Atchafalaya, Doiron’s Landing
Kayak paddle trail route map in the Atchafalaya basin, launching from Doiron’s Landing, above Morgan City, Louisiana, near the southern edge of the Basin. The launch is about an hour from Lake Fausse Pointe State Park and, as usual, this means $$ back and forth gas money. The launch requires a 5 buck dashboard permit that is purchased at Doiron’s gas station across the street. This was a nice route, first crossing the Little Tensas Bayou (as labeled by Google maps, labeled by DeLorme as something else) with its tugs and barges, then entering the real swamp. The route is a big loop with some out and back explorations of a few side channels. The internal north-south out and back narrows at the top and the water becomes very clear. Dozens of alligators were observed but it was hard to get close enough for a picture before they slid into the water. There are a variety of additional route alternatives here and it’s one of the nicer Atchafalaya paddles. If you’re not from this area, good luck pronouncing ‘doiron’.
29.76409,-91.17557
Launch Site Google Maps Link
Above: The Doiron’s Landing launch site as seen upon return, very industrial.
Above: A bald eagle high in the cypress across from the launch site. The iphone tries its best.
Above: Jungle of green.
Above: Decent sized alligator.
Above: View of Flat Lake.
Above: Carolina watershield/fanwort. In super clear water.
Above: Burning sugarcane fields.