Update 2023-06-24: Work in progress at Lakeland Boat Ramp 2023-06-20.
A good trip for experienced adult paddlers: deadfalls to paddle around or climb over, the famous rapids, The Rocks, plenty of sandy beaches for lunching or swimming beside, a mysterious platform that may be the remains of a very narrow bridge, all in a fine summer day on the Alapaha River, July 11, 2015.
Collage, Lakeland to Naylor 08:30:00, 31.0458222, -83.0433889
It took us seven hours to paddle the fourteen river miles from Lakeland Boat Ramp, on GA 122 east of Lakeland, to Hotchkiss Road Landing. We were all experienced paddlers with plenty of supplies, especially water.
If you are a family with small children, please do not try this: it’s too far. There have been cases of such families calling 911 and having to be rescued.
A much more reasonable family paddle is Lakeland to Burnt Church Landing. That’s about two miles, and can be done in an hour. Or make it a leisurely paddle and still it should be doable.
FYI, Paffords Landing, just downstream from Lakeland Boat Ramp, is closed for the forseeable future. This is because too many people left trash and shot up things.
All these distances are in the WWALS web page for the Alapaha River Water Trail Access Points.
The water level on July 11, 2015, was about 2 feet (78.1′ NAVD88) on the Statenville Gauge. That is also our lowest level recommendation for our starting point, The entire trip was in Lanier County, Georgia.
We previously published some of Gretchen Quarterman’s pictures. But she had more, using both her iphone and a camera, plus I had some. So here is a selection combined. Yes, a selection, even though there are 212 pictures below. Click on any small picture to see a larger version.
There are also some videos, which will follow.
For more WWALS outings and events, see:
https://wwals.net/outings/
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/
LBRGQ
Chris Graham, Bret Wagenhorst’s guest, Deanna Mericle, at Lakeland Boat Ramp, –GQ C2 08:38:13, 31.0458222, -83.0433889
ITWGQ
Phaeotremella foliacea, a fungus parasitic on the mycelium of Stereum sanguinolentum, a fungus that grows on dead attached and recently fallen branches of conifers, –GQ C2 08:34:10, 31.0448944, -83.0448611
Phaeotremella foliacea in the woods above Lakeland Boat Ramp, –GQ C2 08:34:13, 31.0449833, -83.0449833
SFGQ
Sofa, –GQ C2 08:46:03, 31.0421528, -83.0446083
SAPLGQ
Upstream, South access, Paffords Landing, –GQ C2 08:48:28, 31.0421528, -83.0446083
Downstream, south access, Paffords Landing, –GQ C2 08:48:57, 31.0421083, -83.0446611
South access, Paffords Landing, Alapaha River, –GQ C2 08:48:35, 31.0421528, -83.0446083
Beach across from Paffords Landing, –GQ C2 08:48:40, 31.0421083, -83.0446389
PWMGQ
Posted, No Trespassing, Pinecrest Wildlife Management, No Hunting, –GQ C2 08:48:51, 31.0420889, -83.0446778
PPLGQ
Palmettos, Paffords Landing, –GQ C2 08:50:16, 31.0424944, -83.0438472
TPLGQ
Tire, Paffords Landing, –GQ C2 08:53:33, 31.0434222, -83.0432500
ELBRGQ
Embarking, Lakeland Boat Ramp, –GQ C2 09:05:24, 31.0458861, -83.0436083
OTWGQ
Hats on, –GQ C2 09:05:42, 31.0458917, -83.0435556
BWGGQ
Bret Wagenhorst and guest, –GQ C2 09:08:07, 31.0458806, -83.0435722
MRGQ
Many roots, –GQ C2 09:11:26, 31.0495778, -83.0431278
SO
Just below Lakeland Boat Ramp, –jsq 09:11:04
Chris Mericle, –jsq 09:12:50, 31.0449943, -83.0433884
Steep bluff below Paffords Landing, –jsq 09:18:44, 31.0419884, -83.0440979
Bear left around the beach, –jsq 09:18:57, 31.0419826, -83.0441818
LakelandGQ1
Shirley Kokidko and the flotilla –GQ C1, 08:22:58
LWPLGQ1
Two boats at Lakeland-Waycross Power Line –GQ C1, 08:39:19, 31.0401320, -83.0460730
LWPL
Lakeland-Waycross Power Line, –jsq 09:22:57, 31.0401320, -83.0460730
Passing Lakeland-Waycross Power Line, –jsq 09:22:59, 31.0398350, -83.0461578
One boat at Lakeland-Waycross Power Line –GQ C1, 08:39:22, 31.0398350, -83.0461578
DFRB
Deadfall on right bank, –jsq 09:36:16, 31.0349178, -83.0490417
GQES
Gretchen Quarterman at eroded sand, –jsq 09:39:07, 31.0320000, -83.0485000
WV
Wrested vegetation, –jsq 09:41:59, 31.0291138, -83.0475540
Fishing
Caught a fish, –jsq 09:45:06, 31.0291138, -83.0475540
ITGQ
Impressive trees, –GQ C2 09:49:05, 31.0261528, -83.0471417
RSGQ
Red swirls, –GQ C2 09:49:18, 31.0260722, -83.0471417
ASfRBGQ
A seep from the riverbank, –GQ C2 09:54:46, 31.0247194, -83.0474472
Movie: A seep from the riverbank, –GQ C2 09:50:56, (8.0M) 31.0261167, -83.0471111
Movie: Same seep from the riverbank, –GQ C2, (8.0M) 31.0261167, -83.0471111
MPGQ
Privet?, –GQ C2, 10:03:44, 31.0229500, -83.0729444
IMG 1251, –GQ C2, 10:03:55, 31.0216611, -83.0430667
IMG 1252, –GQ C2, 10:03:58, 31.0216611, -83.0430667
IMG 1253, –GQ C2, 10:04:03, 31.0216611, -83.0430667
IMG 1254, –GQ C2, 10:04:06, 31.0216611, -83.0430667
DFRBGQ1
Beach and deadfalls –GQ C1, 08:42:18
ABRBGQ1
Around right bank beach –GQ C1, 08:45:01
TERGQ1
Tree with exposed roots –GQ C1, 08:45:11
BWGGQ1
Bret Wagenhorst and guest –GQ C1, 08:47:33
BWTGQ1
Beach with tree –GQ C1, 08:48:12
CKGQ1
Cypress knees –GQ C1, 08:49:56
GTGQ1
GQESGQ1
Eroded sand –GQ C1, 08:53:52, 31.0349178, -83.0490417
FiSGQ1
Footprints in sand –GQ C1, 08:55:08
NSGQ1
ITGQ1
Imposing tree –GQ C1, 09:04:24
IRGQ1
Idyllic river –GQ C1, 09:04:41
P1GQ1
P4GQ1
Four paddlers –GQ C1, 09:17:21
P5GQ1
Five paddlers –GQ C1, 09:18:03
DFRBGQ1
Deadfalls on right bank –GQ C1, 09:28:03
BttLGQ1
Bend to the left –GQ C1, 09:29:00
UlBGQ1
Undercut left bank –GQ C1, 09:44:29, 31.0218258, -83.0336533
PNGQ1
Pogo’s nose, right bank, with five paddlers –GQ C1, 09:45:07, 31.0218258, -83.0336533
DaRGQ1
Deadfall across river –GQ C1, 09:55:13
DF
Dragonfly, –jsq 10:14:24, 31.0212669, -83.0412445
PN
Undercut bank, –jsq 10:28:30, 31.0218258, -83.0336533
DF
Deadfall across river, –jsq 10:41:19, 31.0188293, -83.0349274
BT
Bird Tracks, –jsq 10:53:50, 31.0171413, -83.0324783
DFLB
Deadfall on left bank, –jsq 11:07:51, 31.0171413, -83.0324783
CoDGQ
Climb over deadfall, –GQ C2, 11:16:02, 31.0150194, -83.0341111
HP
Happy paddler, –jsq 11:25:05, 31.0148659, -83.0340423
EBGQ
Eroded bluff, –GQ C2, 11:44:06, 31.0097306, -83.0307694
SB
Sand bank, –jsq 11:44:58, 31.0099087, -83.0301666
LBGQ
Lunch beach, –GQ C2 12:16:48, 31.0084278, -83.0229639
WWALS banner at lunch beach, –GQ C2 12:17:01, 31.0082861, -83.0230861
Swimming at lunch beach, –GQ C2 12:20:48, 31.0082778, -83.0230944
Standing paddle at lunch beach, –GQ C2 12:20:54, 31.0082778, -83.0230944
SLS
Lunching, –jsq 12:25:52, 31.0098743, -83.0301590
Swimmer at lunch beach, –GQ C2 12:38:16, 31.0175139, -83.0577389
Portrait lunch beach, –GQ C2 12:38:43, 31.0083250, -83.0229722
Landscape lunch beach, –GQ C2 12:38:48, 31.0083250, -83.0229722
Shirley Lunch beach, –GQ C2 12:39:03, 31.0083333, -83.0229639
Movie: Joking at lunch, –jsq 12:40:00, (13M) 30.9396896, -83.0426636
Banner: Chris and Deanna Mericle, Gretchen Quarterman, Mike Sims Jr., Chris Graham, Shirley Kokidko, –jsq 12:42:10, 31.0082779, -83.0231476
jsq selfie Banner: Chris and Deanna Mericle, Gretchen Quarterman, Mike Sims Jr., Chris Graham, Shirley Kokidko, –jsq 12:42:25, 31.0082779, -83.0231476
WBGQ
Chris and Deanna Mericle, jsq, Mike Sims Jr., Chris Graham, Shirley Kokido, WWALS banner, –GQ C2 12:43:10, 31.0083000, -83.0231028
Chris and Deanna Mericle, jsq, Mike Sims Jr., Chris Graham, Shirley Kokido, WWALS banner, –GQ C2 12:43:14, 31.0083000, -83.0231028
jsq selfie with WWALS banner, –GQ C2 12:42:48, 31.0082861, -83.0231167
Gretchen taking a banner picture, –jsq 12:43:14, 31.0082760, -83.0231476
OTGQ
Owl, –GQ C2 12:49:25, 31.0074889, -83.0226583
Portrait owl, –GQ C2 12:50:56, 31.0074806, -83.0227667
Movie: Owl flying and climbing, –GQ C2 12:51:38, (24M) 31.0074861, -83.0227583
FB
Fish beds, –jsq 12:57:20, 31.0059757, -83.0218811
PFLBGQ
Portrait platform, left bank, –GQ C2 13:01:05, 31.0054500, -83.0205222
PFLB
Closeup platform on left bank, –jsq 13:01:05, 31.0051000, -83.0206500
Platform on left bank, –jsq 13:00:28, 31.0054245, -83.0205154
jsq, platform, left bank, –GQ C2 13:01:07, 31.0054500, -83.0205222
SBGQ
Steep bluff, –GQ C2 13:48:42, 30.9841583, -83.0291444
BttL
Bend to the left, –jsq 13:49:33, 30.9834862, -83.0294494
RSGQ1
WSGQ1
CMSGQ1
Chris Mericle swimming –GQ C1, 09:59:59
DaLGQ1
Disembarking at a log –GQ C1, 10:28:38
jsqWWALSGQ1
jsq with WWALS sign –GQ C1, 10:28:48
RBBALGQ1
Red boat boofing across log –GQ C1, 10:28:51
SKotLGQ1
Shirley Kokidko on the log –GQ C1, 10:28:54
STRGQ1
Scouting the Rocks –GQ C1, 13:07:47
NTR
Small island at The Rocks, –jsq 13:52:30, 30.9829540, -83.0292511
On land at The Rocks, –jsq 13:53:51, 30.9829826, -83.0292663
Movie: Scouting The Rocks –jsq,(9.6M) 30.9829826, -83.0292663
CGTRGQ1
Chris Graham getting ready at The Rocks –GQ C1, 13:10:36
TTRGQ1
Movie: Chris Graham –GQ C1, jsq, through The Rocks, 13:10:37 (37M)
TR
The Rocks, –jsq 13:57:43, 30.9829006, -83.0293197
Movie: Below The Rocks –jsq, (11M) 30.9829006, -83.0293197
Wheel and tire at The Rocks, –jsq 13:58:13, 30.9821930, -83.0297775
TRR
The Rocks white water, –jsq 13:58:43, 30.9822082, -83.0297928
Movie: White water, The Rocks –jsq, (9.8M) 30.9822082, -83.0297928
Flowers in the water at The Rocks, –jsq 13:59:12, 30.9822884, -83.0298233
Floating plants at The Rocks, –jsq 13:59:14, 30.9822884, -83.0298233
GTRGQ
Gretchen Quarterman through The Rocks, 13:59:31, 30.9823131, -83.0297851
PTR
Gretchen Shooting The Rocks, –jsq 13:59:31, 30.9823131, -83.0297851
Movie: Gretchen through The Rocks –jsq, (61M) 30.9823131, -83.0297851
Movie: Mike Sims Jr. through The Rocks –jsq, (31M) 30.9823131, -83.0297851
Movie: Deanna Mericle through The Rocks (5.2M)
Movie: Deanna Mericle through The Rocks –jsq, (33M) 30.9823131, -83.0297851
Movie: Shirley Kokidko through The Rocks (14M)
Movie: Shirley through The Rocks –jsq, (2.6M) 30.9823131, -83.0297851
Movie: Shirley Kokidko sideways through The Rocks –jsq, (32M) 30.9823131, -83.0297851
Movie: Chris Mericle through The Rocks (5.0M)
Movie: Chris Mericle through The Rocks –jsq, (33M) 30.9823131, -83.0297851
TR5
Five through The Rocks, –jsq 14:01:52, 30.9823799, -83.0297394
ATRGQ1
After The Rocks –GQ C1, 13:18:27
Ready to go on –GQ C1, 13:19:09
Chris Graham and jsq –GQ C1, 13:19:46
CBGQ
Crossbeam, –GQ C2 14:11:07, 30.9787056, -83.0305250
RSHGQ
River South Holdings house, –GQ C2 14:11:56, 30.9781694, -83.0304722
GBB
Gretchen below a bluff, –jsq 14:12:06, 30.9780000, -83.0307000
SWGQ
Weeds on sand bank, –GQ C2 14:18:40, 30.9752472, -83.0337528
NBRB
Nice beach, right bank, –jsq 14:18:46, 30.9753990, -83.0340194
ABRB
Plant on a beach, right bank, –jsq 14:34:38, 30.9716434, -83.0359421
Chamber bitter, Phyllanthus urinaria, on a beach, right bank, –jsq 14:34:45, 30.9716072, -83.0359421
GHPT
Gretchen at a hairpin right bend, –jsq 14:35:58, 30.9716072, -83.0359421
OTRGQ1
Mike Sims Jr., Chris M., Chris G. –GQ C1, 13:21:26
RBGQ1
DRBGQ1
Deadfall on right bank –GQ C1, 13:42:23
UOHGQ1
Under some overhanging trees –GQ C1, 13:57:37
MRSGQ1
More red sand –GQ C1, 13:59:53
CRGQ1
SPLGQ1
Movie: jsq in the Alapaha River –GQ C1, 14:17:45 (5.0M)
DTGQ
Dead Tree, –GQ C2 15:10:09, 30.9599944, -83.0357444
BHPLGQ
Beach and house off Purvis Lane, –GQ C2 15:11:54, 30.9592028, -83.0370944
House off Purvis Lane, –GQ C2 15:12:47, 30.9592028, -83.0370944
Closeup house off Purvis Lane, –GQ C2 15:14:04, 30.9593444, -83.0374750
Leaving house off Purvis Lane, –GQ C2 15:14:14, 30.9593861, -83.0375139
HPL
House off of Purvis Lane, MOORE VIRGIL L, 745 GOOD HOPE RD, NAYLOR, GA 31641, –jsq 15:14:45, 30.9590339, -83.0369644
CoBGQ
Concrete on bank, –GQ C2 15:16:02, 30.9588056, -83.0381250
Concrete blocks on bank, –GQ C2 15:16:19, 30.9587167, -83.0380694
Swimming below Purvis Lane –GQ C1, 14:39:42, 30.9587000, -83.0378000
RASPGQ1
Right around a sand spit –GQ C1, 14:42:01
PTRBGQ1
Projecting tree, right bank –GQ C1, 14:45:13
UOTGQ1
Under an overhanding tree –GQ C1, 15:10:45
LBnCKGQ1
Left bank near Cherry Creek –GQ C1, 15:14:09
jsqabGQ1
jsq approaching a beach –GQ C1, 15:16:45
TIGQ1
SSGQ
Straight stretch, –GQ C2 15:27:55, 30.9574333, -83.0367889
Deadfall, left bank, straight stretch, –GQ C2 15:28:20, 30.9572917, -83.0366528
HRBGQ
House, right bank, –GQ C2 15:42:48, 30.9522222, -83.0412667
Closeup house, right bank, –GQ C2 15:43:12, 30.9520250, -83.0413139
Concrete slabs below house, right bank, –GQ C2 15:43:22, 30.9519556, -83.0413056
More concrete slabs, –GQ C2 15:43:46, 30.9517583, -83.0411611
AHPL
Another house off Purvis Lane, MOORE RAYMOND L & WENDY, –jsq 104 GANAS RD, NAYLOR, GA 31641, 15:44:28, 30.9522838, -83.0412826
TCC
Trees at Cherry Creek, –jsq 16:05:06, 30.9396896, -83.0426636
MDGQ
Boats in truck at Hotchkiss Road Landing, –GQ C2 16:17:31, 30.9370083, -83.0406583
-jsq, John S. Quarterman, Suwannee RIVERKEEPER®
You can help with clean, swimmable, fishable, drinkable, water in the 10,000-square-mile Suwannee River Basin in Florida and Georgia by becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/
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