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Cumberland Island National Seashore, GA

Feb 14 - Feb 21, 2021 -- $1250 ★, Only 1 Spot Left

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, some rain 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. But usually you can expect at least a few days of warmth.



Trip Leaders

Beau Devlin
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 tickets, National Seashore permits, camping fees and awesome guides.



Note

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


Here is a great map of the island.


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


Sunday, February 14, 2021

Fly or drive into Jacksonville, FL (JAX)

Take free airport shuttle to Hampton Inn & Suites Jacksonville Airport 13551 Airport Ct, Jacksonville, 32218, FL, 904-741-4001

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 15, 2021

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

In the past, the Rangers have given us a mandatory presentation about the island and regulations, but may no longer require it

Hike 0.5 miles to Sea Camp Campsite, Group Site North

Set up camp

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, as well as lots of tiny skittering crabs.

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, Group Site North, campfires allowed

Miles today: 10.6. Total miles: 10.6


Tuesday, February 16, 2021

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

If necessary, day-hike 1.0 miles to Plum Orchard Mansion to get water. Only a few people would need to go.

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 17, 2021

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 18, 2021

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 19, 2021

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 0.5 miles on the Duck House Trail to the Yankee Paradise Trail

Drop packs and day-Hike 2.2 round-trip miles to the Plum Orchard Mansion to fill up water vessels. This is the last water on the trip, unless we need the sulfer-smelling water 0.8 miles from tonight's camp.

Hike 1.3 miles on the Yankee Paradise Trail to Hickory Hill

Camp at Hickory Hill Campsite

Miles today: 8.4. Total miles: 43.4


Saturday, February 20, 2021

Wake up early

Hike 6.3 miles along the Parallel Trail to Ferry Dock.

Miles today: 6.3. Total miles: 49.7

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 Hampton Inn & Suites Jacksonville Airport 13551 Airport Ct, Jacksonville, 32218, FL, 904-741-4001

"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 21, 2021

Free Hotel Breakfast

Take free airport shuttle


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