It was a gorgeous evening for a glassy Banks Lake paddle, with bats, sunset, and full moon, September 17, 2024.
![[Banks Lake Full Harvest Moon 2024-09-17, Shirley Kokidko, expedition leader]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-09-17--banks-lake-full-harvest-moon-pictures/fbmany.jpg)
Banks Lake Full Harvest Moon 2024-09-17, Shirley Kokidko, expedition leader
Thanks to Shirley Kokidko for leading this expedition. Continue reading
Update 2025-01-06: Rescheduled: Griffis Camp to Fargo, Suwannee River Paddle 2025-03-01
Come out and join us for a winter paddle on the Suwannee River in this remote 14-mile section of wilderness from Griffis Fish Camp to Fargo.
Very important to dress for a cold day and bring a change of clothes. Everyone must wear a PFD at all times on the water. Have a bow line/rope for your kayak.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, January 11, 2025
Put In: Griffis Fish Camp, 10333 Ga Highway 177 Fargo, Georgia 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel 10 miles northeast; Griffis Fish Camp is on left, in Clinch County.
GPS: 30.7845, -82.446333
![[Griffis Fish Camp to Fargo 2025-01-11, Suwannee River, Dress warmly]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2025-01-11--griffis-fargo-suwannee/fbmany.jpg)
Griffis Fish Camp to Fargo 2025-01-11, Suwannee River, Dress warmly
Update 2024-11-26: Pictures: Banks Lake Full Harvest Moon 2024-09-17.
Come out and join us for a leisurely sunset and full moon paddle.
When: Gather 6:30 PM, launch 7 PM, moonrise 7:31 PM, sunset 7:35 PM, end 8:30 PM, Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
![[Banks Lake Full Harvest Moon 2024-09-17, Banks Lake NWR, Lakeland, Georgia]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-09-17--banks-lake-full-harvest-moon/fbmany.jpg)
Banks Lake Full Harvest Moon 2024-09-17, Banks Lake NWR, Lakeland, Georgia
Update 2024-09-13: Brack Barker got a Floyds Island camping permit for Sunday, November 10. Since Monday, November 11, is a federal holiday, Veterans Day, that should work.
Join us to paddle 9 miles upstream on the Suwannee River for primitive camping on Floyd’s Island in the Okefenokee Swamp.
You must RSVP on meetup to get a spot.
This is the farthest you can get from any road in Georgia, with very dark sky.
You can camp inside the century-old Hebard Cabin, or in your tent or hammock outside.
Yes, you will see gators, and probably other wildlife.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end All Day, Sunday, November 10, 2024
Launch 9 AM, end 1 PM, Monday, November 11, 2024
Put In: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp, 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park in Charlton County.
Continue readingJoin us for a weekend of paddling the Okefenokee Swamp and the Suwannee River, rustic camping, and campfire cooking at Griffis Fish Camp.
Saturday morning we’ll leave camp at 8:30 and drive to Stephen C. Foster State park to launch.
We’ll paddle down Billy’s Lake, pass by Mixon’s Hammock and on through the Narrows and the Sill. If water levels are good we plan to paddle a mile up the Sill and wind our way back down to our lunch stop at the boat ramp by the Sill parking area. Then back on the trail to Griffis for a total of approximately 10 miles. Be prepared to portage your kayak over low spots and deadfall if the water is low.
Back at camp we’ll get the fire going and start cooking! Cooking is always optional but the more the merrier. There is no menu, absolutely anything goes. It’s all for campfire fun. Come sit around the fire and show us what you can do with your old cast iron, or roast hot dogs on a stick. Bring your own plates/bowls/utensils/drinks to help reduce waste.
Sunday morning will be a leisurely packing up, drinking coffee and eating cinnamon rolls cooked by the fire.
![[Campfire Cooking, Griffis Fish Camp 2024-12-13-15, Suwannee River paddle in the Okefenokee Swamp]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-12-13--okefenokee-paddle-cast-iron-cookout/fbmany.jpg)
Campfire Cooking, Griffis Fish Camp 2024-12-13-15, Suwannee River paddle in the Okefenokee Swamp
When: Gather 4 PM, sunset 5:28 PM, Friday, December 13, 2024. Set up camp
Gather 8:45 AM, launch 9:30 AM, Sunset 5:38 PM, Saturday, December 14, 2024. Sunrise is 7:20 AM. Paddle 9.5 miles from SCFSP to Griffis. Build campfire and start cooking.
Sunday, December 15, 2024. Leisurely breakfast and pack up to go home.
Campsite: Griffis Fish Camp, 10333 Ga Highway 177 Fargo, Georgia 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel 10 miles northeast; Griffis Fish Camp is on left in Clinch County.
Campsite GPS: 30.78246, -82.443594
Put In: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp, 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park, in Charlton County. Continue reading
Update 2024-09-13: Got a permit for Sunday, November 10. Okefenokee Floyd’s Island Campout, Suwannee River, Okefenokee Swamp 2024-11-02.
Update 2024-09-04: Didn’t get a permit for November 2, so trying for November 9.
Pending a permit, join us to paddle 9 miles upstream on the Suwannee River for primitive camping on Floyd’s Island in the Okefenokee Swamp.
This is the farthest you can get from any road in Georgia, with very dark sky.
You can camp inside the century-old Hebard Cabin, or in your tent or hammock outside.
Yes, you will see gators, and probably other wildlife.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end All Day, Saturday, November 9, 2024
Launch 9 AM, end 1 PM, Sunday, November 10, 2024
Put In: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp, 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and travel to Stephen C. Foster State Park in Charlton County.
Continue readingUpdate 2024-11-28: Pictures: Banks Lake Full Sturgeon Moon Paddle 2024-08-19.
August’s full moon, called the Sturgeon moon, will be a super moon and a seasonal blue moon, which occurs when there are four full moons in a single astronomical season, instead of the usual three, according to Space.com. These two events make this moon fairly rare, so it will be a sight to see.
When: Gather 7 PM, launch 7:30 PM, moonrise 8:29 PM, sunset 8:10 PM, end 9:15 PM, Monday, August 19, 2024
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
![[Banks Lake Full, Sturgeon Moon Paddle, Alapaha River Water Trail, Seasonal Blue Moon 2024-08-19]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-08-19--banks-lake-full-blue-moon-paddle/fbmany.jpg)
Banks Lake Full, Sturgeon Moon Paddle, Alapaha River Water Trail, Seasonal Blue Moon 2024-08-19
Update 2024-08-12: Cancelled due to water too high and fast, especially in the Suwannee River, which is still rising.
Due to Tropical Storm Debbie, pushed back a week to August 17, 2024.
Paddle 12.3 miles on two rivers.
Our takeout is very close to the Alapaha River Confluence, so most of the day we will enjoy this last section of the Alapaha River. The river has been fluctuating from too low to too high so we are hoping to hit it just right for paddling. There could be some deadfall but this outing is appropriate for anyone.
We will paddle under the ever-busy I-75, but passing that we will reenter quiet wilderness. Everyone must wear a PFD.
We will also paddle up into the Alapaha Rise, off of the Suwannee River, where the Alapaha reemerges after traveling miles underground.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, August 17, 2024
Put In: US Hwy 41 Alapaha River Landing. South side of the road, under the power line, between Jennings and Jasper, FL, in Hamilton County.
![[Alapaha River to Suwannee River 2024-08-17, US 41 to Gibson Park, Up to Alapaha River Rise]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-08-17--alapaha-river-to-suwannee/fbmany.jpg)
Alapaha River to Suwannee River 2024-08-17, US 41 to Gibson Park, Up to Alapaha River Rise
Update 2024-08-12: Cancelled: Alapaha to the Suwannee River Paddle 2024-08-17.
Due to Tropical Storm Debbie, pushed back a week to August 17, 2024.
Paddle 12.3 miles on two rivers.
Our takeout is very close to the Alapaha River Confluence, so most of the day we will enjoy this last section of the Alapaha River. The river has been fluctuating from too low to too high so we are hoping to hit it just right for paddling. There could be some deadfall but this outing is appropriate for anyone.
We will paddle under the ever-busy I-75, but passing that we will reenter quiet wilderness. Everyone must wear a PFD.
We will also paddle up into the Alapaha Rise, off of the Suwannee River, where the Alapaha reemerges after traveling miles underground.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, August 17, 2024
Put In: US Hwy 41 Alapaha River Landing. South side of the road, under the power line, between Jennings and Jasper, FL, in Hamilton County.
Alapaha River to Suwannee River 2024-08-17, US 41 to Gibson Park, Up to Alapaha River Rise
Update 2024-08-12: Cancelled: Alapaha to the Suwannee River Paddle 2024-08-17.
Update 2024-08-04: Rescheduled: Alapaha to the Suwannee River Paddle 2024-08-17.
Paddle 12.3 miles on two rivers.
Our takeout is very close to the Alapaha River Confluence, so most of the day we will enjoy this last section of the Alapaha River. The river has been fluctuating from too low to too high so we are hoping to hit it just right for paddling. There could be some deadfall but this outing is appropriate for anyone.
We will paddle under the ever-busy I-75, but passing that we will reenter quiet wilderness. Everyone must wear a PFD.
We will also paddle up into the Alapaha Rise, off of the Suwannee River, where the Alapaha reemerges after traveling miles underground.
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 3 PM, Saturday, August 10, 2024
Put In: US Hwy 41 Alapaha River Landing. South side of the road, under the power line, between Jennings and Jasper, FL, in Hamilton County.
![[Alapaha River to Suwannee River 2024-08-10, US 41 to Gibson Park, Up to Alapaha River Rise]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-08-10--alapaha-river-to-suwannee/fbmany.jpg)
Alapaha River to Suwannee River 2024-08-10, US 41 to Gibson Park, Up to Alapaha River Rise
![[Floyds Island Campout, Okefenokee Swamp 2024-11-02-03, Suwannee River, Fargo, GA, Stephen C. Foster State Park]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2024-11-02--okefenokee-floyds-island-campout/fbmany.jpg)