Rock Springs Run

I was back at Wekiwa Springs State Park this last day of August, 2008. The weather forecast had a 60% chance of showers in all directions 100 miles from Winter Park. So, I stayed close to home, got a pre 7:00 am start and got a four hour paddle in. It is now 1:30 pm, overcast and windy. I made the right decision.

As I dragged the kayak down the hill, I saw the line in the sand I had left dragging it up last night. I had a second reason to visit Wekiwa Spring, see if the manatee I saw on Thursday was present. I walked around the Spring, did not see or hear it. To the yak, and into the lagoon, where an alligator floated near the left bank. I made the easy paddle down the Wekiva to Rock Springs Run. There is one post Fay barrier, a downed tree crossing the River. Today, and yesterday, it was a matter of powering over it. As the water level falls, it will become an issue unless/until it is removed. On the other hand, if Hannah arrives......

Paddling up the Run, I heard, then briefly saw a deer on the right side, the first one I've see on Rock Springs Run in a couple months. I later heard, but did not see, two more.

I wrote yesterday about seeing the guys who worked to clear the Run of downed trees. The barricade in the top photo must have toppled overnight. The view is the return, downstream view. I had to duck low to get under, losing hat and sunglasses in the process. I do not know if a canoe could fit. Perhaps if the paddlers lie on the deck. This is just before the big hollow cypress tree, Run left headed upstream.

Usually my Rock Springs Run trips take me to a least the end of the State Park property. Today, with the Fay swollen current, I turned back after two hours, about 20 minutes upstream of the Big Buck campsite. Here is where I came about.

My Tales from yesterday, and last Saturday, have photos of the Buffalo Tram campsite on the Wekiva. Rock Springs has three primitive campsites. The next view is coming out of Big Buck, looking towards the Run.

The last time I had this view was my first time paddling this far on Rock Springs Run. In the spring of 2005, when the water level was high after the 2004 hurricanes.

Next, Indian Mound campsite.

Pre Fay, one has to scramble up a root lined, 2-3 foot high bank. Today, I just slid the yak on shore.

As I paddled, I noticed the Run smelled different than usual. An organic aroma. Soggy, decaying vegation, I thought. Getting out of the yak a Indian Mound I saw what was causing the stench.

Dozens of dead pan fish. I guess pools, with no Run access were created as the water level receded, the pools dried up, and now dead fish litter the shore.

Mosquitoes are another unpleasant result of Fay. Lots of the bloodsuckers, which usually are not a problem. I have to go back to the early 1990's to recall the last time I was irritated by mosquitoes on the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run. Deer flies are the usual biting insect.

Here is the final campsite, Otter Camp.

Highest and driest of all.

I spotted to alligators as I came down the Run, one big, one small. Both quickly moved off the log each was on as I approached. I would not have got a pic even had my camera's view screen not died yesterday. In order to get some decent pictures, I removed the camera from the waterproof case, so I could at least look thorough the view finder. Here are a few pics after that decision.

Limpkins.

Canoers.

First people I saw in 3.5 hours. They, and a later group asked how far to Rock Springs. "Farther than you can paddle, nine miles, four and a half hours in normal conditions"

And conditions are not "normal".

Anhinga.

I also saw blue, great blue, and green herons, belted kingfishers, wood ducks and vultures.