Happy Hour on the Hooch in our own Kayaks, Canoes & Inflatables - Fri, Jul 2 2010

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Happy Hour on the Hooch in our own Kayaks, Canoes & Inflatables


The Basics:
Event Type:Whitewater
Event Location: Chattahoochee River in NW Atlanta between I-285 Access Rd and US-41
Date(s) & Time:Fri, Jul 2 2010  5:45 pm >> N/A
Registration Opens: Tue, Jun 29 2010 4:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Fri, Jul 2 2010 10:00 am
Event Duration:3 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D3: Moderate
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:20
Minimum Group Size:4
Number Registered So Far: 16 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:


OVERVIEW:  The weather is shaping up to be beautiful this Friday evening, so we thought a "Happy Hour on the Hooch" might be the perfect way to kick off the big 4th of July weekend.  This will be a "BYOB" event — so plan to Bring Your Own BOAT!  — plus at least one paddle and lifejacket for each boater in your party.  Canoes, kayaks and inflatable rafts of all sizes are suitable for this moderate 2-mile section of the Chattahoochee between I-285 and US-41 in northwest Atlanta.  Inexpensive inflatables are available at Walmart, etc. and you might also consider borrowing a boat from a friend or renting.
  Our previous AOC "Happy Hours on the Hooch" have been a blast.  July is an ideal time for these leisurely floats, with plenty of evening daylight and mild summer air to complement the cool water that comes out of the bottom of the Lake Lanier dam just 20 river miles upstream.  Both before and after the float we'll oversee a convenient vehicle shuttle system to get us and our gear quickly on our way home as we have for previous Hooch floats (see more on this below).

RIVER SECTION DETAILS: Late afternoon and evening in midsummer is the perfect time for a leisurely 2-hour trip down this popular section of the Chattahoochee between I-285 and US-41.  Steep rocky "palisades" rise from the river on both sides 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 easy rapids (Class I or less).

EARLY SHUTTLE SET-UP:  If it's convenient for you, please plan to arrive by 5:15 PM at our Powers Island "put-in" parking lot to participate in this early shuttle set-up.  After unloading our gear we'll drive our vehicles (plus perhaps a boat trailer or two) to the Paces Mill "take-out" lot—just a 10-minute drive—while someone stays at Powers Island to watch all our gear.  At least one volunteer driver (preferably with a large empty vehicle) will then return these drivers to Powers Island.  After the float this will facilitate an immediate departure from Paces Mill for most of these paddler/drivers and a shuttle ride back to Powers Island for others. 

PADDLING PLAN:  At 5:45 PM all paddlers (including those who have met early to set up the shuttle) will gather in the "Powers Island" parking lot of the Chattahoochee River Nat'l Recreation Area (CRNRA – see below).  After taking care of introductions and AOC waiver signing we'd like to launch by about 6:15 PM from our "Put-In" at the wooden "dock" on the far (west) side of Powers Island.  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 our traditional 20-minute stop on the beach across from the famous "Jumping Rock," with optional swimming and leaping off the rock into the cool deep water.  After this festive "mini-happy-hour" we'll re-launch and negotiate a wide shoaly section and a couple more Class-I rapids before passing under the I-75 bridge.  Our take-out is 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).


Required Items to Bring:

• Bring your own Kayak, Canoe, or Inflatable Watercraft (+ appropriate air pump if necessary).

• Don't forget your Paddle(s) and Lifejacket(s).  The law requires that every boat on the Chattahoochee have one U. S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket per person on board.  Also consider carrying a spare paddle securely attached to your boat in case a paddle is broken or lost.

• 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.

• Consider bringing a dry T-Shirt and pair of Shorts to change into at the US-41 take-out (plus perhaps a hand towel), stashed in a gallon Ziploc bag or other waterproof bag (or left at the take-out in your vehicle).  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 very small soft-sided Cooler with a couple of small 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.  A few snacks, pieces of fruit, etc. in your small cooler or Ziploc might also be appropriate.

• If you're parking in either of the CRNRA lots, be prepared to pay the $3 cash Parking Fee in a self-service envelope.

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

How to Get There:
Event Directions:
 
 


We’ll meet at 5:45 PM Sharp in the Chattahoochee River NRA “POWERS ISLAND – INTERSTATE PARKWAY” parking lot in north metro Atlanta, adjoining the access road just north of the I-285 bridge over the river—see detailed directions via I-285 below.  (If you'd like to print a map or custom directions from your point of departure, the parking lot's "GOOGLE.COM/MAPS "dummy address" is "INTERSTATE N PKWY, SANDY SPRINGS, GA 30328." -- this is slight improvement from the originally posted "dummy address.")  This Powers Island lot is directly across the river from larger and more popular Cochran Shoals parking area  which is popular among joggers & dog walkers.  Following are directions to Powers Island 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 (about 0.7 mile) on Interstate North Parkway. (This is the I-285 access road that crosses the river just a few yards north of of I-285.)
5) Turn right into the CRNRA parking lot just before you cross the river; i.e. the parking lot that is just EAST of the access road bridge.  (A small street sign should still be at the lot entrance that reads "1650 Riveredge Parkway, although the "dummy address" given above pinpoints the lot much more correctly if you use Google.com/maps).

 
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) FOLLOW DIRECTIONS #4 and #5 above to reach the Powers Island parking lot.

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

Cost Includes:No Charge – Free event!  The Chattahoochee NRA self-serve parking fee is $3.00 unless you have a valid annual parking pass.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:   Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

If you're confirmed for this event and determine that you can't participate, please remove yourself from our roster ASAP by clicking on "Delete your Registration" at the bottom of this event article.  This will make room for someone from our large wait list.