Community, water, trees, birds, fish, sunshine, and fun! $50 cash prize for first place, plus awards in numerous categories, or just paddle leisurely. Continue reading
Category Archives: Outing
Pictures: Long Alapaha Outing, GA 135 to GA 168 2016-02-20
You never know on our blackwater rivers in south Georgia and north Florida. The danger! The thrill of the rapids!
OK, it was actually more like paddling on a lake with a current.
The hardest part was when the wind picked up against us a few times.
Sometimes we heard what sounded like rapids, but it was just flotsam lodged against oak trees.
But that’s the point: you really never know until you’re on the water, and on a trip like this with no good takeout until the end of the 18.25 miles, being prepared it much better than not.
The current did make for Continue reading
Expert paddlers get ready for Long Alapaha River Paddle, GA 135 to GA 168 (Berrien Beach) 2016-02-20
Update 2016-02-21: Actually it took 6 hours. Here are some pictures.
The water is high and fast, so expert paddlers only, arrive by 8AM at GA 135 (Atkinson County side), and be ready so we can shuttle quickly and get on the Alapaha River as soon as possible.
It’s a long way and we need to be off the river before dark.
Berrien County Sheriff, game warden, and emergency response have all been advised of this trip, but expert paddlers only, please.
As always, bring personal flotation devices, warm layers of clothes, drinking water, food, and a change of dry clothes.
There is no good place to take out before the end point, so be prepared to paddle all day.
The USGS Gauge at Alapaha, GA shows 9.41 feet this morning, which is a good level. The Statenville gauge shows 17.32, which while well below flood level is also well above our usual recommended high of 9 feet. That Statenville gauge is quite a few river miles (56 miles) below our takeout point at GA 168, so the main bulk of rainfall in the river has apparently already moved downstream. But the water is very high and very fast. You will come up on any deadfalls or overhanging limbs quite quickly. Expert paddlers only. There are many other outings and events coming up that are much better suited for other paddlers.
Continuing our exploration of the entire
Alapaha River Water Trail,
we’re into the longer stretches, including this one.
When: 8AM Saturday 20 February 2016
Put In: GA 135, MILE 106.5, Atkinson County side, 2.8 miles south of Willacoochee, GA, Atkinson County.
Take Out: GA 168 (Berrien Beach), MILE 88.24, N side of GA 168, west side of Alapaha River; float downstream under the bridge to the sand beaches, Berrien County
Duration: 18.25 miles. This paddle could take as long as 9-10 hrs.
Shuttle: Probably more than 30 minutes due to distance.
End time: Around 6PM. Yes, really all day.
Responsible party: Chris Mericle
This outing is Free! But we encourage you to join WWALS today to support our fun outings and important work: https://wwals.net/donations/. Continue reading
Pictures: Withlacoochee River, GA 122 to Franklinville Road 2013-04-20
One of the remotest segments of the Withlacoochee River, yet
with easy access, and when the water was high enough. 
Also one of the least-attended WWALS outings, because we
hadn’t really gotten the hang of
announcing outings yet. But that just made it more intimate for
the three of us who went. I got especially intimate with the river,
choosing to swim twice. I always choose to swim when the water
comes up to meet me…. Eventually I learned not to lean towards
the side you’re tipping towards.
The closest USGS gauge is Continue reading
4th Annual BIG Little River Paddle Race @ BLRPR16
Update 2016-03-05: Poster, flyer, registration form, and a way to pay online!
7AM Saturday May 21st at Reed Bingham State Park, it’s the annual fundraiser for WWALS and Friends of Reed Bingham, back again by popular demand (facebook event, meetup event):
A fun event for good causes. This four mile downstream paddle on flatwater takes you on a winding course through pretty south Georgia forest, under towering cypress trees, past live oaks, coppices of ogeechee tupelo, and majestic pines. The tannin stained blackwaters reflect the beautiful scenery and are typical of the coastal plain. Paddle it to win or just to enjoy. Cash prize to the paddler who finishes first. Medals to top finishers in several categories: male and female solo canoe, male and female solo kayak; male 2 person canoe, female 2 person canoe, mixed 2 person canoe, male tandem kayak, female tandem kayak, mixed tandem kayak. Entrance fee includes a free lunch at the end of the race. Fastest paddlers will complete in under an hour; slow paddlers in 1.5-2 hours. Bring your own boat or rent one from Reed Bingham State Park (advance reservations recommended).
There will be a registration fee, well worth it for the fun, community, and to support your friendly local watershed organization; details to come. Here are last year’s winners.
Meanwhile, these other events coming up sooner are free, Continue reading
WWALS, Sierra Club and Spectrabusters Partner to Fight Sabal Trail Pipeline
Maryvonne Devensky, Chair of Suwannee-St. Johns Group of the Florida Sierra Club Chapter, organized a “plan of action” meeting held yesterday, 01-16-2016 at Suwannee River State Park, to fight the Sabal Trail pipeline. Maryvonne said it is time for Sierra Club to partner with organizations like WWALS and Spectrabusters, who have been in this fight from the beginning, in order to have a united front.
Sabal Trail pipeline meeting pavilion at SRSP
Approximately 40 people came out to get more information about the pipeline and to help strategize what steps to take to stop the pipeline. Attendees included people from as far away as Continue reading
Pictures: A lovely short Little River paddle on a warm winter day 2016-01-16
Gretchen said:
“Oh, what a lovely short paddle on a warm winter day!”
She’d rather be on the river than in an airplane,
as you can see in these pictures she took
of the
WWALS outing from GA-122 in Lowndes County to Lawson Millpond Road in Brooks County yesterday, 16 January 2016.
More outings and events coming up:
- 8AM Saturday 20 February 2016: Long Alapaha River Paddle, GA 135 to Berrien Beach
- 1:30 PM Saturday 27 February 2016: Withlacoochee & Little River Water Trail Workshop
-
9AM Sunday 20 March 2016:
Staten Road bridge to Langdale Park, Withlacoochee River through Valdosta
- 8AM Saturday 23 April 2016: Hotchkiss Road to Mayday, Alapaha River
Watch the Continue reading
Hotchkiss Road to Mayday, Alapaha River 2016-04-23
See the beautiful blackwater Alapaha River while it’s high,
in the middle of the Alapaha River Water Trail,
from Hotchkiss Road in Lanier County to Mayday in Echols County.
When: 8AM Saturday 23 April 2016
Put in: Hotchkiss Road in Lanier County, 30.93669, -83.0406
Take out: Mayday in Echols County, 30.82827, -83.017179
Distance: 12.7 miles
Duration: about 6 hours
Directions: Continue reading
Staten Road bridge to Langdale Park, Withlacoochee River through Valdosta 2016-03-20
Update 2016-03-24: Pictures.
Explore the Withlacoochee River as it meanders thru the edge of Valdosta,
past
Shadrick Sink,
Cherry Creek, and
under
North Valdosta Road,
on the
Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail.
Wave at some of your friends in the houses nearby.
Update 2016-03-19: Yes, there are potholes at Staten Road Bridge, but that never stopped us from paddling. Come on down!
Update 2016-03-14: Langdale Park will be closed, but VLPRA will let us in.
When: 9AM Sunday March 20th 2016
Put in: Staten Road Bridge, 7.1 miles north of Valdosta, Lowndes County.
Take out: Langdale Park Boat Ramp, 3781 N. Valdosta Rd., Valdosta, GA 31602, Lowndes County.
Distance: About 5 miles
Duration: About 2.5 hours
Shuttle: About half an hour
Take out: Langdale Park Boat Ramp
Also passing: Bay Branch, Sermons Branch (if that is its real name), Withlacoochee Slough at Cherry Creek, Cherry Creek Sink, and Stillhouse Branch coming out of Valdosta Country Club.
Responsible party: Chris Mericle
Local host: John S. Quarterman
Directions from Valdosta: head north on Ashley Street, turn left on Oak Street Extension,
Directions from I-75: take exit 22, go east on North Valdosta Road, left on Perimeter Road, left on Oak Street, continue onto Staten Road, cross Orr Road, and after about 2/3 of a mile just before the bridge, turn off to the right.
Too low: we’re guessing 2 feet on either the at Skipper Bridge or US 41 gauges.
Too high: flood stage is 15 feet at Skipper Bridge and at US 41.
This outing is Free! But we encourage you to join WWALS today to support our fun outings and important work: /donations/. See our newsletters, and the press Releases and news. And consider joining the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail Committee.
Backup in case of low or high water:
Where: Ray’s Millpond
When: 9AM March 20th 2016
Directions: From Valdosta, north on Bemis Road (GA 125) to Ray City, right on Jones St. to boat ramp.
Coming up even sooner:
- 10 AM Saturday 16 January 2016: Little River Paddle, GA 122 to Lawson Millpond Road
- 8AM Saturday 20 February 2016: Long Alapaha River Paddle, GA 135 to Berrien Beach
- 1:30 PM Saturday 27 February 2016: Withlacoochee & Little River Water Trail Workshop
For more outings and events as they are posted, see the WWALS calendar.
-jsq
You can join this fun and work by becoming a WWALS member today!
WWALS at Grand Bay –Pictures by Gretchen Quarterman 2015-12-12
It was a fine warm fall day for the Grand Bay Hike,
on the boardwalk through wet savannah and cypress and blackgum swamp
at
Grand Bay Wildlife Management Area,
which is on the
Alapaha River Water Trail.
Thanks to Bret Wagenhorst for organizing this outing.
Carol Cleary Herndon also posted a facebook album.
These pictures are from Gretchen Quarterman’s facebook album.
More outings coming up: Continue reading