I was thinking about having a derby run around Pinellas sometime in late Sept. or Oct if anyone is interested. Maybe have a camp and dinner above the high water line at DeSoto. Approx 50-60 miles...
Circum Nav Pinellas
(63 posts) (13 voices)-
Posted 8 years ago #
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sounds like fun, my attendance will depend on my work schedule. naturally.
j
Posted 8 years ago # -
I'm interested also, but I don't know if a portage is possible from the north end of the bay across to the swamp that leads to the Anclote River due to the road construction?
Posted 8 years ago # -
This sounds like a lot of fun. Did you know we have had a couple of WaterTribe challenges that circled Pinellas? We started at Fort Desoto and portaged across the top into the Anclote River.
I don't want to be a downer, but there is a 20 mile limit on miles submitted to the Derby. Of course, you can go as far as you want, but points are limited. This is to keep it fair for many who have limited time off due to work and other limitations.
Posted 8 years ago # -
This something I need, and want to do. As everyone else has mentioned, will depend on work/familiy schedule. Can someone give more details of the route? Someone mentions a portage, where would that be?
Will keep an eye out for dates locations.
NativeSon/Ken
Posted 8 years ago # -
NativeSun,
At the very north end of Tampa Bay you will have to portage between Lake Tarpon and the beginning of the Anclote River. Looks to be about 1/3 mile on google earth. Also there appears to be a dam on the canal between the Bay and Lake Tarpon. The lake also has quite a few gators.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Thanks. Yes, the canal from Tampa Bay to Lake Tarpon is dammed, and a really big yes that there are gators in the lake. Really, really big gators.
Not totally familiar with the portage from the lake to the Anclote, will have to look on google earth. I thought it would be out in the Gulf to the Anclote, missed the lake portion.
Please keep me apprised.
NativeSon/Ken
Posted 8 years ago # -
I appreciate the response... What if we put in at the Dunedin causeway, and came out of Phillippe Park? Or, Vise versa.
Either way we avoid the portage and have a small distance between in and out?
Posted 8 years ago # -
Should we plant the flag for a date? I'm booking flights for Sept and would happily make exceptions for a WaterTribe event....
Posted 8 years ago # -
Safety Harbor around Pinellas to the Dunedin causeway is 60-70 miles.
Another option that would work and would make it easy to get to your vehicle after would be to start at the Dunedin Causeway, head north and round Anclote Key and then head back south to Clearwater pass and then heading back north the causeway. That is approximately 39 miles and the vehicles would be in a safe parking area that doesn't close up at dusk. Philippe Park closes at night. I live about a mile from there. The other advantage is we'd be passing by the causeway half way through the trip in case anyone had to drop out for whatever reason.
I'd be up for something like that anytime. I'm also planning on doing other segments of the EC in the next couple months if anyone is interested in joining me.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Seems like two different ideas here; a Challenge style Derby around Pinellas County that is about 80 miles and involves a portage, canal passage, lakes, gators, swamps and an overnight camp, beginning and ending at the same spot...
or a one day training run.
I'm up for either one.
Going for a short run today from Fort Desoto by the first toll bridge if anybody is interested. In the water about 11-ish.
OEJ
(Andy)
Posted 8 years ago # -
An event in the Pinellas area sounds like a good idea. In the past Coastie and I have packed our camping gear, put in at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center and made a run right up to our campsite at Fort Desoto. The run from Clearwater to Fort Desoto is about 30 miles.
ClamCounter
(Josh)
Posted 8 years ago # -
ClamCounter wrote:
In the past Coastie and I have packed our camping gear, put in at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center and made a run right up to our campsite at Fort Desoto. The run from Clearwater to Fort Desoto is about 30 miles.
Clearwater Sailing center would be an excellent place to put in, and camping at Ft. Desoto a good idea too.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Must it be over a weekend? If so, does 29-30 Sept work? I would prefer to run during the week if possible.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Neat and alot of response. RaiseARuckus it is your trip you make the date,time, and distance. Others have to go or not or adapt.
Hey all of you, you get a chance at a WaterTribe kinda fun trip jump on it!
You will pick up ideas. It is so cool to see what others bring and it works. And also as I have found out many times how bad my paddling sucks.
Short portages are easy with two. They just take longer (almost) if by yourself. No big deal either way. (hey you got all your stuff to the water from the getgo right.)
You can never please everyone with a trip date then on the other hand they can do just part of it or start thier own right?
Since ya posted this trip on the WaterTribe site pictures and or video plus a trip report is a required filter!
toby
Posted 8 years ago # -
Thanks Toby, good advice and motivation. Keeping in that spirit, here is my plan:
Launch from Dunedin causeway a.m. Sat. 29 Sept. Camp at a soon to be reserved beach site at Ft. DeSoto Saturday night. Sunday up the bay to Phillipe Park. No Portage!
I will not be leaving a vehicle on the beach or at the park.
Please feel free to join in and alter a route to fit your logistics. I guess consider using the camp as our anchor event.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I'm in. It should be a fun challenge.
For those parking vehicles on the causeway, my wife and I can help shuttle people to their vehicles from Philippe Park (or Safety Harbor Marina if arriving after dusk).
Posted 8 years ago # -
Can you leave cars parked on the Dunedin Causeway overnight? Any kayakers going other than me?
Posted 8 years ago # -
Sympatico with CaptnChaos... my wife can help shuttle. We can also afford some parking at our house which is about two miles from the causeway.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I would like to join you. CaptnChaos, I would like to set up a shuttle with you. I will be using a sea kayak instead of the hobie. I'm trying to train for class 1. I will give you a call in a couple days. P.S. I enjoyed reading your AT blog. Hope all is well.
Posted 8 years ago # -
TideTraveller wrote:
I would like to join you. CaptnChaos, I would like to set up a shuttle with you. I will be using a sea kayak instead of the hobie. I'm trying to train for class 1. I will give you a call in a couple days. P.S. I enjoyed reading your AT blog. Hope all is well.
Great Josh (TideTraveler). Since you're coming from SW Fla, we have an extra room you're welcome to if you want to come up Friday night. Glad you liked the AT blog. Wish I could have hiked more but the knee didn't cooperate.
Posted 8 years ago # -
That sounds like a great trip. Not trying to impose, but can we put multiple tents in one site, or do we need to book several sites? I'd be happy to split camp fees with anyone, or book a site.
I am putting it on my claendar and as of now count me in!
Thanks!
NativeSon/Ken
Posted 8 years ago # -
CatnChaos has advised that Ft. Desoto is booked and that Shell key preserve is available for free by permit.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I guess that solves that... Does anyone know the permitting process for Shell Key?
Posted 8 years ago # -
I'll take care of it... http://www.pinellascounty.org/forms/shell-camp.htm
Posted 8 years ago #
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