River Log section: Memphis to Helena
Memphis to Helena
657 LBD Yazoo Pass You will travel near the historic opening of Yazoo Pass as you paddle around Montezuma Bend starting near mile 657. The Yazoo Pass used to connect the Mississippi River via Moon Lake to the Tallahatchie River system, and was one of the many routes that Grant
Memphis to Helena
657-654 RBD Montezuma Towhead A three-mile long island at low water, one mile-long at medium, no sand at 35HG, goes completely under at flood stage 44HG. Montezuma Towhead was created when an unfortunate steamboat by the same name The Montezuma happened upon a snag in this section of river and
Memphis to Helena
663 RBD Leaving Helena Harbor Leaving the Helena Harbor and heading downstream: As you push from the Helena Harbor and paddle downstream you will enjoy some of the industrial works of mankind that line the busy channel for several miles below the bridge. See below for writing and recommendations about
Memphis to Helena
661.6 Helena Bridge (Hernando DeSoto Bridge -- US Hwy 49) Paddlers: aim for whichever bridge opening is not occupied by towboat traffic and stay away from the pylons. The parent’s mantra “Look both ways before crossing” applies here! Downstream Tows might be descending from behind Buck Island still
Memphis to Helena
661.6 Helena Bridge (Hernando DeSoto Bridge -- US Hwy 49) This is the only bridge in between Memphis and Greenville, over 200 miles of river. Such is the nature of the Lower Mississippi, and what makes this water trail such an attractive adventure for wilderness paddlers. The wildness of
Memphis to Helena
663 RBD Helena-West Helena Mark Twain said that Helena occupies “the prettiest situations on the Mississippi River…” Twain should have also added: “and the driest...” Thanks to Crowley’s Ridge Helena has the distinction of being the only remaining population of any size to be found directly on the main
Memphis to Helena
665.5 LBD Trotter’s Pass A beautiful side trip into a primeval world where you can paddle as far as you feel comfortable doing so. Round Trip: paddle into Trotter’s Pass and then turn around and paddle back and continue your journey downstream the main channel. How to
Memphis to Helena
668-663 RBD Buck Island (Prairie Point Towhead) Buck Island was saved from auction block by the American Land Conservancy in 2008 and is now protected by a permanent wetlands easement through the NRCS, which means that it will never be forested again, and our children will one day enjoy the
Memphis to Helena
669 LBD Flower Lake Dikes Above 20HG (medium water) you can paddle behind several narrow islands found on the Mississippi shoreline left bank descending which are formed over the St. Francis and Flower Lake Dikes. Stay LBD and paddle hard to cut into the narrow openings leading behind these islands
Memphis to Helena
671-673 LBD St. Francis Bar Created by historic flooding of the St. Francis River, the St. Francis Bar is a perennial sandbar that varies from a mile long at low water, to half a mile at medium water, and is completely submerged during high water (goes under around HG37). Beautiful
Memphis to Helena
RBD 692.5 Peter's Boat Ramp Narrow rugged revetment ramp laid over the rip rap. Usable at all water levels, but long overland drive for access to any conveniences, at least 20 miles to Marianna. For resupply keep going to Helena, 29 miles downstream.
Memphis to Helena
LBD 652.5 Friars Point Landing (unimproved) Several hundred yards below the McAlister Grain/Mississippi Limestone complex (you will see a line of shiny stainless steel grain elevators and piles of gravel and anchored tows) you can find a serviceable landing with access to Friars Point. Unimproved location. Primitive landing