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As I’ve mentioned before, getting from Newnan’s Lake to Orange Lake is the paddling holy grail in this area. As far as I know it has never been done successfully in modern times. Yet that has not stopped me from trying. As I see it, two problems areas remain unnavigable: a small stretch between Prairie Creek and Camps Canal and another longer stretch between Camps and River Styx. Evidence abounds of attempts to clear this portion in the form of sawed-off trees that now clog the channel. It is gratifying to see this same desire to break through in others, but I think it will take at five people who are willing to go on a do-or-die mission to accomplish this. I volunteer my services.
Nevertheless, this space between the lakes stands as the crowning jewel of Alachua County and I have been in few places more lovely anywhere in the world. The water is the color of jade and trees no less than 40 feet high line its banks. Old, broken bridges and water gates appear out of nowhere as markers of previous attempts to create and control its flow. In places the canal lines the swamp adjacent to Paynes Prairie where, in the case of today’s outing, we seriously pissed off a Great Blue Heron. “You kids get outta my yard!” it seemed to say.
My favorite places here are the “discovery” areas where one has to somehow move past debris to get to the next jaw-dropping space. Up to now I have moved through these areas almost completely ignorant of where I was geographically. Now I have a GPS that can actually pick up a signal and mark my progress (conventional maps are useless, as they show lakes where there is but a trickle). Henceforth, I will mark foot-by-foot my progress into the problem areas. Oh, and anyone who want to go on that do-or-die mission, please contact me.
liveoakblues
Live Oak Blues 
Posted by Chris on April 30, 2012 at 10:58 am
I know this is an old blog post but hopefully you’re still interested in this run. I was just out on the CC yesterday, ’bout half-way between CR 234 and CR 346 (R. Styx bridge). Let me know if you’re still interested.
Posted by Doug on April 10, 2016 at 7:29 pm
Chris, have you been out that way recently? I see the post was made 4 years ago, but… Ive been canoeing the canal and prairie creek frequently. Mainly I focus on the lower canal, attempting to cross into River Styx. Usualy I do it when I only have a couple hours and run out of time. Recently its become a serious goal of mine. With summer rains coming, I suspect water levels will continue to rise, and I will continue to make progress as I dedicate more time to the task. Ive made it more than half way to the Styx according to the GPS satellite images Ive been looking at from my phone while out in the swmap. IF you want to go, or anyone else reading this does, feel free to contact me! (352)502-3645
Doug
Posted by liveoakblues on April 10, 2016 at 8:26 pm
I’d definitely be game! Last time I tried (a couple years ago) it was impassable without a chain saw.
Posted by Chris on July 5, 2016 at 9:37 pm
Hey all, Wow.. I was clearing thru an old email account and came across 2 replies to comments I made in 2012 to a blog post from 2010. Talk about slow response time!
So Doug & LOB, if y’all are still up for an attempt at Alachua county’s paddling Holy Grail… I’d consider it an honor to give it a shot. I haven’t done Prairie Creek of Camp’s Canal in a few years. From the north I’ve managed to make it from Newnan’s down to the section of CC that runs southeast just before turning due south. From the south I’ve made it just over 1 mile north almost to the old train trestle (summer run… the duckweed was 1/2 foot thick). I’ve jeeped out to the center section midway between CE 234 & 346… it was dry season so could actually walk the canal.
I’ve got some GPS tracks around here somewhere.. just gotta dig ’em up. Would love to see what you have Doug.
Doug – I’ll shoot you a text shortly to the number you listed above. Either of you feel free to text / call my cell 317-3552.
Chris
Posted by Chris on July 5, 2016 at 9:54 pm
“As far as I know it has never been done successfully in modern times.”
I believe Dom Nozzi (used to be a Gainesville city planner but has moved out of state) came the closest. Him & buddy made it all the way down thru Camp’s and most of R.Styx to the old trestle. His story is hilarious…
http://www.afn.org/~savanna/CampsOrdeal.htm
Posted by Chris on September 5, 2016 at 8:44 am
Hello Doug & LOB – with all the water coming down lately (thank you Hermine) I think I’m gonna do a quick paddle on River Styx today. Will prolly put in at CR346, paddle north to see what I can see, then over to The Yearling for frog legs and beer.
Give me a shout if interested on a last second trip. 317-3552.
Chris