Paddle the Historic Upper Etowah - the Tunnel

Between Castleberry Bridge and Highway 136 just outside Dawsonville, the Etowah is intimate and beautiful.  This run is 8 miles long and takes in a half dozen shoals in the first 3 miles.

At the middle of the run there is a 2 tenths mile old mining tunnel that was built through the mountain by investors and miners with the idea to divert the river through the tunnel to allow mining of the riverbed around the mountain. The gold never "panned" out even though the tunnel was completed.

Today, this tunnel is part of an unforgettable paddle experience. From the top end you can see a point of light at the bottom end. Two thirds of the way through, IF you look up, there is an air shaft open to the top of the hill. The exit is into a pool where the river comes around the mountain. The river can be run around the tunnel if conditions are not right to run it.

The remaining 5 miles is a constant flowing enjoyable ride.  If the water is down a bit, the trip can have some shallower places to deal with.

There will be no official carpool for the event, everyone will meet at the Outside World in Dawsonville at 8:30 a.m.

Address is: 471 Quill Drive, Dawsonville, GA

The put-in is a bridge by the road and requires a short carry to the edge. The take-out is river right just before the 136 bridge and requires a carry-out of boats to the parking along the side of the road.

This trip is for experienced paddlers with a sense of adventure. Bring your own boat and equipment. PFD's are required, helmets are HIGHLY recommended for the tunnel, skirts are not required.

The Trip Leaders may contact sign-ups for additional information, OR you may contact them by email for questions.

Meet at the Outside World Outfitters at 8:30 a.m. to group up and then head up to the put in to drop boats and set a shuttle.  Directions to the put in and takeout will be provided.

After the shuttle is set, we commence the paddle and enjoy the day.  Paddle time should be around 4 to 5 hours, but flexibility is important.  After the paddle, we can get a bite to eat on the way back if drivers wish.

This is a "BYOB event"-so, rent, beg or borrow, but please BRING YOUR OWN BOAT! (Kayak or canoe, no inflatable rafts please).

EVENT PLAN:
This will be a "rain-or-shine" float, and we intend not to cancel it unless the weather is really terrible. The detrmination will be made by 0600 on event day. 

LAUNCH & TAKE-OUT: We plan to launch by about 10:00 AM and take out at about 3:00 PM or sooner at the 136 bridge.

OPTIONAL Eating near Dawsonville.

Personal Preparedness and Responsibility:
Be a competent swimmer
Wear a life jacket.
Be practiced in self rescue, individual paddlers are ultimately responsible for their own safety, and must assume sole responsibility for there decisions

Find your way to: 471 Quill Drive, Dawsonville, GA

Maps and directions to the river will be provided.

Parking is free at the put-in and take-out beside the River!