The mouth of the Haw River in Jordan Lake is a complex set of islands, separate river channels and rapids interfacing with the expanse of Jordan Lake. This outing involves a two mile lake canoe trip on two branches of Jordan Lake from a boat launch to the mouth of the Haw. At the mouth, boys with sufficient experience will have opportunities for exploring the area by canoe or kayak and kayaking on the class I whitewater.
Jordan Lake was built by the Army Corps of Engineers to contain the rainfall from a major hurricane coming up the Cape Fear Valley so as to prevent flooding on the Cape Fear River downstream. The lake performed its role well when Hurricane Fran struck the area in 1996. Evidence of the flooding from Fran and of the construction of the lake are some of the sights along the canoe route. Canoeists cross several submerged roads. Jordan Lake is used as a major recreation facility. Canoeists can see boat docks and fishing reefs. The canoes will have to share the lake with powered boats, but will have the mouth of the Haw to themselves and other kayak/canoes. A topographic map of the area is here.
Boys must have passed the BSA swimmer test to canoe. Boys with BSA Kayaking or equivalent experience can kayak. All boats will be buddied up. All will wear PFDs.
During the morning trip, nonboating drivers will move the vehicles from the Boat Launch to the Canoe Access.
| Depart: | 8:30 a.m | Chapel of the Cross |
| On-Water: | 10:00 a.m. (approx.) | Roberson Creek Boat Launch |
| Lunch | 12:00 noon | Roberson Creek Canoe Access |
| Canoeing and Kayaking | Mouth of the Haw | |
| Load up Canoes and Kayaks | 2:30 p.m. | Roberson Creek Canoe Launch |
| Return: | 3:30 p.m. | Chapel of the Cross |
Telephone contact may be tried; call 593-0290 (Mr. Filpus) or 740-4351 (Mr. Hock). Cell phone coverage is spotty. Leave a message.
Water, sunscreen, clothes that can get wet ( not cotton) and PFDs, if you can bring them.
