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Cumberland Island National Seashore, GA

Feb 18 - Feb 25, 2018 -- $1250 ★

Cumberland Island National Seashore is a beautiful barrier island in Georgia just 50 miles north of Jacksonville, FL boasting a wealth of natural attractions. Whether it's quiet coastal marshes, the Atlantic surf pounding undeveloped dunes, wild feral horses you're sure to see roaming the island, beachcoming for sand dollars or sharks teeth, grand live oak trees, armadillos scampering through saw palmettos, Victorian ruins from a bygone era, or glimpses of an occasional alligator, manatee or pod of dolphins, Cumberland Island is sure to please the senses. Get away from your frigid climate, explore a wild barrier island, and get a fitness jumpstart.


Cumberland Island is one of Fitpacking's least strenuous offerings and is highly recommended for beginners. Our route will traverse nearly all of backcountry trails of this primarily flat island. Although our daily mileages are not overly ambitious, carrying around a backpack all day, especially along the sandy beach can be difficult. On days we get into camp early, we can head to the beach to beachcomb and enjoy the surf rolling in.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking. February temperatures average in the mid-70s, which is perfect for backpacking, but we might also experience blazing heat or even frost at night. The water temperature will probably be too cold to comfortably enter, but overall expect a warm respite.



Trip Leaders

Julie Quibodeaux
Bruce Cannon


Cost

$1250 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Jacksonville, FL (JAX) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals (typically 2 dinners) and any gratuities.


Covered expenses include 2 nights in a hotel, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, Cumberland Queen ferry, permits, fees and awesome guides.



Note

We highly recommend you read the book Untamed in preparation of the trip.


Hurricane Irma brought a lot of destruction to Cumberland Island in September. The ferry docks were taken out but were fixed and operational by November. The backcountry trails may contain lots of fallen trees. Although trail crews are being dispatched to clear the trails, it is unlikely that every single trail will be clear of blowdowns or other blockages. We will just plan to climb over, around or through any remaining obstacles when we're there. This is of course not ideal, but if it becomes overly burdensome, we'll plan to alter our routes to take advantage of beach hiking when possible.


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Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Sunday, February 18, 2018

Fly or drive into Jacksonville, FL (JAX)

Take free airport shuttle to Microtel Inn & Suites 13200 International Airport Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32218, 904-741-4911

Equipment shakedown

Obtain any last-minute equipment participants forgot at Gander Mountain, 13075 City Square Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32218, (904) 714-3557

Trail mix distribution

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go out for welcome dinner at a local restaurant (cost of dinner not included in trip cost)



Monday, February 19, 2018

Second set of "before" body composition measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage. You'll also have the opportunity to take one last shower

Free breakfast in hotel

Shuttle to St. Marys, GA

Take the 9AM Cumberland Island Ferry

Arrive at Sea Camp Ranger Station at 9:45AM

Ranger will give us a mandatory presentation about the island and regulations

Hike 3.5 miles via the Parallel Trail and Pratts Trail to Stafford Beach Campsite

Spend some time on the beach

Camp at Stafford Beach Campsite, campfires allowed

Miles today: 3.5. Total miles: 3.5


Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Hike 2.0 miles on the Parallel Trail to Hickory Hill.

Hike 1.5 miles on the Willow Pond Trail to the beach

Hike 1.1 miles along the beach to the Duck House Trail

Hike 1.5 miles on the Duck House Trail to Yankee Paradise

Set up camp at Yankee Paradise Camp

Day-hike 1.0 miles to Plum Orchard Mansion

Fill up water containers

Day-hike 1.0 miles back to Yankee Paradise Camp

Miles today: 8.1. Total miles: 11.6


Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Hike 1.0 miles to Plum Orchard Mansion

Take a 1 hour guided tour of the Plum Orchard Mansion

Hike 1.0 road miles to the Kings Bottom Trail

Hike 1.5 miles around Table Point

Hike 1.9 miles on Ashley Pond Trail and Kings Bottom Trail to the Main Rd

Hike 2.0 miles on Main Rd. to Brickhill Bluff Trail

Hike 0.5 miles to Brickhill Bluff

Camp at Brickhill Bluff

Miles today: 7.9. Total miles: 19.5


Thursday, February 22, 2018

Day-Hiking only today

Hike 0.5 miles to Main Rd.

Hike 0.9 miles on Main Rd. to Terrapin Point Trail

Hike 2.0 miles on Terrapin Point Trail to Wharf Ruins

Hike 0.8 miles to North Cut Rd

Hike 1.7 miles on North Cut Rd

Hike 0.5 miles to the beach for lunch

Hike 0.5 miles back to Roller Coaster Trail

Hike 1.7 miles on Roller Coaster Trail to South Cut Trail

Hike 1.0 miles on South Cut Trail to Main Rd.

Hike 0.6 miles on Main Rd. and Brickhill Trail to Brickhill Bluff

Camp at Brickhill Bluff

Miles today: 10.2. Total miles: 29.7


Friday, February 23, 2018

Hike 0.6 miles on Brickhill Trail and Main Rd. to South Cut Trail

Hike 0.5 miles on South Cut Trail

Hike 0.5 miles to Roller Coaster Trail

Hike 1.5 miles on Roller Coaster Trail to Lost Trail

Hike 1.5 miles on Lost Trail to Duck House Trail

Hike 0.5 miles to Yankee Paradise Trail

Hike 1.5 miles on Yankee Paradise Trail to Hickory Hill

Camp at Hickory Hill

Miles today: 6.6. Total miles: 36.3


Saturday, February 24, 2018

Hike 6.5 miles to Sea Camp Beach.

Hike 0.5 miles to boat dock.

Leave packs and day-Hike 1.0 miles on River Trail to the Dungeness Ruins

Day-Hike 1.0 miles back to the boat dock

Miles today: 9.0. Total miles: 45.3

We hope they add a 2:30PM boat but if not, catch 4:45PM Cumberland Island Ferry

Arrive at St. Marys, GA at 3:15PM or 5:30PM

Shuttle back to Microtel Inn & Suites 13200 International Airport Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32218, 904-741-4911

"After" measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony (Dinner not included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, February 25, 2018

Free Hotel Breakfast

Take free airport shuttle


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