It had been 2 years since I had kayaked Gum Slough. Time to get some new material for
Protect Gum Slough So off to Inverness, Florida and the Withlacoochee River.
Onto the Withlacoochee River from the ramp at the end of Citrus County Road 561
aka, Turner Camp Road
Down the broad With
Potts Preserve Camp site
People, including me, have camped here for thousands of years. There is a large shell mound.
The mouth of Gum Slough is across the River
Like the rest of Central Florida, the Withlacoochee is high for this time of year. Its brown waters extend far up the Slough and the surrounding cypress swamps.
Anhingas
The only home on Gum Slough
Over a spring in the Slough
At the start of the Slough. Go right and there are one, maybe two springs. Two or three homes. As the homes are on the springs, my earlier statement about one home on the Slough, is in my judgment, correct. Sometimes the water level is too shallow to paddle into the other springs, which are a straight shot up the end of Gum Slough
Deep enough to paddle today. Took a few pics over the side. Then, I anchored, off shore, and got in the spring.
I did not put my flippers on. To not stir up the bottom
Using flippers does help against the force of upwelling water in a spring
Sadly, full of algae
Out the sometimes too shallow channel
To the other springs
Hand over the side
Time to head down Gum Slough
I have scraped the bottom on the limestone a few times when the Slough was low
Inside the cypress tree
When I see this picnic table, I know I am almost back to the Withlacoochee River
Entering the With
Not a cousin
Pee break at Potts Preserve. No one camping.
Must hate the trees. Why put nails in them?
Turners Fish Camp appears to be abandoned and for sale.
Landed at 3:30
Citrus County courthouse
Fort Cooper State Park. First visit.
Deer tracks
Lake Holathlikaha
I did not paddle. For some reason, you can only paddle the Park canoes on the Lake
New kiosk. Not yet unveiled.
A representation of Fort Cooper. Seminole Indian War. The second conflict, I think.
Leaving the Park, 5:30 PM
6 comments:
Hello Dave, I enjoy reading your posts about Weeki Watchee. We are in the process of buying a home on one of the canal's off of Mud River...off of Colony Circle. I'm trying to find the history of this area...when the "lagoons" or canals were made, who made them etc. Do you know of any websites where I could find historical information?
Jim, I do not know. Perhaps there is a historical society in Hernando County. Maybe a search of property records, chain of title, permit applications would provide an answer.
Great stuff Dave. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to a trip up Gum Slough in a few weeks. Thanks to your post and numerous pictures I know pretty much what to expect. I'm gonna get lost! JK thanks again.
Getting lost is half the fun. The other half is finding the correct channel. I've had a few extended adventures on Gum Slough. People have tied ribbons here and there, for directional help. Wimps.
Hey Dave! Driving to Tampa, and googled Gum Slough. Saw your link on this blog, and what a cool adventure site. Great pics! Hope you're still adventuring! -Dylan
Dylan, I am AA. Always Adventuring. Posting this comment from Sanibel.
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