Cancelled due to weather.
Trip leader: Therese Eby 425-802-2281
Description: Launch at Soldiers Hole in Fort DeSoto Park. Paddle the mangrove-lined bayou past an eagle nest on the radio tower on way to Bunces Pass. Follow the channel a mile west to land on Outback Key (small surf). Spend an hour walking the beach and have lunch enjoying Gulf views. Paddle north along the gulf shoreline of Shell Key to Pass-a-Grille South Pass (another stop option) and perhaps catch a wave to enter the Shell Key Preserve. We paddle in the shallow nonmotorized preserve area by Summer Resort Key and Sister Key on our return to our launch in Mullet Key Bayou. If we are lucky, we'll see White Pelicans before they migrate north.
Location: Fort Desoto County Park at Soldiers Hole (take a right at flagpole and go about 1.8 miles to 27.622531203902405, -82.7349139717997). Park along the road. The primitive launch in the mangroves is 0.25 miles past the entrance to the snack bar/ gift store, where you could stop for a restroom.
Schedule: Wednesday, Mar 3, meet 10:00 am, launch 10:30 am, approximate return time 2:30 pm
Additional information: Park entrance $5 unless you have a Pinellas County Parks pass. High tide 2:15 pm 2.1', low around 8 am 0.7'
Difficulty: Level 2. Eight miles. Exposed for 1.5 miles from Bunces to Pass-a-Grille passes, with surf opportunities. Mostly in sheltered waters. See the Skills Self Assessment Chart on the website and contact the leader with any questions.
SkillsSelfAssessmentChart.pdf (tbsk.club)
Required / suggested / restricted: Sea kayaks over 15 feet, with bulkheads, wear spray-skirt and pfd. Must be experienced with a wet exit and comfortable in bouncy conditions. Bring lunch. Binoculars for birding.
COVID-related recommendations:
· Wear face masks or buffs while loading/unloading boats and gear at the launch, which is a bit small.
· To minimize contact among the group, pair up with another paddler for the day if help is needed moving boats between vehicles and launch.
· Bring biodegradable hand soap and hand sanitizer for use after handling someone else’s boat on or off the water.
Please register (or cancel) on the web site or RSVP to the trip leader to allow notification of any changes. High winds or rain cancel.