Upper Suwannee Griffis fish camp to Rt. 6 Oct 4-8

[swamprat]

Got a chance to head north last week and took it. I hadn't been on the Suwannee in about 3 years and when the opportunity arose, I was there. We put in way up at Griffis fish camp North of Fargo with the intentions of coming all the way back down to White Springs.
Low water, not much current and pure laziness changed that plan and we called Wendel at American canoe adventures to come get us Wed. morning at the Rt 6 bridge.
I'll let the pictures tell the tale......

Shortly after putting in at Griffis fish camp

Little Green Heron

First nights camp

Hornets nest close to the first camp. Saw a bunch of these along the river.

Cool early morning

Baby gators

Camo really works!

More white sand bars.

I kinda like this one....

This guy decided to swim in front of us. Saw a bunch of deer but this is the only picture I managed to get

Working on dinner ( unsuccesfully I might add)

Late evening light on the river

Just chillin on the Suwannee

Ericas new stove, a Trangia. Incredible little piece of equipment. I need to do a write up on it.....

Campsite just above Roline boat ramp. We stayed there almost two days just relaxing then paddled out Wednesday morning.

All in all, a great trip. Saw a few fishermen in jon boats around fargo but after that, not a soul for 3 days.....
Hope ya enjoy
Brad

 

[oldsparkey]

I have done that stretch and it sure is low water in your pictures the water lines on the banks tell the story.
One trip up there we put in at Lem Griffis camp (after spending the night and watching the comet go over us ) then paddled on down.
I really enjoy the area from there to Cone Bridge , wilderness and narrow water , swamp paddling.

If you time it right you can stop at the 441 bridge and hike up to the restaurant there in Fargo for a meal. One trip we camped there but now with the welcome center I don't know if you can.
A solo paddler with a hammock has a ton of places to camp along that whole area. Heck for that , the whole river all the way down it.

Again a day on the river sure beats a day at w$%k so enjoy it for everything it has to offer.

I bet the Owls were sounding off at night , with it coming up to a full moon from the 1st quarter while you were on the river.

I'm interested to hear what you have to say about the Trangia stove. I have the burner but not the rest that goes with it , just the stuff I use with the beer can stoves. All improvised for easy cooking for myself.

Chuck.

 

[bearridge]

Friend Brad,

I like the bent cypress on the white sandbar best. Very nice. Not the first one of yer pichurs I figgered wuz a poster pichur. I haz been cool here in the mornin'. I wish I had a porch, ta take my coffee 'n watch the sun com up.

Looks like ya'll done some first rate geezer paddlin'. I reckon ya'll git a geezer award fer dawdlin'. Buy Miz Erica a cold drink. :wink:

regards
bearridge

The Romans would never have found time to conquer the world if they had been obliged first to learn Latin. Heinrich Heine

 

[Lazyriverguy]

Nice pics. Thanks for taken us along.
Joe

 

[buckisland1950]

Great pictures, looks like we're headed that way next weekend. The water's come up a lot these past few days. We plan to do three days and two night from the swamp down. We usually do about 30 miles or so but we'll see how it goes. I really like this area and in particular the river just before it gets to the sill. I was anxious before but you really have me fired up now....
Thanks for sharing...

 

[oldyaker]

Great pix Brad....What model Trangia stove is that one?