Atchafalaya, Belle River Boat Launch
The above kayak route trail map launches out of the Belle River Boat Launch off of Levee Highway 997 on the east side of the Atchafalaya Basin north of Morgan City. The launch costs two bucks and has three ramps. A guy there told me that in April during crawfish season all three were totally jammed and he had to come at three thirty in the morning even to find a parking spot. At the time of this trip, December, there were maybe 20 trucks and trailers, so not too bad. The aim was to paddle out into the channels seen on google maps, maybe make some sort of large loop. But, clogging of the channels by the lilies (hyacinth) made that plan unworkable and so things ended up as an out and back. Unexpected channel blockages by floating hyacinth is one of the issues with kayak routes in the Atchafalaya area. Narrow looking channels seen by satellite are actually pretty wide, and paddling those can sometimes be a bit monotonous. Still, there are a lot of possible route variations if you can paddle far enough.
29.92429,-91.24056
Launch Site Google Maps List
Above: Even in the large bayou right by the Belle River Launch there are floating lily/hyacinth clusters.
Above: The iphone camera struggles with another bald eagle photo.
Above: The turnaround point for this trip. Clogged here and gets worse. No way.
Above: The hyacinth lines much of the shoreline, making it hard to reach.
Above: The winter swamp.
