Georgia Wilderness Society
Adventures on the Broad River
May 30 - June 2, 2023
Good weather and water levels let nine GWS members have a good time on east Georgia's Broad River. We gathered on Tuesday afternoon, May 30, 2023, at Broad River Campground, SE of Elberton, GA. This is a nice lakeside campground with showers and hookups.
Wednesday morning, all but Rosemary (she held down the fort while we conquered the river) put-in at GA 72, then paddled down this flat section about 12 miles, to GA 77. None of the 3 sections we paddled had many houses on it, nor did we see other boaters on it. The take-out was over rough riprap, as we couldn't use the usual rock outcrop downstream. We were warned upon parking that the adjacent landowner was having cars towed and people arrested for trespassing. We parked on river right, upstream side of the bridge, tight up against the guard rail, so as to be on the state right-of-way.
Thursday, we paddled from GA 17 to camp, about 9 miles. This was flat until Anthony Shoals. I gave everyone the opportunity to take-out at Trout Hole Road, at the head of the shoals, but all the guys wanted to tackle it (Irene & Denise had decided to keep Rosemary company this day). The water level on the Carlton gauge was around 2.7'-2.9' each day, which was plenty for the flat sections, and enough that few of us hung up in the shoals, although it was challenging to route-find in the shoals.
Friday, Irene & Denise joined the group again to paddle from GA 77 to GA 17, about 8.4 miles. The rough put-in at GA 77 took its toll as a couple of people fell while getting the boats down the embankment, resulting in a minor cut and bruising. I'll strike this access point off my list for future trips.
Over the course of the 3 days, we saw the usual bird life, including a number of osprey, and Irene & I watched a family of 4 otters slowly climb up the bank a couple of boat lengths away from us. We spooked some huge fish, maybe shoal bass, 2' long or more, at Anthony Shoals. A campfire was enjoyed each night, thanks to Tom Allgood bringing us a large supply of wood. He was an acquaintance of Joe's, and a very interesting character, who joined us at camp each night, and he & his wife Pam invited us to their 200-year-old home. It was a pleasure to meet both of them. I had a great time, and hope all did as well.
Participants were: Curt (Trip Leader) & Irene Cole, Trace & Denise Butler, David Crumbley, Marvin Dillard, Joe Mangum, Terry & Rosemary Ross.
David and Marvin paddled tandem in an aluminum canoe (a.k.a., "a rock magnet"). All went pretty well until about midway, when we were heading down the dynamited channel with its big standing waves. David & Marvin got through the first big wave just fine, but flipped a little after that. No real harm done though, so they bailed and boarded to complete the run. The shoals’ lilies were in bloom so we checked them out. Once down the shoals, we paddled down the lake to camp. Upon returning to camp, we had fun playing a little Frisbee, and a lot of bocce ball. Later that evening, we all had dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Elberton.
