Picketts Bayou, Trinity River NWR, The Cutoff
This kayak route map starts at the Pickett’s Bayou launch in the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge near Champion Lake. The plan was to go south and connect to The Cutoff channel, and then go out to the Trinity. Pickett’s Bayou is wide near the launch site, but narrows into a much tighter channel at the point where it hits The Cutoff. From there it is easy to go east into the Trinity River. The route also goes the other direction on The Cutoff, and makes a loop that connects with Lost River before heading back on Pickett’s Bayou to the launch. There were some trash and log blockages at a few locations that had to be portaged or avoided. Just below the region shown on the above map would be Lost Lake, I-10 and Hugo Point Park. So long, continuous trips from Pickett’s Bayou to The Cutoff and down into the Lost Lake area to the south would be possible.
29.92071,-94.79848
Launch Site Google Maps Link
Above: End of portage, now drop the boat down to the water and get in.
Above: Lower section of Pickett’s Bayou, gets narrow.
Above: Along Pickett’s Bayou.
Above: Big alligator along The Cutoff, darker colored.
Above: Alligator resting along The Cutoff.
Above: A speed limit sign on Pickett’s Bayou.