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Happy Hour on the Hooch! Club-provided-Inflatable-Boat Option




The Basics:
Event Type:Whitewater
Event Location: Chattahoochee River in NW Atlanta, I-285 to US-41   Whitewater: Happy Hour on the Hooch! Club-provided-Inflatable-Boat Option   National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Tue, May 31 2011  5:45 pm >> Tue, May 31 2011 8:45 pm
Registration Opens: Mon, May 23 2011 10:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Mon, May 30 2011 10:00 pm
Event Duration:3 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Pace:Leisurely
Trip Leader(s):
Charlie Cottingham
Bobby Marie
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 18 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

SPECIAL NOTE:  Sign up for this event option only if you are UNABLE to Bring Your Own Boat (kayak, canoe or inflatable).
  If you don't own a boat and can't conveniently borrow or rent one, we expect to have limited FREE space available in a few loaner inflatable boats (owned by Charlie and Bobby – along with paddles & lifejackets) and we'll launch them along with our other boats at the same Powers Island dock.
  If you CAN bring your own boat please click on that different AOC event title and sign up. 

OVERVIEW: It's fun to paddle the river together in a leisurely flotilla of our own kayaks, canoes and inflatables.  Our AOC "Happy Hours on the Hooch" in 2009 and 2010 were a blast, so by popular demand here's an encore after-work float down the popular section of the Chattahoochee from just upstream of I-285 at "Powers Island" to US-41.  Memorial Day through about the end of July is the perfect time for this, with max evening daylight and generally warm air temperatures.
  In this gorgeous section rocky "palisades" rise steeply on both sides of the river and there's a wilderness aura much like being in the mountains.  This is "where the action was" in the legendary "Ramblin' Raft Races" of the 1970s and 80s, and it's a perfect place to kick back and enjoy a few refreshments while running the Class I and easier rapids that are suitable for beginners.
  As usual we'll appreciate help in setting up our convenient shuttle system – see details below.  Prior to the float we'd like to leave as many empty vehicles as possible at the takeout—then after the float give rides back upstream (just a 10-minute drive) to our put-in for those whose cars are left there.
  We consider this a "rain-or-shine" event, and intend to go ahead with it unless there's perhaps a high likelihood of severe thunderstorms.

PADDLING PLAN:  We'll meet at 5:45 PM at the "Powers Island" parking lot of the Chattahoochee River Nat'l Recreation Area (CRNRA – see detailed directions below).  After introducing one another and checking to make sure we're all OK with our boats and gear, we'd like to launch by 6:15 PM from the large wooden dock on the far side of the island—about a 5-minute "carry" with our boats & gear from the parking lot.  After paddling under the I-285 bridge, we'll pass "Ray's on the River" and the old Riverbend apartment complex.  Our first Class I rapid will be on "river right" near Riverbend, then we'll bear left to shoot the thrilling Class-I "Devil's Race Course" rapid.  After another Class-I at a big rightward bend in the river we'll make an obligatory stop on the beach across from the famous "Jumping Rock," with optional swimming and leaping into the cool deep water from the rock.  After a very shoaly section and a couple more Class-I rapids we'll pass under the I-75 bridge and take out on river right at the convenient "Paces Mill" CRNRA concrete ramp, about a quarter-mile upstream of the US-41 bridge (target take-out time about 8:30 PM).

SHUTTLE SET-UP PLAN:  As mentioned above we request that all who can do so please meet early at 5:00 PM at our Powers Island "put-in" lot to help set up our shuttle.  After unloading our gear we'll drive as many vehicles as possible (plus Bobby's big steel boat trailer) to the Paces Mill take-out lot – just a 10-minute drive – while one or two paddlers stay at Powers Island to watch our boats and gear.  At least one volunteer driver will then return those drivers back to Powers Island (ideally arriving back there between 5:45 and 6:00 PM).
  After the float this makes it possible for you to depart immediately with your boat and gear if you participated in the early setup.  Some of us can give rides back to the put-in lot for any who may need it, and Bobby can also haul a few boats back to the put-in lot if necessary on his boat trailer.


Required Items to Bring:
• Wear your Swimsuit, old Athletic Shoes or tight-fitting Sandals, and if you like, a short-sleeve synthetic-fabric T-Shirt.  Sunglasses aren't really necessary this late in the day, but if you wear prescription glasses, be sure to attach them to a "Croakie" strap.  If showers are forecast consider bringing a lightweight Raincoat or poncho and perhaps a visored Cap. 

• Bring your own Boat, Lifejacket(s) and Paddle(s).

• Consider bringing a dry T-Shirt and pair of Shorts to change into at the US-41 takeout (plus perhaps a hand towel), stashed in a gallon Ziploc bag or other waterproof bag in your boat.  A small light-weight nylon "Draw-string Daypack" (or other small drawstring bag) is a handy item for stashing your Ziploc(s) inside and then tying to the inside of your boat.  Things that aren't water-protected and secured are likely to get soggy or washed overboard!

• Consider bringing a small soft-sided Cooler with a few Snack Items, Beverages and perhaps a couple of pre-frozen plastic pints of water to keep things cold.  A half-gallon plastic picnic jug is also a good option.  If you bring any alcoholic beverages, they ideally should be pre-poured into a permanent-style plastic container or picnic jug.  GLASS is A STRICT NO-NO on the River (carrying potentially a stiff fine) and cans should also be avoided.

• If you park in either the Powers Island or Paces Mill (US-41) CRNRA lot, be prepared to pay the $3 cash Parking Fee in a self-service envelope and leave the tear-off receipt on your rearview mirror. A valid annual U.S. Nat'l Parks parking pass is also OK to display if you have one.

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.



How to Get There:
Event Directions:
 
 

MEET at 5:45 PM Sharp in the CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER NRA “POWERS ISLAND - INTERSTATE NORTH PKWY” PARKING LOT.
It's in northwest metro Atlanta, adjoining the access road just NE of the I-285 bridge over the river. This lot is directly across the river from the main Cochran Shoals parking area that is so popular among joggers & dog walkers.  Following are directions from I-285 on Atlanta’s north side:

IF DRIVING EASTWARD ON I-285 FROM THE I-75 INTERCHANGE in NW ATLANTA:

1. Get off I-285 at Exit #22, “Northside Drive, New Northside Drive, Powers Ferry Road.”

2. Continue straight ahead for about 0.2 mile to the light at New Northside Drive.

3. Turn Left onto New Northside Drive and go about 0.5 mile to the second traffic light (crossing the I-285 bridge).

4. Continue straight ahead another 0.7 mile on Interstate North Parkway.

5. Turn Right into the CRNRA parking lot just BEFORE you cross the river. A small street sign here reads "1650 Riveredge Parkway," but Caution! – that address works incorrectly with Google Maps, GPS, etc!  It's best to input as your destination the following Lat/Lon Coordinates of the Powers Island parking lot entrance on Interstate North Parkway: 33.902871,-84.441208
 

IF DRIVING WESTWARD ON I-285 FROM  SANDY SPRINGS, SPAGHETTI JCN, etc:

1. Get off I-285 at Exit #22 “New Northside Drive/ Powers Ferry Rd.”

2. Turn Right onto New Northside Drive and go about 0.2 mile to the next light.

3. Now continue straight ahead FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS # 4 and #5 above to the parking lot.


Notes:
* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cost Includes:No Charge – Free Event, with only the usual $3 CRNRA self-serve parking fee.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note: If you're confirmed for this event and if you determine that you can't participate, please remove yourself from our roster by clicking on "Delete your Registration" ASAP near the bottom of this event article. We expect to have a long wait list for this event and your prompt cancellation will likely make it possible for another member to paddle with us.