Report By: | jlpaddle | Date: 7/3/2015 | | Rating: |  |
Photos:
See 20 photos |
Map & Directions: View |
 | This is a 3.25 mile trip from Shadeville Rd (CR 365) bridge to US-98 bridge. |
My Report:
Lead by Charlotte, Jane F., JoAnn, Tom and Carole and John did the upper section of the Wakulla River from the upper bridge (Shadeville Rd or CR 365) to the US-98 Bridge 3.25 miles. We spent some time admiring Carole’s handmade wood strip boat. The time and effort looked well worth it. During the turnaround, Tom and I moved it away from the boat ramp, because one of the locals landing his boat nearby almost fell on it walking by the boat.
There was no where near the number of motor-boaters on the river that we expected. We guessed that not everyone had July 3rd off, but there were lots of kayaks and canoes. The motorboats did not show up until we were most of the way down the river. It was JoAnn’s first trip in her kayak, after years of paddling canoes and she adjusted quickly. JoAnn, Jane, Charlotte, Carole and Tom got to see two manatees in the river. Charlotte, Jane and John got to see four otters that were in the far right separate section of the river. I did not get a good picture of them; they kept coming up and going down in the river. We also saw great blue heron, white heron, night heron, swallow kite, ducks and other little birds. Plants in bloom on the river were: The swamp lily (Crinum americanum) was a star, there was a lot of water hemlock (Ciuta maculate), climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), and duck potato (Sagittaria lancifolia). The takeout was not as crowded as it would normally be on a weekend. We were able to get out and on the road to Riverside for a late lunch in a short time. We left the restaurant in higher spirits and with full stomachs. From Tallahassee (US 319/Capital Circle SE) take Woodville Hwy (CR 363) south (10.2 mi) turn left on Bloxham Cutoff Rd (CR 267) for 0.1 mi and slight left on to Shadeville Rd (CR 365) for 2.2mi. Cross the bridge and the unimproved boat ramp is on the southwest (the left). The Shadeville Rd (CR 365) bridge is at 30.213421,-84.261795 or 2419 Shadeville Rd, Crawfordville, FL 32327. To get to the takeout go back to Woodville Hwy (CR 363) then turn right and go 3 miles to US 98 (Coastal Hwy) for 2.1 miles. The boat ramp will be on the left before you cross the bridge. There are both concrete and unimproved boat ramps at 6527 Coastal Hwy., Crawfordville, FL 32327 or 30.176184,-84.244947.
Location Data:
Distance (miles): | 3.25 |
Fees/Costs $: | n/a |
Photos from Upper bridge to US98 bridge: (Click image to view full size)
Special Interests and Comments:  | Wakulla Springs State Park is nearby and there is a longer trip to the City Park in St. Marks and other trips on the St. Marks River. |
Post Date: 7/5/2015
Notice: Reported conditions may change and there may be errors in this text. Apalachee Canoe and Kayak Club and author(s) of individual reports shall not be held liable for any omissions and inaccuracies contained herein. Readers are cautioned to supplement reports with other sources of information when planning a trip. |