Mile 298.5 LBD — Hog Point Towhead

Hog Point Towhead, a bony ridge rising high above the main channel making a natural levee and ideal placement for voyageur tents and hammocks.  Behind the tall sandy edge a promenade like a Greek entrance hall leads downwards at a slight angle into a chapel of willows, where the spirit of god can be felt close at hand.  Every Mississippi River island hosts such a chapel.  Walk in through the chapel doors, a couple of willows at odd angles, and everything immediately changes as dramatically as walking through the giant oak carved doors of the Notre Dame.  Suddenly the light changes, and the sounds of the river, the cold wind, or the hot sun immediately loses its power.  Here you want to walk softly and respectfully.  You are walking in the home of the great spirit, the songbird chorus is its choir, and the hushed atmosphere its hymn, and the artfully placed pile of driftwood its pulpit.  And you can become one of the congregation, along with the spiders, crickets and katydids, and all of the songbirds and amphibians that also find refuge here.  They will welcome you and make you feel at home and at one with the spirit.

This willow-covered Island is the highest stand of trees along Hog Point Dikes and Sandbar, and will be the only possible stop place you find above 35NG.  A portion  of the top end stays dry up to 48NG.   As result Hog Point is best for low and medium water camping.  If the river is above 40NG you can also look for landing on Miles Bar, which is across the main channel directly opposite, or in a nice alcove three miles downstream (RBD 295.5).