Sierra Club Outings | From the Okefenokee to Cumberland Island

From the Okefenokee to Cumberland Island, Florida and Georgia
May 4-10, 2008

Highlights:

Camp on Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island
Paddle through “the land of the trembling earth”
Explore saltwater marshes, blackwater swamp, and coastal beaches

Includes:

Kayaks, paddles, pfd’s and paddling instruction
Lodge accommodations/ backcountry campsites
Most meals

Our trip will 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.

Created in 1937, Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge 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 flows into 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 put in at Crooked River State Park and paddle across the Crooked River and Cumberland Sound to Cumberland Island, which is accessible only by water. Cumberland Island is a protected a national seashore, which includes 18 miles of beach, 30 miles of trails, pristine wilderness, and diverse plants and wildlife. 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 mansions and ruins, originally home to the Carnegie’s and other prominent families.

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 one of the outing, and drop off on the final day at Jacksonville airport.

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. We will spend Days 1-4 at the cabins, while day paddling various routes through the Okefenokee.

Day 5-6: We will pack up and leave the cabins drive a short distance to Crooked River State Park. We will load our gear, put in, and paddle over to Cumberland Island, where we will camp at one or more backcountry sites.

Day 7: We will pack up and paddle back over to Crooked River State Park, load our boats, and head back to Jacksonville Airport. We may have an optional group late lunch/early dinner, depending on flight schedules.

Airport pick up and drop off will be provided at Jacksonville Airport, and this outing is van supported. Those wishing to drive can meet the group at Stephen Foster State Park on day one. 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. Okefenokee accommodations are private cabins within the park. Each cabin has two bedrooms with two double beds in each room. The cabins have modern amenities including showers and flush toilets. Solo travelers will share rooms. Cumberland Island accommodations are tent camping at backcountry campsites on the island.

You should have some previous camping experience. Previous paddling experience will help make your trip more enjoyable, but instructions will be provided. We will paddle 10-15 miles per day, 6-8 hours on the water. The paddle to and from Cumberland Island will be the most challenging part of the trip. There will also be optional hikes during the week.

Kayaks, paddles and personal flotation devices (pfd’s) will be provided. You are welcome to bring along your own paddle or pfd. You will need a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, etc. for Cumberland Island. Good rain gear is also essential. As a guideline, the typical daytime temperature will range from the 70’s to mid 80’s and it may get as cool as the mid 50’s at night. Insect repellant, sunscreen, sunglasses and a wide brim hat are other items that you will need. A full equipment list will be sent out to participants prior to the outing.

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 this was not necessarily a tragic event for the Wildlife Refuge. At one time, Cumberland Island was primarily an exclusive island where several wealthy families, including the Carnegies, 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.

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.

John Kovacevic has led trips for Sierra Club Outings in the Southeast and in the Rocky Mountains. He has extensive experience backpacking and paddling and is certified as a Wilderness First Responder. He has kayaked, rafted, and canoed all across the United States.

E-mail: JKOVACEVIC@msn.com