Sabine River, Old Sabine Bottom WMA Launch, up
Kayak paddle trail route map on the Sabine River in northeast Texas, a bit north of Tyler and Interstate 20. The river here is mostly within the Old Sabine Bottom WMA and the put-in is down a gravel road in the WMA. The route goes upstream to 1804, Hoard Road, about 7 miles from the launch. Maybe 5 or so log jam portages each way this time, but fairly easy ones. Nice winter paddle, took two hours from launch to turnaround with USGS Neches nr Mineola at 50 cfs and Neches nr Hawkins (St. Pk. Hwy) at 175 cfs. Low and slow. The river level was dropping from rainfall a few days earlier and the banks were muddy and slick. On the way back downstream I stopped at a couple spots and hiked in to check out some of the interior lakes (white lines on map, and pictures below). Nice trip.
Above: Launch site within the Old Sabine Bottom WMA.
Above: One of the portages.
Above: View of the river from up top.
Above: Tight but enough space to squeeze under.
Above: Hiked in to check out a lake within the WMA. And the moon is out.
Above: Find the alligator, medium size.
Above: Hiked in to check out an old river channel.
Above: Sooey, oink oink.
Above: Someone is watching (expand to find).