Photo: Rainbow Springs State Park Rainbow Springs Splash and Service, Rainbow Springs State Park, Florida Highlights:
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Trip Number: 08072A Price: $495 Deposit: $50 Capacity: 16 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Jessica Potter/ Rainbow Springs State Park This week-long service trip focuses on Rainbow Springs State Park. The park is a wonderful mixture of the unique natural and cultural heritage of central Florida, and a popular destination to swim, snorkel, canoe, picnic, or stroll through gardens filled with abundant plant and animal life. Come join us while we float in sunshine on top of a gushing spring, meander along walkways shaded by giant oaks that are dripping with Spanish moss, and watch a white egret hunt for an elusive minnow. Water bubbling from the springs is the clearest you’ll ever see. The park includes gardens with man-made waterfalls, which are a cultural asset left over from when the area was a tourist attraction. The waterfalls range in size from a few feet to over 40 feet and give a very exotic feel to the area.  Photo: Becky Wilferth/ Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Rainbow Springs is a spring complex with four main outlets. These springs, along with several others in the area, comprise about half of the total discharge of the Rainbow River. The flow from the Rainbow Springs complex averages 461 million gallons per day, making it the fourth largest in the state and the eighth largest in the world. The Rainbow River, which starts at the springs, supports many types of plants, fish and wildlife. It travels almost 6 miles before entering the Withlacoochee River and heading for the Gulf of Mexico. The Project Our job is to help the Florida Park Service remove exotic and invasive plants and assist with trail and campground maintenance.
Plan to arrive at the campsite on day one for dinner with the group. We will have four workdays and two days off. Workdays will start at 8:30 a.m. We will be done for the day by 4:00 p.m., with time left to explore, swim, float gently down the river, or just get to know each other. On our days off, we'll have a number of activity options, including hiking, snorkeling, tubing, and canoeing. One day can include an optional nine-mile, four-hour paddle down the clear and sparkling Rainbow River into the darkly reflective Withlacoochee River. The paddling will be easy as we watch for deer, turkey, otter, and alligator. Birders will enjoy the wood duck, wood stork, white ibis, anhinga, and many other birds. The cost for the 4–5-hour canoe trip is less than $30.  Photo: Becky Wilferth/ Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park Another day might include a drive to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park, where we can get a close look at manatees. This special state park also features many animals in their native habitat, including alligators, crocodiles, Florida snakes, deer, bears, bobcats, otters, and cougars at close range. Many varieties of birds -- from colorful wood ducks and flamingos to majestic birds of prey, herons and egrets -- also make their homes under the moss-draped live oaks. The cost is $10 or less. Learn more about Homosassa Springs here. On our last day, we will pack up after breakfast, tidy the camp area, and be ready to go by 11 a.m. Food will be available for bag lunches to go. Getting There The starting point for this trip is Rainbow Springs State Park. Travel to the starting point is the responsibility of the trip participants and is not included in the trip price. The park is about a three-hour drive from either Orlando or Tampa airports. American, Delta, and US Air fly into Gainesville, a little over an hour away.
We will camp on park property, in an open field surrounded by trees. The campsite is a short walk from the springs, so we can take a refreshing swim after work each day. It's also near the park offices, and only a 15-minute walk from our work area. Two portable toilets will be at the site. Fresh water is available from a faucet within 100 yards of our camp, and car parking is nearby. Food and cooking equipment will be provided for the trip. Each participant will be expected to help out with food preparation and clean-up for at least two meals. Menus will include principally vegetarian dishes, with meat occasionally served on the side. Lunch will be packed at breakfast and eaten at the worksite.
This is a mild to moderate trip, suitable for beginners. There's a lot of bending and stretching but you may work at your own pace. It’s the perfect “beginners” trip for anyone in good physical condition; and it makes a relaxing working-vacation for non-beginners, too!
Springtime weather is usually sunny, with daytime temperatures near 70 degrees, and nighttime lows around 50. This is one of the best times of year to visit Florida, but bring your raingear, just in case. The trip leader will send you a complete equipment list when you apply for the trip. The park will provide work equipment. Some things you will need to bring:
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Conservation The entire Rainbow River was designated a Registered National Natural Landmark in 1972, an Aquatic Preserve in 1986, and an Outstanding Florida Waterway in 1987. A park ranger will lead a discussion about the problems Rainbow Springs faces, and what we can do to help. Exotic plants -- such as coral ardesia, air potato, wedelia, and skunk vine -- are major problems. In some areas, the infestation is severe. Mainly, we will focus on removing coral ardesia, although we may see some skunk vine if the weather has been mild enough for it to start growing. Coral ardesia is considered a category-one (highly invasive) plant, and April is an excellent time to remove it because its bright red berries will be easy to spot. We will be instructed in the best method for removal.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Leader:
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Dave Garcia has been a California State Park Ranger for 25 years. Dave has led Sierra Club kayak and mountain bike trips, and organized local Sierra Club habitat restoration projects at Northern California's Lake Oroville State Recreation Area. He has been recently assigned to Limekiln State Park along the Big Sur coast.
Suzanne Ferguson's first leadership trip was Rainbow Springs Splash. She is looking forward to returning to this lush, beautiful park. She hails from the sunshine state of Florida and will be serving us vegetarian-friendly cuisine. If you have special dietary needs, please contact her.