Paddle the Bartram Trail

Come join Campus Recreation and Outdoor Adventures as we Paddle the Bartram Trail Overnight Route #1 on Saturday, November 7. The variety of wildlife and vegetation are two of the features that make this trip stand out as we paddle through an old river channel, creek, lake, and slough in a traditional bayou setting with cypress trees, flowers, blue herons, ibis, egrets, and scores of other birds. Alligators, swamp rabbits, raccoons, deer, and bobcats are common.  Feral pigs run rampant and some black bear remain. We will also stop at Mound Island, the site of eighteen religious ceremonial mounds, the largest of which rises 45 feet.  This area is designated as a National Historic Landmark; tribes lived in this area from at least 1500 B.C.; the Taensa Indians once lived on the shores of the river which bears their name, the Tensaw.  Due to the length of this trip, it is not recommended for beginners.

Check out our WEB page – southalabama.edu/outdoor/ - for great pictures from a previous Bartram Trail paddle, pictures and videos of other trips, and our itinerary for the entire Fall Semester.

We will leave the Rec Center at 8:00 a.m. and drive 1 hour to Stockton, Alabama.  We will unload and be ready to leave Rice Creek Landing around 10:00 a.m. We will paddle 2 hours to Mound Island; after spending about 90 minutes exploring and eating, we will then paddle back to Rice Creek Landing.  We will arrive back at Campus Rec around 5:00 p.m.  Our total distance/time to paddle is around 9 miles and close to 4 ½ hours.

Cost (per person): $20 for students/one family member, $30 for staff/faculty/one family member, $40 for non-USA. Price includes transportation, canoes and kayaks.  Does not include food. 

Sign-up: with Randy Hunter, Campus Recreation or leave a check payable to “U.S.A.” (sorry, no cash) along with your name and cell phone number at the Front Desk of the Student Recreation Center.  I will call you and confirm receipt of check.  $10 non-refundable deposit is required of students, $15 for non-students, with the full fee payable by Thursday, November 5.  Fee is non-refundable unless we can replace you with someone on wait list or trip is canceled. Checks will not be deposited until completion of trip; if trip is canceled; checks will be destroyed.

Driver needed: a faculty or staff member is needed to drive the SGA van; if you drive, we will waive $20 of your fee.  If a student can drive their own car, tow a trailer, and carry five, we will waive your fee and pay for your gas.

Trip limit: maximum of thirteen, minimum of five.

Pre- trip meeting on Thursday, November 5, 8:00 p.m. at the Student Recreation Center.