Georgia Wilderness Society
Ohoopee River
Previous Trips
Ohoopee River Day Trip
May 22 through May 24, 2020
The GWS Ohoopee participants camped at Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park in Reidsville, GA. Everyone observed the COVID 19 health recommendations. We covered approximately 32 miles of the Ohoopee River during three consecutive day trips. The group included some of the usual suspects, me & Holly, Bud & Niki Queen, Terry Ross, and Curt Cole. Rosemary Ross joined us for some campfire time on one of the days. It was particularly good to have Walter Bowman and Marcia Brelsford join us. Walt & Marcia are whitewater paddlers who are being turned to the flat-water side. Finally, those of us who have been members of GWS for years were gratified to have the company of Chris and Ward Milner. It was a treat to see these longtime friends and GWS members.
I am partial to meandering, flat water, southern rivers. Until this trip, the most beautiful river I had experienced was the upper reaches of the Suwannee River. The Ohoopee River exceeds even the Suwannee. The Ohoopee is a small, black water river, bounded often by wetland forest or stands of cotton wood, and adorned with inviting sand bars. The water level rises and falls quickly in response to local precipitation. The gage height at Reidsville, GA was about 3.5 feet above normal for this time of year. The current was good, and the river sometimes spread into the surrounding terrain. Other sections of the river flowed among modest bluffs. There were numerous fallen trees and we did have a few portages. In most cases, we could either navigate around/through the obstacles, or use the sawed pathways created by local fishing enthusiast. Several paddlers took unexpected, but injury free swims. I can attest through experience that the dunking felt rather good in the heat of a South Georgia day. Near the end of the last paddle, the river spread through a stand of cottonwood trees that seemed almost other-worldly. Someone had flagged the channel, which was a reassuring gesture.
This river is a unique and lovely experience. Amid the burden of living in “interesting times”, nothing beats a long restorative weekend among GWS friends.
Tom Payne
