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Page Design by Brian J. Mull |
Three Day and Two nights Paddling and Wilderness Camping on Black Creek, MS
August 30th - September 1st, 2008 - Labor Day Weekend
Splashing in a cool clear stream with a gravel bottom. Floating past a panorama of high banks, mature forests and scattered beaches. Paddling feverishly for a few seconds to avoid broaching on a stump. Wilderness camping on a large sand beach with tents centered around an outdoor kitchen and campfire. Sitting around a campfire listening to stories filled with details that seem unlikely. Enroute to your tent, noting that there is no moon and that the bright stars that compose the "summer triangle" are high overhead. Looking for lighting bugs flashing against the dark woods. Hoping that the bull frog on the other side of the stream will croak again. Rising early to witness the dawn mist over the quietly flowing waters. Enjoying meeting new people who also enjoy the outdoors. If these experiences are appealing to you, note that this Labor Day weekend, I have scheduled a paddling and wilderness camping outing on Black Creek which is located in south central Mississippi northeast of Wiggins. Our group of intrepid paddlers/wilderness campers will meet Saturday midmorning August 30th at a Forest Service campgrounds on Black Creek. After a morning of loading canoes and running shuttles, we will launch and spend the afternoon paddling and splashing in the dark waters of the creek. Late in the afternoon, we will establish a wilderness camp on a large beach and enjoy the evening of an outdoor meal and a campfire.
Sunday morning, we will break camp and continue downstream with pauses for refreshing splashes again stopping in late afternoon for another wilderness camp. On Monday (Labor Day) September 1st, we will continue our paddling progress until we take out about mid afternoon. By Monday evening, each paddler will be home with memories of pleasant memories of their time on Black Creek with newly made friends.
Black Creek has been recognized by Congress as a "Wild and Scenic Stream" - the only stream in Mississippi with that designation. This enactment was due to the fact that Black Creek flows through the public lands of the Desoto National Forest and its scenery of a mature forest of broadleaf and pine trees. Other features that add to the appeal of Black Creek are its high multilayered clay banks with are often wet with seeping water and sprinkled with ferns and an occasional spouting spring. Sand and gravel beaches of assorted sizes and heights have formed on the inside of most turns. Most often, the current is of walking speed with some pools and some "swifts". Due to Katrina, there are numerous obstacles of logs and stumps that keep paddlers alert.
I will represent Canoe and Trail as the guide and outdoor skills instructor. Royalex canoes, paddles, life vests, dry bags in two sizes - day and overnight and group gear will be furnished. The shuttle and secure parking will be provided by Soggy Bottoms - an outfitter on Black Creek. The cooking crew will prepare four outdoor meals with custom made omelets one morning and pancakes with sausages the second. Menus for the two dinners have not yet been determined. Canoes that will be converted into streamside tables will support the appetizers, salads and entrees prepared each evening. For desert one night, we will have a "cold and delicious " hand cranked surprise.
Individual paddlers are to furnish their own outdoor clothing and footwear, rain gear, three river lunches and transportation to and from Black Creek. For a detailed checklist of what to bring, refer to www.canoeandtrail.com and click on "resources" and then the checklist for overnight canoeing. For tentless campers, there are new large airy tents available for rent for $25.00.
The trip fee for the above guide service, equipment and meals will be $150 per paddler or $275 for two. A child as a passenger will be $25. If you provide your own canoe or kayak, there is a $25 credit per paddler. Payment can be made by check to “Canoe and Trail Adventures” and mailed to 1049 Hesper Ave. in Metairie, La 70005.
If you would like to join us for the Labor Day outdoor experience, please send me an email at byron@canoeandtrail.com. The outing is suitable for first time paddlers and wilderness campers. Everyone has to start their outdoor pursuits at some point so this outing would be a good time to do so.