Trip Report: Douglas Lake
Douglas Lake
Sunday, June 13, 2004
by Brint Adams - brint.adams@us.army.mil
To paddle Douglas Lake, is well worth the few extra miles to Bryant Landing. We met Bill and Donna Davis at Hwy. 31 & 225 in Spanish Fort and headed north, crossing I-65 and into Stockton. For those coming from Mobile, you will want to travel north on I-65 to exit 31 and turn left. Once into Stockton, turn left on Hodgson Road and left again on CR 21. Go a couple of miles past the turn to Rice Creek and after passing an elementary school by about 1/4 mi., make 2 lefts to head to Bryant Landing.
The put-in fee for kayaks and canoes is $2, which you pay up in the convenience store. The landing has a large, nicely shaded parking area. There is a wide ramp with a grass area and sandy beach to the side, perfect for launching.
Rather than take the full trip, we opted for the cut-through shortcut. As we left the ramp, we headed west or to the left and paddled about 0.3 mi. until we reached a narrow entrance into the woods on the right side. The cut-through meanders for about 0.2 mi. through the woods, until reaching Douglas Lake. We turned left and followed the lake up to the end.
The weather conditions were almost ideal for June, with an overcast sky and light breeze cooling off the normally hot, humid temperatures. The water was like glass, as we only met one fisherman.
One of the most striking aspects of the paddle is the abundance and beauty of the Cypress. Around every turn, there seemed to be another, set off by itself, more majestic than the one before. We also followed several varieties of crane, egret and hawk, as we paddled in.
About half way in to the 3.5 mi. deadend, we were entertained by a circus of large performers. For about 1 mi., we were continuously delighted to see dozens of paddlefish (in mating season) jumping straight up, fully clearing the water, trying to outdo each other.
After a brief rest at the turnaround, we returned the same way, taking about 2.5 hrs. to complete the paddle. The only way to top off the day, was to stop on the way back at The Stagecoach, in Stockton. They didn't disappoint, with an excellent oyster poboy and onion rings for Linda, and all-you-can-eat whole catfish for me. The trip was a real keeper.
Brint Adams
Sunday, June 13, 2004
by Brint Adams - brint.adams@us.army.mil
To paddle Douglas Lake, is well worth the few extra miles to Bryant Landing. We met Bill and Donna Davis at Hwy. 31 & 225 in Spanish Fort and headed north, crossing I-65 and into Stockton. For those coming from Mobile, you will want to travel north on I-65 to exit 31 and turn left. Once into Stockton, turn left on Hodgson Road and left again on CR 21. Go a couple of miles past the turn to Rice Creek and after passing an elementary school by about 1/4 mi., make 2 lefts to head to Bryant Landing.
The put-in fee for kayaks and canoes is $2, which you pay up in the convenience store. The landing has a large, nicely shaded parking area. There is a wide ramp with a grass area and sandy beach to the side, perfect for launching.
Rather than take the full trip, we opted for the cut-through shortcut. As we left the ramp, we headed west or to the left and paddled about 0.3 mi. until we reached a narrow entrance into the woods on the right side. The cut-through meanders for about 0.2 mi. through the woods, until reaching Douglas Lake. We turned left and followed the lake up to the end.
The weather conditions were almost ideal for June, with an overcast sky and light breeze cooling off the normally hot, humid temperatures. The water was like glass, as we only met one fisherman.
One of the most striking aspects of the paddle is the abundance and beauty of the Cypress. Around every turn, there seemed to be another, set off by itself, more majestic than the one before. We also followed several varieties of crane, egret and hawk, as we paddled in.
About half way in to the 3.5 mi. deadend, we were entertained by a circus of large performers. For about 1 mi., we were continuously delighted to see dozens of paddlefish (in mating season) jumping straight up, fully clearing the water, trying to outdo each other.
After a brief rest at the turnaround, we returned the same way, taking about 2.5 hrs. to complete the paddle. The only way to top off the day, was to stop on the way back at The Stagecoach, in Stockton. They didn't disappoint, with an excellent oyster poboy and onion rings for Linda, and all-you-can-eat whole catfish for me. The trip was a real keeper.
Brint Adams
posted by brint @ 4:03 PM
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