sipsey river kayak rental

This is a class II rapid tossed into the middle of what is definitely a class I river. The Sipsey River is a stunningly beautiful body of water with many of years of history, and great options for recreational adventures.

Along the way youll paddle under nine railroad track tunnels. The scenery isnt bad either, with clear turquoise water that cuts through sandstone cliffs. Did I mention that I was hungry? The Sipsey River in Bankhead National Forest was about 75 minutes from our campground, but we could tell it was our kind of river. When I went down the Sipsey last year, it was my first time so I brought *everything*. STANDARD REQUEST: As always, please pack out what you pack in and more. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If not for a fortunate twist of fate, however, Susan and I would never have paddled the Sipsey River, and we would have missed out on the stunning views and experience it offered.

We hadnt had enough of a workout, so we did the nice quarter-mile hike with the boats and gear, except for one thing: Krystals tandem kayak must have weighed a ton, and there was no comfortable way for two people to carry that thing.

That was OK, though, because the water wasnt moving much that day. Lunch was a long-ago memory, and I was already thinking about dinner. Susan said she was still energetic, but Im not sure I believed her.

Paddle this area shortly after a major rainfall and you quickly understand the nickname, Land of 1000 Waterfalls. In addition to the cascades and solitude, the river itself is a stunning example of a pristine natural environment. In addition, youll become familiar with crucial safety equipment, such as personal flotation devices (PFDs), and expand your knowledge of other gear, such as whitewater paddles, kayak skirts, dry tops and other types of apparel. Email Us - riverside@riversideflyshop.com. Joshs gang had lunch in the upstream vehicle, so the kids were looking forward to it. Our new river friends turned out to be a very nice family back from several years in Peru doing missionary work. Some ways downstream there was a small shoal, and Josh hollered for Krystal and Isaac to charge their way through it in the tandem kayak. A post shared by The 64 Project (@the64project) on Oct 16, 2017 at 11:49am PDT. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Do Sharks Attack Kayaks? Call Us - (256) 287-9582 The first obstacle--a downed tree--at first appeared to require a portage but mad props (are we still saying that?) Getting stuck would mean that it would be even longer until I got to eat. Yak tha Creek, Ashville (Big Canoe Creek). The water itself was the color of weak tea, but clear enough to easily see the river bottom. The Sipsey River is a great place for beginners to discover the fun of paddling, and would be wise to bring along an experienced paddler to show them the ropes. I agreed to go with the stipulation that if it looked too low in person, wed switch gears and hike one of the Bankhead National Forest trails instead. (Shortly after we returned home to Florida, I met a paddling acquaintance on a local creek and mentioned paddling the Sipsey River. Susan and I were spending five nights at Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville, Alabama; and, as we usually do when we are away from home, we looked for nearby places to paddle. It turned out to be a family of four: the parents, Josh and Krystal, were in their mid to late 30s and were accompanied by their 13-year-old daughter Ella and 11-year-old son Isaac. Josh spent much of the day just doing partial strokes, to try to keep the thing straight. or you can login using your favorite social profile! The most spectacular rock bluffs of the day were right around the bend from the takeout. Despite the low water, we were able to paddle most, but certainly not all, of the 12-mile trip. Trip date: June 13, 2017 The farthest put-in upriver is Little River Falls, at a Class V known as the "Suicide Section." We recommend planning for at least 7-9 hours of paddling. I asked a couple of questions to try to get an idea of how experienced they were at rivers. If youre a kayaker, you see plenty of potential for adventure, and many reasons to get excited. Boats must be returned in the Condition rented, I have read and agree to the terms & conditions. The Most Expensive Bass Boats MONEY CAN BUY! We were really happy for the shuttle ride, but were worried that we might be interrupting family time, so we tried to not be too close. Stop What You're Doing and Go Paddle the Sipsey, West Huntsville Receives Much Needed Nature Preserve, Introduction to Mountain Biking in North Alabama, Greenways: Huntsville partners with the Land Trust, Tracking the American Alligator in Limestone Bay, Top Swimming Holes in the Huntsville Area. Live bait, hot food, and cold drinks. Its important to learn from qualified instructors and experienced boaters, and you can get information on classes by consulting local outfitters like North Alabama Canoe and Kayak, or a paddle club like the Huntsville Canoe Club and the Birmingham Canoe Club.

My best guess was that we would be spending a lot of time dragging boats and getting stuck in shoals. It was almost 6:00 pm by the time we got to the takeout after about 7.5 hours of paddling / hiking. The 265 mile long Tallapoosa River forms part of the Alabama Scenic River Trail and can be a great place to paddle whether youre a beginner or a more experienced kayaker.

There's plenty of room. The moments that make it worthwhile arent handed out, and it takes effort and dedication to make it happen. Even with north Alabama hills, I figured that wouldnt be much of a problem. Ella and Isaac took turns in the solo kayak and with their mom. Safety precautions must never be ignored or neglected, and will ensure an unforgettable, injury-free trip. While the main tributary, the East Fork, consists mostly of Class II rapids with a few challenging drops and rocks, the Railroad Fork is one of the most unique river experiences youll encounter. From the start youll be within the Bankhead National Forest for the entire 9.5-mile trip and will quickly understand why this is the only river in Alabama to have the federal Wild and Scenic designation. Both of the youngsters were extremely polite and interesting. The whole trip took about 6 hours including a couple generous breaks to explore. You can drive from the parking lot to the put-in via a bridge or you can just walk your kayak across the bridge. I stayed with the boats and gear while everyone else shuttled.

I've marked one particular ideal camp site on the map for a future trip. I was about to ask about getting a ride back with them at the end when Josh suggested it. Whether youre new to the whitewater kayaking, or youre simply not familiar with Alabamas rivers and creeks, this quick and dirty guide will get you up to speed on some of the Yellowhammer States best whitewater options. I jokingly commented that Joshs gang was starting to look like zombies. The start of this trail is actually just over the border in Georgia. For perspective, 12,598 miles of U.S. rivers have received this designation of which Alabama's Sipsey accounts for 64 of those milesonly half of one percent. All can assist you in getting into the water at any level from beginner to expert. It was frozen up pretty solid. If you want to be extra safe, pack two sets of everything just in case you have mishap unrelated to the 100-yard dash. And bring a change of dry clothes. Also, you could do an extended trip through Alabama wilderness here and float for 26 miles. We discussed theories on why the gun was there, and a discarded murder weapon was one of the most interesting ones. Ashville, Alabama 35953. What do you see when you look at a map of Alabamas 132,000 miles of rivers and streams? Why are you still reading? A large paved parking lot with picnic tables, restrooms and a sloping ramp are there for visitors use, and is considered one of the states most convenient river launching sites. There is a launch point at Canyon Mouth Park and you can paddle along the river to Weiss Lake. Roadside Highway 231at the bridges just before you get to the square in Ashville, Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Things were pretty dry in north Alabama, and I had been watching water levels online hoping for a decent rain either prior to our arrival or early in the week. And no, John Foshee's book doesn't really help here. Josh and company had plenty of water. No matter your experience level, youll find great places to paddle on creek and rivers throughout Alabama. Boats need to be returned around 5pm. Actually, it's probably good you're still reading because we've got boat loads of tips about the Sipsey. If you tip your kayak at the 100-yard dash you'll have to paddle about 90 minutes to the end in what is usually the colder part of the trip. This section is more mild and can be good entry level whitewater, with mostly Class I rapids.

-87.398499, Live like a Birmingham local whenever, wherever, Outdoor destinations + local stories & exclusive outdoor events. Use our map to find the Sipsey Recreation Area on County Road 60 (Cranal Rd). Youll also find kayak rentals (including fishing kayaks) at Town Creek Fishing Center.On the other side of the lake, there is a public boat ramp at Marshall County Park, just over the water from Guntersville and there is also a campground.

All of those long-past trips had been at much higher water levels. Later in the day, after we had walked our boats through ankle-deep water, Krystal commented wryly that she didnt know how they would have managed without them. You need an extra set of EVERYTHING. Magnificent trees leaned over the river. I like carrying a spare. Kayak Names For Your Boat with Funny Ideas! But even if youre not hunting for bass, this 75 mile long lake on the Tennessee River can be a great place to explore, with lots of coves, creeks and plenty of wildlife. 205-612-2292. Also, the shoulder of the highway was almost non-existent and big trucks sped by, one after another. All rights reserved. Just as I had pretty much talked myself out of paddling the Sipsey this day, a truck pulled in towing a trailer with three boats on it. Coursing through the Sipsey Wilderness, known as the "Land of 1000 waterfalls," this is Alabamas only river designated as Wild and Scenic by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1958. They packed a large mesh duffel full of water bottles. Riverside Fly Shop 2021. To complicate things even more, I wanted to figure out a biking or hiking shuttle, so we could go downstream on our own. Also, instructors and experienced boaters can help you become familiar with various types of whitewater boats, so you can determine what you really like before you invest a bunch of money in a boat.

For your initial outings, you can rent most items from Alabama outfitters and borrow things from other boaters. The 100-yard dash is located at about the halfway point of this trip and gets its name from the approximately 100 yards of class II rapids. If you're even slightly familiar with the Sipsey, then you know how infrequently sufficient the water level is to allow safe navigation of this river. We did talk some as we went down the river, though. Kayaking With Alligators How to Avoid OR Paddle With Them and STAY SAFE. You need to be aware of the dangers of faster current and keep the kayak away from the edges of the river to avoid obstructions. The only months the Sipsey is navigable are the winter months so you'll get cold quickly once wet. When Josh or Krystal asked one of the two to swap places, they obliged cheerfully. (The numbers on the Alabama Whitewater flow page have been really helpful.) Wild and Scenic is simply a designation made to preserve "certain selected rivers which possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, and cultural values" --Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, 1968. We made it to the Cranal Road launch, and we both agreed that the Sipsey River is undeniably beautiful. A self-guided trip can be done by renting a canoe from the Outdoor Rec Department at UAB in downtown Birmingham. In one particular trip down the Sipsey, someone in our party "exited" their kayak which then turned over and filled with water. Josh had whitewater experience and had paddled the Sipsey maybe a handful of times many years back. Put in near Blountsville on the U.S. Highway 231/79 Bridge and takeout at County Road 160 on your right. The Sipsey is definitely a destination river, meaning it was worth the trip to north Alabama just for this river. To be honest, I would have appreciated them a lot more if wed seen them several hours earlier. Alabama is filled with natural beauty and peaceful waterways, with lots of opportunities to get out in your kayak no matter what your skill level. Motivational Problems It was a Long, Hard Day. Spring and fall are the ideal times to visit and youll want a flow of 250 cfs for the optimal paddling conditions. You can take out at the Highway 33 bridge after traversing roughly 9 miles of untamed Alabama Wilderness. To qualify as an ASRT Outfitter (or adventure services if you will) a business must provide the service and experience of paddling. At some point in your life you're bound to tip and lose all your trash downstream so why not preemptively redeem yourself now :). This section of the Flint River north of Cullman shows how vast Alabamas whitewater experience can be if you kindle your sense of adventure and take the time to hunt. They were leaving lunch in their vehicle, but they had plenty of snacks. Although the dumped murder weapon theory makes a better story, more likely it was just lost by a paddler who got caught off guard and rolled in the rapid. Part of the Upper Tallapoosa forms the Lloyd Owens Canoe Trail, which can be great for beginners as its mostly flatwater and there are several take-outs. 34.285625, Tell us about it. The hills still didnt worry me, but the road was a whole lot busier than I expected. As soon as we saw the river, we were both glad wed made the trip, even if we didnt paddle the river. A post shared by Alan Peace (@apeace11) on Feb 8, 2016 at 8:26am PST. According to multiple sources including park rangers within Bankhead, the USGS gage height should be within 4-7 feet for safe navigation. We launched at 10:30, and I was already ready for lunch. We dont think youll have trouble finding those on your own. This area was affected by the tornadoes of 2011, so keep in mind that there will be areas of downed trees and debris along the way. If you have some whitewater kayaking experience and youre seeking a challenge thats less daunting than Little River Canyon, head to the Locust Fork section of the Black Warrior. Water flow is controlled by TVA, which usually plans releases to coincide with summer crowds. And dont forget to share this to help your buddies find new paddling places. We tried in vain to reach the log to move it but could not find a safe way. That was not a problem this day. The gauge was reading 3.20 feet and not much water was headed downstream. The Sipsey Recreation area on County Road 60 is the put-in location. Dumping at the 100-yard dash while carrying firearms must not be all that uncommon!). The lush, green foliage and trees hide you away from civilization and will invite you to return year after year.

The canoes, unfortunately, would be staying dry that day. A bit later, a deer charged across the river right in front of us. Many places are no more than 1.5 feet deep, but the current is not a force to be trifled with, or to be underestimated. Gear Corner - Whitewater paddling accessories from Salamander Paddle Gear. Once everything was loaded up, Susan and I drove away, agreeing that we were glad we had lucked into meeting this exceptional family and shared such a memorable excursion on the Sipsey. Krystals response was, Were way past charging. Josh pulled them through. It looked like a handgun, because thats what it was a Smith and Wesson 22 semi-automatic. I was a little surprised by the answer. Susan and I both had our solo canoes, which are about as good a boat as you can have if you want to skim down a waterway thats, well, not got much water. The water rises and helps push the kayak downstream. As youre introduced to the sport, youll not only learn crucial paddling skills and safety procedures, but youll also learn the different classification of rapids and how water flow makes river navigation possible or more difficult. No Boats are allowed above the Pumping Station (2 miles upstream of Hwy 69 Bridge). As we drove in on Highway 33, however, I started having second (and third) thoughts. This section of Bear Creek is a perfect paddle for newbies seeking just a couple of light Class II rapid spots. It didn't take me long to realize there was very little I could do with one free hand while holding on to a few hundred pounds of dead weight with the other. The boulders and rock outcroppings lining the river are raw and beautiful. I think the low level made him a bit nervous, too, and he said he wouldnt mind backup. Josh and family had already left a vehicle downstream at the takeout. A hapless box turtle was bobbing its way across the river. Experienced adventurers will enjoy the laid-back nature of the river and will get a rush from the rough patches. Remember to have your PFD with you at all times, and wear it for your own safety.If youre paddling on any Alabama rivers, you might want to check them out beforehand, especially after bad weather.Do you have a favorite kayaking location in Alabama? That includes shoes, socks, gloves, and a hat. We have had clients make the trip much faster (2.5 hours), but we have had some who take a little bit longer (12 hours). I kept picturing my corpse down in a deep drop-off under my mangled bike. These also let you squeeze air out. Current info on Yak tha Creek FB. By then it was about 7:30 and the kids were dozing. Read what our Customers experiences were like. I was wrong, and the four of us carried the tandem up the road without an issue of course the last stretch was another steep climb. I was able to rack the slide back, and it stuck open. There is a lot of wildlife to spot along the way and it can be a peaceful, relaxing trip year round. The Sipsey River isnt so rough that beginners cant enjoy the waters. Josh carried the gun back in his boat, but my finger prints are on it, too.

Absent that offer, Susan and I definitely would have been out on a hiking trail instead. There were giant boulders lining part of our way, and rock walls that towered above us. I did appreciate them, just not as much as I would have when I wasnt quite as tired. Each rental includes a paddle and a life jacket. The path from the water to the parking area is long, steep, and difficult to get a car down. If the water level had been any higher than 5.4' that day, we may not have been able to pass under the tree.The second obstacle was another tree down but there were several feet of the tree that were mostly submerged. They should be experts in the paddling opportunities in their areas and warn of dangers where they exist. Outfitters are a good way to try a boat, even if you already own a boat and would like to try a different kind from the one you might already have. Thus, the duration of the float is dependent upon how quickly you are able to paddle 11 miles without the aid of current. This allows for less paddling and a faster float from the put in to the take out. Despite the 30-foot or more drop to the water, we were surprised there were warnings to be prepared for flash floods in the parking area. The younger members of the group had paddled, but not on moving water. Ive done more than my fair share of pullovers, but when you factor in the biker death ride, leaving the boats on the truck was sounding really appealing. Around here, we dont call just anybody who sells boats an outfitter. We only thought the tough part of the trip was over. Ella made it to deeper water and fell dramatically into it and just sat there. When the river is so low that my empty canoe drags bottom, that really says something. I waited up on Josh and company as they walked their boats through yet another shallow section. We put a carabiner in it to make sure it stayed that way. But there are so many great spots that it can be difficult to pick out the best ones. We never found the wooden gauge, which we figured had been washed off in the years since hed been here. While this branch of the Flint River starts out as Class II and III, theres serious Class IV water farther downstream. Putting in at Thompson Creek would effectively double your trip (from 9 to 18 miles). Without a kayak skirt you will get wet. In the end, we went to the right of it. A post shared by Robert S Donovan (@robertsdonovan). As far as wildlife goes, we did see other creatures, but the most interesting was the up-close encounter with a pileated woodpecker that was bobbing its head up and down only about twenty feet from us. With clear water and a flow that carves its way through the narrow sandstone canyons of northwest Alabama, the Sipsey River is the perfect place to enjoy the wild beauty of the state. The water is a breathtaking shade of green (and cold) and there are numerous waterfalls cascading from high rock bluffs. Even if you don't tip, you will likely get soaked unless you have a spray skirt. Click the picture to see details at Amazon. This is my favorite kayak paddle. Just north of Birmingham, the run is around 5.5 miles, consisting of high Class II and Class III rapids, depending on water flow. Krystal did intervene in a few sibling disagreements during the day, but that was moderately entertaining. How long is the paddle? Launch behind the shop and paddle the Upper Sipsey Fork, Mill Creek, and Boyd Creek then return the boats to the launch when you are done with your adventure.

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sipsey river kayak rental