Sat, Jul 25 2009 - Chestatee River Canoeing (View Original Event Details) Trip Leader(s): Dirk, Steven K, Denise Millon Participants: Steven K, Denise Millon, Dirk, Scott Bennett, Cristina, Leigh, Phyllis Melton, Kelley, Steven Redmond, Ray R, Joann R, Natalie Walker, Jay G, Denise A, Scott Sweitzer, Rachel, Kim Smith, Steve Schroer, Steve Wilder, Janice H, megan crute, Amanda Compton, Beth S

Other than not quite enough water, it was a near perfect day to canoe on the Chestatee River. Everybody was on time and after signing waivers and getting paddles and life jackets we started our three hour journey. Even though it is only about an hour from Atlanta and the Dawsonville outlet malls are only a few minutes away, the stretch of the river our trip was on had a very secluded wilderness feel. It had not rained for several days and the water level was low, but still there were only a few sections which the canoes and kayaks scrapped bottom.  About halfway through we stopped for a lunch break. With temperatures near 90 degrees, many of the group did a little floating in the river. We then continued on. We saw a couple of turtles sunning themselves and it was not  until towards the end that we saw any houses along the river. The two rapids near the end were not, although it was a challenge to find a path through them that did not get your craft stuck.

At about 1:15 we neared the new takeout point which was a few minutes upstream from the old one at the GA 400 bridge.  We got out of our canoes and kayaks, let Appalachian Outfitters load them on their vans and then drove back to the starting point. As usual they did a great job. I have been on around a dozen trips with them and have never had a major problem. They are always waiting for you at the finish. Also thanks to Denise Millon and Dirk Bertrand for co-leading.