Bear Creek Upper Trip - Hackleburg, Alabama

Join my friends and I as we paddle 10 miles down Bear Creek near Hackleburg, Alabama, from CR 13 to CR 172 (Rock Quarry). This water is dam released, so it's always cold but they only release on the weekends. This is one of the best trips in North Alabama!

[@lysan1445]

There is just enough whitewater to be a challenge but not enough to overwhelm paddlers who are not professional whitewater kayakers. Looked like a lot of fun! And beautiful, too.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Exactly- it's both relaxing and just a little excitement in a couple of places!! Thank you!!

[@jhughes3867]

Dan with a Dagger and a spray skirt. You'll be a full fledged white water guy in no time. Looks like a fun time on an awesome river.

[@SouthernPaddler]

LOL!! Well, I don't know about full fledged, but I do want to broaden my experiences just a little on the lower end of white water! :) Thank you!!!

[@bammerbiff1621]

All of a sudden, someone gets that reminder that you need to lash everything to your kayak. 😅 Such a beautiful area.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Yes!! LOL!! He tries to land on top of that rock every trip. It's more of a ritual, now...lol!! I think he just enjoys cooling off!! Thank you!!

[@MySUPRunnethOver]

7:27 🤩 Those always look so beautiful to me. Very adventurous paddle 😅

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, Lashonda! I love those rock overhands!! It is a beautiful creek!!

[@dewey4president]

Looks like some fast current! Fun vid!

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, Dewey! It does have a few spicy sections. It really is a fantastic trip!!

[@obeewanderlow-key4916]

Very nice! That looks like a great stretch to paddle

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, Eric! It really is- I love the remoteness and the scenery of this trip!!

[@MinuteontheMountain]

A little rodeo on the creek in a couple of spots. Looked like a lot of fun. Great stuff, Dan.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Ha, ha- yes, John, it was! It's got some fun and some chill! I love it! Thanks, brother!!

[@WNC_comms]

Great video Dan. Those shots you get are unreal. Looks like a really fun run.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, bro! It is such scenic river and mostly remote- that's why it's one of my favorites, for sure!!!

[@kickapootrackers7255]

👍🏞️ great float n vid. Good helpn at 5:55 , sweet creek. Gonna watch a couple vids, T&B brother

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thanks, Will! He tries to "land" on that rock every trip. It's kind of a ritual now...lol!! Blessings, brother!!

[@kickapootrackers7255]

@@SouthernPaddler 😅I've hit a few myself, Blessins to y'all

[@SouthernPaddler]

@@kickapootrackers7255 Lol! We all have!! 🤣🤣

[@kickapootrackers7255]

@@SouthernPaddler I did in a canoe with a buddy on the blue river. We somehow made it but the audience loved it😂. Thanks for sharing your trips, appreciated

[@jonathan.duke2023]

That was us at the poker table 5:07

[@SouthernPaddler]

DUDE- that's awesome!!!😎🛶💯♣️🃏

[@mackjenkins7721]

Man look like good time on the water. Nice group you had too. A river like that my boys would love with the lil water fall. Dan a have a question did you buy your red kayak 🛶 new or use ? I also like the Spray skirt that you had on the kayak too to keep the water out. I am about to get me a sit inside kayak for kayak camping 🏕. I found a way to fit my big extremely wide feet 🦶 in the kayak 🛶 with out my feet 🦶 getting Stuck inside the car yet 🛶 . It's feels a lil Weird but I get use to it. Dan did the cover come with the kayak 🛶 or did you had to but it separately ? I take it is hard for you to put your feet 🦶 out side of the kayak 🛶 . As my boys call It ( Cruise control ) you have a good weekend buddy and thanks you for sharing this video buddy.

[@SouthernPaddler]

Hey Mack! I bought this kayak (Dagger Katana 10.4) new. It was recommended by several folks (including River King Pete) because it's easier for bigger guys to get in and out of. The spray skirt (cover) was purchased separately from Seals Sprayskirts. It's not the type made for rolling, but just to keep splashes out of the boat. For a sit inside, look at the Old Town Loon 12.5. That's what I have and it has a "console" that can be removed that makes getting in an out almost as easy as a sit-on-on-top...and it has a 400+ lbs capacity! Thanks and take care, Mack!

[@creek_camper]

😀👍✝️

[@SouthernPaddler]

Preciate it, brother! This is one of my favorites, for sure!!

[@bigloaded8324]

Such a beautiful river to paddle. Did you use Bear Creek Canoe Run for their shuttle services? Awesome video!

[@rogerhaley1133]

We did a self shuttle

[@SouthernPaddler]

Thank you! As Roggie said, it was a self-shuttle. We added several miles by starting further upstream than Bear Creek Canoe Run, but we finished at the take-out they used. It's such a fun and beautiful river! Thank you very much!!