Itinerary

Day 1 – Dec. 13th

We will launch from Middleton’s Fish Camp on Blue Cypress Lake at 9:30am and paddle 15 miles. We will encounter our first portage about 2 hours into the day. We will camp at a St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) campsite called Great Egret. Day 1 will be somewhat of a warm-up day. We didn’t want to jump head-first into 30 mile days.

Day 2 – Dec. 14th

We will leave from our campsite at Great Egret and paddle up to our second portage, the C-40 plug. After that interruption to our paddling day, we will begin paddling this “river of lakes” by crossing Lake Hell N Blazes, Little Sawgrass Lake, Sawgrass Lake, and Lake Washington. As we exit Lake Washington we will come to our third and final portage, the Lake Washington Weir. After crossing the weir, we will have about an hour and a half paddle to the “Oak Trees” campsite (SJRWMD). That marks the end of our 28 mile paddle.

Day 3 – Dec. 15th

After leaving our campsite behind us at 7:00am, we will begin another 28 mile day. Day 3 will take us through Lake Winder, and Lake Poinsett. We will set up camp at “The Palms” campsite (SJRWMD) which is about 20 miles west of Cape Canaveral.

Day 4 – Dec. 16th

We will begin Day 4’s 18 mile paddle by traveling through some of the braided streams of the St. Johns. As we reach Hwy. 50 we will refill our water supply at Capt. Derrick’s. After passing by Lake Cone and Ruth Lake, we will arrive at Hatbill Park. Hatbill Park is situated just south of the infamous Puzzle Lake.

Day 5 – Dec. 17th

We will begin our 22 mile trek through Puzzle Lake. The name of this lake alone has been a source of concern both Keith and me, but it sounds more intimidation than it really is. After meandering through Puzzle Lake, we will set up camp at the Trees S. of Econ (SJRWMD).

Day 6 Dec. 18th

We will paddle the remaining mile or so of Puzzle Lake and pass beneath Hwy. 46. We will paddle across Lake Harney, Mullet Lake, and Thornhill Lake. We will then pass to the north of Lake Jessup and cross Lake Monroe. On the west side of I-4 and the north shore of the St. Johns, we will conclude our 30 mile day by pitching our tent at Lake Monroe Park in Volusia County.

Day 7 – Dec. 19th

We will have another 30 mile day to complete, but just like the previous day, we will have campground facilities to look forward to.  From this point, the river will widen and will allow us to keep a faster pace. We will no longer be navigating in a maze………………..we hope.

Day 8 – Dec. 20th

On Day 8 we will leave behind our campsite in Astor which is 30 miles west of Daytona Beach and paddle across Lake George. Lake George is the 2nd largest Lake in Florida and could provide an interesting experience. The lake is so large that a windy day can make it more like an ocean. After crossing Lake George, we will pass to the east of Rodman Reservoir before reaching the Seven Sisters Islands. After these islands, we will simply ’round Buffalo Bluff to reach our campsite at Murphy’s Island another SJRWMD district site.

Day 9 – Dec. 21st

Departing Murphy’s Island will be hard to do. Its not the island, but the 40 mile day that will have us wishing that we could just stay there. As we set off on our longest day we will have something to motivate us, but more on that in a moment. This day will take us through Palatka and the river will grow exponentially in width. As we enter this large portion of the river that only has negligible flow, we can only hope that a nor’easter doesn’t swoop through and pound our faces as we cover 40 miles during some the shortest periods of daylight in all the year. But, when we reach the evening’s destination, we will not be pitching our tent or sleeping under the stars. We decided that paddling 40 miles earned us a cabin. We reserved an inexpensive cabin at Camp Chowenwaw. Camp Chowenwaw is a Clay County Park with a ranger that is very helpful and accommodating.

Day 10 – Dec. 22st

In the upper basin, we will cross many lakes, but Day 10 will take us under many of Jacksonvilles bridges. We will pass under the Buckman Bridge, Fuller Warren Bridge, Acosta Bridge, Main Street Bridge, and Hart Bridge. After passing beneath these bridges for 23 miles, we will pitch our tent for the last time, and we will even have a bridge right over our heads. We will be camping on Exchange Island, and the Matthews Bridge crosses overhead.

Day 11 – Dec. 23rd

The last and final day. We will leave our site at Exchange Island and paddle up to the Lions Club Boat Ramp that is just north of Jacksonville University. There Tom Monahan and several members of the Florida Sea Kayak Association will meet up with us at 8:00am. (if you would like to paddle the last leg with us, contact Greg Bailey). We will be paddling the final 20 miles of the St. Johns. We will be paddling out to the beginning of the jetties and will turn back and take out at Huguenot Park.