Photo: Greg Pflug From the Okefenokee to Cumberland Island; Georgia and Florida Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09092A Price: $1395 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 12 Leader:
The Trip  Photo: Greg Pflug Our trip will first take us into remote areas of the Okefenokee, where we will see cypress forests draped with Spanish moss. We will kayak across open prairies and along the remains of man-made canals, through areas that were once heavily forested prior to extensive logging. Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge was created in 1937, covers more than 600 square miles, and contains nearly 354,000 acres of designated wilderness. Black bears, otters, sandhill cranes, ospreys, alligators, bald eagles, yellow-fringed orchids and pitcher plants all call the swamp home. Though pure and clean, the refuge's waters are dark due to the tannic acid in decaying vegetation. A number of freshwater springs feed the refuge, which in turn gives birth to two well known rivers, the Suwannee and the St. Mary's. The St. Mary's flows out to the Atlantic Ocean, terminating at our next destination, Cumberland Island. We will stay at Crooked River State Park while spending a day exploring Cumberland Island, which we will access by ferry boat, as well as paddle other coastal waterways. Cumberland Island is protected as a national seashore. 18 miles of beach, 30 miles of trails, pristine wilderness and diverse plants and wildlife await us. Sea turtles, manatees, wild horses, bobcats, armadillos, various sea life and more than 300 species of birds call Cumberland Island and its surrounding waters home. Here, creatures of the forest and shore live by both tidal and seasonal rhythms. We will also encounter several historical mansions and ruins, originally home to the Carnegie's and other prominent families.
 Photo: Greg Pflug This itinerary is subject to change due to weather, tides, campground availability or other unforeseen factors. This outing is van supported. We will provide pick up on Day 1 of the outing and drop off on Day 8 at Jacksonville, Fla. airport. Plan to be in Jacksonville by early afternoon on Day 1 if you are flying. Detailed directions will be sent to those that plan on driving. Day 1-4: After airport pickup, we will head over to our cabins at Stephen Foster State Park, stopping for an optional lunch on the way (lunch is not included in the trip price. We will stay at the cabins for four nights, while day paddling various routes through the Okefenokee. Day 5-7: We will pack up and leave Stephen Foster and do the short drive over to Crooked River State Park (stopping for lunch on the way), where we will also stay in cabins for three nights. We will do short and long paddles on local waterways on Day 5 and 7, and take a National Park ferry boat from St. Mary's over to Cumberland Island for an all day excursion on Day 6. Some available activities on Cumberland Island: NPS Ranger talks, hiking, historical sights, wildlife viewing, beach combing or walking, swimming, or just relaxing. We will then have dinner and time to explore historical St. Mary's upon returning to the mainland. There will also be time for optional hiking and relaxing throughout this outing. Day 8: The leaders will shuttle participants back to Jacksonville Airport after having breakfast and packing up. You should schedule your flight no earlier than the afternoon of Day 8. Those driving themselves will be free to depart from Crooked River State Park. Getting There: Airport pick up and drop off will be provided at Jacksonville, Florida Airport, as this outing is van supported. Please plan to be in Jacksonville by early afternoon (1 p.m.) on Day 1 of the outing. Those wishing to drive can meet the group at Stephen Foster State Park on Day 1 of the outing and will be free to leave from Crooked River State Park. Detailed directions will be sent to participants.
The leaders will prepare all meals, but everyone is expected to help clean up. Meals included in the trip fee start with dinner on the first day through lunch on the last day. Meals served on the trip will reflect local cuisine. Oatmeal, blueberry pancakes, bacon, coffee, juice, tuna, cheeses, trail bologna, dried fruits, chicken, stew, pasta and seafood are some examples of what may be on the menu. Vegetarians can be accommodated with prior notice. Stephen Foster and Crooked River State Park accommodations will be private cabins within the park. Each cabin has two bedrooms with two double beds in each room. The cabins have modern amenities including refrigerators, stoves, bedding, blankets, pillows, showers and flush toilets. Participants coming alone will share rooms.
Previous paddling experience will help make your trip more enjoyable. Paddling instruction will be provided. We will paddle up to 10 to 15 miles per day, 6 to 8 hours on the water. Most people would consider Okefenokee paddling to be relatively easy, although we may have to navigate through some narrow stretches of water and portage some areas. Coastal paddling is generally more challenging, as we may have to contend with tides, wind, boat traffic, and other factors. There will also be optional hikes during the week.
Conservation: The worst forest fires in Georgia's History spread to and burned parts of the Okefenokee in the Spring of 2007. We will discuss why, in regard to the Wildlife Refuge, this was not necessarily a bad occurrence. At one time, Cumberland Island was primarily an exclusive island where several wealthy families, including the Carnegie's, had winter homes. We will discuss how Cumberland Island eventually won Congressional approval to become a protected National Seashore through contributions from the Carnegie family and funds from supporting foundations. Wetlands are a common sight throughout southeast Georgia. We will talk about why they are so important and why wetland preservation is so critical.
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.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
|
John Kovacevic is certified as a Wilderness First Responder and is also an ACA certified kayak instructor. He has led outings in the Southeast and Rocky Mountain regions for Sierra Club Outings and looks forward to exploring new areas and developing unique new outings. John has paddled and hiked all across the U.S. and gets outdoors as often as he can, with the coastal Southeast being his favorite paddling destination.