Sunday Trips - November 2nd

Hillsborough River – Morris Bridge Wilderness Park to Rotary Park

This paddle starts at the park boat launch ramp; we will paddle down stream about 9 1/2 miles to Rotary Park. Before we launch, we will arrange vehicles at the take out and shuttle drivers back to the park. The river in this section is slow moving water, canopied by thick forest of oak, cypress, pine and cedar for roughly 4 miles. Thereafter, the river broadens, is bathed with direct sunlight and gradually gives way to homes on the westerly bank.

Paddlers will notice that much of the trees lining the riverbank are covered with moss. Tannin seepage from the surrounding land darkly stains the water obscuring the subsurface limestone rock and the sandy bottom. Turtles and extensive bird life can be seen on most trips. We will be stopping at Trout Creek Wilderness Park to stretch our legs and enjoy our packed lunch before completing the trip.

Little Manatee River E B Simmons Park to 24th St SW (experienced paddlers only)

This is a trip for the intermediate kayaker who has a taste for different types of water. You will shuttle cars to ensure this is only a 15 mile paddle. We will launch on Tampa Bay and paddle in open water for about 2 miles to the mouth of the Little Manatee River so spray skirt and good bracing skills are required. We then head up the Manatee as it twists and turns thru the old town of Ruskin. We will stop for lunch along a bank of the river. There usually are some wildlife along this river which does not have houses on it after you pass under the Interstate 75 bridge and enter a mangrove swamp for the last 4 miles of the trip.

Phillippe Park to Upper Tampa Bay Park on Double Branch Creek ***Cancelled***

This trip launches from the beach of a park covered by beautiful, large oak trees. It goes over about 3 miles of somewhat open water (close to shore but no place to land) so you need to bring your spray skirt and have good bracing skills. The total trip is about 10 miles. We will paddle up Double Branch Creek, which is mangrove lined & twisting, to a dock where we will take out, rest, visit the park's nature center, and have lunch.

Weedon Island Mangrove Trail

We will launch from Weedon Island and go thru the mangrove trail. This is one of the easiest paddle of the Rendezvous. However, it must be timed to make sure the tides are right to be able to travel thru the shallow mangrove trail. The trip is about 4.5 miles long and protected from the wind most of the way. Mangrove trails are a unique eco system which enable you to enjoy the true Florida.

 

Tarpon Springs – visit after paddle

The three paddle trips listed below are for those that may want to spend their afternoon at the beach or visit the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks before departing for home. Fred Howard Park has an excellent beach but it closes at darkness. The Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks are a 15 minute drive away for those that may want to find a special trinket or enjoy a good meal before heading home.

Anclote Key w/stop at Lighthouse (experienced paddlers w/kayak only)

We will unload our kayaks on the beach at Fred Howard Park. Since Anclote Key is about 2 miles from Howard Park, over open water, it is necessary to have a kayak with water tight bulkheads, a spray skirt and good bracing skills. The trip to the key usually takes about 45 minutes. We land on a sandy beach and walk about 1 / 4mile to the lighthouse for picture taking. Then it is back to our boats to paddle to the Gulf side of the Key and a stop for lunch on a sandy beach. Usually we picnic by an old boat which is stuck in the sand - we jokingly call it the "TBSK chase boat". After lunch it's back to Fred Howard Park. A trip of about 8 miles.

Anclote River upstream from Craig Park ***Cancelled***

The paddle begins in Tarpon Springs at Craig Park and proceeds across Spring Bayou into Tarpon Bayou, and then onto the Anclote River. We will paddle through the Tarpon Springs docks and then pass under the Alt 19 bridge. Two miles later after paddling through a pair of mangrove side channels we will pass under the US 19 bridge.

Our journey will take us up stream through a salt grass marsh then back into the main river before proceeding into a large lagoon protected by several mangrove islands. Exiting the lagoon on the north end put us back in the Anclote River main channel. We will continue to paddle up stream another mile or two before starting back.

The Anclote River provides little opportunity to get out of your boat to stretch your legs in this region. For this reason we will take our lunch break on the return leg at the North Anclote River Park about ½ mile west of the US 19 bridge. This park has rest rooms, picnic tables and a canoe/kayak landing area. Following lunch we will return to our boats and paddle back through Tarpon Springs to Craig Park.

Pop Stansell Park to Fred Howard Park beach (experienced paddlers only)

This paddle can be one way or a round trip depending on your afternoon plans. If you plan to spend your afternoon at the beach or visiting Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks, then we will shuttle you back to your car after we arrive at Fred Howard Park beach. For those doing the round trip, we will take our lunch break at the Sunset Point Park (restrooms, picnic tables in the shade), then paddle back to Pop Stansell Park.

This trip will take you along about 6 miles of Florida’ Gulf coastline stretching from Palm Harbor to Tarpon Springs, starting from one county park passing by three other parks right on the gulf and ending at a fifth county park. As you paddle this journey you will note that Honeymoon Island, several spoil islands, and Three Rooker Bar are to your west providing some protection from the open Gulf of Mexico. Sea gulls are ever present, egrets frequent the mangrove areas, and an occasional dolphin may be spotted on this trip.

Swap Shop, Activities and Notes

Swap Shop: Please remove all swap shop items by 9:00 a.m.