Paddling Hargus Lake & Hiking the 5-Mile Perimeter Trail

August 2010
Hargus Lake, a 145-acre lake within A.W. Marion State Park in Circleville, Ohio
Sunny, late morning paddle
Sunny, early afternoon hike

Painted Turtle

I had heard several years ago that Hargus Lake was a great lake to visit.  I could not have imagined a more beautiful lake in Ohio.  Immediately upon putting in at the boat ramp, the Turkey Vultures caught my attention.  They posed for a long time perched in the tree ahead and slightly to the left of the boat ramp.  While the entire lake was full of life, the area to the left of the only boat ramp, seemed to be the most likely place to find an abundance of wildlife concentrated in one area including Little Green Herons, the Great Blue Heron, Turkey Vultures (or Buzzards), young ducks (mallards I suspect), and Painted Turtles.  On the opposite side of the lake as the main park entrance was another cove where Painted Turtles and more ducks were found.   There were probably a dozen other kayakers out that day as well as two black labs swimming along side their owner's boats resting at the beach before heading the half mile or so back to the boat ramp.  The surrounding land is primarily wooded as well as fields with no houses within view that I remember but not too secluded as you could hear the sound of lawnmowers in the distance.

Great Blue Heron wading in water
Little Green Heron perched in tree

Young ducks
Likely female Mallards

Little Green Herons

This Ohio State Park also offers canoe, kayak, and small pontoon boat rentals as well as a small concession stand selling ham sandwiches, chips, and a small assortment of drinks.  There is also a camp store near the entrance as well with camping necessities including food, beverages, and even an icey machine.  A 5-mile hiking trail winds through the woods surrounding Hargus Lake with occasional views of the lake from the trail.  This trail has a few portions that could be ideal for trail running, but mostly the trail is best suitable for hiking.  I can attest that the trail is hikable in flip-flops, but hiking shoes would be more enjoyable!  There is a campground, playground, and plenty of picnic tables around the main entrance.  And with only 45 minutes from Columbus I will surely be back to visit.

Paddling Madison Lake August 2010

August 2010
Madison Lake at Madison Lake State Park in London, Ohio
1 boat ramp, electric motors only

This past August I paddled Madison Lake three times!  With the rivers low this time of year, the small lakes fulfill my paddling urge.  I took the 14 foot kayak out twice and my shorter Dagger Blackwater once so that I could take Jessie, one of my Jack Russell Terriers, with me.  She likes to sit on the decking in front of the cockpit like a hood ornament.  I paddle and she watches for snakes!

This lake can be paddled in 30 minutes, but I have learned to slow down and enjoy the birds, turtles, and fish.  When leaving the boat ramp, paddle way back to the right in the shallow areas to see an abundance of wildlife.  Then stay left to view turtles, the Great Blue Heron wading, ducks playing, and carp lurking in the shallow waters  feeding off of the muddy bottom.  I was surprised that my terrier didn't jump out of the boat to try to get the carp.  She seemed just as fascinated as I was with seeing several inches of the tail fin sticking straight out of the water!

I saw an Osprey on two of the trips as well as a young Great Blue Heron the last time I was out. My favorite was snapping a photo of the Kingfisher as most of the time I see them on the river always skipping ahead of me, never letting me get close enough to photograph.

There are a dozen or so houses set back off the water along this small lake.  However, you hardly notice them other than to dream about living there one day.  I do plan to return as this lake is just too  close to home and peaceful to not paddle again.  Perhaps when the leaves start changing! 

Camping and Kayaking along the Hiwassee River in Southeast Tennessee

While a trip from December 2007, I could not resist sharing the adventure and pictures as the first blog post to Wise Outdoor Adventures. 

I camped in a travel trailer at Black Bear Cove Resort, an RV park in Benton, TN on the outskirts of the Cherokee National Forest.  Check out the GORP website for a ton of activities in this recreation area.  The Hiwassee River was just beyond an open field where I could put-in or take-out my Dagger Blackwater 11.5 foot kayak anytime I wanted. I paddled twice downstream from the park and once I put in above the park and paddled back. Downstream of the RV park the river was calm and relaxing, albeit a little chilly in December. Upstream the water was just as chilly but certainly more choppy as the dam was released for fishing and boating. The dam release was my queue!

Site of dam release just above the train tressel

Train tressel boat ramp launch site in Reliance, TN

I set out for the kayaking adventure on Christmas Eve afternoon after being dropped off just above the bridge in Reliance, TN at the old train tressel boat ramp.  Luckily I had my more stable boat as I was in for a whitewater adventure and didn't fully realize it.  I had my life jacket on just in case but I was bundled up with too many layers to survive well should my boat flip in the class II-III rapids.  Only later did I realize the seriousness had I ended up in the river.  Only 1 generator was used for the dam release that day.  I couldn't imagine 2 generators.  I'll leave that for the more experienced whitewater paddler. 

Approaching the bridge in Reliance, TN

Starting out the water was very shallow.  Eventually the water from the dam release about a half a mile upstream caught up with me and helped push me along.  I saw only a couple of fisherman this time of day, no doubt thinking I was crazy. But then again, they couldn't stay away from this beautiful waterway either. About a half to a mile downstream of my put-in, I experienced my first rapids.  I didn't panic, but I was certainly running through a contingency plan should I flip.  After about 2+ hours of navigating the clear waters and good number of rocks and boulders along this famous trout fishing stream, I reached the more calm portion.  I paddled another mile or so and spotted my destination marked by a bench in an open field.  The current wasn't too strong at this point.  I paddled over to river left and climbed up the muddy bank dragging my kayak with me, thoroughly pleased for surviving another outdoor adventure.  I think I was grinning ear-to-ear.  About a football field length away was warmth inside the RV...and hot chocoate too!  And that's how I spent Christmas Eve of 2007.

Open field in between the Hiwassee River and the Black Bear Cove Resort, an RV park where I camped