This is some information that I picked up when I went to the FWC website. I haven't seen or paddled any of this, but for those who might be interested in planning a Florida trip, here you go ....
Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail Now Open
By Doug Alderson
Sea kayakers have long known of the multi-day expedition possibilities along Florida's Big Bend Gulf Coast. The area boasts one of the longest and wildest publicly owned coastal wetlands in the United States and a striking array of bird and marine life. Flocks of white pelicans often zoom past in winter, and great egrets dot marshy expanses, white as snowflakes. Bald eagles and ospreys entertain with their aerial maneuvers and dives, and in the often, clear waters, one can spot crabs, fishes, sea turtles, manatees, cannonball jellyfish and small sharks and rays. One kayaker likened it to paddling over a giant aquarium.
The Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail was designated by the Florida Legislature as part of the State of Florida's Greenways and Trails System in 1996, but for several years, it was little more than a line on a map with no authorized campsites for paddlers. Then, in 2002, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) took on the task of establishing a first-rate paddling trail. "We've spent the last year-and-a-half doing exhaustive scouting and mapping, developing primitive campsites and researching the fascinating cultural and natural history of the area," said Jerrie Lindsey, coordinator of the FWC's Recreation Services Program. "Paddlers should be prepared for a beautiful experience, although it's not an expedition to undertake lightly. It requires a lot of thought, a lot of planning."
The new paddling guide to the trail (to be published in March 2004 with funding assistance from the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc.) will help interested paddlers plan for their trips. The 40-page guide is divided into 13 sections. Each section consists of a detailed map covering a five-mile segment of trail, GPS bearings, mileage figures, photos, interpretive information and locations of campsites and fresh water. The spiral-bound guide is printed on durable, semi-waterproof paper and is designed for easy use in a kayak.
As outlined in the guide, the 105-mile trail includes side trips to springs, wild rivers, historical sites, wildlife havens and small coastal towns. Designated primitive campsites exclusively for trail users are spaced 10 to 14 miles apart.
To learn how you can order your copy of the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail Guide, logon to http://MyFWC.com/recreation.
Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail Now Open
By Doug Alderson
Sea kayakers have long known of the multi-day expedition possibilities along Florida's Big Bend Gulf Coast. The area boasts one of the longest and wildest publicly owned coastal wetlands in the United States and a striking array of bird and marine life. Flocks of white pelicans often zoom past in winter, and great egrets dot marshy expanses, white as snowflakes. Bald eagles and ospreys entertain with their aerial maneuvers and dives, and in the often, clear waters, one can spot crabs, fishes, sea turtles, manatees, cannonball jellyfish and small sharks and rays. One kayaker likened it to paddling over a giant aquarium.
The Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail was designated by the Florida Legislature as part of the State of Florida's Greenways and Trails System in 1996, but for several years, it was little more than a line on a map with no authorized campsites for paddlers. Then, in 2002, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) took on the task of establishing a first-rate paddling trail. "We've spent the last year-and-a-half doing exhaustive scouting and mapping, developing primitive campsites and researching the fascinating cultural and natural history of the area," said Jerrie Lindsey, coordinator of the FWC's Recreation Services Program. "Paddlers should be prepared for a beautiful experience, although it's not an expedition to undertake lightly. It requires a lot of thought, a lot of planning."
The new paddling guide to the trail (to be published in March 2004 with funding assistance from the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc.) will help interested paddlers plan for their trips. The 40-page guide is divided into 13 sections. Each section consists of a detailed map covering a five-mile segment of trail, GPS bearings, mileage figures, photos, interpretive information and locations of campsites and fresh water. The spiral-bound guide is printed on durable, semi-waterproof paper and is designed for easy use in a kayak.
As outlined in the guide, the 105-mile trail includes side trips to springs, wild rivers, historical sites, wildlife havens and small coastal towns. Designated primitive campsites exclusively for trail users are spaced 10 to 14 miles apart.
To learn how you can order your copy of the Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail Guide, logon to http://MyFWC.com/recreation.