Etowah River to the Indian Mounds! We will stop to see "Mounds and Museum"

THIS IS A GREAT PADDLE FOR KIDS. THEY LOVE THE MOUNDS AND MUSEUM.

You will have to ride in a shuttle vehicle with others.

It is really cool for kids and adults both. Kids love climbing the steps to the top of the mounds as well as the museum. This is both a fun and educational trip.

The cost of this event is $45 if you have your own boat, $85 if you need a rental boat. Admission Fees to the Museum and Park is part of your registration. If you have your own boat just change the amount when you register and are prompted to pay.

Rental boats are limited. Sign up early.

This paddle is okay for paddlers of all abilities.

The lone hazard is the historic Thompson Weinman Dam, a low head dam that MUST be portaged. We portage as a team, makes it easier.

Starting in the shadow of Allatoona Dam, this 9 mile section takes you from 20th century engineering (Allatoona Dam) to precolonial engineering (Etowah Indian Mounds and Fish Weir). Owing to Allatoona Dam and the cold, clear water it issues from the bottom of the lake, the water appears pristine and inviting. Shoals and rapids are limited to Native American fish weirs and small ripples, and there are no obstacles exceeding Class I in difficulty.

We will stop at the Indian Mounds for lunch and a tour. Admission to the park is part of your registration fee.

We will stay at the Mounds for about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site - Cartersville, GA (from their website)

Home to several thousand Native Americans from 1000 A.D. to 1550 A.D., this 54-acre site protects six earthen mounds, a plaza, village site, borrow pits and defensive ditch. Etowah Mounds is the most intact Mississippian Culture site in the Southeast. Artifacts in the museum show how natives of this political and religious center decorated themselves with shell beads, paint, complicated hairdos, feathers and copper ear ornaments. Hand-carved stone effigies weighing 125 pounds still bear some original pigments. Objects made of wood, seashells and stone are also displayed.

Visitors can follow a nature trail along the Etowah River where they can view a v-shaped fish trap used for catching fish. The trail also highlights how early civilizations used native trees for food and medicine.

While only nine percent of this site has been excavated, examination at Mound C and surrounding artifacts revealed much about the people who lived here. They were a society rich in ritual. Towering over the community, the 63-foot earthen knoll was likely used as a platform for the home of the priest-chief. In another mound, nobility were buried in elaborate costumes accompanied by items they would need in their after-lives.

Put in or Launch site: a large concrete boat ramp and paved parking area are located at the launch site near Allatoona Dam. Toilet facilities are in a nearby day-use recreation area. There are bathrooms at the lunch break.

Take out is a ramp/dock at Highway 61/113 (West Ave)

We watch the weather and river levels very carefully. The decision to go or cancel due to weather is made the night before at approximately 6:00 pm so check your email for updates the night before and again before you leave your house the morning of our trip.

BRING: lunch (no hard sided coolers if using one of my boats, soft 6 pack size works fine), plenty of water, a snack/protein bar, and sunscreen.

What to WEAR: water shoes (no flip flops), quick-dry clothing (not cotton or denim), hat (optional). DRESS FOR THE WEATHER!!!!!

This is an all day trip. Expect to get off the water sometime between 4:00 and 5:00 PM.

Additional information will be emailed to all who register.

John Miller
678-549-4950