Cumberland

“Planning a trip to Cumberland Island, and looking for some information, photos, charter and so on. I plan to spend 5 to 6 days on the island taking photographs. I’ve looked through some of the photos on the information page, and have had a meeting with Mr. Lang in St. Marys about transportation to the island. But any other information that anyone could provide would be helpful. Thanks, Seed”

“I've kayaked and hiked Cumberland five times. I've camped at Seacamp on the south end and Brickhill Bluff on the north end. What specifically are you asking for?

I don't know about charters. I don't have any photos. But I can tell you about some interesting places that I've been. And I could give you suggestions about times of year to visit.”

“I’ll will be going the day after Christmas, that is set. Anything you can tell me about the island will be a help. What part for you is a must see, from the photos I’ve seen, sea camp looks wooded, is this right. Is it close to the beach, will I have to move to the westside of the island if a northeaster blows in. The main road on the island is it improved, so that I can pull a cart loaded say at 200lbs.With a load of this kind, what would be the best route to take from south to north on the island. Which camp in the north is the best.”

“Here's some pics from the last time I was there.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/richdude32/album?.dir=1d25re2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/richdude32/my_photos”

“Welcome to TT, Mustard Seed. It sounds like you may be a North Carolina hiker, who uses a cart at Hazel Creek.

Does anyone know if they allow the use of carts at Cumberland Island National Seashore?”

“Yes they do Nowslimmer. The park service has approved it for my trip. Thanks for the photos Richdude these are a help. When is your trip?”

“Looks like it's going to be in November.”

“Cumberland Island photos:

http://community.webshots.com/album/102805945IbTYhK

http://community.webshots.com/album/102813282ZCJBpg

http://community.webshots.com/album/299421941NKbzlr

I'd think you might have a hard time with the cart. The main road is fairly sandy. And it's the only road from end to end.

If you're looking at a charter of some type -- and you're interested in the north end -- try to see if you can specifically go there. Brickhill Bluff is the only public campsite on the north end. But there are people living there, if you can find them to ask about some camping. There is a woman who researches sea turtles and other sea issues who lives on that end. I can't recall the name of her nonprofit group right now, however.”

“All campsites are wooded. Sea Camp and Stafford Beach are the closest to the beach.
The coastal hammock tree cover is enough that a noreaster won't touch you. I've been through several of them there, never bothered me.

Why a charter? I assume you already know about the NPS ferry.

200 lbs? Damn son, that's big load. Unless they have changed the rules in the last year or so wheeled conveyaces are not allowed on the trails, only on the main road. The main road is dirt and in spots it was quite sandy. Some of the trails get quite rooty and/or muddy in spots but most should be fine for you.”

“Thanks for the photos Liz, I’ll try and find the name for the researcher. HPM good information, the cart is custom made with 26" wheels. I’ve used it allot on the outer banks. The sand got real deep in spots off NC, and I would have to return to the beach were the tide had packed the sand to go forward. Yes, Mr Lang owns the ferry service that has the contract with the NPS. When I met with him, he said he will let me ride the regular ferry, if it runs during this time. It will depend on how many reservations they take, if not he will take me by charter for $200. I was wondering if someone had used a different service, I’ve used fisherman, and the NPS has given me a ride before. Thanks again for the information.”

“Mustard...
You will be within the Cumberland Island Wilderness Area for the better part of your visit. Carts, etc, are taboo.

Carol Ructaschel(sp?) is the biologist.
Defenders of Wild Cumberland is the (separate) non-profiteer.

Private ferriers (shoe-wee!) occur in Fernandina, FL. Contact Greyfield Inn, they ferry their clientel.

I have a former colleague named Carlos Jones. He's currently the best Construction Trades teacher in GA - second all-time. He and his son both teach at Camden County H.S. therry in St. Mary. They have boats. They could prolly undercut Capt Lang a wee bit...

Mustard (hold the mayo) -
I assume you have limited physical abilities (who don't, eh?). If so, break a rim, dude!

If not, and yer just a slacker, then I'd be remiss to not suggest that you take it to Jekyll and leave Cumby's backcountry to us backpackers...”

“Oh yeah -
Coolio pix, Lizx! My oh my, how much my hair has grown in these last 16 months...”

“Yes, using a cart is almost as bad as taking a dog on the trail! LOL.”

“Thanks for information Gojo, as for the backpacking, my camera equipment is some were around 100lbs give or take. I use the cart to move about 200lbs including the cart weight. My backpack is about 45 give or take. Once I get close within 2 or three miles, I’ll swing on the camera pack around 80lbs give or take. Just backpack a 17 miles island, your kidding right. Why would you need to stay?”

“100 pounds of camera gear? Are you filming a documentary or something? 45 pounds is even a pretty big load for a backpack. But hey, It's your trip. Do what ya gotta do. That's the cool thing about hiking, Hike your own hike as long as it ain't hurting anything.

Seems I remember seeing a TTer pushing a two wheeler with a cooler and pack at Red River Gorge a few years ago. LOL!!!”

“Nope, I don’t think it was me. I don’t have room for a cooler. Three bright Yellow hardside storm camera cases and one green backpack. How are you doing the island, camping, hiking, paddling?”

“Naw Mustard seed. I was talking about someone else.

I'm taking the Ferry over and a couple others are paddeling over and meet me. My kayak is too small to do that trip. The itenerary is on the Cumberland Island End to End thread.”

“Seems I remember seeing a TTer pushing a two wheeler with a cooler and pack at Red River Gorge a few years ago. LOL!!!”
~Richdude

The RRG trip was not within an area designated Wilderness by the Congress of the United States of America. I've seen some really hay-ness violations of the guidelines - nay, laws! - pertaining to how we're supposed to act in these areas... one of which was an ATV drive-by while soaking in the quitetude of Yankee Paradise.

Why would you need to stay?”
~Mustard Seed

I don't "need" to stay. I choose to. The reasons are as numerous as Cumby armadillos. One of those is to escape - for just a few measly days - the noise and clamor of, say, ATVs and ca...”

“There are a couple of sites at the north end of the island that are worth seeing. Forget that unless you want to camp there.

On the south end, you'll want to See Dungeoness, the ice house, and maybe the graveyard.

There are many places around Dungeoness for good photos. You’ll want to hike south of Dungeoness, past the park service equipment buildings, so that you’ll see the salt marsh and then access the beach on the Atlantic side. The Atlantic side is totally undeveloped and offers lots of great beach scenes.

The Greyfield Inn might be worth a look.

The tree canopy around Seacamp is really cool. You’ll enjoy that.”

“Thanks Arclite
Now this is information that I can use. It looks like I’ll have to make multi trips. I’ll start in the south and play it from there.”

“Like I said earlier - Greyfield.
They can transport you there, provide food and shelter, and cart you around the island (pun intended) in their military surplus deuce-and-a-half tour truck.

“There are a couple of sites at the north end of the island that are worth seeing. Forget that unless you want to camp there."
~Arclite

Word.
I stealthed at Long Pt. one night. My little tent was dwarfed by the hundreds of acres of surrounding dunes. Some of the front dunes are as large as the back dunes found in other areas of Cumby. I watched a furious seaborne thunderstorm move from north to south as I laid in my tent. It's constant flashes illuminated a huge anvil cloud that must have towered 50,000 feet high. I imagined it must've looked like 1944's Second Battle of Guadalcanal would have looked from the beaches of Manilla. Yet there was total silence. Eerie, total silence.

From the point I followed the shoreline of Christmas Creek a short distance to an unmarked service road - the road less traveled - and that has made all the difference...”