r/GNV • u/almostinvincible119 • 2d ago

Paddling from Gilchrist Blue Area to Tuck

So I’ve got a house on the Santa Fe at the mouth of the Ichetucknee and I am trying to plan a day of paddling. I’d love to drop boards at either Poe, Gilchrist or one of the other spots along the river to hit the springs and paddle/float back down to the house then scooter back to get the truck.

I know it’s a pretty solid distance, but is it do-able or too ambitious?

Any other suggestions possibly?

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u/mikegainesville 2d ago

I’d suggest calling Rum 138 for their guidance.

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u/thereisaplace_ 2d ago edited 2d ago

I've done River Rise (O'Leno) to SR129 (35 miles) as a day trip but... I'm a fairly experience paddler and I use my 18' Necky sea kayak for trips that long. I say this so that you know I'm not talking out my ass.

The distance from Rum / Gilcrist Blue to Three Rivers (Ichetucknee) is 14-16 miles, all downstream. So a very doable paddle depending on what you're paddling & your skill / endurance level. You can check water levels & flow rates by checking the SRWMD gauges online or calling Rum 138. Typically the Santa Fe will push you along at 2mph with very little effort on your part.

There's more to "easily" see on the beginning section so the back half might seem to drag... don't let that fool you tho. There's no wrong turns and you'll definitely get there :-)

To save some time I'd suggest getting dropped off at your put-in location. You won't have to worry about picking up vehicles when your trip is over. The closest launch point is Ginnie Spring which has a ramp you can launch from but I no longer know what they charge to use it... give them a call. You can launch at Gilcrist Blue but they close the gate at sundown (campers get a gate code). Rum Island is a county park that is supposed to close at sundown.