Indian Bayou, West Dixie, Atchafalaya Basin, LA A
This kayak paddle trail route goes into the Indian Bayou area of the Atchafalaya swamp starting at the West Dixie launch. Access is at a parking area up and over the levee about 4 miles north of Interstate 10 on Henderson Levee Road. The route is a variant of internet-suggested trails that explore Bayou Fusilier of the Swamp and Bayou Fordoche (a Fusilier is a soldier that carries a flintlock musket). The trail above is a bit more involved and gets into some areas that are narrow and clogged making progress difficult. One aim was to find where Indian Bayou itself came in on the east side, but it was a tricky spot and things were then redecided (read: chickened out) and so the route circles back around. Overall it’s a Figure 8, out to Lost Bayou, down to the lake, up Little Fordoche Bayou, back to the canal, up and around to Lake Fordoche, again back to the canal, and finally to the launch site. The water level was high and it was possible to paddle into the woods, those areas on the map marked as ‘approx’ did that. At lower levels this would not be possible. Good trip, some big gator sightings, didn’t get too lost, no major foul-ups.
30.38318,-91.79323
Launch Site Google Maps Link
Above: Paddling into the main canal from the West Dixie Launch.
Above: A gator right near the shore at Lake Fausse Pointe SP.
Above: Ugh.
Above: These things were just falling out of the trees everywhere.
Above: West Dixie/Indian Bayou launch site.
Above: Route went down the main lake, took a pic, back into swamp.
Above: Lake Fausse Pointe south of the State Park.
Above: Newly planted trees by the white stakes, and an alligator watching.