We made it the 1.24 miles upstream from Naylor Boat Ramp to Hotchkiss Road Landing on the Alapaha River Water Trail in the Naylor Boat Ramp Out and Back paddle outing. Very nice weather, cool and overcast, and just enough water in the river.

Photo: Shirley Kokidko for WWALS, Banners at Hotchkiss Road Landing, Alapaha River, 2020-06-13.

First WWALS Trails Committee Chair Dan Phillips planted the new Naylor Boat Ramp ARWT signs.

Paddlers with signs

Then we headed upstream. This may be a first: every paddler was already a WWALS member.

Paddlers upstream

Thanks to Tasha Ekman LaFace for testing the Alapaha River water beforehand and finding it good to go.

A couple of paddlers were doubtful, but yes, they did it!

Sementha Mathews succeeding

There was a particularly difficult fast current at one spot.

Sementha heading for the beach

Bobby McKenzie left a shirt marking one mile upstream, which was our nominal goal.

Something on the shore

But everybody actually paddled the extra quarter mile up to Hotchkiss Road Landing. That’s in Lanier County, on the left bank (east side) of the river, at the end of Hotchkiss Road.

I was surprised not to find Saturday partiers there, but Shirley Kokidko said the road was washed out.

People on the shore

Don’t get out on the right bank (west side) of the river. That’s private land. Old State Road in Lowndes County is closed to the river, and there is no public takeout there.

That’s a long story, starting with the Lowndes County Commission in February 2013 voting to close that road for one non-resident landowner, despite a petition with hundreds of signatures and a packed meeting room. WWALS asked for an Alapaha River Park, and that’s one reason Naylor Boat Ramp and its park were eventually established, using funds from the Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) approved by the voters of Lowndes County.

Old State Road, Lowndes County (Do Not go there)

Eventually we started back downstream.

Heading back down

Downstream was a lot faster than upstream.

There already?

Back at Naylor Boat Ramp.

Naylor Boat Ramp

There are more pictures on facebook, by

• Sementha Mathews
• Shirley Kokidko
• Bobby McKenzie
• Jenna Lynn Sullivan
• Tasha Ekman LaFace

And no doubt many others.

For more WWALS outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS calendar or the WWALS outings and events web page. WWALS members also get an upcoming list in the Tannin Times newsletter.

 -jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®

You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!

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