Easter in the Atachfalay Swamp |
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A group of paddlers from Texas, Louisiana and the world met at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park south of St. Martinville. The park is in the geological Atachfalaya basin but is just to the west of the levy that surrouond the largest part of the swamp. We paddled the canoe trails that wind past several primitive camps, experincing large, lake-like bodies of water as well as small channels. Many flowers were blooming inclucing native Louisiana irises, even the beautiful red ones as well as the swamp spider lillies. The weather was beautiful and the paddle pretty. Some of them were going to camp at a primitive camp so brought their supplies with them. Others stayed in the park, with the electircity and hot showeres. There are not tent sites so tenters just mix in with the trailers. |
The boat launch site at the park |
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Rita, aka the femalenomad and the two dogs |
Soon all of us were loaded to go. I went ahead and warned some of the group who were already camping at the first primative camp that we were about to start our trip. Each camp has its own little dock with two little tables. This camp is also very shady and has a rope swing. It will be very hot and have lots of mosquitos in the summer but was fine at this time of the year. The front looks out on a little bayou while the other side has a view of a lake. |
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Soon the rest of the group began to show up led by Bob and Susie who were paddling their tandom canoe for the first time. But the were already showing excellent technique. Soon the campers were in the water and the rest of the group had arrived and we were on our way. The trails form a circle with places where you can make the trip shorter or even to on to other places. Today we chose to do a short paddle and just do the outer circle of the trails. |
View from camp dock back towards state park |
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Naptime for Hulin |
The members of the group did not understand the camping system so each subgroup had paid for their own primitive camp which were scattered along the trail, no two closer than a mile apart. So all of them decided to camp at the closest camp. But we visited all the camps and checked them out or ate lunch at them. Hulin finally got tired of getting in and out of the boats. The water was low and we had to climb ladders to get up to the camps. We caught him taking a little nap while waiting to lead us on around the trail.
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After lunch, we started into the prettiest little channel we had seen and headed back toward the park. We enjoyed the birds. We saw lots of the wading birds and the prothonotary warblers with their bright yelow heads and brests were passing through or establishing territorities and bouncing off low limbs and bushes and singing there loud "sweet, sweet, sweet" song. We paddled from this bayou into a much wider stream, the same one that we have to cross to get to the park. We stopped once more to visit another primitive camp site that is also about a mile from the park, albiet from a different put-in place. By mid-afternoon we were back in the park and the primitive campers were stopping for a shower before continuing on to their camp. The next day, it rained in the morning so we didn't get to to another paddle. But there are lots more paddles to do there. |
The group entering a beautfiul little channel |
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Best times to visit: Late fall through late spring. Trip Rating: This is all very easy paddling. However some trips are quite long. But the canoe trails in the park are suitable for beginners.
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Park Information: The park rents canoes so you can enjoy this place even without your own boats. It also has hiking/biking trails. Contact information: Location 5400 Levee Road |
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Website
by Marilyn B. Kircus.
Last modified on May 21, 2004
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