17 runs hillsborough river

[Nullifier]

Well I just led a trip on the river last weekend through the 17 runs. This is the most difficult section of the Hillsborough River and one of the more challenging short day trips in all of Florida. It is written about periodically when ambitious families head out and get lost in the swamp. Even though it is called the 17 runs, 50 runs is probably more accurate. There are numerous portages and as a result is only for seasoned paddlers. Despite the best efforts of the trail management team, crazy people atempt it from time to time. Paddling this section is a rare and big deal to Florida based paddlers. Since I have run this part of the river probably 50 times over the past 17 years I have decided to throw up a post on my most recent trip.

We hit the water at the Hillsborough River State Park canoe launch at 9:15 a.m.


Then we had an easy 2 mile paddle from the St Park down to Dead River Park our last civilized stop.


At dead river we stopped for our last bit of solid ground before hitting the runs.


To my suprise one of my guides was off and launching at Dead River Park as well.


Once we left, the the river drastically narrowed down and we were soon seeing the signs (literally) that the trip was going to get tough.

[Nullifier]

Duck low!


Our first portage of the trip.


Another portage. watch out for poison ivey!!!


Then we turned up a creek that had a portage to enter and then paddled into a small slough just wide enough for a canoe. We had to drag the boats 50' back to the river. The roots of this tree show why alot of trees do not do well in wetlands.


The portage led us to one of 3 giant survivor bald cypress trees on the trip. This one is about 10' in diameter and 1000 years old. Since the area was extensively logged back in the late 20' early 30's these trees are few and far between. You only see them on this stretch of the river.



Back on the river for more portages this one was an under over style.

[Nullifier]

Uh Oh watch out for the gators on the portage!!!


Another tricky portage.


Look out snakes on the portage also! Thankfully this was only a brown water snake not a moccasin.


There were several slipery and tricky portages that we encoutered and on this trip it is only a matter of time before you fall in. On this tree we lost 2 paddlers! Fortunetly I was there with my camera!!!

[Nullifier]

Lunch in the rain. Left overs from tropical storm Fay.


These are some old pillings from the logging days. There were small foot bridges over the river for access to the swamp.


This one has tree growing out of it, how's that for irony?!


Finally the river starts to open up a bit and get easier.


Then the first sign of civilization in 4.5 hours. The Sargeants Park boardwalk.


Finally at the landing. 3:15


And happy to be on solid ground again!


Then after the ride back to the office. Muddy, wet, tired and ready for a hot shower and fresh clothes. We all had agreat time on the river that day despite the rain. We had 25 portages about 8 bull throughs over heavy floating water grasses, and some rain. It took us 6 hours to go 8 miles. One the regular stretch of the river you would do double that mileage int he same time frame.

[kerry]

Nice trip.

[Barracuda]

I used to paddle the Hillsborough River up in Temple Terrace on a regular basis when I lived in Tampa, but I left Tampa for the west coast about 20 years ago