Buford Springs Explicit Instructions
Please...
Going to Buford Springs on Sunday. I've never been there. Anyone have explicit instructions for me? I'm sure I can find the park, but pretty sure I'll be lost in the swamp forever without some sort of guidance.
Anyone want to go? Or has anyone who's been got some good directions for me. Thanks in advance for your help.
I'm Full Cave certed.
Pete
Have you tried the GPS coordinates?
Park at the tram road. Walk down the tram road to the end. Go STRAIGHT about 200 yds and there you are.
If I were you I would consider this a large single dive rather than doubles. It's a tough walk through the swamp even if the swamp is dry, especially if you get lost on the way back.
when you get to the swamp don't be fooled by all the colored tape and such on the trees, it does not mark a clear path to the spring. if you have a hand cart or wagon with all terrain wheels you will find it useful on the path to the swamp. when everyone says swamp they mean SWAMP. one of the times i was there i fell through the forest floor in my doubles up to my waist. my partially inflated wing saved me from going any deeper and it took two people to yank me out. also there may be a good size gator in the spring. the last time we dove buford it hung out with us on our 10 foot stop, and was not at all afraid that we were there. it's a great dive, more of a deep cavern around 160 on the very bottom, and awsome views back up on a sunny day. bugs are killer.
Well, I don't have a singles setup. So I'm going to wear LP85's instead of LP104's.
Okay, after entering the Park, stop and pay the iron ranger. Dive straight down the road. The landscape changes to tropical, you will pass over three little bridges. Soon after the third bridge you will find a small grassy parking area with a small fence and trail. Park. Get out and lather up will bug repellent. Next assemble all of you gear and place it in your wagon (you best have a strong wagon). Pull wagon down trail to end. Swamp begins there. Put on gear (single tank only) double 85's is too much!!! Repeat single tank only! Swamp is nasty, try and walk on top of roots. Muck will go up to your hips (it isn't easy with a single tank and near impossible to get out of the holes with doubles). When entering swamp go towards 11 O'clock. When entering the water enter slowly and move to one of the trees floating in the water. Check trees out for snakes. Put on fins and mask and have a great dive. Please leave the area free of trash and don't mark up anything under water. I'd go with you but it would have to be Saturday not Sunday better next weekend. Good luck. Oh yeah, it might be Turkey Hunting Season and that trail is known to have angry gun totting hunters hiding in the bushes. If a truck is parked in the parking area and it doesn't look like a diver, it will be an angry hunter.
'You can say what you want about the South, but I ain't never heard of anyone wanting to retire to the North'
A couple additional tips:
A good walking stick makes this walk through the swamp much easier, especially w/ doubles. When you get stuck in the mud and start to topple over the stick will help you balance yourself.
I usually pack a Husky X-table (Home Depot ~ $40) in the wagon. It folds to flat package about 3" thick X 2'x3'. When you get to the end of the tram road, you can set the table up and it makes a great stand to hold tanks so you don't have to try and slip into your harness from ground level.
I haven't been in about a year, but there used to be a series of reflectors nailed to the trees which would help guide you in the general direction. The colored tape is definitely a red herring, there's actually two trails marked that way, one of which goes off the very end of the tram road and the other which leads to the tram road a little closer (100' or so) to the parking area.
I would strongly suggest that before you gear up you take a walk through the swamp out to the spring. That way you can check out conditions and pick a good route to follow. It's actually not too far off the tram road (100-150 yds).
When you get to the spring, it's best to enter on the downstream side (to the right as you approach the spring). There's a birdhouse on a tree enear a good entry area. You will generate lots of black silt as you step through the mud into the spring and by being downstream you will minimize the impact to your visibility. Step carefully as you enter the water, there,s lots of underwater roots that you can twist an ankle on. Beware of any roots that move when you step on them as they may not be roots
Enjoy the dive,
John
Buford is a perfect spot for a monkey rig...
Joe
Originally Posted by Richard Pyle
You can also put all your stuff in a Kayak strapped on top of a wagon. When you get to the swamp, you can pull it to the side of the creek. There used to be a tree stump by the edge you could put your gear on.
Well guys, had a death in the family yesterday, so it cancelled my trip for today. Thanks for all the posts. I'll try to make it next week maybe.
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