MBCKC Paddle Reports

Red Hill Creek/Proctor Creek Jan. 8, 2009
I decided to head out today and put in at Hubbard's Landing for a trip up to Red Hill Creek. After driving up, unloading the kayak and getting it loaded, I took my first stroke about 10am. There was a breeze blowing from the north which was a little bit of a challenge to get through but once I got up past the last floating camp, the wind died out and I had an easier time. Once I got past Proctor Creek I went over to the left bank and paddled up that way exploring some of the smaller inlets. You couldn't go up very far in these, but it was fun checking them out. After about an hour and a half I reached the first trail sign for Red Hill Creek. The water was very calm and it was very quiet. A welcome retreat from the noise of living in mid-town Mobile. Unfortunately, I was not able to go very far up as there was a log in the water, but I did get a good ways up there. It was getting pretty shallow and I was paddling in some vegetation that was growing in the water.

So, I turned around and headed back south taking my time. I figured I would have the wind at my back but actually had another headwind. This one didn't last very long. Saw quite a few Blue Herons and lots of turtles sunning themselves on the logs. At one point I heard a large splash and looked over to just see the end of the splash. Not sure what it was. I don't think it was a turtle. It hit the water with a slapping sound.

I paddled across Tensaw Lake to get to the side where Proctor Creek came in and headed up that way. It was a lot different that the Red Hill Creek, more open and I was able to go back up in there a little bit further. I did have to negotiate some blowdowns and wished I had brought my saw. Eventually, I got to one that I couldn't get across and had to turn back.

Headed across the lake and back to te landing. All in all, the trip took a little over 3 hours. I took lots of pictures which you can see in the photo gallery at yahoogroups.

John Kennedy