Broad River in Georgia

Trip Overview

Curt and I got to the put in after we drove from our homes. It took me about 2 and half hrs. from Macon. The incline was too steep at hwy 172. It would have been nice to do it because their was some nice shoals here.

We put in near the Outpost,the first road to the right before crossing the Bridge. We shuttled our vehicles taking Paoli Rd. to Hwy.72. We started paddling about 12 o'clock, we did 9 miles to the take out. It took us about 3 hrs to get here. The weather was 45 degrees and the wind was blowing 10-15 mph. the sun was out. The wind was coming from our back and from the side at least.

That night we drove 15 miles to Victoria Bryant State Park near Royston, Ga. We had a nice fire. I cooked rice and chili from a can for supper. I went to sleep in my tent, everybody else were sleeping in Rv. or Van. I was fine in my sleeping bag, Bivy Sac and Blanket, plus I wore my Hat. The next morning I was going to make some Hot Chocolate only to find out that their was a block of ice in my pan. I forgot to wash it out, I was letting it soak over night. I was able to melt it on my stove. The low for the night was 24, the next morning was about this also.

We checked the put in just before Anthony Shoals, it was too far and overgrown. We put in at Hwy. 77 near Elberton, not much parking. Places were somewhat rutted. A little carry to the put in where the rocks are, a good place to launch. The Take out was on Hwy. 17, it was a DNR paved ramp, it was quite muddy getting out. We paddled 8 miles today. We saw Kingfishers couple of Hawks, Blue Heron, wood ducks.

The take out the first day on Hwy.72 was kind of difficult, it was kind of steep, the road was was partly rutted as well as steep also. Except for Flat water paddling it was a good trip. It was quite remote and just a few houses were seen. Hope to do the first section which is more scenic and has a few small rapids, The last section is suppose to be nice also We avoided these sections,because the amount of rain we had. Plus the last 2 miles is on Lake Thurman.

I thought the Broad would have been deeper, but it was just 1-3 ft. I checked the Hudson a tributary to the Broad. The parking is not good and it is pretty difficult Carry.

Accommodations:

Victoria Bryant State Park: near Royston, GA on Bryant Rd just 1 mile down. Turn right before McDonalds.

Outfitting:

Old Town Excursion

Fees:

25 dollars for State Park

Directions:

Hwy. 441 to 172, PaoliRd. to HWY.72 and Hwy 17

Resources:

Canoeing Guide to Georgia