THE PARK
St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park encompasses the northern end of Jupiter Island. Since it has never been developed, this area has a wonderful beach with mostly undamaged dunes and extensive mangroves. The only way to reach the park is via boat or kayak. The portion of Jupiter Island immediately south of SLIP is part of Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge and includes the eastern shore of Pecks Lake. SLIP is jointly managed with Seabranch Preserve State Park on the mainland.
The park's kayak trail follows part of the old Jupiter Narrows, a shallow and winding waterway that connected the Indian River with Pecks Lake and Hobe Sound. The Narrows were bypassed by a canal during the construction of the Intracoastal Waterway and much of the old channel is now blocked by mangroves.
The preserve's namesake is the mouth of the St. Lucie River, separating Jupiter Island and Hutchinson Island. The inlet is semi-natural, having been noted on a European map in 1500 but silting up frequently until efforts to keep it open started in the 1800s. It still requires frequent dredging. A smaller and even more erratic inlet was once located at Peck's Lake.
ACCESS
The best way to access this cache is via kayak or paddleboard, launching from the end of Cove Road and landing a short distance west of the cache. John boats or similiar shallow draft craft may also be able to reach the kayak landing via the mosquito cut. Most boaters will need to use park's dock then take the 3/4 mile boardwalk to the beach then walk south for about 1 mile. Other boating options are landing at Peck's Lake and walking north on the beach for about 2 miles or anchoring off the beach and swimming ashore. Those without a kayak or boat can still access the cache via beach walk from Hobe Sound NWR (about 4 miles each way).
The shortest paddle route via the mosquito cut will take 30-45 minutes one way. For the commonly used scenic route, follow the waypoints Kayak Trail 1-3 to the kayak landing then return via the mosquito cut. Most of the waterways used to reach the cache are have strong tidal currents and much of the kayak trail becomes nearly impassible during low tide so plan accordingly. Watch out for boat traffic on the Intracoastal.
FACILITIES
Cove Road Park is open 24/7 and has a few benches and pavilions, but not restrooms. St. Lucie Inlet Preserve is open 8AM to sunset. There is a small ranger station and restrooms by the boat dock. There is a fee station on the boat dock (a FL State Parks Annual Pass is accepted). The park provides free tram service between the dock and the beach on weekends and holidays from 10AM-4PM. Hobe Sound NWR is open sunrise to sunset; their parking lot and beach access at the north end of Beach Road requires an access fee.
PERMISSION
Cache placed with permission from Dallas Shauan, Park Services Specialist for St. Lucie Inlet Preserve SP and Seabrach Preserve SP. Cache placement is permitted in both parks, but requires approval. Please avoid placements in sensitive areas like the dunes.
FTF
Congrats to Groupertoes for FTF several weeks after publication, especially since you had to brave the current water quality as well as the heat.