View Full Version : Chatooga River Paddle, Hike and Hang
gakayaker
10-26-2009, 20:27
Was wondering if maybe there were any kayakers or canoers on this forum that might want want do an overnight paddling trip on the chatooga river. It is on the upper Georgia/South Carolina River and is in my opinion the greatest whitewater in Georgia as well as it being beautiful. This is a good ideal location because you just fill out a permit and you can camp anywhere along the river you like. There is a trail system that goes down just about the whole river.
I figured we could do section III and section IV (depending on whitewater experience) and It would either take one or two nights depending on how you set the pace.Three to Four if we did some day hiking.
However if no body paddles then I wouldn't mind just camping or backpacking.
Post here if interested or if you have any suggestions.
When are you thinking about doing this?
Was wondering if maybe there were any kayakers or canoers on this forum that might want want do an overnight paddling trip on the chatooga river. It is on the upper Georgia/South Carolina River and is in my opinion the greatest whitewater in Georgia as well as it being beautiful. This is a good ideal location because you just fill out a permit and you can camp anywhere along the river you like. There is a trail system that goes down just about the whole river.
I figured we could do section III and section IV (depending on whitewater experience) and It would either take one or two nights depending on how you set the pace.Three to Four if we did some day hiking.
However if no body paddles then I wouldn't mind just camping or backpacking.
Post here if interested or if you have any suggestions.
gakayaker
10-26-2009, 21:08
If it was a weekend trip I could fit it in just about any time but if it was longer than that I would have to work around my school schedule.
I have time off of school In december from the 19th to Jan the 4th.
Don't have any available time off after that until april.
December would work well for me even though I don't particularly like the cold but I can strap up the wetsuit and start making a diy underquilt that I have been thinking about for a while.
Was wondering if maybe there were any kayakers or canoers on this forum that might want want do an overnight paddling trip on the chatooga river. It is on the upper Georgia/South Carolina River and is in my opinion the greatest whitewater in Georgia as well as it being beautiful. This is a good ideal location because you just fill out a permit and you can camp anywhere along the river you like. There is a trail system that goes down just about the whole river.
I figured we could do section III and section IV (depending on whitewater experience) and It would either take one or two nights depending on how you set the pace.Three to Four if we did some day hiking.
However if no body paddles then I wouldn't mind just camping or backpacking.
Post here if interested or if you have any suggestions.
I would love to join you but Unfortunately I'm in upstate NY. I've kayaked both section III and IV during one of my southern kayak trips. It's one of the most beautiful rivers I've paddled. Be sure to post some pics if you go. There are about five of us up here that combine hammocking and kayaking on a regular basis. It's a perfect match. I've never hammock camped out of my boat but have thought about it. We may plan a multi day kayak trip out west next summer. I did a seven day trip on the Middle Fork of the Salmon but that was just before I began hammocking. That would have been sweet on that trip. I've hammock camped quite a bit in CA about a year ago but they were all car camping and day trips. I'll be looking forward to your report. I'll be heading south some time in the future. Perhaps we could hook up. You'd always be welcome up north. Have fun
Miguel
PS My daughter is also a kayaker, hammocker and former raft guide at NOC.
ricegravy
10-27-2009, 08:29
I'm to scared to hit any white water! What I mean to say is that my 14ft Touring kayak would be no good for it. If you end up 'hanging' somewhere that I can get to by land we could make a group hang out of it!
Section IV is serious whitewater, section III is a bit less so; both are beautiful. For the non-whitewater paddler or hiker there are options that might work with meeting up with paddlers. The Chattooga River Trail (IIRC) runs from the US 76 bridge up (north) along Section III (and further up) and is close to the river at many key spots (including the Narrows?). Flatwater paddlers can paddle from the Section IV take out on Lake Tugalo up to where the river comes into the lake. I remember a sandy beach (or two?) and the most dramatic rapids, the 5 Falls, are an easy scramble upstream.
A section II-III overnighter would be something to consider for less advanced paddlers.
KerMegan
10-27-2009, 09:20
HIKE IN BARE FEET
FEED THE BEARS
DRIVE FAST AND PASS ON CURVES
RUN WITH YOUR POCKET KNIFE OPEN
GIVE BLOOD
I'm good with a) and e)...
gakayaker
10-27-2009, 15:31
I don't mind doing section II and section III however I have never been on section II myself.
Although I would only want to do it at 1.5+ feet because I did section III at 1.2 feet and it was nothing but scraping. I walked my boat through all of sandy springs, simply because it was the quickest way.
We shouldn't have to worry about the water level all that much with it being fall approaching winter.
Also don't really know about the trail systems just knew that the run beside a good bit of the river.
gakayaker
10-28-2009, 20:42
going up to the river this weekend,
I am going to try to get a trail and river map and post it.
gakayaker
11-03-2009, 21:09
Since I am not getting very many responses, Would more people be interested if it was a spring or summer paddling trip?
This would cut down on cost quite greatly and probably make the trip more fun.
Hetairoi
11-03-2009, 21:19
There are some paddlers here, the donating members area has a kayaking section, but most reports are lakes and flat rivers.
What kind of boat would be needed? Are there rental options? Got any links for more info? Spring/Summer would probably get more response.
Since I am not getting very many responses, Would more people be interested if it was a spring or summer paddling trip?
This would cut down on cost quite greatly and probably make the trip more fun.
Yes. Hope to have my packraft by then.
gakayaker
11-05-2009, 23:12
There is a place that rents duckies suitable for section III.
Section IV is only for experienced whitewater boaters in a whitewater boat.
Section III can be ran in a rec kayak or a smaller canoe with air bags. One of the drops may have to be portaged though for a rec kayak without a spray skirt.
Sulman is your first name Sully or Sullivan?
My first name is Sullivan (I go by Sully) and I have never met anyone with the same first name.
AT THIS MOMENT ALL SULLIVANS IN THE WORLD UNITE:lol:
About five pounds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5LuvLA4W08&feature=related
Just the last name. Go by sul.
Sullivan is a VERY cool first name.
Since I am not getting very many responses, Would more people be interested if it was a spring or summer paddling trip?
This would cut down on cost quite greatly and probably make the trip more fun.
I'd do a Spring / Summer boat and hammock excursion. Probably could talk sbroam into it as well...
May even be able to sort out an extra whitewater suitable boat or 2 if others would like to attend.
Redbank
gakayaker
11-09-2009, 21:49
That sounds good.
I have a duckie that I may be able to lend out that I have ran section IV in at lower flows. Probably would only run section III at mid to higher flows.
Is there anytime in particular that would work good?
I was thinking anywhere between the first and second weekend of April.
Should be nice weather and good water levels then.