Float Plan: Cedar Hill Park—Lake Charlotte—Mac Bayou—Secret Cut—Mac Lake—Sulphur Cut West—Trinity River—Sulphur Cut East—Mac Bayou—Charlotte—Cedar Hill.
Total Distance: Approx. 8 miles. Time: Approx. 5 hours.
Conditions: Lake Charlotte Gauge: Rising 7.1 to 7.3 ft. Trinity River Gauge at Liberty: Discharge 1,570 cfs. Height 7.4 ft.
Weather: Temp. High 90’s. Partly Cloudy. Wind SE 10-15 mph. Gusting to 20mph in pm
Participants: Natalie Wiest and Joe Coker (Co-leaders), Greg Fan, Jenny Fan, Alice Nissen, John Rich, Robert Rollen, Robert Scaldino, Ellen Shipman, Lydia Westbrook, Fran Wilcox.
Total 11 people in 9 boats.
See trip pics on the HCC Website Mac Bayou Loop
Our group of nine vessels departed Cedar Hill at about 9:30 am. Sunny, hot, light SE wind. The crossing to the south entrance of Mac Bayou was relatively flat. Only roughly 7 feet of water on the Charlotte gauge was a bit low, but generally adequate for our purposes. As expected, about three quarters of the way over, we were already touching bottom, a testament to the steady sedimentation from the bayou. What we’ve come to call Sand Island #2 continues to expand dramatically, leaving only a narrow navigable channel. Sand Island #1 directly at the bayou mouth is no longer an island at this depth. Gator Alley, which once separated it from the mainland, is high and dry at 7 feet, large sand deposits on the righthand side of the bayou entrance also continue to expand.
On Mac Bayou itself, there was low current and plenty of water. Although, immediately noticeable were the many fallen trees (more than usual) resulting from the weakening of the banks on both sides. Our passage was not impeded, but strong current at higher water levels would make for an interesting (dangerous strainers) decent!
We had expected to see some sunning gators along the way, but the high temp had already pushed them back into the shade or deeper waters. However, numerous claw marks and slides on the muddy banks were evidence of their early-morning cavorting! It was a pretty paddle up the lower section of the Bayou (approx. 0.65 miles) to its intersection with the Sulphur Cut. At that point, we did the short jog to the right and proceeded up the north portion towards Mac Lake. About two thirds of the way up is the entrance to the Secret Cut. This beautiful little side channel is viable only down to about 7 feet on the gauge, so we had just enough to make it through the shallow entrance, past the watchful eyes of the guardian Knee People! Once inside there was plenty of water to explore Secret Lake and fortunately just enough to squeeze through the tight north channel all the way up to the Turning Basin. Numerous birds took flight upon our approach through deep woods; among them a couple of nice roseate spoonbills.
Exiting Secret Cut, we proceeded up Mac Bayou for a quick view of Mac Lake. Beautiful and peaceful as usual. We were tempted to continue north, but with growling stomachs and time limits, instead decided to head for our lunch spot out on the Trinity. So, we reversed course down Mac Bayou, turned right at the Sulphur Cut for the short stretch (0.4 miles) over to the river, then headed upstream for about half a mile to the Big Bend Sand Bar on river left. On prior visits years ago, the beach had extended further inland. Still, we found good sand without too much mud, adequate shade, a great swimming hole and not a single gator or bull shark to be seen! All good!
After a relaxing lunch, we returned to the Sulphur Cut and explored its total length, all the way to the Sulphur Mill docks; only about a mile, but felt like more. By then, the heat was relentlessly sapping our strength. Time to head home! Fortunately, it was an easy, shady float back down Mac Bayou where we finally did see a small gator in the water by the shore! Exiting the Bayou, we collected ourselves and surveyed the lake. As often happens in the afternoon, the south wind had picked up substantially making for a bumpy, taxing paddle across to Cedar Hill. Finally straggling ashore, we were a totally exhausted bunch. Thankfully, lots of tasty, cold watermelon helped revive us for the long drive home!
Another great day on the water!
(Click on image to enlarge.)
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| GPS, by Natalie Wiest |
Map, by Tom Douglas |