We are heading to Wekiwa Springs Dec 30th thru Jan 3rd. I want to take my kayak but am wondering how far the launch is? Is there a parking lot near the launch? Is there a trail to cart my kayak? My experience has been with other state parks is that the launch is a hike down a rough trail that is too long to carry my kayak. I'm thinking of buying a cart to tote my kayak. Thanks for the help, no substitute for experience.
We were there last Feb. The springs are about a mile from the campground, so we drove to a parking area, then wheeled our kayaks down a hill about 200 yards to the water. You can check out our blog to see pictures and description at:
http://johnjoan.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html
We have been there many times. There is a parking lot as JohnJoanW indicated sort of close to the launch. The carry down to the put in is not bad. The carry back up to the parking lot is harder but we make it with about three rest stops along the way. If you have a wheeled carrier will be somewhat easier. Well worth the effort though. One of our favorite kayaking spots.
Looks good Dennis!! What size pvc did you use? Hard to tell from the picture, but did you use end caps and drill them to allow for the axle to go through?
Bears Den wrote: What size pvc did you use? Hard to tell from the picture, but did you use end caps and drill them to allow for the axle to go through?
I believe I used 3/4 inch schedule 40 PVC for everything except the lengths that go through the scupper holes. There I used 1/2 inch because my scupper holes were smaller. As you can see from the picture I used four T's to make all necessary connections. I used bushings to step the size from 3/4 to 1/2 and also in the ends to accommodate the axle. The axle itself was a piece of aluminum stock (can't remember the size, maybe 1/2 inch or 3/8 inch) available at Home Depot which fit perfectly through the bushings. I drilled holes in both ends of the axle to fit a cotter pin to hold the wheels in place and so that I could take the wheels off for storage.
Dennis and Cindy Henderson
fulltiming, currently at Crabtree Meadows at milepost 339 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina
Bears Den, also check out Manatee Springs up in Chiefland. The wife and I camp there religiously and kayak from the spring run out onto the river alot. You can check out the park map and get a space that is walking distance from the run and the launch, or there is great parking right next to the run. Either way we love it.
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