The second Suwannee River Chainsaw Cleanup went well. Got a little hot in the middle, and rained towards the end.
![[Chainsawing deadfalls, Suwannee River 2023-06-10]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-06-10--suwannee-chainsaw-pictures/many.jpg)
Chainsawing deadfalls, Suwannee River 2023-06-10
But the rain came only after we cleared four deadfalls above Fargo Ramp and Reeves Landing: Continue reading
Update 2023-07-31: After a scouting trip it has been determined this outing is NOT for beginners. The river is low but some of the rocky shoals, ledges and chutes are challenging.
Parking for the takeout at Mayday is soft dirt/sand and not suitable for vehicles that can’t handle rough conditions.
We’re not canceling unless the river drops too low or in case of thunderstorms. We also have some outings coming up that will be more suitable for all paddlers.
Paddle 11.24 miles on the Alapaha from Naylor to Mayday, through significant shoals, past several creeks.
Shirley Kokidko, leading this paddle, says, “I really want the shuttle to begin on time at 9, Mayday is a popular beach and parking is helter skelter.”
Suwannee Riverkeeper John S. Quarterman noted, “You can help us solve the mystery of why is Cow Creek always foaming.”
Shirley adds, “Be prepared at the end to climb up the sandhill at Mayday. It’s tough getting boats uphill in the deep sand, I’m not sure wheels are much help.”
When: Gather 9 AM, launch 10 AM, end 4 PM, Saturday, August 12, 2023
Put In: Naylor Boat Ramp, 6955 US 84 E, Naylor, GA 31641, right bank, west of the river, north of US 84, in Lowndes County.
![[River Bend Rapids, Foaming Cow Creek, Naylor Landing Sandhill 2016-05-07]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2023-08-12--naylor-to-mayday-alapaha-river/many.jpg)
River Bend Rapids, Foaming Cow Creek, Naylor Landing Sandhill 2016-05-07
Here are some previously-unpublished videos of a string of rapids on the Alapaha River between US 84 and Mayday.
They include Continue reading
Update 2024-06-14: Alapahoochee River Cleanup 2024-07-21.
So many deadfalls, seeps, and things in the Alapahoochee Adventure 2022-07-09 that I’m posting pictures in several parts.
First, here is from GA 135 across the GA-FL line to Beaty Bridge. And it turns out we’ve been spelling it wrong for years: it’s Beaty Bridge with one letter t.
Thanks to Shirley Kokidko for organizing this outing, and for the small but intrepid crew who drove as much as two and a half hours to get there.
![[Collage, Alapahoochee Adventures 2022-07-09]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-07-09--alapahoochee-adventure-pictures/many.jpg)
Collage, Alapahoochee Adventures 2022-07-09
Next: Devil Shoal and Turket Falls. Continue reading
Update 2023-01-12: Suwannee River Chainsaw Cleanup Again 2023-01-28.
This chainsaw cleanup finished well before dark, Suwannee River, Griffis to Fargo 2022-12-29. Thanks, TJ Johnson for leading it, and Shirley Kokidko for getting the wettest.
![[Griffis, Deadfall, Gauge, Fargo 2022-12-29]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-29--suwannee-pictures/many.jpg)
Griffis, Deadfall, Gauge, Fargo 2022-12-29
The Fargo gauge was about 2.47 feet (93.07′ NAVD88) and the Above Fargo gauge was about 4.93′ (95.93′ NAVD88).
We found one deadfall already cut and we cut another one.
We found three more: one to duck and float under, one to drag under to the left, and one requiring portage. We shall return.
We saw the mysteriously-placed Suwannee River above Fargo Gauge. The GOPRO360 photographed three creeks: Jones (or Tatum) Creek, Sweetwater Creek, and Alligator Creek, or at least those look like creek mouths more or less where USGS thinks they are.
We saw a new-to-us private landing and got pictures of it and the six others between Griffis Fish Camp and Fargo Ramp.
Also the closed bats-in-the-belfry Suwannee River Visitor Center at Fargo. Continue reading
Update 2023-01-04: Pictures: Griffis to Fargo, Suwannee River 2022-12-29.
Come help chainsaw some deadfalls on a longish Suwannee River paddle.
You do not have to actually use a chainsaw, but if you’ve got one and know how to use it in a boat, bring it along.
The days are short, so be at Fargo Ramp by 8AM, so we can do a reverse shuttle, carrying the boats up to Griffis Fish Camp. The weather prediction is sunny and warm: low 51, high 71.
When: Gather 8 AM, launch 8:30 AM, end 4:30 PM, Thursday, December 29, 2022
Put In: Griffis Fish Camp
Take Out: Fargo Ramp
Free: This outing is free to everyone because it is a cleanup.
However, bring $2 in cash for the put-in fee at Griffis Fish Camp.
We recommend you support the work of WWALS by
becoming a WWALS member today!
https://wwals.net/donations
![[Map: Griffis Fish Camp to Fargo Ramp in WWALS SRWT]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-19--chainsaw-cleanup-suwannee-river/2022-12-24--map-griffis-fargo-srwt.jpg)
Map: Griffis Fish Camp to Fargo Ramp
in the WWALS
map of the Suwannee River Water Trail (SRWT)
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. And a chainsaw, if you have one and know how to use it.
Boats: bring your own if you have it.
If you need a boat,
Continue reading
Quite a few happy boaters, on a balmy weekday at an early start time, saw the sun set and the moon already rising, on the Banks Lake Full Cold Moon Paddle.
Thanks to Shirley Kokidko for leading it.
![[Banners, Kayak Raffle Winner, Sunset, Moonrise, Banks Lake 2022-12-07]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-07--banks-lake-full-cold-moon-pictures/many.jpg)
Banners, Kayak Raffle Winner, Sunset, Moonrise, Banks Lake 2022-12-07
The next one is Friday, January 6, 2023.
Please make your boat reservations in advance. If we know more boats are wanted than the limited number at Banks Lake Outdoors, we can bring more, but not if we don’t know.
And please get there before the safety lecture. If you show up after that, we don’t like to, but we will turn you away. Gather time and paddle time are posted for each paddle outing. The safety lecture is before we paddle. Continue reading
Update 2022-12-07: Pictures: Banks Lake Full Cold Moon paddle 2022-12-07.
Update 2022-12-07: Video: Kayak raffle winner @ Banks Lake Full Cold Moon paddle 2022-12-07.
Take a mid-week break on Banks Lake, with a leisurely Sunset and Full Moon Paddle.
When: Gather 4 PM, launch 4:30 PM, moonrise 5:07 PM, sunset 5:31 PM, end 6:30 PM, Wednesday, December 7, 2022
Put In: Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Georgia 122, Lakeland, GA 31635, in Lanier County, on the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT).
Continue readingUpdate 2022-11-08:
Tickets for the Refuge fee:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/okefenokee-paddle-and-floyds-island-camping-tickets-464297485277?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
Because of the time change from DST to EST, the sun will set at 5:30 PM,
so Shirley has moved the gather and launch times an hour earlier,
to “give everyone time to get to Floyd’s and set up camp before it gets dark.
Saturday we will be on the water by 9 a.m. so come early enough (8 AM) to have your boat loaded. Remember to have a bow line on your kayak to tie off at Minnie’s Shelter, the only rest stop. It may also come in handy if we have to get out and drag through low spots. If we want a campfire, it helps to carry firewood. I’ll bring some that we can divide up and everyone can carry a piece or two.
Sunday will be a leisurely launch time.”
This is primitive, wilderness camping and paddling at its best.
To come on this outing be sure that you are comfortable paddling your loaded boat for 9 miles against a moderate current with only 1 stopping point to get out for a break. Minnie’s Lake platform is the 4 mile lunch stop, then 5 more miles to Floyd’s Island.
Yes, there will be alligators in the heart of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
Continue readingJoin us for 2 nights of rustic camping and cooking at Griffis Fish Camp on the Suwannee River downstream from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refugee. Camping cost is $5.00 per person per night. There is also a $2.00 launch fee for each person. We have the Red Top shelter reserved so you can pitch your tent anywhere in the area. If you need hookup for a camper, you’ll need to reserve your own spot. Bring some firewood if you can. It gets dark early & chilly in December and we’ll enjoy a campfire both nights.
When: Gather 4 PM, launch none, sunset 5:29 PM, end all day, Friday, December 2, 2022
Gather 8:45 AM, launch 9:30 AM, end allday, Saturday, December 3, 2022
Wake up 8 AM, launch whenever you like, end go home, Sunday, December 4, 2022
Put In Friday: 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: 30.78246, -82.443594
Take Out Friday: camping
Put In Saturday: 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.
Saturday we’ll launch from Stephen Foster State Park at 9:30 and paddle 7 miles back to Griffis, with a lunch stop at the Sill where we will probably have to portage over. If the water level continues to be low, be prepared to portage your kayak over low spots and deadfall. If you don’t have a Ga. State Park pass or a National Park Pass, there is a fee for parking at SFSP. Ga. State Park passes are also free to borrow from any public library.
Take Out Saturday: Griffis Fish Camp
Back at camp we’ll get the fires going and start cooking. Show us what you can do with your old cast iron! There is no menu, absolutely anything goes. Bring your own plates/bowls/utensils to help reduce waste.
Put In Sunday: Griffis Fish Camp
GPS: 30.78246, -82.443594
Sunday morning will be a leisurely packing up. There is no check out time. If there is interest (and clean pots) maybe we can cook breakfast too. Everyone is free to go back to explore the Okefenokee further before heading home.
Take Out Sunday: Go home
![[Cast Iron Cookout, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Griffis Fish Camp Beach]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-12-02--camp-paddle-griffis/many.jpg)
Cast Iron Cookout, Suwannee River Sill, Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Griffis Fish Camp Beach
![[River Bend Rapids, Overhanging branch dunk, Cow Shoals, Cow Creek, Fallers Award at Mayday, Alapaha River, 7 May 2016]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2016-05-07--us84-to-mayday-alapaha-river-videos/many.jpg)
![[Sunset]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-12-18--banks-lake-full-cold-moon-pictures/big/20211218_172637.jpg)
![[Gator and kayak]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2022-11-19--floyds-island-camping-okefenokee/big/676x380.jpg)