Bayou Haystacker Paddling Club takes on the Slave Canal


A self-supported trip created by rangerrick333

Trip Overview

About a dozen members of the Bayou Haystacker Paddling Club out of south Louisiana paddled the Slave Canal from the put in off Goose Pasture road to the take out near Nuttall Rise. Never having done the trip before, I made sure to do a lot or reading, looking at videos on YouTube, and looking at satellite images. Was worried about getting lost and not finding the entrance to the channel, and the number of portages we might have to experience. Previous reports had mentioned portages frequently. Luckily, we had cell phone reception throughout the trip, and access to seeing our location real time on satellite images. It made finding the entrance to the Slave Canal easy. The entrance was marked by a small white sign. Everyone was in canoes and were experienced paddlers which was very important. The Slave Canal is narrow and much of the time has room for paddling single file only. Current was slow but steady. We had to weave among fallen trees, under branches, around rocks, etc, but never had to get out of our boats. After having paddled the Wakulla, Wacissa, Aucilla and St Marks Rivers previously that week, several paddlers indicated this had been their favorite day on the water. Experienced lots of birds along the way, most of which could not be seen, only heard. Saw several alligators and a number of poisonous snakes (mostly moccasins, one copperhead) were seen sunning themselves on branches in relatively close proximity to the paddlers. That ended up being everyone's biggest concern. Water was clear and mostly shallow. Trip was almost six miles in length.

Safety Notes

Be on the lookout for poisonous snakes!

Gear Notes

Maneuverable boats really important, Would prefer to paddle it in canoes as opposed to kayaks.

Trip Details

  • Trip Dates: 4/18/2018
  • Trip Duration: Day Trip
  • Sport/Activity: Kayaking, Canoeing
  • Skill Level: Intermediate, Advanced
  • Water Type: Flat/Sheltered Water, River/Creek (Up to Class II)

Trip Location