Paddling Pasco Blueways Program
Hosted by the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department. This is the second of a series of excursions which will cover the entire coastal Pasco Blueways Trail System from Anclote to Aripeka including the Anclote and Pithlachascotee Rivers.
Date: Saturday January 14, 2012.
Oelsner Park on Miller’s Bayou to Robert K. Rees Memorial Park (AKA Green Key)
We will meet at Oeslner Park at 3 pm to off load boats, then drive to Rees Park and catch shuttle back to Oelsner to launch just before 4pm. Paddle west out the Pithlachascotee (Cotee) River and then south to Rees Park as the sun sets. (5:46 pm). Arrive at Green Key at around sunset. Enjoy a small bonfire on the beach for a short time (1/2 hour or so) or load up and head home. The trip is approximately 4 miles and is anticipated to take approximately 2 to 2.5 hours on the water.
As tide allows (high tide is at 4pm) we will hug the coastline in shallow water. The first portion of the trip is on the Cotee River lined with some expensive Homes, Restaurants, Marinas and docks. Once we head south the shoreline becomes natural with mostly mangroves and the coastline becomes shallow with sand or sea grass bottom depending on the depth of the water. There are several inlets and bayous to explore at a later date. During this paddle there is a good chance to see some coastal wildlife including:
Birds – Bald Eagles, Osprey, Pelicans, White Ibis, Cormorants, Anhinga, Great White Egrets, Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, Sea Gulls, Black Skimmers, Wood Storks, Kingfishers, Night Herons, Snowy Egrets, Black Vultures and Redwing Blackbirds.
Sea Life – Dolphins, Stingrays, Blue Crabs, Horseshoe Crabs, Fiddler Crabs, Hermit Crabs, Conches, Barnacles and Oysters, Sheephead, Red Fish, Mullet, Sharks, Speckled Trout, Pin Fish, Jellyfish and Needle Fish.
All participants will be required to sign a participation agreement and waiver to:
1. Provide own kayak or canoe. Please contact us if a rental is needed.
2. Wear a life jacket/PFD when on the water.
3. Be at least 16 years old or with parent or guardian.
4. Provide own drinks and snacks. No alcoholic beverages.
5. Assume all risks and be solely responsible for their property, safety and well-being. Complete the attached participation waiver and turn it in at the start.
6. Follow the instructions of the trip leaders.
Cost is $2 per vehicle for a park parking pass to support the County Parks and Recreation system. Paddling Pasco Tee Shirts are available for $10.00 to support the County’s Greenways, Trails and Blueways programming however there is a limited # available so please let us know if you are interested. This money will be collected at start.
For more information and to register for this program, please contact the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department at 727-834-3278 or 813-929-2760.
If you plan to participate, please contact us and register by providing your name, phone number and email address, so that we can prepare adequately. This is a moderate paddle unless the wind is strong. We will stay in touch as the program comes closer to make adjustments and provide additional information as needed and in case weather becomes an issue.
