Nullifier
Expedition Leader
Well I just led a trip on the river last weekend through the 17 runs. This is the most difficult section of the Hillsborough River and one of the more challenging short day trips in all of Florida. It is written about periodically when ambitious families head out and get lost in the swamp. Even though it is called the 17 runs, 50 runs is probably more accurate. There are numerous portages and as a result is only for seasoned paddlers. Despite the best efforts of the trail management team, crazy people atempt it from time to time. Paddling this section is a rare and big deal to Florida based paddlers. Since I have run this part of the river probably 50 times over the past 17 years I have decided to throw up a post on my most recent trip.
We hit the water at the Hillsborough River State Park canoe launch at 9:15 a.m.
Then we had an easy 2 mile paddle from the St Park down to Dead River Park our last civilized stop.
At dead river we stopped for our last bit of solid ground before hitting the runs.
To my suprise one of my guides was off and launching at Dead River Park as well.
Once we left, the the river drastically narrowed down and we were soon seeing the signs (literally) that the trip was going to get tough.
We hit the water at the Hillsborough River State Park canoe launch at 9:15 a.m.
Then we had an easy 2 mile paddle from the St Park down to Dead River Park our last civilized stop.
At dead river we stopped for our last bit of solid ground before hitting the runs.
To my suprise one of my guides was off and launching at Dead River Park as well.
Once we left, the the river drastically narrowed down and we were soon seeing the signs (literally) that the trip was going to get tough.
Last edited: