The wind was brisk but died down as soon as we started paddling on a warm winter night, to see the sun set and the moon rise over Banks Lake, our mini-Okefenokee just west of Lakeland, Georgia.
![[Banners, Sunset, Moonrise]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-12-18--banks-lake-full-cold-moon-pictures/2021-12-18--many.jpg)
Russell even saw an osprey nest. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Alapaha River Water Trail
History of Alapaha River Bridges, US 41 to Nobles Ferry –Ken Sulak 2021-12-08
Dr. Ken Sulak, USGS, Retired, sent us some things to look for as we paddle the last stretch of the Alapaha River on February 5, 2022.
![[Pictures and Maps, Lower Alapaha River Bridges]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-12-08--history-last-stretch-alapaha-river/many.jpg)
Pictures and Maps, Lower Alapaha River Bridges
For your upcoming [5] Feb Alapaha adventure, some of your folks might be interested in the history of three crossing sites you will encounter. So, here you go very briefly: Continue reading
Last stretch of Alapaha River, US 41 to Gibson Park 2022-02-05
Update 2022-02-06: Pictures: last stretch of the Alapaha River 2022-02-05.
Update 2022-02-01: Expedition leader Shirley Kokidko paddled this stretch, and reports back: “There is limited room for vehicles at the put-in so everyone needs to park up by the highway and carry kayaks down to the river. It is muddy and slippery at the launch. I would not recommend this outing for beginners due to alot of strainers and deadfall in the river with a good current also pushing you along. The water is cold and it is predicted to be a cool day so bring a change of clothes, just in case. Today we saw an eagle, feral hogs, turtles and a lot of ducks.”
Update 2021-12-15: History of Alapaha River Bridges, US 41 to Nobles Ferry –Ken Sulak 2021-12-08.
Paddle it while there’s water; much of the year the Alapaha River is dry down here, at the bottom of the Alapaha River Water Trail.
We’ll also paddle slightly upstream on the Suwannee River to the Alapaha River Rise, which is where the water comes back up from the Dead River Sink when the riverbed is dry in between.
We are dependant on the kindness of the winter wet season. If the Alapaha is dry at this date, we will reschedule until it has water.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, February 5, 2022
Put In: US 41 Alapaha River Landing. South side of the road, under the power line, between Jennings and Jasper, FL, in Hamilton County.
Take Out: Gibson Park Boat Ramp, 6844 SW CR 751, Jasper, FL 32052. Right bank, west side of the Suwannee River. From Jasper, Hamilton County, FL, travel southwest on SW CR 249 to SW CR 751; turn left and boat ramp is on the right in Gibson Park, in Hamilton County.
Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit. Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members.
You can pay the $10 at the outing, or online:
https://wwals.net/outings
We recommend you support the work of WWALS by
becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/#join
![[Bridge, Alapaha River, US 41]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-02-05--last-stretch-alapaha-river/many.jpg)
Bridge, Alapaha River, US 41.
Photos: Bobby McKenzie,
2021-05-07.
Banks Lake Full Cold Moon Paddle, 2021-12-18
Update 2021-12-23: Pictures.
Leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle. Dress warmly in layers.
When: Gather 4:30 PM, launch 5 PM, moonrise 5:10 PM, sunset 5:33 PM, Saturday, December 18, 2021
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
Take Out: Banks Lake Boat Ramp
Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit. Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Lights: You must have a light for your boat or some type of light to have on yourself (glow sticks work well, or head lamp, flashlight, etc.) so other boaters can see you in the dark. It will be totally dark after sunset. You must wear a PFD. A whistle is not required, but it’s a good idea in the dark. Mosquitoes can be bad at dusk so come prepared.
Boats:
Bring your own if you have it.
Thanks to Banks Lake Outdoors for free boat rental for these WWALS Full Moon Paddles.
Please ask for boats at least 2 days prior to the event:
on the web form on
https://wwals.net/outings,
or on the facebook event, the meetup,
or call 850-290-2350.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members.
You can pay the $10 at the outing, or online:
https://wwals.net/outings
We recommend you support the work of WWALS by
becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/#join
![[Moonhead Shirley, 18:14:40, 31.0386478, -83.0772416]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2018-12-22--banks-lake-solstice-moon-paddle/20181222_181440.jpg)
Moonhead Shirley, 18:14:40, 31.0386478, -83.0772416, 2018-12-22.
Rain reschedule: Hike to Dead River Sink, Alapaha River, Jennings Bluff Launch, 2021-11-07
Update 2022-01-09: Pictures: Dead River Sink 2021-11-07.
Saturday is rain all day and cold, so we’re going for 2PM this Sunday, November 7, 2021, when it should be 60 degrees with zero percent chance of rain.
Join us for an approximately three-mile hike down the Dead River to the Dead River Sink, where the Alapaha River goes underground much of the year. We will be led by Practicing Geologist Dennis J. Price of Hamilton County, Florida. He will explain the geology, and how unusual this place is: there’s nothing like it in Florida (or Georgia).
This is a hike: no boat is needed. (Also, SRWMD has made a road right to the Sink, if you don’t want to hike.)
Also, time permitting, on the way out we will park at Jennings Bluff Cemetery and look at the nearby Jennings Bluff Spring.
![[Karst limestone cracks by the Alapaha River, Dead River, Sink, Dennis J. Price]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-07-10--hike-dead-river-sink/many.jpg)
Karst limestone cracks by the Alapaha River, Dead River, Sink, Dennis J. Price
When: Gather 2:00 PM, launch 2:15 PM, end 5:15 PM, Sunday, November 7, 2021
Put In: Jennings Bluff Launch. From Jennings, Hamilton County, FL, travel south on US 41 to NW 25 Lane; turn left; travel east to NW 82 Court and the entrance into the Suwannee River Water Management District’s Jennings Bluff tract; turn left and follow road to canoe launch.
GPS:
30.567183, -83.038911
You’re aiming for the Jennings Bluff Tract entrance. Continue reading
Banks Lake Full Beaver Moon Paddle, 2021-11-19
Join us for a leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle on Banks Lake, our mini-Okefenokee just west of Lakeland, Georgia.
When: Gather 4:45 PM, launch 5:15 PM, moonrise 5:50 PM, sunset 5:32 PM, end 7 PM, Friday, November 19, 2021
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
Take Out: Banks Lake Boat Ramp
Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit. Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Lights: You must have a light for your boat or some type of light to have on yourself (glow sticks work well, or head lamp, flashlight, etc.) so other boaters can see you in the dark. It will be totally dark after sunset. You must wear a PFD. A whistle is not required, but it’s a good idea in the dark. Mosquitoes can be bad at dusk so come prepared.
Boats: Kayaks are available to borrow but please let us know at least 2 days prior to the event. Bring your own if you have it. Thanks to Banks Lake Outdoors for free boat rental for these WWALS Full Moon Paddles.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members.
You can pay the $10 at the outing, or online:
https://wwals.net/outings
We recommend you support the work of WWALS by
becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/#join
![[Sunset and moonrise by Russell McBride 2020-10-01]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-11-19--full-beaver-moon-banks-lake/sunsetmoonrise.jpg)
Sunset and moonrise by Russell McBride 2020-10-01
Willacoochee to Lakeland, Alapaha River, 2021-08-10, 2021-08-19
See the Alapaha River for yourself, in these 360-degree views, on Earthviews, taken in August 2021 by WWALS member Bobby McKenzie.
![[Willacoochee Landing, overhanging branches, GA & FL RR, mile marker, beach, Lakeland Boat Ramp; ARWT map]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-08-19--earthviews-alapaha-river/many.jpg)
Willacoochee Landing @ GA 135 to Berrien Beach Boat Ramp @ GA 168
That’s 19.17 river miles, on August 10, 2021. Continue reading
Banks Lake Full Harvest Moon Paddle 2021-10-20
Leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle, and the last full moon paddle before the time change in November, after which we will have to meet earlier.
When: Gather 6 PM, launch 6:30 PM, moonrise 7:12 PM, sunset 6:54 PM, end 8 AM, Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
Take Out: Banks Lake Boat Ramp
Bring: the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit. Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Lights: You must have a light for your boat or some type of light to have on yourself (glow sticks work well, or head lamp, flashlight, etc.) so other boaters can see you in the dark. It will be totally dark after sunset. You must wear a PFD. A whistle is not required, but it’s a good idea in the dark. Mosquitoes can be bad at dusk so come prepared.
Boats: Kayaks are available to borrow but please let us know at least 2 days prior to the event. Bring your own if you have it. Thanks to Banks Lake Outdoors for free boat rental for these WWALS Full Moon Paddles.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members.
You can pay the $10 at the outing, or online:
https://wwals.net/outings
We recommend you support the work of WWALS by
becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations/#join
![[Passing the fishing pier]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-09-20--banks-lake-full-moon-pictures/20210920_190645.jpg)
Passing the fishing pier, 2021-09-20. Photo: John S. Quarterman.
WWALS calls in the Marines to clean up Pafford’s Landing 2021-07-24
Only two of us showed up at Pafford’s Landing for the July Alapaha River cleanup, due to the weather and the state of the access road. But the Marines were there, with recruits! We got 60 pounds of trash, and the Marines rescued my boat.
![[Pafford's Landing, trash, Alapaha River, Marines, boat, bags, potholes]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-07-24--paffords-landing-cleanup-pictures/many.jpg)
Pafford’s Landing, trash, Alapaha River, Marines, boat, bags, potholes
See also Bobby McKenzie’s facebook video of Marines helping clean up.
Pafford’s Landing is just east of Lakeland, Georgia. It’s a few thousand feet downstream from Lakeland Boat Ramp on GA 122. Both are part of the Alapaha River Water Trail. Continue reading
Atkinson County supports Recreational redesignation, Alapaha River 2021-06-23
We thanked the Atkinson County Commission for this letter, and later got a copy of it. The letter probably helped with GA-EPD deciding to redesignate Recreational an upper segment of the Alapaha River Water Trail, one containing Willacoochee Landing in Atkinson County. More redesignations are possible later. There’s a GA-EPD Update Meeting next week.
![[Letter, Commission, Willacoochee Landing]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-06-23--atkinson-county-epd-recreational/many.jpg)
Letter, Commission, Willacoochee Landing