Saline Bayou

The dark, mysterious attributes many people associate with swamps can be experienced on the 18.5-mile trek through this bayou, including alligator escorts on its southern end. To complete the entire journey in one shot, an experienced canoeist must paddle continuously for 8.5 hours. The banks are low and understory vegetation sparse on the segment from La. Hwy. 126 bridge to the Cloud Crossing Recreation Area—4.5 miles and 2.5 hours; this permits distant views into the forest. Trees that prefer wet conditions such as cypress, water oak, swamp chestnut and willow are common at first. Near Cloud Crossing, the banks become steeper and higher. From Cloud Crossing to Forest Service Rd. 507 (Pearfield Rd.)—2 miles and 1 hour, the bayou widens and the current slows. The banks are steeper and understory vegetation increases, limiting views into the forest, and the number of loblolly pine, beech, catalpa and magnolia increase. White sand bars line the bayou, and Spanish moss hangs from the trees. From Forest Service Rd. 507 to the west side of La. Hwy. 156 bridge—7.5 miles and 3 hours, the banks are lined with majestic cypress trees, large, stately oaks and old growth loblolly pine. Wood ducks, egrets and blue heron are common. The bayou passes through the remnants of Parish Hwy. 588 bridge. The latter third of this section flows through private property. From La. Hwy. 156 bridge to Sand Point boat launch on Saline Lake—4.5 miles and 2 hours, the bayou is very scenic and swamp-like. The vegetation mix is similar to that of the previous section until the headwaters of Saline Lake are reached. There species tolerant of year-round submersion such as cypress and tupelo gum grow. The main channel of the bayou from Hwy 126 to Sand Point is marked with light blue paint on tree trunks. The Forest Service has cautioned people: 1) Don't float the bayou when it's out of its normal banks. During periods of heavy rain, the bayou carries a large volume of water; the current can be very swift; and the bayou frequent ly flows onto the flood plain and develops a braided flow pattern with multiple channels. 2) Watch out for snakes and wasps nests in tree branches and shrubs that overhand the bayou. 3) Don't float the bayou if you have a medical condition that could require emergency care. The waterway is in a remote location with very limited road access which make rescue slow and difficult. Parish: Winn. Length: 18.5 miles. Location: From La. Hwy. 126 bridge to Sand Point boat ramp in Saline Lake. More Information: District Ranger, Winn Ranger District, Kisatchie National Forest, P.O Box 36, Route 3, Winnfield, LA 71483, (318)628-4664.