Cumberland Island trip 2005
Cumberland Island web site
We are less than one month away from our stupendous Cumberland Island
adventure from Friday, February 11 to Sunday, February 13, 2005 (Students
our out of school on Friday, February 11).
Cumberland Island is one of Georgia's beautiful barrier islands and is
designated as a National Seashore by the National Park Service. It is
accessible only by ferry or by kayak and is one of the most well preserved
islands on the Atlantic coast. This is our first Troop 149 trip to
Cumberland, but some of our older Scouts have been as Cub Scouts with Pack
149. There are cloistered live oak trails, pristine dunes, wild horses,
armadillos, and the interesting ruins of Andrew Carnegie's mansion. The
scenery will be remarkable and the trip will be fun for all. For those who
went to Sapelo Island last year, Cumberland Island is different enough to
make this trip worth it.
Estimated cost of trip will be $50.00 to $75.00 per person depending on
transportation arrangements.
We will have our initial sign-up for the trip at this Tuesday's meeting
(01/18/2005). We are limited to 30 people total for the trip.
We will be staying in 2 campgrounds on the island. We have reservations for
10 people at Sea Camp Beach. This campground is close to the ferry dock and
has running water, latrines, and fire-rings. In addition, we have 20
reservations for "back-country" camping. This is one of 4 camp sites
ranging from 3.5 miles to 10.8 miles from the ferry dock. We will not know
until we land and check-in which of these sites we will be assigned to.
Therefore, we need to be prepared for the longest hike. These sites are
"Leave No Trace" sites with no campfires allowed. This means that the
preparation and equipment needed for these 20 participants will be the same
as our Appalachian Trail trips (Backpacks, Polar-Pure, camp stoves, and
Philmont food - you know the drill). Your reward for the effort is getting
to see parts of the island that few visitors get to see.
Here is our tentative schedule:
Friday, February 11
- 8:00AM Depart Friendship Presbyterian
- 12:00PM Fast-food Lunch on the road (30 minutes)
- 3:00-4:00PM Arrive Crooked River State Park (on the "mainland" near St.
Mary's)
Set-up camp
- 6:00PM Dinner together at campground
Saturday, February 12
- 6:00AM Wake and break camp
- 7:30AM Depart for St. Mary's to catch Cumberland Island Ferry
- 9:00AM Ferry departs St. Mary's
- 9:45AM Ferry arrives Cumberland Island
Spend rest of day hiking, setting up camp,
exploring, etc.
- PM Camp in Sea Camp or backcountry
Sunday, February 13
AM Each camp break in time to catch the 4:45PM ferry
- 4:45PM Ferry departs Cumberland Island.
- 5:30PM Ferry arrives St. Mary's
- 5:45PM Depart St. Mary's
- 7:00PM Fast-food dinner on the road (30 minutes)
- 12:00-1:00AM Arrive Friendship Presbyterian
We realize it is a late return Sunday PM, but Oconee Schools are out on
Monday, February 14. This will let most of the Scout's sleep in on Monday
(Moms and Dads might not have that luxury).
I know everyone will enjoy this trip. We expect the 30 slots to fill up
fast. So, if you want to go, be sure to be there this Tuesday night.
YIS,
Shawn "Tumbleweed" T
Philmont 2004 - Crew 616-A4
Appalachian Trail Georgia Throughhiker 2004
Sore and Tired Dad Club 2004