Etowah River to the Indian Mounds! We will stop to see "Skills of the Past""

We only do this section of the Etowah once a year.
Click here to register for the trip!!!

Skills of the Past will be on display Saturday, September 21st from 10 AM to 4 PM. This is the 23rd Annual Skills of the Past event.

THIS IS A GREAT PADDLE FOR KIDS. THEY LOVE THE EXHIBITS.

You will have to ride in a shuttle vehicle with others. If this is a problem I will talk with you about doing your own shuttle.

Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site - Cartersville, GA

Come see demonstrations of primitive skills that were essential to the Native Americans of the Southeast in prehistoric times. (This from the Park website} It is really cool for kids and adults both.

This is both a fun and educational trip.

The cost of this event is $50 if you have your own boat, $90 if you need a rental boat. Admission Fees to the Museum and Park is part of your registration. We will have both sit on tops (SOT) sit in (decked boats) kayaks to choose from.

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. We will also have to navigate pretty steep bank covered in large rocks where we stop at the mounds.

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 2 hours.

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/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.

Please do respond on here if you are attending put you do not have a spot until you: Click here to register for the trip!!!

Additional information will be emailed to all who register.

John Miller

678-549-4950