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Flatwater Paddle: Sunday Afternoon on the Hooch! - BYO Boat




The Basics:
Event Type:Water
Event Location: Roswell GA: Azalea Park to Morgan Falls Dam & back.   Water: Flatwater Paddle: Sunday Afternoon on the Hooch! - BYO Boat  National Weather Service Forecast
Date(s) & Time:Sun, Oct 16 2011  1:00 pm >> Sun, Oct 16 2011 5:00 pm
Registration Opens: Mon, Oct 10 2011 9:00 pm
Registration Cut Off: Sat, Oct 15 2011 8:00 pm
Event Duration:4 Hours
Difficulty Rating:D2: Easy to Moderate
Distance:8 Miles
Pace:Moderate
Trip Leader(s):
Amy
Ashley W
Charlie Cottingham
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Member Cost:None

Participant Info:
Who's Invited: Members Only, 21 And Older Only
Maximum Group Size:12
Minimum Group Size:2
Number Registered So Far: 13 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)
Are Dogs Permitted: No

Itinerary:

IMPORTANT NOTE:  BRING YOUR OWN KAYAK or CANOE +  GEAR, REFRESHMENTS & SNACKS.  This event is intended only for AOC members who can provide and paddle their own hard boat (no inflatables, please).  There is no outfitter at Azalea Park.

OVERVIEW:  A popular launching spot for flatwater kayaking, canoeing and rowing, Roswell's Azalea Park sprawls along Azalea Drive just west of the Roswell Road (GA-9) bridge over the river.  Its boat ramp and free parking by the ramp give convenient access to the scenic 6-mile-long flatwater section of the Chattahoochee here that is upstream of Morgan Falls Dam - essentially a sinuous elongated lake.  Since there are no rapids or shoals to contend with and only a very slow river current (and usually only moderate winds to contend with) boaters can paddle from the park to the dam and back while enjoying conversation, camaraderie and refreshments.

EVENT PLAN:  We'll gather with our boats and gear at the Park boat ramp at 1:00 PM (see detailed directions below) and plan to paddle about 8 miles total.  We intend to stop occasionally to enjoy refreshments and shoot photos, but while paddling would like to maintain a fairly brisk pace.   We'll likely be back at our vehicles at the Azalea Park ramp at about 5:00 PM.

Along the way we'll pass the amazingly steep rocky outcrops and caves of Cedar Cliffs and the new City of Sandy Springs' "Overlook Park" as well as a few little side creeks and areas that we may be able to explore depending on time and water levels.  We plan to get out of our boats briefly both at Overlook Park and at the Morgan Falls dam powerhouse to take in the scenery during brief walks. We may choose to extend or vary our route a bit depending on the group's preferences and where our explorations take us.

After the float, if there's enough interest feel free to join us at a nearby restaurant for an early dinner and drinks.


Required Items to Bring:
1.  Your own Kayak or Canoe (all styles acceptable, but no inflatables please, since they're generally much slower than hard boats, esp. on flatwater.)

2.  Your own Paddle and PFD (at least one Coast Guard approved personal flotation device per person in each boat).

3. Bring and stow securely in your boat Beverages & Snacks that are NOT in glass containers. Glass is illegal on the River, but plastic, paper and metal containers are OK.
Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

1.  In case you take a brief swim along the way (voluntarily or otherwise!) consider wearing a Swimsuit or Fast-Drying Shorts and a synthetic T-Shirt. Also perhaps leave dry clothing in your car to change into after the float.

2.  Consider wearing Polaroid Sunglasses (+ "Croakie Strap") and/or a Cap with a low brim.  The afternoon sun will likely be in our eyes at times.  Also perhaps bring your Camera in a waterproof bag.

How to Get There:
Event Directions:FROM the GA-400/I-285 INTERCHANGE on ATLANTA'S NORTH SIDE:

1. Take GA-400 North about 5 miles to Exit #6, "Northridge Rd," and exit toward your right.
2. At the exit loop clockwise up onto Northridge Road and proceed just 0.1 mile to the first traffic light, just west of the GA-400 overpass.
3. Bear Right at that light onto Dunwoody Place and take it 1.3 miles to the traffic light at Roswell Road.
4. Turn Right onto Roswell Road (GA-9 North) and take it just 0.6 mile to the traffic light at Azalea Drive (just past the Chattahoochee River bridge).
5. Turn Left onto Azalea Drive and take it about 0.8 mile to the Azalea Park boat ramp entrance on your left.
6. Park temporarily by the boat ramp and unload your kayak or canoe and gear. We can stage the boats on the riverbank near the ramp. Free parking likely will be available in nearby parking spaces - if not, it's normally OK to park along the shoulder of Azalea Drive.
7. Our AOC paddlers will assemble at 1:00 at the boat ramp to greet one another and launch.

DESTINATION LAT/LON for GPS NAVIGATION or GOOGLE MAPS:
Coordinates of the Boat Ramp at Roswell's Azalea Park:
34.0020,-84.3634

CLICK this LINK for a DETAIL MAP of AZALEA PARK and the RIVER:
http://www.google.com/maps?saddr=I-285+W&daddr=Azalea+Dr&hl=en&ll=33.996604,-84.359894&spn=0.075714,0.175781&sll=33.914535,-84.350388&sspn=0.009473,0.013797&geocode=FTqFBQIdhgD5-g%3BFZTVBgIdUrf4-g&vpsrc=6&mra=me&mrsp=0,1&sz=16&z=13
 

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

Cost Includes:FREE Event with free Parking!  BYO Boat & Gear.

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