Bartow authors corner etowah valley historical society. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to. His goal was to divert the river allowing easy access to the gold rich. The coosa river continues flowing westward, into alabama, where it joins with the tallapoosa river to form the alabama river, which flows southward into the gulf. Tubing park, elijah mountain gem mine, and johnson. The manager let me use a tent when mine was missing the poles and she let me borrow a electric heater. The site of the ancient fiftyfouracre indian town is located on the etowah river, some three miles south of cartersville in bartow county. Etowah county courthouse etowah county was created by an act of the alabama state legislature on december 7, 1866, from portions of cherokee and dekalb counties. Jul 6, 2016 etowah river mine tunnel kayak tunneling for gold miles 23 31. Etowah is recorded as being founded in 1845, established by mark anthony cooper which started out as the etowah manufacturing and mining company. Bartows tunnel mining unearthed etowah valley historical society. The etowah river flows 163 miles from the north georgia mountains in lumpkin county to the ridges and valleys of floyd county in northwest georgia.
Located just outside of dawsonville ga in the dawson forrest wma it has a cool 14 mile run thru a mine shaft at the half way point with a class 2 rapid at midpoint dark as % even with lights because of mist and another at the bottom. These mining tunnels were labor intensive being hand dug using picks. Etowah history notes research to date like the typical, early north carolina pioneer settlements, etowah valley grew up around selfsustaining farms near the french broad river, pristine creeks, churches, one or two room schools, a grist mill or two, and a blacksmith. As you exit the tunnel, you swear to your buddies that it was great. During the days of gold mining, the miners knew that gold would accumulate in the rivers, down on the bedrock. Plummer, but his right to participate in the lottery was questioned. Etowah mine tunnel gun and game the friendliest gun. The trail is good for all skill levels and primarily used for hiking, canoeing, and whitewater kayaking. Frequent shoals, class i and borderline class ii, highlight the first three miles of the run, but this section is bestknown for the quartermile mining tunnel that diverts most of the etowah. See the quartermile tunnel created to divert the etowah during georgias gold rush and the pilings from antebellum bridges burned in the civil war. Etowah fg tunnel section georgia canoeing association. Searching for the etowah river mine tunnel 20 imdb. Etowah river historic sites in bartow county, georgia david archer.
The tunnel was built during the gold mining days to divert water from the river. My friends and i are trying to plan a rafting trip through the etowah river tunnel and i wanted to get some more info before we go. The etowah river and the toccoa river flow in different directions. Bartows tunnel mining era unearthed etowah valley historical. Fortifications shown at caldwell ford, bartow county. Etowah river georgia gold mine tunnel on vimeo join. The etowah river water trail stretches 163 miles from lumpkin county in north central georgia to floyd county in northwest georgia passing through or near the towns of dahlonega, dawsonville, cumming, canton, cartersville, euharlee and rome. Etowah river expert speaks today at fhc joe cook is a 1988 graduate of berry college where he studied communications and agriculture. The flow reenters the main channel of the river a mile downstream. May 29, 2011 what is unique about this river, is getting the chance to paddle through the etowah river mine tunnel which is about a 14 mile long. Etowah river users guide georgia river network guidebooks ser. Paddle over native american fish weirs and past the etowah indian mounds, one of the most intact mississippian culture sites in the southeast. Etowah river paddle tunneling for gold sun, sep 2 2018. In floyd county it converges with the oostanaula river to form the coosa river.
What is unique about this river, is getting the chance to paddle through the etowah river mine tunnel which is about a 14 mile long. Williams the last word in ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant. Shows fortifications near the etowah river in the vicinity of allatoona, bartow county, georgia. This 163page comprehensive guide to the entire length of the etowah river features 159 color photos, 17 color maps of the river with detailed information about river access points, cultural and natural history, river obstacles and more. And for those who choose to float down etowah river, there is a surprise waiting for you along the river trail. Past saturday my brother in law, his wife, another family, and i shot the fg section of the upper etowah river. Has anyone here rafted through the etowah river tunnel. Status and restoration of the etowah river, an imperiled. Etowah river mine tunnel is georgias cantmiss kayaking. Outside this midmarch through early may period few white bass will be found in the river. A 12mile stretch can be canoed in one day of steady paddling or two leisurely days. Sections downstream of etowah falls do not exceed class i in difficulty.
The etowah river is famous among kayakers for the tunnel ride. A rock on river right shortly below the exit can also be a hazard if you exit the tunnel out of control. Readercontributed links to the georgia mountains book. This weeks adventure journal takes us to the etowah mine tunnel, one of natures theme parks tucked away in north georgia.
Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Etowah tunnel as you enter the tunnel, you cant help but think that this was a huge mistake. If you go 2 miles north to the cherokee mine you will find the sixes mine, which was also a large lode mine. If you go west 4 miles adjacent to the little river you will find the cherokee mine, which was a large producer of lode gold. Status and restoration of the etowah river, an imperiled southern appalachian ecosystem by noel m. The etowah river originates in lumpkin county, flows southward for a short stretch, then turns westward. Sep 24, 2014 community corner paddle through history on the etowah river in cartersville the coosa river basin initiative on oct. Home to the largest site of viking remains in britain, and years of history before that. However, the largest rapids are limited to the etowah falls section of the river. The etowah river is a 164milelong 264 km waterway that rises northwest of dahlonega, georgia, north of atlanta. You can kayak through an abandoned mine tunnel on the. Canoeing through the etowah river mine tunnel youtube. Filmmaker and photographer brady brandwood sets out alone on a kayak journey in search of an old mine tunnel carved through a mountain in the early 1900s in north georgia, based solely on information hed gotten about the location on the internet.
Join us as we paddle the tunnel section of the etowah river. Jason, rachael, karlie and i went on a living the dream kayaking trip on the etowah river on memorial day weekend 2011. Adventure through the etowah river mine tunnel youtube. Etowah river users guide georgia river network guidebooks. Joe cooks recent book, etowah river users guide, is the first in a series of grn guidebooks planned for publication by the university of georgia press, in cooperation with crbi. Etowah river from ga 9 to kelly bridge road about 9 miles, 2. Published with the generous support of wormsloe foundation nature books. Public use etowah river water trail canoe kayak launches in bartow county, ga name of input address distance to next ouput city of cartersville leake mounds opened october 20 1540 west avenue, cartersville, ga 1. So to get to it, they blasted a tunnel through a hillside to divert the river. The banks of the etowah river, camp creek, and cane creek had many mines barlow mine, battle branch mine, ralston mine, whim hill mine, hedwigchicago mine, gold hill mine etowah mine, and others. On later maps, such as the 1839 cass county map cass being the original name for bartow county, it was referred to as hightower river, a name that was used. A gold miner by the name the dutchman first broke ground on the etowah river mine tunnel in 1880. Taki and i documented our trip through the etowah river mine tunnel which is 7ft. A brief history of the george washington carver state park.
Oct 31, 2010 in addition to advertising the tunnel of terror trip on the gca website and in the eddy line, this trip was cross posted on a meetup group in order to introduce the gca to other canoe and kayakers. Below the mining tunnel, the river s pace slows as it enters the upper reaches of the valley known as big savannah where the ruins of former hamlets haunt the river banks. Reviving this, i have seen posts saying this run is better at 45 ft, right now it s at 4 ft and 4,200 cfm the earlier posts saying 350cfm was the max is confusing me. A fishing primer offers tips to understand the habits of some of the many.
Etowah river mine tunnel kayak tunneling for gold miles 23 31. Joe is the advocacy and communications coordinator for coosa river basin initiative and has served that organization in various ways since 1998 as a board member and past executive directorriverkeeper. Tunnel, according to several surveys the entry channel lies in ll142 the balance lies completely in ll178 lumpkin county ga. About four miles from the castleberry bridge, however, the water runs through a mine tunnel.
The light fades, the noise grows, and the sense that your ancestors survived by not doing stupid things like this. Jan 26, 2010 inside the tunnel is a class ii rapid that you never see coming. You can kayak through an abandoned mine tunnel on the etowah river. Georgia is full of outdoor adventures, from hiking to breathtaking waterfalls to tubing down the chattahoochee river. In these watersheds, visitors will find the highest waterfall in georgia, as well as the approach trail for the beginning of the appalachian trail.
Helmets are required, and flashlights are recommended. Shows fords, bridges, and ferries across the etowah river spanning southeastern floyd county and southwestern bartow county, georgia. Experience the etowah rivernorth georgias best family paddling a 163 mile experience along a historically significant and biologically. On later maps, such as the 1839 cass county map cass being the original name for bartow county, it was referred to as hightower river, a name that was used in most early cherokee. His goal was to divert the river allowing easy access to the gold rich river bottom that.
Cars loaded with canoes and kayaks began arriving from atl. Mar 26, 2020 youll paddle your way in total darkness on this underground river. Depending on the section you paddle, the etowah contains up to class iv rapids. Allatoona dam, built for flood control and hydroelectric power, is important in the development and growth of. This eightmile section runs through the heart of the areas gold mine history.
Etowah county, al mining, mines, mine owners and mine statistics. Published in association with the coosa river basin initiative etowah river users guide joe cook get out and explore northwest georgias biologically diverse and beautiful etowah river announcing the georgia river network guidebooks series the etowah river users guide is the first in a series of books to be published in partnership. Kayak through an abandoned mine tunnel on the etowah river. Usmining provides information on mines, operators, and minerals mined in etowah county, al. Ive seen fine gold with a shovel and sluice and coarse gold when dredging deeper faster water. Etowah history notes research to date etowah nc heritage. The etowah drains the south side of the tennessee valley divide, while the toccoa drains the north side. Bartows golden era of tunnel mining will step into the limelight during the etowah valley historical societys lecture tuesday. In addition to advertising the tunnel of terror trip on the gca website and in the eddy line, this trip was cross posted on a meetup group in order to introduce the gca to other canoe and kayakers.
Dark, loud and wavy, the tunnel is an intimidating challenge for any firsttimer. Target white bass seasonally stackup in the etowah river during their spring spawning run. Georgia canoe association and the book canoeing and kayaking in georgia. Kayak through an abandoned mine tunnel on the etowah river in georgia weve taken your adverage kayak adventure in georgia and leveled it up. Throughout the water trail there are whitewater rapids and waterfalls, and several public access points from which paddlers can launch their boats.
These mining tunnels were labor intensive being hand dug using. Searching for the etowah river mine tunnel 21min documentary, action, adventure filmmaker and photographer brady brandwood sets out alone on a kayak journey in search of an old mine tunnel carved through a mountain in the early 1900s in north georgia, based solely on. This website is dedicated to etowah and the surrounding mountain valley to explore, preserve, and celebrate the history and heritage of this community along the french broad river and little mountain, aka misty mountain elevation 2420 ft in western henderson county, north carolina. Sold the only gold mining tunnel of its kind in the entire united states with a river flowing through it and with a wide and long swath of the etowah river flowing through the property as well. The easiest path to the tunnel is to put in at castleberry bridge in dawsonville, ga. Paddle through history on the etowah river in cartersville. Be sure to check to see if there is light at the end of the tunnel before entering as the exit may be obstructed by fallen trees making it. Begun in the late 1800s and completed in the early 1900s, the tunnel was blasted perpendicular through a tall ridgeline of nearly a quartermile of solid georgia granite and the. Discover the best of etowah so you can plan your trip right. The 40acre gold lot on which most of auraria stood was won by john r. I believe that coker creek also has some color in empties into the etowah just down river from several of the ball ground mines. Kayaking on the etowah river to explore an old tunnel carved through a mountain by gold prospectors. The only gold mining tunnel of its kind in the entire united states and a river flowing through it and with the shoalnoisy and strongwaters of the etowah river flowing through the property as well.
May 18, 2012 reviving this, i have seen posts saying this run is better at 45 ft, right now it s at 4 ft and 4,200 cfm the earlier posts saying 350cfm was the max is confusing me. On matthew careys 1795 map the river was labeled high town river. An old mine tunnel about 7 feet in diameter and about. On later maps, such as the 1839 cass county map cass being the original name for bartow county, it was referred to as hightower river, a name that was used in most early cherokee records. The county was established in 1866 and given the name baine county in honor of confederate general david w. The upper half of the tunnel includes two waves sufficient to roll a boat.
This program will reintroduce a century of mining that has long been forgotten. Flickr kevin trotman kayaking down this relatively calm river in georgia is a nice treat for many kayakers, until of course, you reach the abandoned mine tunnel. Many georgians have not heard of etowah but may have visited the coopers furnace day use area at the base of allatoona dam in cartersville, georgia. This secret kayaking spot in georgia should be added to. Etowah river users guide university of georgia press. The upper section of the etowah river is ideal for beginning canoeists, families, and organized groups who want to run a brisk mountain river and also be close to the scenic and historical attractions of dahlonega. Published on may 10, 2018 a gold miner by the name the dutchman first broke ground on the etowah river mine tunnel in 1880. May 10, 2018 a gold miner by the name the dutchman first broke ground on the etowah river mine tunnel in 1880. Cherokee to canton reese sunday, may 22, 2016 kayaking no comments when i was in boy scouts, i remember a meeting at lake greenwood in.
See the quartermile tunnel created to divert the etowah during georgias gold. Etowah river users guide from its headwaters on the southern slope of the tennessee valley divide near dahlonega to its confluence with the oostanaula to form the coosa in rome, the etowah is a river full of interesting surprises. If you put you kayak in the river at castleberry bridge, the mine is about 4. Aug 17, 2017 past saturday my brother in law, his wife, another family, and i shot the fg section of the upper etowah river. This nationally famous, prehistoric archaeological site contains one of the largest indian mounds in north america. Anglers seeking these spawnrunfish should target the lower river miles above the etowah s confluence with the oostanaula river in rome. The miners way of glenmalure, glendalough and glendasan. Etowah county, al mines, mine companies, mine owners and mine information. Located just below this bridge is best part of the trip. If you put you kayak in the river at castleberry bridge, the mine is about 4 miles.
Sherpa guides georgia mountains the etowah river and. The mine was originally made to divert the river during the gold rush. Whether youre searching for gold or thrills, paddle down the quarter mile tunnel, where the only light is. From its headwaters on the southern slope of the tennessee valley divide near dahlonega to its confluence with the oostanaula to form the coosa in rome, the etowah is a river full of interesting surprises. The etowah river water trail is 163 miles long from lumpkin county to floyd county. This kayaking adventure journeys along the etowah river water trail, which flows 163 miles from lumpkin county in north central georgia to floyd county in northwest georgia. Title and date from stephensons civil war maps, 1989. Tunnel or shaft mining was indeed the beginning of the golden age of bartow county mining history. Knee deep at the tunnel entrance is a good to high level. Searching for the etowah river mine tunnel 20 plot.
Inside the tunnel is a class ii rapid that you never see coming. American whitewater is the primary advocate for the preservation and protection of whitewater rivers throughout the united states and connects the interests of humanpowered recreational river users with ecological and sciencebased data to achieve goals within our mission. View of fortifications near the ruins of the western and. Map of the etowah river from rome to cartersville, georgia. Oct 11, 20 the lost city of etowah, georgia october 11, 20 by thecamakstone i am sure you have heard of the lost city of atlantis according to plato, that had disappeared due to some vast cataclysm swallowing the island with water. Penandink, blue ink, red ink, and pencil on tracing cloth. Hotels near etowah river park, canton on tripadvisor. This prompted some great quotes like, ill never do that again and it was a lot scarier than i expected.
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