On this trip, we'll explore the lesser known upper section of the Santa Fe - above the River Sink and O'Leno Park. We'll paddle as far as the confluence with Olustee Creek.
This is about 1/2 hours north of Gainesville.
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.
For tour dates, please check our website calendar at: www.adventureoutpost.net
Description
This tour will be part of our Viva Timucua! series. [ For a description of this series and the story behind it, please see - http://riverguidesjournal.blogspot.com/2013/08/viva-timucua-other-anniversary.html .
This segment of the Viva Timucua! series will take us past the site of the mission village, Santa Fe de Toloca. It was here that Alonso Cabale's Potano ancestors (a faction of the large Timucua group) lived in the decades leading up to the destruction of the mission system in the early 1700's. Like all mission sites in the Florida interior, nothing visible remains of this village--just archaeological remains, scant records kept by the missionaries and Spanish authorities,.and a handful of interesting (and tragic) stories from your trusted river guide.
This tranquil, charming reach of the upper Santa Fe River--above the River Sink and O'Leno Park--is characterized by a wide channel with high, sandy banks. This is a little-known section of the Santa Fe River. If water levels allow, we'll paddle beyond the confluence of Olustee Creek for a short exploration of an attractive, narrower section of the upper river.
Wildlife
Compared to some of our trips, wildlife is relatively scarce here. There's a fair population of deer in this area, but high banks discourage them from spending much time at the riverside. There are some 'gators - especially one sizable fellow whose lair is in the area near the confluence of Olustee Creek and the Santa Fe.
Most of the birds we see are forest species such as barred owls, woodpeckers and perching birds. Egrets (several species) are commonly seen wading and fishing in the shallows at the river's edge, while ospreys scan the water from overhead. Kites (both swallow-tailed and Mississippi) are often spotted overhead in summer months.Other animals we sometimes see are wood ducks, deer, beaver, otter, and even a. few capybara?!
One animal species of special interest in this region is the capybara. A group of these animals escaped into the wild reaches of the upper Santa Fe and lower Olustee basins some time in the 1980's or '90's. I first spotted one in the mid-1990's. Since then, I've been sent nearly a dozen reports of sightings. These huge rodents (the largest in the world) are native to south America, but judging from the reports, are finding life in North Florida to their liking.
History
When Hernando De Soto came through North Florida in 1539, the ancient Indian trail he was following forded the Santa Fe River in this section. The village of Cholupaha, which is mentioned by the expedition's chroniclers, is on a high hill commanding a fine view of the river valley.
In the early 1600's, there was still an important village here, called Toloca. Spanish missionaries established a mission here as part of the chain of missions which stretched across north Florida from St. Augustine to the Tallahassee area. This mission, named Santa Fe de Toloca, was the namesake for the river.
The name Olustee was immortalized on Feb. 20, 1864, when Florida's largest battle of the Civil War was fought near the stream's headwaters, far to the north of the Santa Fe, at Ocean Pond. When the smoke cleared from the battlefield, nearly 300 men lay dead - 93 rebels and 203 from the Union side. Nearly 2,000 more were injured. The Battle of Olustee was a victory for the Rebel forces, but it would be a short-lived celebration with the confederacy losing the War a year later.
Difficulty
While this is an up-and-back, round-trip paddle, going against the current in the first half, the current here is very slow. This, plus the wide river channel, makes this an excellent paddle trip for beginners.
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