Georgia Wilderness Society
Ocmulgee Day Trips From Hawkinsville
Autumn on the Ocmulgee River
by Curt Cole, trip leader
Despite dire predictions of lots of rain Friday night and Saturday, the river gods took pity on GWS members and presented them with a great fall weekend in Hawkinsville, Georgia, November 23-24, 2019. We had 15 sign up, but due to rain or personal reasons, some cancelled or paddled only one day, leaving us with 10 total.
In planning the trip, the great folks in Hawkinsville could not have been more helpful or nicer. Chuck Southerland, publisher of the Hawkinsville Dispatch and News, was my main contact and very helpful. He even provided us with free oak firewood, while we camped for free at Miles Branch Park on the edge of town. The local Chamber printed restaurant guides for us and were very helpful. At the end of the day Sunday, we took up a collection to donate, through Chuck, to Rivers Alive. We ate enjoyable suppers as a group Friday night at La Cabana, and Saturday night at The Steak House, while breakfast for some was at Hardee's. We sat around the campfires each evening and morning.
Saturday's put-in was at Dykes Landing, about 14 miles upriver from the camp/boat ramp at Miles Landing. The river was all flatwater with only an occasional strainer to watch out for. Critters seen Saturday or Sunday included one gator, ducks, anhingas, kingfishers, and a deer. Very few sandbars were seen either day. Rest stops were catch as catch can. The banks were often steep, muddy, and slippery, but the fall colors were beautiful. I think only one other paddler was seen either day, along with a few motorboaters. The rain didn't come in until just after we got off the river. Water level was low but adequate at 2.2'/1460 cfs at Hawkinsville.
New member Deborah Fordham did a great job of paddling her short kayak and seemed to enjoy the day. I hope we didn't wear her out. We paddled a little faster than usual trying to beat the rain.
Sunday, we put-in at Miles Branch and paddled about 14 miles down to Sandy Hammock, again taking about 5 hours plus the lunch stop. Speaking of lunch, one of our group must have been so hungry that when I picked a lunch spot, she jumped out of her boat to be the first one ashore. The trouble was she was still in mid-river and the water temperature was about 56 degrees. I don't think she'll be in such a hurry next time and will paddle ashore like the rest of us.
Participants were: Margaret Clay, Curt & Irene Cole, Wayne Etheridge (not feeling up to paddling, he guarded camp for us), Deborah Fordham, Bonnie Gehling, John Houser, Tom Payne, Terry Ross, Jeff Sorensen. Ron Turner came both days to sit a spell. Thanks to all the participants for helping to make this a great trip.
