Lazer Creek Paddling Guide
A creek of significant size, the paddling Lazer Creek is mostly flatwater, occasionally interrupted by Class I and two solid Class II shoals.
Located in the west-central part of the state, Lazer Creek flows northeastward through undisturbed forested banks into the Flint River just below Hightower Shoals near Thomaston. Its headwaters are on Pine Mountain. A creek of significant size, the paddling is mostly flatwater, occasionally interrupted by Class I and two solid Class II shoals. Hazards consist of the shoals themselves, which should be scouted, and the occasional hornets' nests hanging from overhead branches. Lazer Creek is remarkably free of deadfalls and strainers.
MAPS: Roland, Lincoln Park (USGS); Talbot, Upson (County)
HENDRICKS/SUNRISE ROAD TO THE FLINT RIVER
TRIP SUMMARY
Class: I-II; Length: 8.3 miles; Time: 5 hours; Gauge: None; Level: N/A; Gradient: 13 feet per mile; Scenery: A-
DESCRIPTION: Talbot County is 93-percent forested, and Lazer Creek remains a virtually undisturbed wilderness. Thickly overgrown, only now and then are signs of human activity visible. The hills rise to 200 feet over the water in some sections, surprisingly mountainous territory for this part of the state. The stream bed is predominantly sandy and rocky. Narrow and intimate at the beginning of its canoeable length, Lazer Creek becomes 80 yards wide or more toward its mouth. The Flint, on which this section ends, is 150 yards or more wide.
While the stream is mostly placid, quartzite ledges occasionally cross the calm stream, causing shoals of Class I and II difficulty. Two solid Class II rapids in the second half of the run deliver whitewater excitement guaranteed to wake anyone lulled by the prevailing flat-water and beauty of the surrounding terrain. The first is Big Shoals, a river-wide stair-step ledge whose first drop may be as much as 5 vertical feet depending on the line chosen. Below this ledge, the creek's largest tributary, Coleoatchee Creek, enters on the left. The second noteworthy rapid occurs near the confluence with the Flint.
For its last quarter, Lazer Creek is bordered on the right by the local Wildlife Management Area. If you're camping in the area, be mindful of hunting seasons. The game calendar on the GADNR Web site provides hunting season dates.
SHUTTLE: From Thomaston, take GA 36 west. After crossing over the Flint, look for Hendricks/Sunrise Road and turn left there. Cross over the creek (the put-in for this section) and continue another 1.3 miles to a left turn onto Bunkham Road. A little less than 3 miles ahead, turn left onto River Road. Follow River Road a similar distance until it dead-ends at the river. This is the take-out. The cove that leads to this spot can be difficult to spot from the river at the end of the day, so note the surrounding features well.
GAUGE: There is no gauge for the creek. The seam in the pilings of the bridge on river right at the put-in can be used to judge feasibility; 3 feet below the seam has proved to be ample flow. The creek is most likely runnable if the Flint is running over 8.5 feet at GA 36. Avoid the creek when the Flint is over 11 feet.
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Related Listings
Lazer Creek
Thomaston, GA, Paddling GuidesLocated in the west-central part of the state, Lazer Creek flows northeastward through undisturbed forested banks into the Flint River just below Hightower Shoals near Thomaston.
Big Lazer Creek WMA and Public Fishing Area
Talboton, GA, Hunting, Fishing, BoatingThis 5,900-acre Wildlife Management Area also has a 195-acre public fishing lake.
