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PELLICER CREEK (Faver-Dykes State Park to the Princess Estate) by Brad Miller |
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If you are looking for a paddle that's short and sweet, this is one to add to your list. This stretch of Pellicer Creek,
between Faver-Dykes State Park and the Princess Estate, is great if you are pressed for time or have kids you want to take
paddling. The round trip is only about four miles, but has something of interest for everyone. So get the boats loaded,
pack a picnic and the camera, you're going to Pellicer Creek!
The put-in at Faver-Dykes State Park is fairly easy to find. As you travel south on Hwy 1 from St. Augustine, just before the onramp for I-95, you will see a sign for Faver-Dykes State Park. It directs you to take the left before the freeway. You will turn between a gas station and a fruit stand. Follow that road until you reach the park. Be prepared, there is a per-car entry fee of three dollars. After settling up at the gate, just follow the signs to the boat ramp. The launch facilities are nice. You can choose between the concrete ramp or the wooden dock for entering the creek. From there, you actually have the choice of paddling east or west. This article takes you east; look for part two of Pellicer Creek in future newsletters. As you paddle away from the boat ramp and begin to look around, you will notice one thing immediately. No buildings! This is another one of those paddles that gives you the sensation of being in a remote location. Well, at least until you get to the Princess Estate. Along the way, you will see much of the same types of wildlife that you see in other tidal creeks. Great Blue Herons, American Egrets and other wading birds abound. Osprey, vultures and the occasional eagle are also found. But perhaps the most exciting thing to see is the illusive River Otter. You would actually be very lucky to see them, but if you do. What a treat! After rounding a few bends you will come to the Princess Estate campground on the south bank. It's quite a nice setting and free of charge, however, you do need to acquire a permit from Flagler County prior to your stay. If you follow the south bank along the campground waterfront, you will find a creek that runs inland. It's small, but easily navigated, and definitely worth the detour. Continuing east along the south bank, and around the next point, you will start to see signs of development in the form of old houses and the remnants of an old dock. Shortly thereafter you will arrive at the Princess Estate itself. It is the old house built of coquina with several old outbuildings around it. However, it won't take you long to realize that there are several modern houses built nearby. Apparently, one or more of these were for caretakers before the estate became a preserve. If you continue to follow the shoreline you will enter another small creek that leads to a boat ramp. Beware, this boat ramp is really only usable at high tide, it becomes a nasty mud pit at lower levels. If the tides are not in your favor, there is another option. As you paddle out from the boat ramp you will notice a channel taking off to the right. If you look down it you will see a wood bridge crossing over. Go down that channel and under the bridge. Shortly after, you will come to a small beach-like area on the right bank where a dirt road comes close to the water. You can get out there and walk the dirt road over to the estate. If you have never been to the estate, you are in for a treat. There are many historical points of interest to see. But I'll let you discover those on your own. Suffice it to say you'll like it. This is also a nice place to have the picnic that you brought. The return route can either be directly back to Faver-Dykes or, if you wanted to extend the trip, lead out into Pellicer flats for a detour. The flats get very shallow at low tide levels. So should you decide to go out there, keep an eye out for oyster beds. Otherwise, the creek itself is plenty deep at any tide level. The conditions at Pellicer Creek will vary. Remember, the tide moving in and out is what causes currents. Just like all tidal creeks, there is almost always some current to deal with in Pellicer Creek. Though I have yet to see it flow swiftly, be sure to check the tides for the day you plan to paddle. Your departure time may be determined by it. Also, it has been fairly windy every time I have gone there, so you should probably plan on that as well. As always, be prepared for the unexpected, take a paddling partner and have fun. See you on the water! |
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