Southeastern Outings Kayak/Canoe Trip on the Tallapoosa River at Heflin, Alabama

This is a scenic stretch of river located in a very rural area.  Forty-four SEO people participated in this very popular outing in August, 2011.  Novice canoeists are welcome and may come on this trip, but each one must be partnered with an experienced canoeist in their boat.

The trip length is about 7 miles long.  There are two relatively easy class I rapids on this stretch.

Note-To view photos of what we will see on this trip, please click on this link:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9KtDiPJpPsI5BHrv1

Please be sure to click on the link and view the photographs.

Please note that for this trip you may rent one or two-person sit-upon plastic kayaks at the take out from Tallapoosa River RV and Outdoor Center. 

Here is the schedule of outfitter charges:

solo sit upon kayaks each $30
tandem (two-person) sit upon kayaks each $50
shuttle fee per owned boat $10

Boat rental fees include paddles, life jackets and shuttle service to the put-in.  Also, the outfitter will shuttle for a fee all private boats used on this outing.  If you rent a boat from this outfitter, the outfitter will shuttle you and your rented boat to the put in 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.

If you wish to rent a boat from this outfitter, please call Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680.  Dan will relay your reservation on to the outfitter.  Please note that the outfitter has only 40 one-person sit-upon kayaks and 10 tandem (2-person) kayaks for rent, so be sure you call to reserve early.  Once all their boats of one type or the other are reserved for July 15, there will be no more boats of that type available to rent!

This outfitter does not have canoes to rent.  However, Dan Frederick’s daughter, Aree, has a few canoes which she may offer to rent for $50 per canoe to people who want to canoe on this trip and who do not have their own canoes.  Again, please notify Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680 BEFORE July 15 to request a rental canoe if that is what you want.  We will do our best to fulfill your request.  If you rent a canoe from Aree Frederick, Southeastern Outings will pay your canoe shuttle fee.

 When we arrive at the outfitter’s, you will sign a waiver, pay your shuttle or boat rental fee, use the restroom, and then the outfitter will transport all of us and our boats upriver to the put in.  We will then paddle down the creek to the take out where our cars are at the outfitter’s, stopping as often as we want to.

For more general information please see note for canoe trips below.

After the canoe and kayak trip we are planning to go to a restaurant on the way back for dinner.  Showers are available at the outfitter’s place.  If you would like to shower, wash up and/or have dinner with us at the restaurant after the canoe trip, please bring a change of clothes and your shower things.

Please meet 9:45 a.m. at the Leeds Highway 78 gravel parking lot.  We plan to depart from there at 10:00 a.m.  If you decide to meet us at some place other than the meeting place specified in this announcement, please notify Dan in advance and directly of this fact.

Reservations Required: You must contact trip leader Dan Frederick, southeasternoutings@gmail.com or phone 205/631-4680 if you plan to come on this canoe/kayak trip.  Please advise your name, telephone number, skill level, whether you want to kayak or canoe and whether you are bringing or wish to rent a kayak and whether you need a paddling partner.  You may leave a message on Dan’s voice mail if you wish.  Please do not just show up for this outing without making advance reservations!

Information and Trip Leader: If you have further questions or would like additional information, please contact Dan Frederick, 205/631-4680 or email southeasternoutings@gmail.com.

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING PLACE

Leeds Highway 78 gravel parking lot–6995 Parkway Drive, Leeds, AL 35094. Gravel parking lot on Highway U.S. 78 between the Chevron and Marathon service stations at the first Leeds exit, Exit number 140, off I-20 heading east (towards Atlanta) out of Birmingham. Turn RIGHT at the end of the exit ramp coming from Birmingham. See Chevron and Marathon stations on right immediately after first red light.

Note for Kayak and Canoe Trips

Life jackets or personal flotation devices 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 a kayak or canoe from the outfitters listed above.

          Please bring in the boat your picnic lunch, something to drink, and a towel. 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 boat.  If you have further questions, please call the trip leader.

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 250 members.  We scheduled eighty-seven events during calendar year 2022 for an average of 7 fun events per month.  We enjoy the outdoors in all seasons throughout the year.

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 per family or household.  Please contact Dan Frederick, President, 205-631-4680, or southeasternoutings@gmail.com 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 our upcoming outings scheduled plus some brief, general information about Southeastern Outings, a membership application and 1500 lovely photographs from most of our outings.

Thank you.