Bigbend Area Paddlers' Network

Wacissa river thru Slave canal to Aucilla river, 5/6/2003

This past weekend our floatilla of 7 canoes and one kayak did a 2 day Wacissa river trip. Launching from the Wacissa headspring boat launch, we made it down the river to Goose Pasture in about 5-6 hours, (leisurely paddling or just floating, and stopping at Blue Spring and one other spot). Someone has stretched a HUGE american flag in the trees over stream to Blue spring, and it is awe-inspiring. Blue spring has TWO floating docks now and you can easily pull up 4 or 5 canoes to it and get out for a swim. There is a dangerous looking rope swing across the spring, but our attempts to use it were hindered by the even more dangerous looking wooden steps and platform that you are supposed to jump off of to swing out. Lots of wildlife as usual this year...alligators, wading birds, coots, turtles, snakes and whatnot. No bugs touched us while canoeing, but the noseeums ate us alive at Goose Pasture where we camped, and they ate our bugspray like it was steak marinade. No matter how much we put on, it didnt seem to keep them away for more than 20 minutes. Goose Pasture was busy, but there was ample camping space and the porta-potties were fairly clean. The Slave Canal was beautiful as always...the river is not flooded, but it is higher than years past, and the entrance to the canal from the Wacissa was easy to find. In addition, the higher water made it fairly easy to get over and under the various trees that invariably lay across your path in the canal. The mini-rapids towards the end of the canal were fun (not serous rapids at all). We saw lots of big mullet and alligator gar making their way up the Aucilla river to the Wacissa through the slave canal. Also, I have never seen so maky swallow tailed kites as I did this trip, they were all over, swooping overhead, grabbing fish from the river and giving us a great show. The trip from the headsprings to Goose Pasture (where there is a dirt road takeout) is as easy as can be. From Goose pasture (through the slave canal) to the Aucilla river (where you take out at Nutall Rise off highway 98) is for experienced canoeists...but I have never seen a prettier river or trip. We have gone for the past 8 years and the beauty of this trip never ceases to amaze me. Click on any image for a larger view.

John Powell jpowel41@bellsouth.net

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