Well it is still early spring but the weather has been calling. On Friday April 17th we ventured out on to Oak Orchard Creek through the Alabama Swamps (Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge) which is north of the Pembroke exit (Rt. 77) off I-90. About a 40 minute drive from Buffalo, this outing is one that is really only available in the spring when the water levels are sufficient. We put in at the bridge on Knowlesville Road and spotted cars at the Rt. 63 bridge. Sour Springs Road bisects this 5+ mile treck and is a good stopping point for a break and is also a good spot to take out as you will have traveled about 4 miles of the overall trip and the few obstacles in this stretch are easily passed over or around. If you do decide to use Sour Springs as your take out, note that the bridge has been removed so enter from the south segment of the road as the take out on that side (river left) is much better than the north shore. If you choose to go from Sour Springs the rest of the way through to Rt. 63 – like we did because our cars were there – be prepared for some carry arounds and many schooch overs. Overall, the entire trip is worth it. Abundant birds, water fowl and we even saw one of the eagles soaring above. A quick tip to know if the water is high enough – go to the Rt. 63 bridge, and when facing east, if the area to your immediate left looks like a large pond going back to the ridge and at the surface there is no discernable channel for the creek out in front of you – seems like a very large pond – then there will be almost no carryovers or schooch spots. If on the other hand there is still a pond to the left but it is showing terra firma and the channel of the creek is defined out in front of you, then you will have the conditions we encountered. If all you see from the bridge is a defined creek channel, you will also no doubt have many obstacles and it may be best to wait for higher water. As always, check with the rangers at the Refuge (office on Casey Road) for any nesting season restrictions that my be in force. Good paddling!
