CANCELED: Mother’s Day Paddle on the Wolf River
Mother’s Day on the River
Germantown Parkway to Walnut Grove Road
(A public event, membership not required)
Sunday, May 14, 2023
Arrival Time: 12:30 PM End Time: 5:00 PM (approx.)
Surprise Mom, Mother, Meemaw, or even Granny with a very special gift this Mother’s Day, a trip down the Wolf River. Our river guides will accompany your loved one on a paddle down one of the most relaxing sections of the suburban Wolf River. Come experience (at water level) the river that you pass over almost daily without paying it very much attention. Your gift will be a new appreciation for one of the great adventures in the midsouth.
This surprisingly pleasant three-and-a-half-mile section of the Wolf River parallels the Shelby Farms trails on river right and the Wolf River Greenway Trail on river left. The forests along the north bank consist of fully mature hardwood trees that conceal the hiking and biking trails of Shelby Farms. The south bank provides a lush natural buffer between the river and the commercial establishments along Wolf River and Humphrey Boulevard in the bustling communities of Germantown and Memphis, Tennessee. We will stop at various points during the trip to stretch our legs on the sandbars and enjoy the company of others on the adventure.
The put-in at Germantown Parkway bridge is primitive but not very difficult to navigate. Recent work in the Wolf River Conservancy and Shelby Farms Park area has greatly improved access. Prior paddle experience is not required, but paddlers must be old enough and be physically able and willing to paddle this section.
Air and water temperatures will most likely be comfortable. Paddlers should wear quick-dry clothing (no cotton, please) and come prepared to enjoy the coolness of the river water. Bring snacks, bug spray, and sunscreen for everyone, and ensure you have plenty of water for each person on the trip. A full liter per person would not be too much for this time of year. Be sure to protect every portion of your body from the hot Memphis afternoon sun during the entire trip. Minor children must be accompanied by a Parent(s) or legal guardian.
To assist with planning, please register early. Registration for the trip will officially close at noon on Friday, May 12. If this is your first trip or if you want to learn more about the Wolf River, please read the following documents under the paddling section of our website (www.wolfriver.org/paddling): “River Descriptions,” “Wolf River Access Map,” and “Safety Information.”
Trip Leaders: Your trip leader will be Certified Conservancy River Guide, Mike Dawkins. Assisting him will be Lee Gallagher as well as other Conservancy River Guides. The guides will ensure a safe, enjoyable, and entertaining trip.
For Those Bringing Boats: Arrive at noon to unload your equipment and participate in the vehicle shuttle to the take-out. Vehicle shuttles will be arranged both before the paddle and after. The last pre-float shuttle will leave the Germantown Parkway put-in by 12:30 pm.
For Those Renting Boats: Please contact Mike Dawkins (email mikedawk@comcast.net or call/text 901-485-2531) regarding equipment rental for this event. You will meet Mike at the time designated in the graveled parking area along Walnut Grove Road and just east of the Wolf River. This is on the south side of Walnut Grove Road and just west of the BMX track.
Parking Disclaimer: You should be able to leave your vehicle in the relatively safe Put-in and Take-out parking areas; however, Wolf River Conservancy cannot guarantee conditions at the time of launch. The Conservancy is not responsible for loss or damage to private property on or off the river.
SAFETY and PFD requirement: Participants attending Wolf River Conservancy on-river programs must wear a US Coast Guard-approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) while on the river. Children must wear child-size-approved PFDs. If you are renting a craft, the outfitter will provide you with an approved PFD as part of the rental package. Those using boats provided by the Conservancy will also be supplied PFDs and paddles. There are no exceptions to the PFD requirements. Please note that they must also be securely fastened at all times. Please do not use the “belt-type” units that are popular with the SUP community. These are single-discharge units and cannot easily be reloaded once deployed.
Although the Wolf River is rated as a class one river (little whitewater), conditions can rapidly change. It is imperative that boaters realistically evaluate their experience and abilities related to the section being paddled before launching into the water. Any concerns can be addressed with our River Guides. Any decisions and recommendations will always favor the most cautious and safest solution.
If you have questions about the trip, please get in touch with Jim Gafford, Director of Outreach, at 901.573.2353 (call/text) or jg54513@yahoo.com (email).
We look forward to your participation in this event!
