Big Cypress Bayou, Backwater Jacks
Kayak paddle route map at Backwater Jacks camp on the Big Cypress Bayou. This launch gives access to a number of the named Caddo trails (on the TPWD website). The route here doesn’t do those but instead goes further up the Bayou, hits the Little Cypress, explores various side channels, and ultimately makes a loop to come back the bayou to the launch. Turnarounds and dead ends are yellow dots. Its a great paddle, there are some hidden lakes and other features to find and, although it’s a bit further upstream, it’s an interesting alternative to the standard Caddo trail set. There is a few dollar fee to park and launch. When I went there was a huge logging operation along the Little Cypress Bayou and I didn’t go past those guys working. Also, a few log jams were encountered on the return loop, but nothing too difficult. And I got one picture of an alligator (see below).
Above: Perfect.
Above: All the sudden it was there, a snake warming itself in the sun.
Above: Wood homes along the bayou.
Above: And where the wood comes from. The logging process itself, the machines, the grinding, the screech, isn’t so pretty.
Above: Alligator! Enlarge to be sure.
Above: Find the Pig.
