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MOSES CREEK by Brad Miller |
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Quiet, pristine and beautiful, these are just a few words that describe Moses Creek. However, this piece of old
Florida is much more. It is home to dozens of species of wildlife, from the Bald Eagle to the American Alligator. It is
one of the few remaining streams in St. Johns County that has gone undeveloped. And, it is easily accessed either by foot
or boat. Whatever your reason for going to Moses Creek, you can count on it being a fun trip.
Kayaking, of course, is one of the easiest and best ways to see Moses Creek. Their stealthiness and easy glide make them ideal for this kind of environment. Since the creek is tidally influenced, there is always some current to deal with whether it is going in or out. If you happen to be paddling against the current, it is usually little more than a nuisance. Most kayak hull designs are efficient enough to allow a novice paddler to overcome such conditions without too much difficulty. Especially if the paddler uses the eddy currents (which flow in the opposite direction of the main current), on the inside of each bend. Why not just take a motor boat if there are currents to deal with? This touches on the other aspect of kayaking, stealthiness. It's pretty difficult to view wildlife if they are constantly being scattered by the roar of a motor. Aside from conversations being carried on by their paddlers, kayaks make very little noise. This allows for a much closer inspection of the animals that make Moses Creek their home. There are several places along the creek where birds such as Wood Storks gather in huge rookeries. But they are not alone! Great Blue Herons, Little Blue Herons, Louisiana Herons, Green Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, White Ibis and others are regularly seen. If that is not enough, there are also several species of waterfowl, cormorants and anhingas that populate the creek. Bird lovers can get a much better look at them when cruising the creek in a kayak. In addition to our feathered friends it is common to see white-tailed deer, raccoons, armadillos, and the occasional feral pig (wild boor). However, as impressive as these animals are, none can compare to the shear awesomeness of the American Alligator. Several large alligators have been seen in Moses Creek over the years. If you paddle up the creek a couple of miles or so, you will start to see areas in the marsh grass where alligators have been laying out in the sun. These areas are identified by a muddy bed of matted grass with a mud slide leading into the water. Though there has not been an account of alligators attacking kayakers anywhere, they are to be given much respect. Alligators are usually docile creatures, but can be dangerous if surprised or closely approached. Use caution and maintain vigilance when paddling in known alligator habitat, especially in the spring when they are nesting. About a mile and a half up the creek, before getting into gator country, you will find a floating dock. It was placed there by the St. Johns River Water Management District to give boaters access to the land. The SJRWMD bought up the land on the north and south side of Moses Creek to protect its watershed. In doing so, they have completely cut off motor vehicle access and prevented any development. Therefore, this destination is one of the few you can go to and not see a single building. What's more, SJRWMD established several primitive campsite along the creek for both boaters and hikers. There is no cost to use the campsites, but a permit is required for groups of six or more. Thank you SJRWMD! The pristine nature of Moses Creek gives a paddler the sense of being in a very remote place. But in actuality it is quite close to civilization, making this a great day trip destination. There are several put-in locations to chose from. From the south paddlers can put-in at either end of the Hwy 206 bridge, the west side being the closest to the creek. Parking is minimal, but access is good. Also from the south is our shop, just one block south of the bridge. Here, parking is plentiful and the access excellent. Plus, if you happen to forget a necessity such as water, we have it here. However, if you want to access Moses Creek from the north, there is always Frank Butler State Park. This is one of few state parks on the Intracoastal side of the island and is approximately two miles north of the Hwy 206 bridge. Whichever access point you chose, be on the lookout for dolphins and manatees as you approach the creek mouth. During the warm water months we often see these wonderful animals out in the flats. Moses Creek does provide recreational opportunities other than paddling. Maybe you would like to go for a hike or bike ride instead. Great! There are several trails to chose from that run through both the north and south tracks of land. Perhaps you would like to go fishing. Great! There are plenty of Speckled Sea Trout, Redfish and Black Drum in and around the creek. The multitude of activities that Moses Creek has to offer is what makes it a great place to come back to time and time again. If it is an on-water activity that brings you to Moses Creek, make sure you check the tides first. The entrance to the creek can become very shallow and almost impassible at peak lows. The best time to paddle the creek is during the tail end of the incoming tide (flood tide) and the beginning of the outgoing tide (ebb tide). This allows you to ride the current in, stop for a break during slack tide, then ride the current out. Unfortunately, the tides are not always perfect, but don't let that stop you from having a wonderful trip anyway. If you would like more information, or would like help planning a trip to Moses Creek, please feel free to call us at 904-471-4144. We will be happy to assist you any way we can. |
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291 Cubbedge Road |
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