Tag Archives: Outing

Florida Campsites Ramp to SRSP, Withlacoochee River Paddle 2016-06-04

A rock field, many springs, and shoals add to the beautiful landscape There is a chair on top of that concrete of one of the finest stretches of River you may ever paddle! Mostly on the Withlacoochee River, plus just after Suwanoochee Spring, we turn left up the Suwannee River to Suwannee River State Park (SRSP). Will the chair still be there, on top of the old bridge pier?

When: 7:30 AM, Saturday, June 4th 2016
facebook event, meetup.

Duration: 13.3 miles  about 7 hours

Put in: Florida Campsites Ramp
MILE 13.3, 2137 NW 47th St, Jasper, FL 32052
30.501128, -83.242411

Directions: Continue reading →

Pictures: Staten Road to Langdale Park, Withlacoochee River 2016-03-20

20 people in 17 boats on an astoundingly beautiful rural blackwater river into the biggest city in the entire Suwannee River Basin: Boat parade! 30.9315739, -83.2905044 here are pictures from the WWALS outing from Staten Road Bridge in Lowndes County to Langdale Park on the edge of Valdosta, both in south Georgia, Spring Equinox, Sunday 20 March 2016. Thanks to everyone who came, especially to WWALS Outings Chair Chris Mericle for leading the expedition, and to Georgia Page, Steve, and Travis of the Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Recreation Authority (VLPRA) for letting us into Langdale Park even though it was closed for renovations. Gretchen Quarterman went on Charlie Walker’s 99.5 KIX Country radio show the next morning to tell everybody about it. Continue reading →

Fourth Annual BIG Little River Paddle Race 2016-05-21

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 →

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!

After WWALS banner by Gretchen Quarterman 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. 2015-02-19 to 2016-02-19 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.

2015-02-19 to 2016-02-19

Continuing our exploration of the entire Alapaha River Water Trail, Tall from Willacoochee we’re into the longer stretches, including this one.

Events: facebook, meetup.

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. Unter den acer 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):

Paddling downstream 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 →

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!” Getting in the flow. 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:

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.

Events: facebook or meetup.

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, Back along the bank 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.

Event: facebook or meetup.

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.

Map from Staten Road Bridge to Langdale Park Boat Ramp

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:

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!