Overnight Guided Canoe Trip: Heiberger to Sprott – October 18th and 19th

• When: Saturday, October 18th at 8AM until Sunday, October 19th at 3PM
• Where to meet: Amped Fitness at the Colonnade, 3427 Colonnade Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35243
• Day of event contact: Wil Rainer, Mobile: (901) 210-7850
• Cost: $40 per person
• Availability: Space is limited.
• You will need: At least 1 liter of water, sun protection, close-toed water shoes you don’t mind getting wet. See below for more info.
• We will provide: Boats (contact recreation@cahabariversociety.org to inquire about using your own boat), paddles, and life jackets.
• Registration: Email our Field Programs Director, Wil Rainer

Description

This 12-mile guided canoe trip covers a stretch of the river as scenic and remote as any of Alabama’s wilderness areas. The riparian forest is beautiful and home to some spectacular wildlife.

The Cahaba River changes south of Centreville as it enters the Coastal Plain. As these waters receded, they left behind sandy soils that were prone to erosion. The edge of this 65 million-year-old sea is called the “Fall Line” in Alabama. It is the boundary between the harder rocks of the Appalachian Highlands and the softer soils of the Coastal Plain. As the Cahaba River reaches these soft soils in the Coastal Plain, it stretches out and meanders across the landscape, creating one of the most beautiful stretches on the river.

We will camp on Barton’s Beach, a large sandy beach in Perry County owned by The Nature Conservancy of Alabama. We will have the option for an easy night or morning hike into Perry Lakes Park, a keystone stop on the Alabama Birding Trail.

What to Expect

We will meet on Saturday, October 18th at 8:15AM at Amped Fitness (3427 Colonnade Pkwy, Birmingham, AL 35243) at the Colonnade in Birmingham to caravan to the launch site. We will depart for Heiberger at 8:30 sharp. Join us if you can, but you may also choose to travel to Perry County on your own. Please let us know your travel plans at recreation@cahabariversociety.org.

Before we begin our paddle, we will set a shuttle to ensure that as many cars as possible are at the take out. That way, you can begin your drive home as soon as we’re off the water. Trip leaders will provide more guidance for this process on the day of the trip.

There is plenty of room for tents at Barton’s Beach, but hammock sites are very limited. Bring some good walking shoes for the hike. Participants are responsible for providing their own camping gear, water supply, and meal prep. Meal plans are available through CRS for an additional donation. This includes lunch and dinner for Saturday and breakfast for Sunday. We are generally off the water by lunchtime on Sunday, though you might want to bring a snack.

When we finish our journey, we will pack up our gear, and everyone with a car at the takeout is welcome to head home.

Guided canoe trips are weather and water-dependent. If there are changes or cancellations, Wil Rainer will contact each guest and let you know the plan.

What to Bring

Cahaba River Society provides canoes, paddles, and personal flotation devices. Participants are responsible for everything else.

• Water (at least 5 liters)
• Camping gear (e.g., tent, sleeping bag, etc.)
• Wil Rainer will communicate about camping gear.
• All Meals: Saturday lunch, Saturday dinner, Sunday breakfast, Sunday snack/light lunch
• Sunscreen
• Sun hat
• Close-toed water shoes. This site shows some of the shoes our team might be wearing.
• Walking shoes for an optional easy hike
• Photography equipment (don’t forget we will be on the water)

You are welcome to bring a cooler, but alcohol is prohibited.

Registration:

Email our Field Programs Director, Wil Rainer (recreation@cahabariversociety.org) with the following information.

• Trip name/date
• Number of people, specify number of children and ages

Make your suggested donation HERE.