This is about 1/2 hour north of Gainesville in High Springs.
The cost for this trip is $39 per person for "Wanna Go" members (non-members $50). With your own boat it's $25 per person for members and $35 for non-members. **
Description
There are two Santa Fe Rivers. One is a small creek, a brown, watery trail ambling aimlessly through the shaded hardwood forests and intermittent swamps of northern Alachua County. It starts at Santa Fe swamp, just north of Lake Santa Fe near Melrose and extends about 30 miles west to present day O'leno State Park near High Springs. In some places, this little stream can be easily crossed with a running leap. And yet, it played an important role in the early history and settlement of this area.
In the last few centuries, the upper Santa Fe has been the setting for Indian villages (one of which was visited by Hernando de Soto), the important mission of Santa Fe de Tolosa (for which the river was named), Forts Harlee and Call during the Second Seminole War and the modern settlements of Worthington Springs, and Lacrosse. It is the northern boundary of Alachua County. At the western end of the upper river, the town of Leno was also established on the river's bank in the mid 1800's. But the whims of civilization had other plans and the settlement was all but gone by the end of that century. Nearby, on the river itself, the whims of geology also come into play.
A quarter mile downstream from Old Leno (now shortened to O'Leno), a huge cavity in the porous limestone swallows the river in its entirety. For three miles, the river courses underground, following a network of subterranean channels before resurfacing. But, it is a changed river. Like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, the pupal creek that was the upper Santa Fe now emerges as a larger, faster waterway. It is now truly a river.
The primary reason for this transformation is an increased volume of water. While underground, the river water is joined by an up-welling of the Floridan aquifer. So, as it surfaces into the world of light and color, this fountain, known as the River Rise, carries the combined waters of the upper Santa Fe and a large, artesian spring. It is here, at the fountainhead known as River Rise, that the second Santa Fe is born.
Having now entered an area of more exposed limestone, the river now carries itself with bold determination. It's steady, unfaltering surge carves it's path in broad, sweeping strokes as it weaves a 30 mile path westward. Along the way, it picks up the clear, cool waters from dozens of springs before merging with the Suwannee River near Branford.
On this trip, we will be exploring the "birthplace" of the lower Santa Fe river, taking an upstream paddle to the River Rise. At the Rise, we'll get out and stretch our legs on a short hike toward the ancient road, known at different times as the Mission Road and Bellamy Road.
On our way back down, if water levels allow, we'll take a side trip up the scenic, swampy run to Hornsby Spring, the only first-magnitude Spring in Alachua County. For more description, go to: http://www.adventureoutpost.net
Difficulty
This is a round-trip paddle, going upstream for 3 miles and returning, for a total of about 6 miles. Upstream paddling can be exhausting if you aren't in average condition. This section is not as strong as Silver River, for instance, but you should be realistic about your abilities. We're planning on being out around 4 - 4.5 hours.
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