Georgia Wilderness Society
Lazer Creek
Lazer Creek 2018
It don't get any prettier than this (in this area) were words to describe Saturday's paddle on Lazer Creek. A cool cloudy morning gave way to sunshine in the afternoon, as six GWS types and one guest queued up to launch on Lazer. After the Class 4 launch in Class 1 water, we enjoyed a tranquil, very scenic float for the first part of the trip. Mountain laurel and dogwood were in bloom along the banks which were interspersed with rock outcrops. The narrow stream soon widened but the peaceful atmosphere continued for a while. We had a refreshing lunch on a sandbar, pondering and discussing the action to come. Wildlife spotters saw beaver, deer and a u/i furry creature descending from a tree. Fowl included a couple of Canadas with a six-egg nest, blue heron, redtail hawk, ducks and kingfishers. In the pm, a series of rock gardens and rapids were encountered. With a good water level due to recent rains, we managed to run everything successfully, including the 5 foot slanting drop and immediate 3 foot ledge below. Our take-out was the new facility around the corner on the Flint. Our usual suspects included Curt Cole, Jeff Sorenson, Basil Youman, Jo Scott, Bonnie Gehling and Terry Ross. Everyone welcomed Dave Gardner, a prospective new member, to our group of river rats. The trip leader would like to congratulate everyone for their expertise and thank them for their cooperation and camaraderie. Special thanks to Bonnie for shuttle duties and helping me do the scouting. Thanks to Dave for helping change the tire that went flat within five miles of home (the only negative in a great day).
Lazer Creek 2020
On Saturday six GWS types and family members did something they love for the day, while staying as safe as possible.. We convened at the newly discovered and more convenient put-in on Sunshine Road left at 9am. Thanks to a volunteer non-paddling shuttle driver, originally from Wisconsin, our shuttling was made much safer and simpler. Ms. Gehling offered to ride Curt and I, equipped with face masks, back to the put-in from the take-out car drop-off. Rain threatened at first, but it turned into the nicest spring day ever - very pleasant temperature and beautiful sunshine. The water level at just over 4 ft on the Flint Thomaston guage was just enough for our purposes, although it made the 6 foot drop on the big rapid steeper than normal. The river water was nice and clear and the mountain laurel was still in bloom along the banks. Curt spotted a river otter before it quickly disappeared underwater. Other sightings included two resident Canada geese with eggs in nest, ducks, turtles, fish, a pileated, a redtail hawk, a super large blue heron and a moose-sized (Jo swears!) deer on the hillside. I think everyone except Curt and Jo took a dunking at some point negotiating the tight spots and rapids. But we did everything Lazer offered safely, while maintaining social distancing. Kudos to Jo, for staying upright in her long skinny kayak and to Curt for sharing his expertise. Basil Youman and Taylor and John Scott rounded out our paddling team. Many thanks to Bonnie for driving two hours round tip to help out her GWS buds!
