Canoe and Machete: Pelahatchie Creek

I had hoped to return and write more on my past canoe trips, but because of my inability to either find the time or to make the time, I will have to content myself with recording my latest excursion. I did not have a lot of time, so I returned to the tried and true Pelahatchie Bay at the Ross Barnett Reservoir. This particular location provides excellent access to the marshy area of the bay or to the quiet and calm Pelahatchie Creek. My initial thought was to venture into the bay and see what wildlife was stirring now that we have had some warmer weather, but due to the high wind I opted for the calmer creek where the often narrow banks would lend some shelter.

Pelahatchie Creek

My decision proved worthwhile and I had an excellent paddle. There were a lot of fisherman within the first mile, mostly fishing for crappie, but shortly after crossing under Highway 25, I found myself alone on the water. This is the point at which Pelahatchie Creek takes an appearance of its own and does not simply feel like backwater from the reservoir. The trees close in along the banks and the sounds of civilization fade in the distance. In warmer weather this is also the point at which the mosquitoes and horseflies become a nuisance, but not this weekend.

Further into the unexplored.

As I journeyed up the creek, I enjoyed the sense of being alone in the wild. Granted, it is central MS and is located in one of the most populated areas in the state, but the stretch of forest along Pelahatchie Creek is generally isolated. I was disappointed that I did not find any of the alligators that often lurk in creek, but it is still a little early in the spring. There were plenty of ducks (seemed to be mostly wood ducks), one large Diamondback Water Snake sunning on a log, and several kingfishers. I also enjoyed seeing several Great Blue Herons standing watch over theirs nests. A striking image silhouetted against the sky. Sadly, I could not get a picture to do justice.

A Diamondback Water Snake attempting to get some sun between the scattered clouds.

The creek was fairly clear for my canoe's passage, and I made it further up than I had ever been able to before. It is always exciting on such an excursion when one makes it through a difficult point. Each conquered impass ensures that you are one step ahead of even more boaters who have attempted the same route. There was one particular impass that felt like a gate to the unknown, and certainly for myself it was unexeplored beyond that point. If I had the time, I would have wanted to continue my exploration until the creek became truly impassable and I could claim its complete conquest. Unfortunately I had other obligations, unlike the great explorers of bygone eras, and had to turn back.

My gate to the unexplored.

On my return journey, I stopped in a quiet spot to read and rest before the final effort to reach my launch point. I was surprised by the number of kayakers that ventured out in the afternoon. Apparently, my quiet sanctuary from the world is not as isolated and unknown as I should like. Still, upon seeing the kayakers return in a short while, I was comforted by the fact that they had not journyed through the impass and that I was alone in my furthest explorations.