On October 12, people from all across the country celebrated our system of National Wildlife Refuges by attending an event called “Walk for the Wild.” Many participated by taking a 5K hike, but we decided to do our outing (actually a little over 7K) in boats at the Champion Lake Unit of the Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, which is located near the community of Old River-Winfree, TX.

After checking in at the event’s entrance area, we stopped by several informational booths and visited with the expert birders who were leading a “Sit for the Wild” activity at the Champion Lake pier. Passing by the log cabin-style buildings, we found our way over to the Pickett’s Bayou boat ramp. With boats and gear unloaded, we moved our cars back up the hill near to the Butterfly Garden, walked back down to the ramp, and began our paddle.

The Put-In by Tom Douglas

A short distance ahead, we made the right turn that leads to the south, down Pickett’s Bayou. Signs of recent floods were everywhere, such as the debris washed up at the marker for Jac’s Island. But from our previous scouting we knew that the bayou would be clear all of the way down to our planned turn-around point.

Heading Down Pickett’s Bayou by Joe Coker

ORU Kayaks on Parade by Linda Shead

Flood Debris at Jac’s Island by Linda Shead

There were the expected birds such as great blue herons and great egrets, plus some interesting plant life.

Halberd-Leaf Hibiscus by Linda Shead

Sensitive Briar by Joe Coker

An Orange Tree by Linda Shead

About two miles down the bayou we came to a large sandbar that offered an easy beach for landing and trees to provide shade. Up to now we were right on our planned timeline, but the conversation over lunch was so interesting that we ended up running a little later than planned.

Approaching the Sandbar by Linda Shead

Lunch in the Shade by Linda Shead

Lunch in Comfort by Linda Shead

Before heading back upstream, we checked out a sunken boat that was out in the middle of the bayou a little downstream from the island.

Leaving the Sandbar by Linda Shead

By the Sunken Boat by Linda Shead

Then we turned around, with the return leg of our paddle back up Pickett’s Bayou made especially enjoyable by a light breeze at our backs. At the boat ramp we were greeted by our safety liaison for the trip, Chris Arceneaux, who was also one of the organizers of what had turned out to be a very successful “Walk for the Wild.”  

GPS Track of “Paddle for the Wild” 2024 by Tom Douglas