Paddling update

Friday- Juniper Springs. Leave camp NLT 8:30. It’s a little over 13 miles to the put in. It’s about ¾ of a mile to the launch. They have carts to haul your boat to the water. There is a $5.00 per person park use fee. If you would like to have the shuttle service, that’s an additional $6.00 per boat. The river distance is almost 8 miles, all down river. It’s got quite a few bends and some low branches. Plan on getting wet! Bring snacks or a lunch and something to drink. We will find a place to get out of the boats. There are bathrooms and showers available at the park.

Saturday- Alexander Springs. Leave camp NLT 8:30. The put in is 15 miles from Camp. There is a $5.50 park use fee. No shuttle service is available. We will have to set up our own shuttle. The river distance is about 5 miles, a little more with low water and a little less with high water. This river is an easy float trip. There are a couple of shallow places that you may need to get out of the boat. Bring snacks or a lunch and something to drink. We will find a place to get out of the boats. There are bathrooms and showers available at the park.

Sunday- Silver Springs. Leave camp NLT 7:45. The put in is about 30 miles away. There is a $3.00 per car park use fee. No shuttle is needed. We will paddle up river and back. The river distance is about 10 miles. It will be a little over 4 miles against the current. The current does get a bit stronger the closer to the spring we get. Bring a lunch and drinking water. There are very few places to get out of the boats. There is a landing at the State Park where we can get out. There are no bathrooms at this landing but a short walk will get you to them. On this trip it is common to see large numbers of monkeys. Keep the noise to a minimum and your eyes to the shore and trees, chances are you will see several troops! Travelling to and from the launch, we will pass near several convenience stores and gas stations, if you need to resupply. Add a few miles to the trip and you can go to Silver Springs for some real stores. There is a bathroom at the put in. This will be a long day!

There are no bathrooms along any of the rivers. We will practice LNT.