Best Spring/Summer Paddling in Alabama

[Magic City Matt]

Where is it?

[Firedog]

what type water do you want to paddle? Carl W.

[Magic City Matt]

what type water do you want to paddle? Carl W.

I'd say anything class 1-3.

[mich4076]

I've heard the Cahaba river is good. The Ocoee River is fun but it's in GA... 

[Firedog]

Local to b'ham. Sipsey, Mulberry Fork, Locust Fork, Cahaba all beautiful runs. further out, Hatchet Creek, Coosa (below Jordan Dam), Upper Tallapoosa, Duck, Terrapin. Refer to the run index on http://www.alabamawhitewater.com to see water level mins & max's. Also refer to the Flow chart for current water levels. I've done all of these with the exception of the Duck. We need to get up a large group of paddlers to run the Duck this year. If you haven't see the articles, BWWSB has got the OK to dam it up north of hwy 278 between Cullman & Holly Pond. See Link: http://www.merrill.org/duckriver/index.html

I may soon be gone forever. Let's go do the Duck!

Some more links:
http://www.canoeshop.net/
http://www.tallapoosariveroutfitters.com/

Any time you want to go let me know. We'll get up a trip. Carl W.

[Nalgene Ninja]

I had fun @ Bear Creek last year.

[JC785]

This is not in Alabama but when I was a kid we did the Okefenoke (sp?) Swamp in south GA, it was awesome. Lots of alligators! Plenty of picture opportunities.

[Bahen]

Where is it?

A better question would be "when is it?"  The answer would be before 10 a.m.

[Skippy]

Saturday I did the Terrapin creek 8 mile trip and had a blast. It's a great way to spend the afternoon.The trip takes about 4 hours to float. There are a couple of rapids that were fun to do, but I bet if it doesn't get much rain later on in the summer you might have a little trouble running them. Terrapin Outdoor Center has kayaks for $25.00 and they furnish everything you need.
Thanks Firedog for the link!!

[dogwood]

I did the upper run(8miles) on Terrapin a few years ago, in October, and did the lower run(6miles) with my daughters, last summer.  Even in the draught, the lower run had plenty of water.  Most shoals and rapids were easy to navigate, and there were even a couple that offered a small challenge.

[Firedog]

Glad to be of service. Mike at TOC runs a great & very hospitable shop. His father was very instrumental in the preservation of the streams in that area. Here is a great article about TOC.

http://www.postpaper.com/terrapinout.htm

[Hetairoi]

for a day trip, it's hard to beat the Coosa from Jordan Dam to Wetumpka. About 10 miles with 3 areas of Class I - III depending on water flow. Best spot is Moccasin Gap where you'll find some of the hardcore whitewater guys, canoes, kayaks, power boats and everything in between.

Chris at Coosa River Adventures is a great guy, so is Lonnie at Coosa Outdoor Center

[Nalgene Ninja]

Warrior Mountain Trading Post is renting canoes again.