12 Paddles in 12 Months: Paddle 6 Hard Labor Creek State Park | |||||||
| The Basics: | |||||||
| Event Type: |  | Water | | ||||
| Event Location: | |
Rutledge, GA
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| Date(s) & Time: | | Sat, Jun 20 2026 10:00 am >> Sat, Jun 20 2026 2:00 pm | | ||||
| Registration Opens: | | Mon, May 18 2026 7:05 pm | | ||||
| Registration Cut Off: | | Fri, Jun 19 2026 7:05 pm | | ||||
| Event Duration: | | 4 Hours | | ||||
| Difficulty Rating: | | D3: Moderate (Exploratory) | | ||||
| Distance: | | 4 Miles | | ||||
| Pace: | | Moderate | | ||||
| Trip Leader(s): | | Kelly Email Trip Leader(s)
You must be logged in to get the Trip Leader contact information. | | ||||
| Member Cost: | | None | |||||
| Participant Info: | |||||||
| Who's Invited: | | Members Only, 21 And Older Only | | ||||
| Maximum Group Size: | | 10 | |||||
| Minimum Group Size: | | 2 | |||||
| Number Registered So Far: | | 1 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area) | |||||
| Are Dogs Permitted: | | No | |||||
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Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue. This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary. | |||||||
| Itinerary: | |||||||
Paddle 6 is an exploration of Lake Rutledge at Hard Labor Creek State Park and getting wet and practcing some kayaking skills. There is about 4 mile paddle along the perimeter and if we can, we will explore some of the Creek as it feeds and leaves the lake. At some point we will take a break for lunch. We will stopping at a safe place (shallow) to practice some self rescue in the kayaks. Yes, you read that right, we are going to intentionally tip over and get ourselves back into the boats. This is a skill that anyone who is going to be paddling on larger lakes should have. So dress to get wet! Please don't sign up for this event if you are not willing to practice this skill. This paddle is suitable for beginners, but remember that it is flat water, so consistent paddling will be required and wind conditions can affect the level of difficulty.
More information on the "12 paddles in 12 months in 12 Georgia State Parks" (see GA State park list here https://gastateparks.org/sites/default/files/parks/pdf/clubs/ParkPaddlers_MemberCard_2023_fillable.pdf )
I will post the following paddles at least 1 month ahead of the date of the event. The paddles with the * will have boat rentals. I have 1 make-up paddle listed but will likely repeat others over the summer so you wil have several oppurtunities to get 12 paddles. The last paddle is at the Okefenokee, we will rent some cabins and have a celebration for those folks who paddle in 12 parks in 2026.
Paddle 1: January 17th: Sweetwater Creek State Park
Paddle: 2 February 21: Watson Mill Bridge
Paddle 3: March 14th: Chattahochee Bend
*Paddle 4: April 11th: George L. Smith State Park in Twin City
*Paddle 5: May 23rd – 25th High Falls State Park, Dames Ferry State Park and Indian Springs (we have a primitive campsite rented for people who want to stay overnight at High Falls).
*Paddle 6: June 20: Hard Labor Creek State Park
*Paddle 7: July 18: Moccasin Creek State Park (Lake Burton)
*Paddle 8: August 15th Don Carter State Park (Lake Lanier)
*August 22nd (make-up Paddle): Fort Yargo State Park
*Paddle 9: September 19: Elijah Clark State Park
*Paddle 10: October 31: Halloween Paddle: James H Floyd State Park
Paddle 11: November 7th: Fort Mountain and Hike the Gahuti Trail
*Paddle 12: December 4-6: Stephen C Foster State Park - Okefenokee
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| How to Get There: | |||||||
| Event Directions: | | The Visitor's Center (aka: Trading Post) is located at 5 Hard Labor Creek Road GPS Coordinates
Note: This is NOT the location of the boat ramp. Use this only if you need to rent a Kayak or have other need of this facility. The RAMP GPS Coordinates are look for CCC Camp Loop and follow it to the ramp. | | ||||
| Notes: | |||||||
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This is a bring your own boat (kayak or canoe) event and you must be able to obain your own equipment. Hard Labor Creek State Park rents kayaks, but be sure to arrive early enough to get a rental and meet us at the boat ramp at 10 am (you may need to paddle to the ramp from the park office). More information is at this link: https://gastateparks.org/HardLaborCreek/Paddling Coordinates of Boat Ramp: * We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events. | |||||||
Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy. | |||||||