Southeastern Outings Canoe and Kayak Trip on the Elk River near Elkmont, Alabama

The section we will paddle is easy with no obstructions.  This is a scenic stretch of river located in a very rural area.  Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each one must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their boat. 

If you want to rent a kayak, please call Fort Hampton Outfitters 256/431-8988 to reserve your rental kayak.  Be sure to identify yourself as coming with Southeastern Outings on May 6.  Please note that the outfitter has no canoes and only 14 one-person kayaks and 6 tandem kayaks for rent, so be sure you call to reserve early.  Once all their kayaks are reserved for May 6, there will be no more kayaks available to rent from that outfitter! If you rent a kayak from this outfitter, the outfitter will take you and your rented boat to the put in and meet you at the take out, so you will never need to transport your rented boat at all.  You may bring your own canoe or kayak on this trip, but you must pay the outfitter to shuttle your privately-owned boat.  Shuttle fee and life jacket are included in rental boat fee for those who rent kayaks from the outfitter.  Please note that this outfitter does not rent canoes at all. 

If you want to rent a canoe for this outing, we suggest that you contact UAB Outdoor Pursuits.  See UAB canoe rental note below for more information.  You will also be required to pay a shuttle fee to the outfitter if you bring on this trip a boat rented from UAB Outdoor Pursuits.  Please see note for canoe trips below for additional important general information as well.

Children age 10 and over welcome.

After the kayak/canoe trip we plan to go for dinner at a restaurant in Athens, Alabama.  If you would like to have dinner with us at the restaurant after the kayak and canoe trip, please bring your things to clean up with and a change of clothes.

Depart 9:00 a.m. from the Hayden/Corner Park and Ride.  Reservations Required: You must call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email seoutings@bellsouth.net if you plan to come on this kayak and canoe trip.  You may leave a message on Dan’s voice mail if you wish. If you are planning to meet the group initially at the outfitter’s instead of at the designated meeting place near Birmingham, please tell Dan Frederick in advance that you are planning to meet the group at the outfitter’s. Please do not make it necessary for Dan to contact you concerning information which you have already received in this announcement and the notes below.

Info: If you have further questions, please call or email Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or seoutings@bellsouth.net.

Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips

The kayak and canoe outing listed in the announcement above is suitable for beginner/novice canoeists and kayakers, but each beginner canoeist must paddle with an experienced canoeist.  Life jackets are required and must be worn.  You are responsible for finding your own boat.  Bring your own boat, borrow one, paddle with a friend, or rent from the outfitter listed or from UAB Outdoor Pursuits, 205/996-4913.

If you want to come on an SEO kayak and canoe trip AND you are renting a boat from the outfitter, you are required to call the BOTH the outfitter to reserve your boat AND ALSO contact the trip leader, too, and notify him/her that you are coming!  No exceptions!  No ifs, ands or buts!

Two people just showed up for a river trip we had in 2015 without notifying the leader that they were coming.  This created considerable confusion and delay.  The outfitter had to make a second trip from the put in back to his office and bring two more boats to the put in because the total number of people who showed up that morning was two more than the number which the leader had given to the outfitter the day before.  Please don’t let this happen again!

Please bring in the boat your picnic lunch, something to drink, and a towel and complete change of clothes including underwear. If you get wet during the day, just slip off back into the woods and change into your dry clothes.  You’ll be very grateful that you brought them with you.  Put your belongings in a waterproof dry bag in the boat.  Wear old shoes you don’t mind getting wet (old sneakers work well).  Also bring at least 6 feet of sturdy cord to tie up your canoe if you don’t already have it attached to your own canoe or especially if you are renting a canoe.  If you have further questions, please call the trip leader.

When you make your reservation with the trip leader, please be absolutely certain to provide ALL of the following information:

-Whether you want to kayak or canoe
-Whether you are renting a boat from the outfitter or bringing your own boat
-Your name
-Your telephone number or email address
-If you are also making a reservation for someone else coming with you, please give the NAME of that person.  Don’t just say, “My daughter, my friend, my wife”.
-If you are canoeing, please give your skill level. 
-If you have already selected a canoe partner and you are making a reservation for your partner, too, please give the name and skill level of your partner.

Please do NOT just show up at the meeting place without making an advance reservation!!
And if you have made a reservation to participate and then decide to cancel, please be absolutely sure to call and notify the trip leader.  Don’t just tell your friend if you intend to cancel!!

UAB Canoe Rental Info: UAB will rent two-person aluminum canoes for $20/day and two-person ABS Royalex canoes for $30.00 per day.  All rentals include two paddles and two life jackets plus racks (foam blocks and straps).  Pick up and drop off at Campus Recreation Center, 1501 University Boulevard.  Go to the back of the Recreation Center, ring the doorbell under the green awning at the single person door, or call the Outdoor Rental Outpost number on your cell phone, and they’ll open the garage door for you. Parking behind the Recreation Center is for loading only. Do not park in one of the five designated spaces. These are reserved for permit holders. Hours: M & F 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Tue, Wed, Thu 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m.; Sat. 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Sun. 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  To incur charge for only one day for Saturday canoe trips, please pick up your canoe Friday between 4-6 p.m. and drop it off between 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. Sunday.  Staff may be available to assist in loading and unloading your boat.  We suggest that you call to be sure the office is staffed before you drive over to pick up your rented canoe.  UAB is not responsible for the safety and security of the boat in your possession or on your vehicle at any time during the rental.

Please note that you may pay for (using your credit or debit card) and therefore reserve your rental boat in advance via phone at (205) 996-4913 during the office hours given above up to 2 weeks in advance. Then you may pick up your boat the afternoon before the day of use and be sure your boat will be available.  UAB Outdoor Pursuits website address is: http://studentaffairs.uab.edu/CampusRecreation/equipment.html

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Hayden/Corner Park and Ride—171 State Highway 160, Warrior, AL 35180. Exit 284 off I-65 North, take right on AL 160 at end of exit ramp, immediate right on U.S. 31 and then enter fenced parking lot on right.

DESCRIPTION OF SOUTHEASTERN OUTINGS

Do you wish you had friends who share your active lifestyle and enjoyment of outdoor activities?  Then become active with Southeastern Outings (SEO), a nonprofit organization committed and created to serve people who enjoy being active in the outdoors.  The organization plans, organizes and leads outings such as dayhikes, easy kayak and canoe trips, stream and waterfall walks, bicycle rides, lake events and other fun activities to beautiful sites in our natural environment.  From time to time we also sponsor potluck suppers and other socials.  All events and activities of the group are open to the public.  Participating in SEO activities is a splendid, simple way to make congenial new friends who enjoy the outdoors.

NO DOGS OR SMOKING ALLOWED, PLEASE, ON ANY SOUTHEASTERN OUTINGS EVENTS.

The organization currently has over 360 members.  We scheduled eighty-eight events during calendar year 2016 for an average of 7 fun events per month.  We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year.  Twenty  people on average have participated in each outing since January 1, 2017. SEO does not charge for participation in any of its outings.  You do not have to be a member to participate in one or two SEO activities.  Dues are only $10.  Please contact Dan Frederick, President, 205-631-4680, or seoutings@bellsouth.net for more information and to obtain three free monthly newsletters with membership application and a complete description of all our outdoor events. Southeastern Outings now has a website.  Just go to seoutings.org to find announcements of all our upcoming outings scheduled plus some brief, general information about Southeastern Outings, a membership application and 1500 lovely photographs from several of our outings. Thank you.