A PhotoTour of our Mormon Key Loop
Trip, March 5-8, 2009
Trip, March 5-8, 2009
Some times when paddling in the Everglades, things don’t
go quite as planned. We wanted to get to Mormon Key to
base camp for two nights and explore the areas near the
entrance of Charley Creek. Next, go on to Rabbit Key for
a night’s stay before heading back to Chokoloskee Island.
On the morning of departure, we thought the wind gods
were cutting us some slack at forecasted 5-10 knots, so
we decided to go ahead with our plans to paddle to
Mormon Key on the first day via the backcountry and out
the Huston River. The mileage would be close to 18 miles.
The 5-10 knot winds did not turn out to be 5-10. Instead
we had 15-20 knot sustained head winds nonstop for the
couple of miles left to go until reaching the Lopez River
campsite, 5 miles into our trip. Fred and I arrived about 10
minutes before Vivian and Mike. Mike and Vivian were
struggling somewhat with the head winds , but were
steadily paddling. After everyone got onto Lopez, we
made a decision. It was not to anyone’s advantage to go
the entire way to Mormon Key in one day. The winds
were not going to ease up any time soon and we still had
13 miles to go. And it took us 2 hours to get to Lopez
campsite. Two hours! Lopez is usually a quick stop along
the way, but never a final destination for this route. Mike’s
cell phone caught a signal and she was able to contact the
rangers to change our permit to Lopez. It was final, we
would stay here tonight and go on tomorrow to Mormon
Key.
So, our trip included a night at Lopez River, Mormon Key
and Rabbit Key. The weather was near perfect. Except
for the head winds on Lopez River, the winds were quite
comfortable and gave us 3 bug-free evenings in the
Everglades.
go quite as planned. We wanted to get to Mormon Key to
base camp for two nights and explore the areas near the
entrance of Charley Creek. Next, go on to Rabbit Key for
a night’s stay before heading back to Chokoloskee Island.
On the morning of departure, we thought the wind gods
were cutting us some slack at forecasted 5-10 knots, so
we decided to go ahead with our plans to paddle to
Mormon Key on the first day via the backcountry and out
the Huston River. The mileage would be close to 18 miles.
The 5-10 knot winds did not turn out to be 5-10. Instead
we had 15-20 knot sustained head winds nonstop for the
couple of miles left to go until reaching the Lopez River
campsite, 5 miles into our trip. Fred and I arrived about 10
minutes before Vivian and Mike. Mike and Vivian were
struggling somewhat with the head winds , but were
steadily paddling. After everyone got onto Lopez, we
made a decision. It was not to anyone’s advantage to go
the entire way to Mormon Key in one day. The winds
were not going to ease up any time soon and we still had
13 miles to go. And it took us 2 hours to get to Lopez
campsite. Two hours! Lopez is usually a quick stop along
the way, but never a final destination for this route. Mike’s
cell phone caught a signal and she was able to contact the
rangers to change our permit to Lopez. It was final, we
would stay here tonight and go on tomorrow to Mormon
Key.
So, our trip included a night at Lopez River, Mormon Key
and Rabbit Key. The weather was near perfect. Except
for the head winds on Lopez River, the winds were quite
comfortable and gave us 3 bug-free evenings in the
Everglades.
Our trip route for the 4-day paddle trip. First day: Chokoloskee Island to Lopez (5 miles). Second
day: Lopez to Mormon Key via the Huston River (13 miles). Third day: Mormon Key to Rabbit Key (9
miles). Fourth day: back to Chokoloskee Island (5 miles).
day: Lopez to Mormon Key via the Huston River (13 miles). Third day: Mormon Key to Rabbit Key (9
miles). Fourth day: back to Chokoloskee Island (5 miles).
Michealeen (Mike) with her new Rapid Fire Placid canoe. This boat is proving
to be a perfect boat for the Everglades; it rides like a sea kayak, but it has the
ease and comfort of a canoe.
to be a perfect boat for the Everglades; it rides like a sea kayak, but it has the
ease and comfort of a canoe.
Was anyone disappointed that we spent an impromtu night on Lopez? Absolutely not. None of us have anything to prove out here. At our ages, we’ve all been around the block
a few times too many. Fred, the only male in the group is the oldest at 70 yrs of age and is well passed his days of sowing wild oats. Besides, he has the good sense to not
argue with three women. Even more so, we all enjoy the charming Lopez campsite. Top left, Fred and Mike passing the evening away at the river's edge; Top right, Vivian
fishing the Lopez River; Bottom left, that's me Connie, sitting on the foundation of Gregorio Lopez's home; bottom right, the scene at Lopez campsite.
a few times too many. Fred, the only male in the group is the oldest at 70 yrs of age and is well passed his days of sowing wild oats. Besides, he has the good sense to not
argue with three women. Even more so, we all enjoy the charming Lopez campsite. Top left, Fred and Mike passing the evening away at the river's edge; Top right, Vivian
fishing the Lopez River; Bottom left, that's me Connie, sitting on the foundation of Gregorio Lopez's home; bottom right, the scene at Lopez campsite.
These are the reasons I like to be on the water early. Top left, a view of the
Lopez river near the campsite which is directly to my right; top right, Vivian on
the Lopez River; left, somewhere between Lopez River and Sunday Bay.
The top two photos were shot around 7 am. The third photo was taken
probably around 7:30 am, but not certain since I never carry a watch out here.
Lopez river near the campsite which is directly to my right; top right, Vivian on
the Lopez River; left, somewhere between Lopez River and Sunday Bay.
The top two photos were shot around 7 am. The third photo was taken
probably around 7:30 am, but not certain since I never carry a watch out here.
The two photos above show our rest stops between Lopez and Mormon Key. On the left, the usual rest stop for us is near mile
marker 120 after crossing Sunday Bay. On the right, we found this hard sand bar in a protected inlet on the Huston River, a
perfect place for a lunch break..
marker 120 after crossing Sunday Bay. On the right, we found this hard sand bar in a protected inlet on the Huston River, a
perfect place for a lunch break..
Top two photos were taken on Mormon Key, just a couple examples of some of the beauty that can be
captured here. The mangrove tree on the left had an interesting way of leaning over the water. Rocks and
shells litter the shoals on this key and the photo on the right shows a typical scene between high tide.
captured here. The mangrove tree on the left had an interesting way of leaning over the water. Rocks and
shells litter the shoals on this key and the photo on the right shows a typical scene between high tide.
Top left, our campsite on Mormon Key as we enjoy a beautiful evening without bugs! Why no bugs? The photo
on the right is proof that the winds were with us. Not so good for paddling, but great for camping, unless you
have an umbrella.
on the right is proof that the winds were with us. Not so good for paddling, but great for camping, unless you
have an umbrella.
We had a beautiful day on the water for our trip from Mormon to Rabbit Key. This nine mile route takes us passed
several coves that are popular fishing areas. You can also see much of the hurricane damage from 2005 along this
route. Top left, a flock of white ibises flying over Gun Rock Point, near Chatham Bend; top right, Mike and Fred near
Huston Coves just pass the Chatham Bend; bottom left, Vivian in the distance, near Duck Rock Cove, bottom right,
Mike and Vivian in the distance as we get closer to Crate Key.
several coves that are popular fishing areas. You can also see much of the hurricane damage from 2005 along this
route. Top left, a flock of white ibises flying over Gun Rock Point, near Chatham Bend; top right, Mike and Fred near
Huston Coves just pass the Chatham Bend; bottom left, Vivian in the distance, near Duck Rock Cove, bottom right,
Mike and Vivian in the distance as we get closer to Crate Key.
Rabbit Key is one of my favorite campsites. The photo on the left is the view from our tent. And no,
the water is not coming into our tent. This was taken near high tide. The sand bar that extends
northeast is several dozen feet long even at high tide. It is always a popular resting place for shore
birds including oyster catchers. At low tide, the entire cove is a sandbar, as evident from the right
photo shot the next morning before we packed up to leave.
the water is not coming into our tent. This was taken near high tide. The sand bar that extends
northeast is several dozen feet long even at high tide. It is always a popular resting place for shore
birds including oyster catchers. At low tide, the entire cove is a sandbar, as evident from the right
photo shot the next morning before we packed up to leave.
"I got the low tide blues!" This was the scene at about 8 am as we waited for the incoming tide to
come in. We couldn't wait for it to reach the high tide line, so we did our usual boat carrying over a
few hundred feet of mud and made several trips back and forth carrying our gear. Did I say mud?
Vivian walked over to an area where about 2 inches of water sat above the mud to rinse her hands.
Unfortunately, she sunk to above her knees. It was a bit of a scary moment for her as she attempted
to get herself free, but only sunk deeper. She knelt down to increase the surface area and with the
help of Mike and Fred, was able to get pulled out. I was too far away to help, so I did what anyone
holding a camera would do. I photographed the scene. Sorry Vivian, but this is an important lesson
for anyone visiting the Everglades!
come in. We couldn't wait for it to reach the high tide line, so we did our usual boat carrying over a
few hundred feet of mud and made several trips back and forth carrying our gear. Did I say mud?
Vivian walked over to an area where about 2 inches of water sat above the mud to rinse her hands.
Unfortunately, she sunk to above her knees. It was a bit of a scary moment for her as she attempted
to get herself free, but only sunk deeper. She knelt down to increase the surface area and with the
help of Mike and Fred, was able to get pulled out. I was too far away to help, so I did what anyone
holding a camera would do. I photographed the scene. Sorry Vivian, but this is an important lesson
for anyone visiting the Everglades!
Rabbit Key is magical at sunset. On the western side of the island there is a
large shoal where an osprey nest resides. The photo on the right above was
shot two years ago. I included here so you can see how things can change out
here. Notice the osprey nest in the lone mangrove tree on the right. The two
photos on the left were shot during this trip. In the top photo, you can see that
the osprey nest tree is no longer standing. The good news is, there was a nest
near by among the mangroves bordering the beach.
large shoal where an osprey nest resides. The photo on the right above was
shot two years ago. I included here so you can see how things can change out
here. Notice the osprey nest in the lone mangrove tree on the right. The two
photos on the left were shot during this trip. In the top photo, you can see that
the osprey nest tree is no longer standing. The good news is, there was a nest
near by among the mangroves bordering the beach.
Home again! This is the view of Chokoloskee Bay as you see it from
Rabbit Key Pass. Ahead is the island with Ted Smallwood's store museum
in the forefront. Our final point is on the east side of the island, about 1 mile
away.
Rabbit Key Pass. Ahead is the island with Ted Smallwood's store museum
in the forefront. Our final point is on the east side of the island, about 1 mile
away.
| All Rights Reserved. Copyright Constance Mier, 2007-2010 |
| Back to HOME |