Kayaking - Etowah River - Kelly Bridge to Old Federal
Jan 8th, 2012 by Admin 1
Nearest Town: Dawsonville, Ga
Directions to take-out at Old Federal:
- From 575, take Ga. 20 towards Cumming
- Turn left onto Ga-369
- Turn left onto Old Federal Rd
- Slight right onto Nicholson Rd
- Take an immediate left into dirt parking area
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- From 400, left onto 369
- Right on Old Federal Rd
- Slight right onto Nicholson Rd
- Turn left - dirt parking at Old Federal Rd take-out
Directions from take-out to Kelly Bridge put-in:
- Head northwest on Nicholson Rd toward Montclair Hills Dr
- Turn left onto Coltrane Rd
- Slight right onto Old Kelly Farm Rd
- Take the 1st left onto Kelly Bridge Rd
The River
Distance: 7.1
River Difficulty: Beginner (Class I)
This short section of the Etowah River is a calm and fairly quiet float with only minor shoals. The put-in at Kelly Bridge has plenty of room to park with a $3 charge and a concrete boat launch leading down to the river. The take-out at Old Federal is a little less desirable. The only options are a muddy bank about 10-15 feet high to load the kayaks up or under the bridge just beyond it.
The river, like much of the upper Etowah is canopied by large trees lining its banks on either side for most of the float. Its a nice section and would be perfect for those just getting started.
I kayaked this section by myself and although I don’t remember many specific facts about the river itself I did have a little encounter with the local wildlife I thought was pretty interesting.
I was getting closer to the end of my trip and noticed two, extremely large greyish-black birds on the bank so I quickly got out my camera to take a picture as I floated closer. As I was taking the picture one of them let out what sounded more like a growl from a rabid dog than a bird chirping. Feeling unwelcome, I quickly reversed direction and took off down the river.
I had made it a few hundred feet but couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t over, constantly looking back to see if they were flying after me. Ha, I was right, here came the first one after me diving down just over my head. As it flew by I could have sworn I heard it laugh with a series of quick squawks. Narrowly escaping El Diablo’s wrath, it took about a half mile before I stopped looking over my shoulder for the second bird to come looking for me. 
