This was a longer trip from Lower Cartecay Rd. to Woody’s place. Thanks Woody!  If you don’t have a kayak, helmet, pfd or skirt Woody’s business- The Cartecay River Experience is a great spot right along 52 in Ellijay to rent kayaks and all your gear for a trip down the river. Note: Park down at Woody’s and catch a shuttle up to the top to make it real easy. Donations for the shuttle help support this great service.

I shot some video with a Kodak Play Sport but had to try to connect the camera to my pfd (bad idea) since I had to wear my spray skirt this time but it didn’t work out at all! I am in the process of trying to salvage some of the footage but its really shaky so if you watched it you’d probably get sick.

During my latest run down the Cartecay, I figured out a good way to connect the camera to my boat and still wear my spray skirt so keep an eye out for that video here or on our youtube channel soon. After realizing I would not be able to get much in the way of video this time I started using the Kodak Sport to take pictures. As you can see from these photos, it doesn’t take very good stills so this trip was a bit of  a bust for that side of things. No worries, I plan to do it again soon with the camera set correctly.

Lower down the river it starts to level out as it approaches the Etowah.

At around 10 miles it merges with the Etowah River and then its another 2 miles down to the Kelly Bridge take-out.

End Location: Kelly Bridge Road N34 degrees 21′ 9.6″,W84 degrees

Take-Out

1. Take 369 to Highway 9
2. Head north on Highway 9 for 5.4 miles, then turn left onto A.T. Moore Road after crossing the Dawson County line.
3. After 0.7 mile A.T. Moore will become Kelly Bridge Road.
4. Continue along Kelly Bridge for 6.4 miles
5. The put-in will be on your right past the bridge over the Etowah.

Put-In

1. Take 575 to Hwy 53
2. Right onto Hwy 53
3. Continue past Big Canoe until Bridge over Amicalola River
4. Parking on left after bridge.  ( Parking currently under construction so you may have to haul boat down steep stairs to river until construction is complete.)

County: Dawson/Pickens line

Length: 12 Miles

Rapids: Class II-IV+

Duration: 4 1/2 hours

Note: Many of the larger rapids may not be pictured here. There are plenty of major rapids like Off-the-Wall, Split Rock and Roostertail among others interspersed with smaller class II rapids not visible on any of my shots. None of it really does this river justice anyway so you’ll just have to check it out for yourself. I would only recommend this river for serious kayakers with the proper gear.

County: Dawson

Length: 9.1 Miles

Rapids: Class I(II)

Duration: 4 hours

Put-In: Hwy 136 (Note: Difficult put-in. You will need to haul boat a bit.)

Take-Out: Hwy 9

Directions to Take-Out:

1. Take 369 to Highway 9
2. Head north on Highway 9
3. Follow Hwy 9 north until you cross over the Etowah
4. Take-Out on your left past the bridge

Directions to Put-In:

1. Take Highway 136 west from Highway 400 or east from Highway 9 to the bridge.
2. There is space along Highway 136 to park at any of the four corners, but the designated parking area is about 100 yards west of the bridge on the north side of Highway 136.

Last year I was dropped off at 136 to kayak a short section to Hwy 9. This section of the Etowah River is fairly slow and winds down through north Georgia farmland. Its quiet with only minimal signs of civilization. There are not any major rapids or even larger shoals that I would consider particularly noteworthy but its a relaxing float and a nice natural setting.

As I was pulling up to the take-out at hwy 9 I realized the day was still young and the trip went too quick so I decided to continue on down to Kelly Bridge. Its another 8.7 miles and similar terrain but gets deep into the Dawson Forest and is one of my favorite slow water sections of the Etowah. I recommend a full day float from 136 to Kelly Bridge with a stop along the way to camp at Barefoot Falls.

During each release, the Hiwassee River is wide with cool water, swift currents and several rock ledges along the stretch between the powerhouse and the train trestle at Hiwassee Outfitters. It’s set in the mountains so there’s plenty of scenic beauty to enjoy during the float down the river.

This is a popular destination during the summer and there were quite a few people on the river but since its so wide and has several branch-offs it wasn’t really an issue.

Bottom Line: A beautiful, fairly easy river perfect for beginners or those just looking for a calm but enjoyable float. We plan to do this one again..

Length: 5.5 Miles

Nearest Town: Reliance, TN

Rapids: Class I-II

River Style: Wide, moderate flow while dam released, slow-shallow during non release intervals. Note: Check flow levels before your trip using the links I’ve included below.

Water Flow: Dam Released http://www.tva.gov/river/lakeinfo/lake_phone.htm http://www.tva.gov/lakes/aph_r.htm

Put-in: Powerhouse Rd just up river from Hiwassee Outfitters put-in

Take-out: Hiwassee Outfitters

More Info and rental options: http://www.hiwasseeoutfitters.com/

Direction to Take-out:

From Chattanooga/Nashville/Birmingham - South: Take I-75 to North to first Cleveland Exit (Exit 20). On bypass go 6 miles to Ocoee Exit (Highway 64 East). Go east of Hwy. 64 approximately 13 miles to Hwy. 411 North exit (Maryville Exit). Take 411 north through Benton, Tennessee. (WATCH FOR SPEED TRAPS!) Six miles north of Benton turn right on TN 30 East. Follow TN 30 East 6 miles past the Texaco Station and the old church/schoolhouse. Our sign and driveway will be on the left.

From Atlanta Area - South: Take I-75 North to Cartersville/White Exit (U.S. 411). Go north on Hwy. 411 through Benton, Tennessee. Six miles north of Benton turn right on TN 30 East. Follow Tn 30 East 6 miles past the Texaco Station and the old church/schoolhouse. Our sign and driveway will be on the left.

From Knoxville - North: Take 411 South through Etowah, TN. After you cross the Hiwassee River bridge turn left on TN 30 East. Follow TN 30 east 6 miles past the Texaco Station and the old church/schoolhouse. Our sign and driveway will be on the left.

OR

Take I-75 South to Athens, Tennessee and take TN 30 East exit. Follow TN 30 East all the way past the Texaco Station and the old church/schoolhouse. Our sign and driveway will be on the left. (Note: from Etowah to intersection at Hiwassee Corner Market, TN 30 East and U.S. 411 South are the same highway.)

Directions to Put-in from Take-out: Right on Ellis Creek Rd. Right onto 30. Right on 315 (Tellico Reliance Rd) across river. Right on Childers Creek Rd. continue (right on Childers Creek Rd which becomes Powerhouse Rd. until turn around. (Put-in)

The other thing I like about the jacket is that it is simple. Some jackets are cluttered with random symbols or colors but this one doesn’t have all those pieces of flair.

Starting out at the Carters Lake Dam this river winds through the valley and private farm land typical in this part of North Georgia. The water is generally wide and deep throughout this stretch. River Oak and Tulip Poplar line the steep river banks on either side.

A quiet paddler may see the occasional blue heron above the river while fishermen will likely find several species ready and waiting below the water.

So, for those of you looking for a calm relaxing float this is a great spot. The only shoals are at the very beginning under the first set of bridges which would be Old Hwy 411. If you are concerned at all, the easiest route through this shoal will probably be all the way river right.

The only other obstacle is a group of downed trees running the width of the river around half way into the float . You will need to paddle up slowly and lift your boat over the log.

Directions: to Take-out: From 5/515, Take 136 NW towards Carters Lake until fork (apx. 2.1 mi.). Fork right on 136 W and cross over 411. Continue on 136 until after the bridge and the Coosawattee. Take an immediate left after bridge onto dirt road.

Directions back to Put-in: Take 136 back towards Carters Lake. Cross back over 411 and take left on Old Hwy 411 after train tracks. Right into Re-regulatio Dam Park.

Nearest Town: Chatsworth, GA

County: Gordon

Length: 8 miles

Difficulty: Class I - Very Easy

Fees: None

Nearest Town: Cartersville, GA

Directions: From I-75 take exit 288 and go West toward downtown Cartersville and follow brown signs, the route is very well marked. You will end up at 813 Indian Mounds Rd, SW, Cartersville, GA

Fee: $5/adult, $3.50/child, 5 & under free

Trail Length: Perimeter Trail approx. 1 mi. , Mound Trail approx. 1/2 mi.

We went to the Etowah Indian Mounds to get out in the sunshine and take a field trip with our kids. It turned out to be fun and educational too. The tour starts out with a small museum that houses some pretty cool artifacts found at the site including an old dug out canoe. Once you’re outside you can take either the Perimeter Trail which is a little longer than a mile or the Mound Trail which is a half mile and meets up with the Perimeter Trail by the river. We took the Mound Trail directly to the mounds which all have stairs that lead to the tops. The stairs are many but they’re shallow so they’re not too challenging. The highest mound is 60 feet tall and, of course, offers some nice views of the river and the surrounding area.  We made our way to the river and took the Perimeter Trail on the way back. The hike was short but fun and we all learned something new. Worth a visit.

If you are interested you can register at Natural Strides

Date: March 10, 2012

Location: 1052 Old River Road, SE, Cartersville, GA 30121.

Race Schedule

6:30 - 8:00 am Check-In
8:15 am Race Brief
8:30 am 9 Mile Race Start
8:35 am 3.1 Mile Race Start
8:45 am Free 12 and Under Kids Race

Date: April 14, 2012

Location: Acworth, GA

There will also be a free half mile kids race for children 12 and under

Sutallee Trace Trail Challenge

Date: May 26, 2012

Location: Boling Park in Canton, GA

Etowah Trail Map

Rope Mill Adventure Run

Date: June 16, 2012

Location: Olde Rope Mill Park in Woodstock, GA

For additional Information please visit the following sites:
http://mountaingoatadventures.com/
http://etowahtrail.webstarts.com/index.html