek. Many Haw trees line the creek and produce the small apple-like fruit from which the creek gets its name. The fruit is popular for making jelly. Host: Please RSVP - Mariam Mohsenin at mohseninma@gmail.com or Ken Knapton. |
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9/22 - 9/26/10 Wednesday - Sunday Rafting, Hiking, Biking, flat water Paddling Easy-to-Strenuous Big Nantahala Campground Bryson City NC |
Nantahala Revisited -
With a touch of fall in the air and the potential for a nip of frost, the Wilderness Trekkers will be gathering again at the Nantahala Gorge to take advantage of Rafting, Biking, Hiking and flat water Paddling; not to mention GAF - Guest Appreciation Festival. The Festival is put on by Nantahala Outdoor Center and is a huge sales extravaganza that includes numerous other vendors, as they liquidate their season end inventory. If you are interested in fantastic deals on a whole range of outdoor equipment from bikes to kayak, dry jackets to pedal clips, see this.
A number of folks already have reservations at Big Nantahala Campground right on the river. This time we got the site down on the river and away from the highway. Turkey Creek Campground is about 12 minutes away, as is Tsali Campground. Contact either host for details on available tenting on existing reservation sites or to make your own reservation. If you can come for the entire Wednesday through Sunday, great, someone will be there the whole time. If you can only make part of the trip, that is fine too, just let us know through your RSVP. We purposefully DO NOT have a scheduled agenda. In July, we learn that there was enough to do in the immediate vicinity that we can decide as we awake from our warm tents as to what we want to tackle that day. Tsali Biking is about 17 minutes where the easy trail starts at serious cardio fun and the intermediate trail is darn right treacherous. We discovered Jackrabbit bike trails near Lake Chatuage, which has ideally groomed trails that let you haul hiny without threats of eminent death. Rafting was often part of the day even if biking or hiking was included. We are close to some great 5,000 foot peaks on the AT. Lake Fontana is everywhere if you wish to bring your Florida craft for some flat water paddling. Hosts: For Questions and RSVP - Rich Miller sailstcloud@gmail.com 407-709-7129 or Clark Getz cagola1@aol.com 407 222 2846 |
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9/26/10 Sunday Time: 9:00 Paddling Moderate-Strenuous Sykes Creek Merritt Island FL |
Sykes Creek Paddle - Sea kayaks only. Paddle from Kiwanis Park on Merrit Island to Barge Canal and back. Hopefully we will be paddling with dolphins and manatees; and along docks on one side and nature on the other. We will paddle to the 528 bridge and take a break there. The trip is about 8 miles. Launch is at 9:00 so leave yourself enough time to prepare. Bring food and plenty of water and a water gun if you feel like shooting anyone.
PFD is required to be worn and you must have a whistle with you. This trip is moderate to strenuous depending on conditions, weather and skill level; it's not unusual to deal with winds and strong current. Host: Please RSVP - Curt Gashlin at (407)443-7875, landsharc@aol.com |
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10/16/10 Saturday 8:00AM - 1:00PM Paddle Various Matheson Hammock Park Coral Gables, FL |
2010 Miami Kayak Challenge, Presented by Miami Children's Hospital - The 2010 Miami Kayak Challenge is taking place at Miami-Dade County's Matheson Hammock Park on Old Cutler Road in Coral Gables on Saturday, October 16, 2010 between 8 am - 1 pm. All paddlers including kayakers, surf skiers, canoeists, outriggers, dragon boaters and stand up paddleboarders will be racing to raise funds and awareness for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We are asking that you help us spread the word to your members and encourage their participation. For more info, please contact Jennifer Miyar at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation: jmiyar@cff.org or call her at (954) 739-5006. We have registration forms that we'll be happy to send you, and, look for updates on our Facebook Page: 2010 Miami Kayak Challenge. We are working on hotel accomodations for out-of-town participants.
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10/21/10 – 10/24/10 Thursday – Sunday Paddle Various 2010 Florida Paddlers’ Rendezvous Silver River State Park Ocala, FL |
2010 Florida Paddlers' Rendezvous - FL Sport Paddling Club is excited about hosting the 2010 FL Paddlers’ Rendezvous, an annual gathering of paddling clubs and other paddlers. Come for the whole shebang or just a day, starting with pre-Rendezvous paddles on October 21 and followed by the main event October 22 – 24. Home base will be Silver River State Park, with day paddles on nearby rivers. Please visit the 2010 FPR web site at http://www.paddlersrendezvous.com/ for information on plans, trips, places to stay and history. It is suggested that people consider sharing campsites. If you will be coming, please complete the easy (pre-)registration on the web site so we have an idea how many to expect. You must pre-register to find out about Thursday’s trips. Then check-in when you arrive, as indicated on the web site.
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10/30/10 – 10/31/10 Saturday – Sunday Paddle w/camping Moderate Peace River Fort Meade to Zolfo Springs, FL |
Annual Peace River Halloween Cruise - Fort Meade to Zolfo Springs. Wilderness camping. This is the prettiest part of the Peace, one too far north for the outfitters, so it's less traveled. It's narrower and has more twists and turns than the sections lower down, as well as a "waterfall," and a few mini-rapids. It also has a few rocky areas, so if the water is a bit low, you might get your bottom scratched! Our car-camping site on Friday night is very pretty and quiet, as is our wilderness site the next night. Sign up early, as space may be limited. (If water levels permit, we'll move upstream and put in at Bartow.)
Event Host: Linda Leeds, (561) 683-2851, lindamarie7@juno.com. |
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11/5/10 – 11/7/10 Friday – Sunday Hike, Bike, Paddle Easy to Moderate Silver River State Park Ocala FL |
Annual Gathering -
Silver River State Park is a great setting for the Annual Gathering with ideal facilities and fantastic camping. If you have any inclination of joining in the weekend of fun and special activities, go immediately to reserve your campsite. At this time there are plenty available, but they will go fast. Please share you site with a friend, or if you would like to share your site with anyone else (up to 6 people per site, but only 2 cars at the site, extra cars go to the museum parking), please forward Clark Getz an email indicating you have a site and are willing to share. When sites fill up, the sharing part becomes especially important. Visit the Silver River State Park web site to link over to the Reserve America on-line site reservations. If someone can find a 1-800 number for reservations, email me. Note: the Wilderness Trekkers are not managing a block of sites this year. |
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11/24/10 – 11/28/10 Thursday – Sunday Hike, Camp, Paddle Easy to Moderate Thanksgiving Weekend Jonathan Dickinson State Park Hobe Sound FL |
Thanksgiving Weekend at Jonathan Dickinson State Park -
Near Jupiter between Stuart to the north and West Palm Beach to the south. Information and directions at Jonathan Dickinson State Park. DeLorme map page 103, 2-D.
Car camping and cabins available: Our “headquarters” will be at site # 94 at River Campground. #91-98 and 100-116 have some type of vegetation around them. 102 &104 border the RV dump station and 101 & 103 border the bathrooms. Other sites, 117-135, have had the trees cut down. (The Pine Grove campground is closed until sometime in January) So, if you want a good site, or any site at all, book now.. If you have to cancel, the fee is only $10. Reserve America or 1-800-326-3521. There are cabins for $100 a day. Call 561-746-1466, but they can only be reserved 30 days in advance. NOTE: as of June 20th there are still a fee camping sites in the Pine Grove loop. Also, Cancellation fees Have gone up to $17 and transfers to $10 at State Parks. Come for all or part of the weekend. There’s no end to the activities available in the area: Paddling the Loxahatchee River, Riverbend Park, the South Fork of the St. Lucie, and St. Lucie Inlet State Park. (Some rentals available.) The Loxahatchee is a federally designated Wild and Scenic River. Bicycling both on and off road in Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Jupiter Island, Riverbend Park. Walking on several trails in JDSP, Riverbend. (Some rentals available.) Other area attractions: Jupiter Lighthouse, Blowing Rocks Preserve, Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge, the pontoon boat on the Loxahatchee to visit Trapper Nelson’s homestead. And, of course, Thanksgiving dinner!!! In addition to eating (always the most important thing) we’ll make plans for various activities, with sign-up sheets to see who’s interested in doing what. We’ll coordinate who’s bringing what for our turkey dinner (4 pm Thursday) and some other meals when we get closer to the date. This is a joint activity with Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club; www.PalmBeachPackandPaddleClub.org Hosted by: Linda Leeds, lindamarie7@juno.com or 561-683-2851. |
Event Hosts |
Please validate your event write-up to ensure each piece of information is accurate. If at any time prior to your event you would like to change your event write-up or add to it, please send your script directly to Clark Getz, the Web Manager. However, if you change your date, you must first email the Activities Coordinator and then the change will be forwarded to me. |
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Why is the printed version out of date as compared to the on-line version? We publish our calendar on a bi-monthly basis, typically about the 18th of the month prior to the two months that the calendar starts. We publish a Dec-Jan, Feb-Mar, Apr-May, Jun-Jul, Aug-Sep, Oct-Nov calendar. However, we often get impromptu trips and changes to trips that are published at any time on the web page only. The operations to create a printable PDF are are too time consuming to try to maintain duplicity. Therefore, the printed version is created prior to the bi-monthly publication and remain "as is" until the next bi-monthly calendar. Eventhough you have a printed hard copy in your hand, if you are about to attend an event, it is always wise to check the on-line calendar first. |
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