Kayaking - Flint River, AL

 Flint River                                    15miles

Me, Scotty & Ethan, Put in - Near Brown Bear Canoe Rental, Take our at the bridge at a Little Cove Road, Temps- high 70s and a bit overcast, Paddling Time 5 hours, 3.4 mph avg speed, river 7.3 ft.

We dropped Ethan‘s car off at little Cove Road and then headed over to Riverton Rd. which is near Brown Bear Canoe rental. We parked the truck on the side of the road and then carried our kayaks down a steep dirt path to the water. It’s not an easy entry, but it’s doable. Once you’re in the water you’re in Briar Fork Creek which is very shallow and the bottom is covered with rocks and most are mossy. There’s no way we could paddle here because our boats kept getting stuck on the rocks. Scotty and Ethan managed to paddle most of the way, and I chose to walk my kayak over to the supposed river. We got to the bigger waterway and it was still shallow and rocky. For a good half mile it was very tough paddling because of the shallowness and the rocks. The three of us were constantly getting hung up on a rock and either scooting forward or getting out to bring a kayak forward. I was definitely the most frustrated of the three of us and I’m sure they got tired of hearing me yell. The water finally got a little deeper and paddling got easier, but the depth was never very much. After 4 to 5 miles we got to the dam. The dam served as a road over to fields of cotton. That was an unexpected pleasure as it made us realize we truly were kayaking in Alabama. After the dam the river did seem to get a little bit deeper. The river actually got to be fun because there were many little challenges. We’d have to kayak around down logs or trees, make judgment calls as to the best path with the deepest water, or go over short little jumps. A couple of times we had to make decisions on whether to go river left or river right as there was an island in the middle. At one point there was a sign directing paddlers to go right. During this paddle, we paddled under Ryland Pike bridge, a train trestle, Brownsboro Road and Highway 72. The last 5 miles or so of this paddle were the prettiest. We didn’t have to make as many decisions looking for the deep water and also the scenery around us was very pretty. Some of the trees are just starting to turn and their yellow leaves were floating down to the water. We passed Some rocky bluffs and one bluff was extremely tall. In front of us we could see a small mountain. At the very end of the paddle, we saw a sign that said NACK (North Alabama Canoe and Kayak) to the right, although the river also went to the left. Ethan was in the lead and we hung back to watch as there were a lot of downed trees and branches. I had had enough challenges for the day so I decided to go back and see what was to the right. Ethan made it through the trees although he said it was difficult at the very start. Scotty followed me out to the right and it wasn’t bad - just shallow. Both river paths came out at little Cove Road and that was the end of a fun and challenging day. (Note- the first half mile to full mile was NOT fun and I’m sure it led to some new scratches on the bottom of our kayaks.)

The creek to the river.

Very shallow and very rock and very mossy.

We stopped here to look at the dam.

Portaging the kayaks.

We found a cotton field!

No social distancing, no masks, no manners! 
We paddled on for another lunch stop.

Signs of fall.

We stopped at this gravel bar for lunch.

Highway 72.

Love seeing the small hill up ahead!

Turned around and stuck on a sandbar.
Just one of MANY times!

Looking up at a huge bluff into the sunlight!

We came around to the right and saw Ethan.
He had taken the river to the left.

Take out at Little Cove Road.