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It
is possible to canoe from Atlanta but the best section is the 32 miles,
described below, between Flat shoals and the Chris Callier Bridge.
iGreens canoed this lovely river in 1999.
We also canoed on the Ocmulgee
above Macon (rhymes with bacon) and on the Okefenokee swamp.
If
you don’t have your own canoes or transport, the first port of call is Jim
McDaniel at the Flint River Centre, about 60 miles south of Atlanta.
He’s located on the right bank just downstream of the Highway 36
Bridge, six miles south west of Thomaston.
Click here
or here for more.
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0
miles - David Knott bridge |
Flat
shoals at low water
Easy
launching from left bank just above the bridge.
The launch spot lies in the middle of Flat Shoals rapid, grade II,
borderline grade III. Our party
ranged in age from 10 to 77 years, we had all been paddling kayaks on the
rivers Wye and Severn
in Britain for most of our lives, and Jim McDaniel’s helper, who drove
us up, was reassuring about our abilities. Nevertheless, the first drop was intimidating -
much bigger than Monnington falls or Symonds Yat rapids on the Wye (click here).
The shoals continue for about ¼ mile below the bridge and the line is
not always easy to find. We made frequent inspections but still fell in. However,
once through that, the next seven miles to the Highway 18 bridge are
straightforward.
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4
miles - Reedook Creek joins right |
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6
miles – Pooey’s Creek joins right |
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7
miles – Highway 18 Bridge. Good launch point and parking. |
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8
miles - Elkins creek joins left |
We
camped and swam around about here.
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9
miles – Dripping Rocks shoals grade I – II |
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10
miles – Double branch joins left. |
Land
left and follow the stream to Dripping Rocks, a scenic waterfall.
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15.5
miles – Goat Mountain shoals grade I-II |
Goat
Mountain campground left. Spring water.
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16
miles - Pigeon Creek joins left. |
"It
doesn't get much better than this"
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16.5
miles - Natural Dam grade II |
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17
miles – Rock House Mountain. Tally Gap |
The
site of a proposed dam ever since 1955. Fortunately
Jimmy Carter vetoed it when he was Georgia’s Governor.
Click here to read his
account of how the US Army Corps of Engineers colluded with local politicians to produce pseudo-scientific economic justifications for dams like
this. The Engineers got to justify their existence as dam builders and the
politicians named recreational lakes after themselves.
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18
miles – Island. Pasley shoals
grade II. |
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19
miles - Sprewell Bluff left |
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19.5
miles - land left for Sprewell Bluff picnic area. |
Good
access for a half-day trip to the highway 36 bridge.
Shoals grade I-II
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22
miles – Owen’s Island. Rebel
shoot. Grade II |
The
site of an ancient river crossing.
The old stage coach road from South Carolina to Alabama used to
cross the river by ferry about a mile south of here until two bridges were
built joining the island to each bank. The local stretch of the Old Alabama road is still called Double
Bridge road. It was the
site of a small Civil War battle in 1865 when Union cavalry routed the local
Georgia reserves and destroyed the bridges.
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24
miles Seven island. Surprise
rapid grade II |
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26.5
miles Wynns bridge. Highway 36. Access. |
Land
at boat ramp below bridge on the right bank.
Those who intend to paddle below this point should check the water level
marker at the bridge. Above
10 feet Yellow Jacket shoals will be dangerous.
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27
miles –Yellow jacket shoals grade III.
IV in high water |
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27.5
miles - Shelley island |
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28
miles – Daniel shoals. Grade
III. Gibson Island |
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29
miles – Hightower shoals grade II |
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29.5
miles - Hickman island |
Time
for a poem - "The Fish" by Elizabeth Bishop.
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30
miles – Noel island |
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31
miles - Adams island |
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32.5
miles – Chris Callier bridge S656. Po
Diddy Road. Access |
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36
miles – islands |
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37
miles - Sniper's shoals Grade II |
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46.5
miles - US 80 bridge. Access |
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51
miles – island. Grade II
rapid. |
This
is the last significant rapid on the river.
The surrounding mountains recede and the river enters the coastal
plain. Sandbars appear on the
inside of bends at low water.
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57
miles – Colonel Hawkins Bridge. GA 137 Access |
Jim
Thornton October 2004.
As
usual with iGreen canoeing itineraries, I've done my best. But my trip was
three years ago and my notes are a bit scrappy. If readers report any
errors and tell me about your trips, I promise to update regularly and
acknowledge all contributions.
Click
here to read more iGreen canoeing stuff.
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