Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club

Meet us Friday morning at the Phil Foster Park Snorkel Trail around 9:30 under the Blue Heron Blvd Bridge for a 10:48 high tide. Shared event with RFAR (Recess For Active Retirees) .Get there early, though, to find a parking place as they fill up fast...the earlier the better.

In addition to snorkeling, we will be screening for gems, as member Ben Smith has brought us buckets of ore from gem mines in North Carolina. Last time, we found amethysts, other gems, and a lot of pretty minerals. This will be an extra treat.

**Look for a blue Conch Republic Flag and a pirate flag to the west of the lifeguard and near the corner, in the usual place. This is at the far southwest end of the park, near the old broken-off fishing bridge.

Bring a chair, beverages, lunch, and sunscreen. If you plan to snorkel off the trail under the fishing pier (old bridge), bring a dive flag and float, although I will bring mine and you can use it if you don't have one.

Expect to see a variety of tropical fish including sergeant majors, angelfish, starfish, butterfly fish, parrot fish, and others, as well as colorful coral varieties. You can pick up fish id charts for a fee at any dive shop (there are 2 shops on Riviera Beach Blvd. near our site).

After a refreshing look at this impressive snorkel trail, we take out our packed lunches or snacks and enjoy the shade and breeze, both of which always make this a comfortable place to relax and socialize after snorkeling.

Here's some information on the snorkel trail from the county:
"Completed in August of 2013, the 800-foot-long tract of artificial reef incorporates more than 600 tons of Anastasia rock boulders. Loosely strung together in easily accessible depths ranging from six to ten feet. Part of Palm Beach County’s Environmental Resources Management’s Artificial Reef Program, the snorkel trail has added to one of the most prolific dive spots in the entire county..."

Palm Beach County's Largest and Most Biologically Diverse Natural Area! Nine native Florida ecosystems at this 12,957-acre site.
The kayak trail is at 8311 PGA Blvd, don't go to the bee-line highway hiking trail, called the Loxahatchee Blueway Trail. See location on the map below. There are bathrooms at Sandhill Crane Park across the C-18 canal. Please arrive by 9am, in time to launch by 9:30am. This trail is in full sun so dress appropriately and bring sun block. No rentals at this location. We will paddle approx 4 miles through a beautiful cypress swamp with a loop around Anhinga Island. This is considered an intermediate trail, due to a bit of a steep launch (not that bad but some experience helpful) and a portage. A shorter, narrow kayak is recommended, since we will be paddling through cypress trees. Also plenty of lily pads. There will be one portage, and we will have a few steps in shallow mucky water, so your shoes will get wet and dirty. Bring water and snacks. Most important, bring an adventurous spirit. Gorgeous scenery. Birds, flowers, etc.

Join host Evvy Bartley for a leisurely walk on mostly paved, shaded trails behind Okeeheelee Park North's Nature Center. We'll pass the deer feeding area, see many identified native plants, and see Paisley the Opposum's outdoor enclosure, although she may be inside the Nature Center to delight children visitors.

Bring water and wear a hat and sunscreen, and possibly bug spray. We can't eat in this area of the park, so if any wish to bring food, we'll have to move to another area afterward, or, perhaps go to a nearby restaurant.

This will be a lovely way to start the day. Let Evvy know if you're coming.