Click on photos for larger images. Sometimes you have to refresh the page to re-activate this feature. Hide Slide Show (you will have to refresh the page to see it again)

Cumberland Island National Seashore, GA

Feb 16 - Feb 23, 2020 -- $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 most attainable 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 some intrepid participants have done so on previous trips. Expect a nice warm respite.



Trip Leaders

Bruce Cannon
Don Johnson


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 for guides.


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



Note

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



Back to top

 

Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
Packing List
Sign up Now!

Itinerary


Sunday, February 16, 2020

Fly or drive into Jacksonville, FL (JAX)


Take free airport shuttle to local hotel (TBD)


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 17, 2020

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 0.5 miles to Sea Camp Campsite, sites 14 & 16


Set up camp and have lunch


Day-Hike (no full pack) 0.1 miles to the beach


Day-Hike (no full pack) 1.2 miles on the beach to the Dungeness Trail Boardwalk


Day-Hike (no full pack) 1.5 miles on the beach to a Marker Post


Day-Hike (no full pack) 1.7 miles on the South End Trail to the intercoastal. Trail may be muddy or have standing water.


Day-Hike (no full pack) 3.2 miles back to the Dungeness Trail Boardwalk


Day-Hike (no full pack) 2.4 miles past the Dungeness ruins back to Sea Camp


Camp at Sea Camp Campsite #14 & #16, campfires allowed


Miles today: 10.6. Total miles: 10.6


Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Hike 4.4 miles via the Parallel Trail to Stafford Beach Road


Hike 2.0 miles on the Parallel Trail to Hickory Hill.


Hike 1.3 miles on the Parallel Trail to Yankee Paradise


Set up camp at Yankee Paradise Camp


Possible day-hike 1.0 miles to Plum Orchard Mansion if we need water


Possibly fill up water containers


Possible Day-hike 1.0 miles back to Yankee Paradise Camp


Miles today: 7.7. Total miles: 18.3


Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Hike 1.0 miles to Plum Orchard Mansion


Fill up water containers


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: 26.2 (a marathon!)


Thursday, February 20, 2020

Day-Hiking only today


Hike 0.8 miles on the Brickhill Trail to Main Rd.


Hike 0.3 miles on the Brickhill Trail to the Bunkley Trail


Hike 0.6 miles on Bunkley Trail to North Cut Road


Hike 0.8 miles to North Cut Rd


Hike 1.0 miles Northbound to the First African Baptist Church. Restrooms nearby at the Alberty House. Carol Ruckdeschel lives next door.


Hike 1.0 miles back to North Cut Road


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: 8.8. Total miles: 35.0


Friday, February 21, 2020

Hike 0.9 miles on Killman Field Trail to South Cut Trail


Hike 1.0 miles on South Cut Trail to Roller Coaster Trail


Hike 2.0 miles on Roller Coaster Trail to Lost Trail


Hike 1.5 miles on Lost Trail to Duck House Trail


Hike 0.9 miles on the Duck House Trail to the beach


Hike 3.0 miles on the beach to Stafford Campsite Marker


Hike 0.2 miles on Stafford Beach Road to Stafford Campsite


Camp at Stafford Campsites 6 & 7


Miles today: 9.5. Total miles: 44.5


Saturday, February 22, 2020

Wake up early


Hike 4.3 miles to Ferry Dock.


Miles today: 4.3. Total miles: 48.8


Catch the 10:15 boat back to St. Marys. They may add a 2:30PM ferry which would allow us more time in the morning


Arrive at St. Marys, GA at 11:00AM or 3:15PM


Shuttle back to Jacksonville Hotel (TBD)


"After" measurements taken


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


There should be plenty of time if you'd like to depart Jacksonville in the evening.


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 23, 2020

Free Hotel Breakfast


Take free airport shuttle


Back to top