Buggie Tour 2008-2014: Final McNeil Comments

Looking across the lagoon towards camp

Austin and I along with 7 other permit holders spent 4 1/2 days at the McNeil Sanctuary, just about all of that time it rained. Although the conditions were not the best, we still had a good time.

Didn't all the scenery pictures I would have liked. Because of the weather, the camera stayed in the back pack most of the time unless we were at a viewing area. I hope some of these photos will give you some idea of the beautiful and serene wilderness we traveled through, it is not easy to describe.

The Guides cabin as seen from the spit

We hiked thru what we can only describe as marsh, soggy, spongy, peat moss type stuff with various vegetation, sedge. Lots of standing & moving water, and waterfalls because of the amount of rain. Slippery water filled trails that were only wide enough in some spots for one foot in front of the other.

Some areas had a boardwalk that was a foot wide with bog like vegetation and grasses over growing the sides. At times the grasses were 3-4 feet high so you had to feel your way along..

over looking tent area of camp

The peanut butter mud in the lagoon was slippery. At times you'd sink ankle deep or more and with other steps you'd just slip and slide.The mud on the upper trails, as described by our guide Tom, was more the consistency of natural peanut butter that you have to stir the oil in to.

the sedge

bear up on the bluff

On some hikes we were able to go straight across the lagoon if the water was low enough. Otherwise it was down and around the Mikfik River until we found spot where we could cross. Once across, we either walked on the rocky shore at the base of the cliffs or we went up and over.