| Above Lake Lanier, the Chattahoochee River offers great hovercraft cruising opportunities. An easy ramp for access to this area is Lula Park on Hwy 52. It should be noted, however, that this ramp is narrow and does not afford a good view of the lake from the top side. You might want to walk the ramp to assure that there are not children playing in the lake, before descending to the lake under power. After going down the ramp turn left to proceed upstream on the Chattahoochee. Only a little over 1 mile up, the river the width will drop to less than 100' and a mild current will begin to show. From this point on the conditions are highly varied, one minute you are dodging rocks and the next you are relaxing on a 1/2 mile flat stretch. Approximately 8 miles up from Lula Park, you reach the unmarked corner of Hall, White and Habersham counties. Much of the shoreline from this point upstream is densely covered with thickets of Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel with occasional waterfalls cascading directly down into the river. A number of sandy shoals appear as well as several very challenging sections of white water. Another 4 or 5 miles up the river you cross under Duncan Bridge (Hwy 384). Only 1/2 mile further upstream you encounter a white water section known as Horseshoe Falls. The potent to ascend upstream through this section is dependent upon river level. Check the USGS Chattahoochee River Gauging Station in Helen, GA for the best available report on the water level here. A previous trip found this section impassable with a corresponding gauge reading of 0.7'. A subsequent trip on 3/17/01, however, proved that a gauge reading of 0.9' is adequate. For reference see the attached chart (Chattahoochee Level March 2001). The run from Lula Park to Duncan Bridge includes beautiful scenery and excellent opportunities to challenge your driving skills. Beware of rocks and fast moving water and remember that you are miles from civilization. Do not run this section solo and allow 3 hours for the round trip at a mild/medium pace. Links: Coordinates: Also; Click here for Opportunities Further Upstream |
Between Lake Lanier and Helen, GA many miles of wilderness river exist, which offer a mix of gentle and significant rapids. |
Our July 3, 2006 was a relatively short one due to low river level and equipment challenges. We travelled a couple of miles upstream of the Hall County line and then returned for a total distance of about 25 miles. |
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Horseshoe Falls are fun during periods of adequate river flow, but become extremely challenging at lower levels. |
Donnie Filaski and Fred Ewing at our July 3, 2006 lunch/ turnaround point. |
Kent Gano springs back to life following an unplanned dip in the 52 degree water (March 2001). |
To this date Harold Carter maintains that he saw a leprechaun near here back in 2001. Its actually an inside story (ask him about it some day). |
Move on or turn back now. Hummmmm |
Donnie Filaski enjoying a mild section of water in his Scat. |
Louis Bondurant seen here just before he starts his thrust engine with the lid on his toolbox not securely closed. A number of small parts were processed by the digestor, but fortunately the fan blades held up. |
Harold Carter's 277 Scat serves him well on Horseshoe Falls just above Duncan Bridge Rd (March 2001). |
