Village Creek Float

Texas does not provide much white water river excitement. But many of it's rivers do provide a fun get away, like Village Creek in East Texas, just north of Beaumont. On the first Saturday of 2006, Jonathan and I joined a few friends for a 5 hour canoe and kayak float through a remote section of mixed hardwood forest. The Nature Conservancy has purchased large tracks of land from timber and other interests on either side of Village Creek and have created a preserve that allows for a return to uncontrolled nature. . . and for peaceful floats, uninterrupted by civilization (excluding our food and gear, of course). For more on this preserve, see The Nature Conservancy in Texas - Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary.

The water generates no white, but flows nicely. The creek cuts through sandy and clay soils and so isn't muddy. It carries a lot of tannin from the trees and looks like a very weak tea, clear but light brown. Clean white sand bars populate the bends on many sections of the 9.4 mile section we floated. River birch and cypress populate the banks. We saw signs of otters and beavers in addition to the expected dog/coyote and racoon tracks along the banks. In spite of the time of year, we enjoyed highs in the low 60s (put in temp was in the 40s though) under blue skies and light winds. It was a perfect day.

For a slide show of my photos of the trip, see Village Creek Photos.