CP3 - Flamingo
Roughly 60 miles along the coast from Indian Key Pass you will come
to Cape Sable. A few miles around the point and you will find Flamingo.
This is the Southern campground in the Everglades Park. You're almost home free
at this point. The nightmare of Everglades City is behind you and you can
almost hear me partying in Key Largo.
Tide Is Still a Factor
Tide is always a factor in a small boat. The tide can be even more
difficult here because there are so many factors that enter into it.
Fresh water flow from the glades, Atlantic flow, Gulf flow, wind, pressure,
channels. The area is very shallow. You really must get chart 33E.
I plan to pitch my hammock somewhere between Middle Cape and Clubhouse beach
and take a nap until the time is right.
You've looked at the chart and noted the shallow water.
Right?
Big Boats Are Everywhere
Even bigger boats are cruising these waters so watch out.
Some of them run at night with no lights. If you must travel at night,
keep lots of lights going on your boat and keep a strong spot light handy.
Access for Family and Friends
Flamingo is located on the southern tip of the Florida mainland
with highway access. Much more info will follow within a few
months.
If You Drop Out
If you drop out at Flamingo, be sure to let the check in crew
know. They will help you arrange for transportation to Key Largo and you
will ride back to Tampa after the race is over. You may have to stay at
Flamingo a day or two (hopefully not more) for the transport to show up.
Fresh Water
Fresh water is available at Flamingo as well as a restaurant,
convenience store, boat ramp, campground and hotel.
Disgusting Restrooms
The restrooms at the tent camping area are disgusting. I hope
each one of you writes a letter to the park service to complain. Why are the
restrooms in the RV are OK? Are they trying to phase out the tent camping
area?
Physical Check In Station
The Orange Lock Box containing your check in logs in chained to a palm tree in
front of the Dockmaster's house at the Marina/Store area. You can see the
lock between fresh water and salt water as you paddle down the channel from
either side.
Lock Combination is as follows: 3 - 1 -
4
Line up all the numbers on the black line.
The same combination is used for all check points. IMPORTANT -- After you
log in, you must lock the box. Be sure to hold the clasp into the lock
and the SPIN the dial. If you do not spin the dial while holding in the
clasp, the lock will be open. Check it before you leave.
| Lat/Lon of Flamingo Lock Box
025° 08.55 N
080° 55.37 W
The box is chained to a palm tree outside the Dockmaster's office. The
office is where the sail boats and big boats are docked. (See pictures
below.)
If you navigate to this Lat/Lon from the water, you will run into the basin
concrete wall. Instead, navigate to the canoe landings or the campsite
and then find the box.
NOTE: The rangers have the combination and could decide to move the
box. If you can't find the box, ask the Dockmaster. It could even
be in their office.
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Lat/Lon of Canoe Landing
Bay Side
025° 08.55 N
080° 55.34 W
This is a floating dock in the yacht basin. (See pictures below.)
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Lat/Lon of Canoe Landing
Fresh Water Side
025° 08.56 N
080° 55.34 W
This is a floating dock on the fresh water side of the lock.
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Beach Landing and Camping at Flamingo
You can camp in the Everglades Park campground. You must make
your own arrangements.
| Lat/Lon of a Camp Site
025° 08.19 N
080° 56.03 W
This is the last campsite on the east end of the camping area. It is close
to the outdoor theater which is a good marker to look for as you paddle down
the channel. The rangers refer to this area as the group camp site.
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WARNING: The restroom by the campsite is disgusting. If
you want a clean shower, you will have to walk over to the RV campground about
15-20 minutes away. Write letters. There is no excuse for this.
(Note that campers in the 2003 EC reported that the restrooms were better.)
Everglades Park
If you haven't already phoned for your Everglades Wilderness Trip
Planner, you better do so ASAP.
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Click on each picture for a larger view.
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A view of the group camp from the water. There are only a few
trees. The beach is firm but slimy mud with about a 2' bank. Note
that no reservations have been made. Another group could be here. The
Lat/Lon given earlier is right under this tree.
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The outhouse by the group camp. Inside it is disgusting. The
water tub on the outside works but a filter might be a good idea. Note
that there are three of these. The one in the middle is so bad it is
closed. (Note: I have heard second hand reports that the restrooms
in this area have been improved.)
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The outdoor theater near the group camp. The screen can be
seen from the water once you are in the channel.
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This is the trail behind the outdoor theater. If you take the
right hand turn you would see the previous picture. If you go straight
ahead you will find the visitor's center, restaurant, marina, and the lock
box. It's about 15-20 minutes walking time.
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Restaurant hours of operation. I haven't tried it. Nice
t-shirts and stuff in the gift shop if you are looking for presents.
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Marina and store hours of operation. It is a fairly well
stocked store and even has some fresh vegetables and fruit. Lots of
water. Much better stock than Everglades city. Probably because the
workers live out here and the nearest regular store is ~ 40 miles. But
don't expect a super market.
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The canoe landing on the bay side. Another landing is on the
freshwater side. A portage will be required if you take the inland
route. NOTE the roller on the end of the landing. If you use it to
pull your boat out and the ends each have 100 pounds of gear, your boat could
crack. Thanks to Hellbender for that tip.
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A view of the lock from the fresh water side. You can just
make out the canoe landing behind the boat top. Don't even think about
using the lock.
NOTE: Both landings are used by a commercial canoeing company. If
you see them loading or unloading paddlers, defer to them. Wait your turn
or you can use the motor boat landings -- one on each side of the lock.
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Motor boat ramps. One on each side of the lock. If you
use these ramps, your portage will be about 1/4 mile. If you use the
canoe landings, your portage will be about 20 yards.
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A view of the water from the group camp site. Note the
shallow bar in front of the camp. At low tide you may have to go past the
camp site in the channel and then swing back in. You will have to read
the water.
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If you walk to the marina from the campsite, this is the view
looking at the Dockmaster's hut. If you look carefully, you may be able
to see the orange lock box by the palm tree.
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If you land at the canoe dock, this is the view of the Dockmaster's
hut. Note the orange box at the base of the palm tree. Beware that
the Dockmaster could decide to move it. If it isn't here, ask the
Dockmaster or find JohnnyG!
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Here is a view of the Dockmaster's hut and the lock box from the
Marina Store.
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And a close up.
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