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NOTE - at time of placement, a tree has fallen across the section of Bayou Jessamine just past the fork where you would navigate to Jug Lake, requiring you to portage your canoe/kayak around the obstruction. I have notified the State Dept of Conservation, who are responsible for maintaining the trail.
Bartram Canoe Trail
The Mobile-Tensaw Delta is our nation’s second largest river delta. It encompasses a 10 mile-wide marsh, cypress-tupelo swamp and bottomland hardwood ecosystem. The Delta has over 50 rare and endangered plant and animal species known to inhabit its wetlands and waterways. The region encompasses 250,000 acres of which 100,000 are publicly owned and managed. The Bartram Canoe Trail system provides opportunities for recreational boaters, specifically canoes and kayakers, to enjoy the rivers, streams, lakes sloughs and bayous of the Delta. More information can be found about this trail and it's namesake, William Bartram, by visiting Bartram Canoe Trail.
Scout Moto: Be Prepared
Taking time to plan your trip can significantly enhance your experience. If you plan to attempt the Bartram Canoe Cache Trail, I highly recommend visiting the following resource page to aid you in your adventure. It will provide a printable map and basic directions for your geocaching adventure: Indian Mound Island Trail. If you plan to paddle all the way to the Bottle Creek Indian Mound Complex and back (from Rice Creek Landing), you will need to prepare for a 10+ mile round-trip paddle. This could take anywhere from 7 to 9 hours, depending on the # of stops and your speed. The trip is generally not too strenuous, depending on river current. If you take a leisure approach and enjoy your surroundings, you are guaranteed an OUTSTANDING time or your $ back! No permit is needed for day trips in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. For overnight trips and to reserve camp sites check with the Alabama Fish and Wildlife Department at the above Web address.
♦ What to Bring: •Drinking Water •Food/Snacks •First Aid Kit •Sunscreen •Insect Repellent •GPS/Map •Extra Batteries •Flashlight •Cell Phone (coverage is available in several, if not most, areas) •A PEN!!!
♦ Leave no-trace: Show respect by minimizing your presence and impact in all ways. Take pride in the ability to pass through the area without leaving any sign of your presence. Never discard garbage or food scraps in the swamp no matter how small or insignificant they may seem. Such items pollute the environment and attract unwanted animals. Avoid disturbing wildlife (and other visitors) by keeping quiet and not approaching them too closely. Avoid disturbing plants and other natural features by leaving them in place and building fires only at designated sites. Deposit all human waste in a toilet. Campers on overnight canoe trips are required to use portable toilets between facilities. For information about how to enjoy the outdoors while “leaving no trace”, please visit: Leave No Trace
**Hazards**
While most canoeists and kayakers paddle the Delta without mishap, visitors need to be aware of and prepared for potential hazards. Carry first-aid and survival kits. Keep them secure and accessible, and be familiar with their use.
♦ Alligators: American Alligators are common to the Delta, and offer visitor’s a unique opportunity for wildlife watching. Beware of your surroundings, the time of the year and alligator behaviors. Never feed alligators or approach a nest. On occasion visitors may find an alligator uncomfortably close to or completely blocking the path. This is most likely to happen when an alligator hauls out to sun on the bank of a narrow section of trail. Avoid simply trying to pass quietly by an alligator in this situation. If the alligator suddenly feels threatened, it will likely dash to the safety of deep water by the most direct route. If the alligator does not feel threatened until visitors have paddled alongside, it may “escape” directly toward visitors. Never get caught in the path of an alligator’s escape route to water.
♦ Becoming lost: Once off-trail, there are a few helpful landmarks from which to regain bearings in the Delta. Moving from North to South, all trails cross several man-made features, including power line ROW, Gas line ROW, I-65 and the L and N RR trestle. Utilizing these landmarks and maps the user can navigate back on course or to one of the several landings in the area. Aside from extremely remote bayous and creeks, most waters are frequented by small motorized craft on a regular basis. Another good idea is to have a float-plan buddy (someone not on the trip) with whom visitors can leave a trip itinerary and whom visitors can inform of a safe return.
♦ Heat exhaustion and Heat stroke: Heat exhaustion and heat stoke are real possibilities. Be aware of their symptoms and the course of action one should take if a partner exhibits symptoms of heat related problems. Drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day. Hypothermia: Be aware of the symptoms. A dry change of clothes, dry sleeping bag, and dry tent are essential, when treating someone with hypothermia. Keeping these items in dry gear bags is a good idea when traveling in the Delta.
♦ Insects that bite (and their relatives): Mosquitoes and deer flies (locally known as yellow flies) are the most bothersome of the swamp’s biting insects. Mosquitoes can be active at any time of the year during suitably warm weather, but are most numerous from April through October. Deer flies are at their worst from May through September.
♦ Poisonous snakes: Five different poisonous snakes occur in the Delta: Florida Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin), Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake, Canebrake (Timber) Rattlesnake, Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake and Eastern Coral Snake.
♦ Thunderstorms and lightning: Thunderstorms are common afternoon and evening occurrences from May through September.