Georgia Wilderness Society
Oconee River
November 11-13, 2025
Five of the remaining GWS river rats paddled 24 miles on the Oconee from Hwy 280 near Mt Vernon to Bells Ferry landing just above the confluence with the Ocmulgee on Nov 11-13. The trip had to be moved from the Ocmulgee where water levels remained very low and debris from Helene was a concern. The first day was cold with temps below 30 that morning and highs about 55, and we woke up the next morning with ice on our tents and in our water bottles. But the second two days were very nice albeit breezy. No bugs at all! We enjoyed good campfires with plenty of wood both evenings and mornings on huge sandbars. Sightings included lots of deer, including two that swam from our sandbar to the far bank, wild hogs, bald eagle, wood ducks, and the usual turtles, anhingas, kingfishers, and kildeer. Most paddlers were content with the daily paddling distances shorter than on our usual forty-mile three-day trips. Campers were Curt and Irene Cole, Terry Ross, Grant Mangum, and trip leader Joe Mangum.
