THE TRIP

As the trip begins we will be paddling through Hollywood’s version of the swamp, with cypress and air plants. Then Turner reality comes in; you will be enveloped in the first of many mangrove tunnels, these are different from many of the later ones you will encounter in that they run through dry land so the surrounding vegetation is much more varied. This series of tunnels has not been seen by most paddlers. Until recent years, when the Turner was returned to its original stream bed, this stretch was relatively dry and the canal that you saw along Turner River Road continued far south of the Trail.

It gets tight but when it opens up you are in Marjorie Stoneman Douglas’ River of Grass shortly thereafter you pass the plug that blocked the old Turner River Canal to bring it back to nature. This is a good place to get off and stretch your legs, after this dry land is scarce except for the island with the palm.

As you go further down it’s important to keep your eye on the water or you could follow the “obvious” trail to nowhere. Here we will enter the first of the “old” tunnels that you will read about in the guide books. The first is approx. 1 mile long and the second about double that. Some people prefer to pull themselves along from mangrove branch to mangrove branch rather than paddling in this stretch.

Once it opens up from the long tunnel it a short stretch to wider water as the Turner widens more and more to eventually form Chokoloskee Bay. As we come out the mouth of the river we will turn right to where the cars and the outfitters are.

After this run you’ll be surprised the appetite you have and Everglades City has plenty of places to feed your face.