WWALS Science Committee Chair Dr. Tom Potter found in the November 2022 issue of FGS News and Research this article: Geology in …the Real Florida ℠ – Big Shoals State Park
![[Upstream and Downstream, Big Shoals, Suwannee River, FGS]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-11-17--fgs-big-shoals/many.jpg)
Upstream and Downstream, Big Shoals, Suwannee River, FGS
Over a length of nearly 600 feet, the Suwannee River loses 10 feet of elevation. That’s 1 foot down for every 60 linear feet as one travels downriver. Though this may not sound like much, Continue reading
Four is enough for a fun Suwannee River paddle and portage around Big Shoals. Thanks to Bobby McKenzie for leading us.
![[Put In, Portage, Big Shoals, Bell Springs Run, Little Shoals, US 41]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-05-19--big-shoals-pictures/many.jpg)
Put In, Portage, Big Shoals, Bell Springs Run, Little Shoals, US 41
There are many more pictures on the WWALS website, with copies on facebook.
Dennis Price will lead us through the same stretch on Continue reading
Update 2022-03-28: Peacock Springs to Suwannee, FL, Suwannee River 2022-03-28.
He’s made it to Dowling Park River Camp on the Suwannee River: Danny “DB” Marsh on his thousand mile loop from Fernandina Beach and back. When he gets cell service, he updates his website.
![[Big Shoals, Woods Ferry, Eddies, Holton Creek River Camp]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-03-23--db-marsh/many.jpg)
Big Shoals, Woods Ferry, Eddies, Holton Creek River Camp
He’s having the usual kind of river misadventures. This is an example of why it’s usually not a good idea to boat alone.
About 1 AM it was about time to make camp. I pulled up to a steep bank next to the I-75 Bridge. I stepped off the kayak onto what I thought was a white sand bank. It was not sand at all, but very slippery white clay. My feet went out from under me and in the next instant I was swimming.
Continue reading
Due to high water, we have rescheduled the Saturday paddle to become a 2-hour easy hike from Bell Springs to Big Shoals on the Suwannee River, led by Practicing Geologist Dennis J. Price of Hamilton County, Florida. Here’s a way to see Florida’s only Class III rapids with no need for a boat.
When: Gather 8 AM, caravan 9 AM, hike 9:30 AM, end 12 PM, Saturday, March 19, 2022
Put In: Nature & Heritage Tourism Center, 10499 Spring St, White Springs, FL 32096, at the corner of Bridge and Spring Street.
GPS: 30.32947, -82.759426
Take Out: Meet at the Tourism Center, sign in, and Dennis will lead a caravan to Bell Springs, where the hike begins and ends.
Bring: hiking boots and clothes, drinking water, 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
![[Map: Bell-Springs to Big Shoals]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-03-19--hike-bell-springs-big-shoals/map-bell-springs-big-shoals.jpg)
Map: Bell-Springs to Big Shoals
Update 2024-05-14: Pictures: Cypress Creek South (CR 6) to Cone Bridge, Suwannee River 2019-05-04.
Rescheduled due to low water. Now we’re starting at Cypress Creek Launch on CR 6, and paddling to Cone Bridge Ramp.
A quiet, tranquil 9.4 mile section of the Suwannee River on a paddle appropriate for paddlers of any level.
When: Gather 9:00 AM, Launch 9:30 AM, Saturday, May 4, 2019
Put In:
Cypress Creek South Launch @ CR 6.
From White Springs, Travel north on CR 135 to SR 6, turn right; travel east to the bridge. At the foot of the bridge, turn left onto road shoulder and follow the road to the river.
From Valdosta, GA, travel south on I-75 to exit 460 for FL-6 toward Jasper, FL; travel east 11.4 miles, turn right to stay on FL 6. Continue through Jasper onto Hatley Street, which becomes CR 6.
Continue 14.5 miles to the left turnoff just before the Suwannee River.
GPS: 30.50737, -82.71711
Take Out: Cone Bridge Ramp. From Lake City, travel north on US 441 to NW Cone Bridge Road; turn left and follow road to ramp.
Bring: a rope to drag your boat, 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. We recommend you support the work of WWALS by becoming a WWALS member today!
Photo: John S. Quarterman,
Cypress Creek South Launch, 2016-09-05.
This paddle is on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail (SRWT). Continue reading
Update 2019-04-18: Due to low water, changed to Cypress Creek South (CR 6) to Cone Bridge, Suwannee River, still May 4, 2019.
This 15.6 mile paddle includes a strenuous portage around Big Shoals, the biggest whitewater rapids in Florida and paddling over a smaller set of rapids at Little Shoals. Due to the portage which involves climbing up and down steep, sandy banks with kayaks, carrying kayaks 300 feet and lifting over downed trees, this trip is listed as difficult. You must be physically able to get back into your kayak on the slippery edge of this swift moving section of the Suwannee River. We help each other as much as possible, but ultimately you are responsible for your boat. We will take a break at the shoals and enjoy the outstanding view. No one is paddling over the shoals and this portage is the only way around.
When: Gather 8:30 AM, Launch 10 AM, Thursday, May 4, 2019
Put In: Cone Bridge Ramp, From Lake City, travel north on US 441 to NW Cone Bridge Road; turn left and follow road to ramp in Columbia County.
Take Out: Suwannee Wayside Ramp, From White Springs, travel south on US 41 to the river; the ramp is on the south side in the town park. Hamilton County.
Bring: a rope to drag your boat, 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. We recommend you support the work of WWALS by becoming a WWALS member today!
Photo: Gretchen Quarterman, Cone Bridge Boat Ramp, 2015-11-22
This paddle is on the Suwannee River Wilderness Trail (SRWT). Continue reading