Atchafalaya, Lake Fausse Pointe, Grand Avoille Cove Launch
A kayak paddle route launching from the Grand Avoille Cove Boat Launch into Lake Fausse Pointe in the Atchafalaya area. The launch is a few miles south of Lake Fausse Pointe State Park along the gravel Levee Road, and so access is simple. The day was cloudy at first but brightened up a bit later in the afternoon. The perimeter of Lake Fausse Pointe, like Dauterive Lake to the north, is surrounded with big cypress that grow in the water along the shore. And so a kayak can weave in and out of the trees, hidden and sheltered, with the lake extending to the horizon, kind of ‘out there’. This trip, late winter, explores some of the little canals and sloughs that branch off from the south and west sides of the lake. These channels are very nice, secluded, lush, and worth the effort. The route back was a four mile straight shot across the lake, quickly, to beat the fading daylight. I’m a little unsure what the proper lake level gage is; Lower Grand River at Fausse Pointe SP was at a value of 1.31, maybe that is meaningful.
Above: The Grand Avoille Cove Launch. Nobody else there.
Above: A planned exploration of the slough west of Grand Avoille Cove was blocked by a serious-looking gated fence with multiple posted signs for DMAP, which I think is a Deer Management Assistance Program. Seems the deer in this area live well out into the waters surrounding the land, eating fish.
Above: Navigating the cypress along the shore and looking out on the lake.
Above: One of the connecting channels, this one obviously a canal.
Above: Someone is taking a winter sunshine break. At another spot I saw the tail of a very large alligator slither into a hidey-hole along the bank of the bayou.
Above: Taking a short break. Beautiful spot.
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