Fun in the Everglades: Hikes, Paddling and Airboat Rides

January 27, 2016 by

Tourists Riding An Airboat In The EvergladesWhat’s the best way to see the Everglades? There are several options, and each offers a very different experience. Foot soldiers will enjoy the intricate trail systems spread across the Everglades ecosystem. And for water lovers, the adventures are endless. For a workout, pursue a paddle trail. Or for a more relaxed experience, hop on an airboat. Here’s the low down on each Everglades recreational activity.

 

Hikes

If you don’t want to get in the water with the gators, stick to the sidelines. Hiking is a peaceful, slow-pace way to explore the inner workings of the Everglades. Trekking through the wilderness gives you an opportunity to see Florida flora up close and personal. Here are few favored trails and what you might see should you choose to embark on them:

  • Anhinga – This is one of the most hiked trails in Everglades National Park due to its close proximity to the entrance and its short distance. Less than a mile long, the hike showcases lots of Everglades wildlife, including the “King of the Everglades,” otherwise known as the American alligator. The Anhinga Trail is rated easy for all ages.
  • Bayshore Loop – At 1.3 miles, this scenic hike winds along the Florida Bay, exposing gorgeous panoramic views. Rated easy to moderate, the trail suits most hikers. Be sure to stop and admire the many shorebirds that come to feast during low tide.
  • Old Ingraham Highway – The seasoned hiker will relish this moderate to extreme 22-mile trail. Originally used as a highway circa 1922, the crumbling road now serves hikers and backpackers alike. This is not only one of the longest trails in Everglades National Park, but it is also one of the only to host backcountry campsites.
  • Otter Cave Hammock – For a short but rewarding hike, opt for the Otter Cave Trail. Only a mile long, the trail promises scenic pools, glimpses at solution holes and opportunities to see wildlife. This trail is often flooded, so be sure to assess the conditions because setting out.

Paddle Trips

Backcountry campers will love the wide variety of campsites sprinkled about Everglades water trails. Take your kayak, canoe or paddleboard and set off on an adventure like none other. Trails vary from day trips to multi-day endeavors, and you’re guaranteed to see remote areas of the Everglades no matter what. Some sought-after Everglades water trails include:

  • Nine Mile Pond
  • Hell’s Bay
  • Turner River

Airboat Tours

Perhaps the most popular way to see the Everglades is by airboat. While all other Everglades modes of exploration require physical exertion, airboat rides allow you to sit back and enjoy the scenery. This family fun option exposes passengers to a wealth of wilderness. Though it’s not guaranteed, plenty of folks leave their airboat tour having seen a gator or two (from a safe distance of course). Airboats successfully jet through the shallow areas of the Everglades due to their airplane-like propellers. Any ordinary boat could not cruise through the marsh like an airboat can, making it a truly unique experience. To schedule your private airboat ride, call Captain Mitch’s Everglades Airboat Tours at 239-695-3377.

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The Everglades Skunk Ape: Florida’s Stinky Swamp Monster

January 25, 2016 by

Everglades skunk apeYou’ve probably heard about most Everglades predators: large alligators, monstrous pythons, elusive black panthers, and the list goes on. But do you know about the smelliest, most reclusive predator of them all? It’s called the Everglades skunk ape, rightfully named for its supposed rotten eggs stench. It walks on two legs, its whole body immersed in dark brown fur, and it stands at a baffling seven feet tall. Of course, all of this information relies on hearsay, but some Florida folks swear they’ve seen the tall, foul-smelling swamp monster.

Everglades Skunk Ape: Myth or More?

While some researchers believe early settlers spread the skunk ape story in an effort to preserve Everglades wilderness, other researchers and Florida residents claim they’ve sighted the beastly bigfoot of the Everglades.

A popular skunk ape account comes from Dave Shealy, who asserts he saw Florida’s bigfoot during an Everglades hunting trip in his youth. From then on, Shealy wanted to prove its existence. And in 2000, the devout skunk ape believer captured video footage of a two-legged dark brown mass traipsing through Everglades terrain.

Now Shealy runs the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters – yes, it’s a real place located in the Everglades – which lies in the eerily small town of Ochopee. Entry to the zoo-like exhibit costs $5, where you’ll see 12-foot Burmese pythons among other swamp monsters. Unfortunately, the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters houses no captive skunk apes at this time.

But Shealy’s not the only person who boasts seeing a real-life skunk ape. Researchers and residents alike reported almost 100 Everglades skunk ape sightings from the ‘70s all the way up to 2013.

How the Skunk Ape got its Name

Florida folklore tells of a skunk ape that resides in alligator holes, which are full of decaying animal corpses. The beast bathes in the rotten mess and thus emerges from its den as an offensively pungent part-monkey, part-man, part-monster. Sighting reports say the skunk ape carries a vile odor similar to rotten eggs or sewage waste.

Sighting an Everglades Skunk Ape

According to legend, skunk apes communicate with one another through throaty coos. First, listen intently for such sounds. And remember to keep your eyes peeled for a tall, man-like brown body moving through the brush. Witnesses claim the Everglades skunk ape can move at accelerated speeds not attainable by humans, so be sure not to arouse its suspicion as it will surely catch you.

Opt for an Airboat Ride

Do you want to experience the Everglades without running to Florida’s bigfoot? Captain Mitch’s Everglades Airboat Tours keep you a safe distance from skunk apes while showing you remote and beautiful areas of the Everglades. To book your private airboat tour today, click here or call 239-695-3377.

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Everglades Python Challenge: the hunt for an invasive species

January 18, 2016 by

burmese python

Over the weekend, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission kicked off an annual initiative to rid South Florida of the invasive Everglades python. The challenge began Saturday January 16, when the sunshine state launched an incentivized hunt that will last all month.

The python in question, the Burmese Python, belongs far away from Florida (in Southeast Asia to be exact), which is why the state will award cash prizes to two captors: a reward for whoever catches the most snakes and another for whoever catches the largest one. Burmese pythons can reach 23 feet in length and 200 pounds in weight.

And though the python is adjusting quite nicely to the Everglades habitat, the Everglades is not adjusting well to its presence. Since these snakes have no predators other than the American alligator and the Florida panther, they can feed on most anything in their path. This results in the depletion of the area’s rabbit, opossum and raccoon populations. It also affects defenseless endangered species like certain wading birds or small mammals.

But the threat of the Everglades python doesn’t stop there. Because Burmese pythons house a high concentration of mercury in their bodies, they can poison the predators that eat them. This means the already endangered Florida panther and the American alligator, otherwise known as “the king of the Everglades,” are also at risk. Essentially, the invasive existence of the Burmese python poses detrimental changes to the delicate Everglades ecosystem.

With the 2016 Python Challenge, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hopes to rid the Everglades of these nuisance snakes. But this accomplishment is easier said than done. Dubbed a “high-risk species” by the U.S. Geological Survey, Burmese pythons are so difficult to eradicate due to their elusive nature and the camouflaged Everglades terrain in which they thrive. For instance, the 2013 Python Challenge consisted of 1,600 hunters who caught a total of 68 snakes. Only 600 participants registered for this year’s hunt, and the results are to be determined.

Although no concrete data exists to prove just how many Burmese pythons now reside in the Everglades, experts believe there are tens of thousands of the snakes in wild Florida. And the USGS attributes this infestation to humans. Believe it or not, people once kept these monstrous snakes as pets. When Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992, multiple Burmese pythons escaped from a breeding facility and made their way to the Everglades. Python owners are also known to release their pets into Everglades wilderness.

Everglades Python Safety

Though unprovoked attacks are rare, Burmese pythons have struck humans before. React to an Everglades python the way you would react to an alligator. Remember to back away slowly and keep your eyes trained on the snake. It’s important to read the animal’s body language to observe any signs of aggression. Hissing and thrashing could mean an impending attack.

Do you have what it takes to catch an Everglades python?

Before participating in the 2016 Python Challenge, you need to learn about the animal, the environment and how to catch it. First, complete the 30-minute training module found on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website. Then, complete the 10-question quiz. You must receive an 80 percent or higher to register. The cost to participate is $25 for an individual or $75 for a team.

Don’t have what it takes to catch an Everglades python?

Hunting pythons isn’t for everyone, but there are other ways to enjoy Everglades wilderness. If you’re not ready for a python hunt, opt for an Everglades airboat tour. This family-friendly activity puts you a safe distance from Everglades pythons while exposing you to the beauty of an ever-changing ecosystem. To book your Everglades airboat tour, contact Captain Mitch’s Everglades Airboat Tours at 239-695-3377.

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Save Money with Everglades Camping

January 4, 2016 by

Everglades campingAre you planning a vacation to the Everglades, but you don’t want to break the bank? Camping is a fantastic alternative to staying in a hotel, especially when it comes to experiencing the vast wilderness of the Everglades.

From endangered wildlife to rare plant species, Everglades camping immerses you in nature you can’t find anywhere else in the world – all while saving you money. But before you book your campsite, it’s important to understand which campground fits your unique needs. Here’s what you need to know about Everglades camping:

Frontcountry vs. Backcountry

Backcountry camping presents ultimate adventure. This style requires campers to trek or paddle to their campsite while carrying all the necessary gear. While the backcountry will expose you to untouched and lesser-known sections of the Everglades, it’s not everyone’s adventure. Frontcountry camping suits those who aren’t physically able or aren’t mentally prepared to venture deep into Everglades wilderness. With frontcountry camping, you can drive up to your camp site, so all of your food and equipment is handy.

Now that you know about the two different Everglades camping styles, it’s time to learn exactly which campground is right for you.

Everglades Frontcountry Camping

The Everglades has two popular frontcountry campgrounds: Long Pine Key and Flamingo. Sites at each campground range from $15-30 per night.

Long Pine Key, a bit more rustic than Flamingo, features restrooms, water, a dump station, a nearby picnic area but no RV hookups. This campground sits just 11 miles from the entrance to Everglades National Park. All 108 sites are available on a first come first serve basis.

Flamingo, located at the southernmost point of Florida, hosts 234 drive-in sites, 40 walk up sites and 65 RV sites. The campground is fully equipped with showers and a picnic area with grills. With easy access to hiking and canoe trails, campers enjoy plentiful day trips.

Everglades Backcountry Camping

With nearly 50 backcountry campsites in Everglades National Park, backpackers are sure to find the solitude they seek. Backcountry campers can choose from either paddling or hiking to their sites, which come in three varieties: ground sites, beach sites or “chickees,” platform sites found amid boundless water.

Backpackers must obtain permits 24 hours prior to setting out into the backcountry. Permits cost $15 along with camping fees of $2 per person per day. Summer travelers benefit from waived permit fees during Florida’s warmest months. Obtain your permit from the Flamingo Visitor Center or the Gulf Coast Visitor Center.

See the Everglades by Airboat

Everglades camping puts you up close and personal with unique plant and wildlife. Plus, it’s affordable. Because camping is so inexpensive, you can put money you’d ordinarily spend on a hotel toward more Everglades activities. An airboat tour is one Everglades activity you can’t miss. Click here or call Captain Mitch’s Everglades Airboat tours at 239-695-3377 to book your Everglades airboat adventure today.

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