Lower Alabama. What are my options?

[melonhead]

Other than the Bartram Trail and Blackwater in Florida, what other opportunities for some kayaking do I have in Lower Alabama. Not ready to make the long drive to birmingham until around august. Thanks guys.

[wirerat123]

http://www.Alabamawhitewater.com

There is a run index there.  This is the best place to find runs in the state.  Just click on the flow page and on the right they are categorized by region.  It only covers class 1 and above water though.

Also check into Alabama Scenic River Trail (http://www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com/) to find info on the trail.  Depending on how far south, the backwaters around Foley and the Gulf are great places to explore, but I have no idea how things are right now with the oil disaster going on. 

It really sucks, if they can't get that thing plugged it will pour oil into the gulf until well after we all have passed destroying the entire ecosystem down there in very short order..   :'(

[mkarnott]

The Mobile Canoe and Kayak Club meets the first Tuesday of the month at 7 pm at 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center on the Causeway.  Their members can probably help you out.

[melonhead]

Ive checked that website, but it never lists counties. It just gives the name of the put in or maybe a county road. It takes alot of time googling each river listed at the bottom. Other than that, that website is very informative....

Guess Ill try to catch the July 6th meeting. Thanks for all the help guys.

[MobileBackpacker]

Other than the Bartram and Blackwater?

The Perdido (al/fl state line), Escatawpa (al/ms state line), Juniper/Sweetwater - a good one for smaller yaks/canoes (fl),  Coldwater (fl), are all solid choices for kayaking/canoeing. They are all flat water but can be swift moving at times. Not sure where you live but those are all within an hour or so to Mobile.

Further east into Florida or Lower Alabama there are plenty of rivers. The Chipola south of Marianna is an awesome river, one section has a nice class 1 drop and there are lots of runs of minimal whitewater. The Holmes and Ecofina creeks north of panama city are spring fed and are really scenic. Supposedly there is a river around Brewton that runs through a quarry that has a little whitewater, i think it is either juniper of burnt corn creek.

if you are looking for specifics i would recommend picking up a few books, http://www.amazon.com/Pad...a-Joe-Cuhaj/dp/0762721928 and http://www.amazon.com/Can...qid=1276872983&sr=1-6

some websites.......
http://www.dep.state.fl.u...lewest/panhandle_west.htm
http://www.paddling.net/places/AL/

[melonhead]

Other than the Bartram and Blackwater?

The Perdido (al/fl state line), Escatawpa (al/ms state line), Juniper/Sweetwater - a good one for smaller yaks/canoes (fl),  Coldwater (fl), are all solid choices for kayaking/canoeing. They are all flat water but can be swift moving at times. Not sure where you live but those are all within an hour or so to Mobile.

Further east into Florida or Lower Alabama there are plenty of rivers. The Chipola south of Marianna is an awesome river, one section has a nice class 1 drop and there are lots of runs of minimal whitewater. The Holmes and Ecofina creeks north of panama city are spring fed and are really scenic. Supposedly there is a river around Brewton that runs through a quarry that has a little whitewater, i think it is either juniper of burnt corn creek.

if you are looking for specifics i would recommend picking up a few books, http://www.amazon.com/Pad...a-Joe-Cuhaj/dp/0762721928 and http://www.amazon.com/Can...qid=1276872983&sr=1-6

some websites.......
http://www.dep.state.fl.u...lewest/panhandle_west.htm
http://www.paddling.net/places/AL/

Awesome. I will definitely be venturing out into some of these places. Thanks for the help