you go for a hike, bike ride, or other excursion into the wilderness, here are some precautions to keep in mind.
Always carry food and water, whether you are planning to go overnight or not. Food will give you energy, help keep you warm, and sustain you in an emergency until help arrives. Bring potable water or treat water by boiling or filtering before drinking from a lake or stream.
Stay on designated trails. Most hikers get lost when they leave the trail. Even on the most clearly marked trails, there is usually a point where you have to stop and consider which direction to head. If you become disoriented, don’t panic. As soon as you think you may be off-track, stop, assess your current direction, and then retrace your steps back to the point where you went awry. If you have absolutely no idea how to continue, return to the trailhead the way you came in. Should you become completely lost and have no idea of how to return to the trailhead, remaining in place along the trail and waiting for help is most often the best option for adults and always the best option for children.
Be especially careful when crossing streams. Whether you are fording the stream or crossing on a log, make every step count. If you have any doubt about maintaining your balance on a log, go ahead and ford the stream instead. When fording a stream, use a trekking pole or stout stick for balance and face upstream as you cross. If a stream seems too deep to ford, turn back. Whatever is on the other side is not worth risking your life.
Be careful at overlooks. Although these areas may provide spectacular views, they are potentially hazardous. Stay back from the edge of outcrops and be absolutely sure of your footing: a misstep can mean a nasty and possibly fatal fall.
Know the symptoms of hypothermia. Shivering and forgetfulness are the two most common indicators of this insidious killer. Hypothermia can occur at any elevation, even in the summer. Wearing cotton clothing puts you especially at risk, because cotton, when wet, wicks heat away from the body. To prevent hypothermia, dress in layers using synthetic clothing for insulation, use a cap and gloves to reduce heat loss, and protect yourself with waterproof, breathable sleeping bag.
Take along your brain. A cool, calculating mind is the single-most important piece of equipment you’ll ever need in the woods. Think before you act. Watch your step. Plan ahead. Avoiding accidents before they happen is the best recipe for a rewarding and relaxing camping trip.
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Amity Campground
“Spectacular sunrises over shimmering waters”
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:: Key Information
ADDRESS: 1001 County Road 393, Lanett, AL 36863
OPERATED BY: US Army Corps of Engineers
CONTACT: 334-499-2404; reservations 877-444-6777; tinyurl.com/amitycamp
OPEN: March–September
SITES: 96
SITE AMENITIES: Gravel pad, picnic table, grill, fire ring, lantern post, water, power
ASSIGNMENT: First-come, first-serve or by reservation
REGISTRATION: At entry gate or by reservation
FACILITIES: Flush toilets, hot showers, laundry, playground, lake swimming, fishing, fish-cleaning station, basketball court, volleyball court
PARKING: At each site; additional parking inside Mill Run, River Forest, and Pine Bluff Loops across from campsites
FEE: Improved, $24; primitive, $16
ELEVATION: 689'
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Deep within the mixed oak-and-pine forests and fertile rolling farmlands of southeast Alabama, on the banks of the Chattahoochee River directly on the Georgia state line, you’ll find yet another one of the state’s amazing US Army Corps of Engineers sites, Amity Campground.
The Chattahoochee River begins its journey to the Gulf of Mexico in the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia. The river finally reaches Alabama here at West Point Lake and forms the border between the two states the remainder of its journey south. Amity Campground, on the southern end of the lake, is the northernmost Corps of Engineers campground on the Alabama side of the river.
Like Walter F. George and George W. Andrews Lakes farther south, West Point Lake was created by impounding the river. In 1962 Congress directed the Corps of Engineers to build West Point Dam to control flooding, provide a navigable water route to the gulf, develop and encourage wildlife and fish habitats, and provide hydroelectric power to the region. The dam is 7,250 feet long and creates a lake with a surface area of 25,900 acres and a shoreline of 525 miles. The power plant here generates enough electricity each year to run 24,000 homes. The dam was closed to tourists immediately after the attacks of 9/11 but has recently reopened. Tours must be scheduled in advance and have a minimum of 10 people. Contact West Point Dam at 706-645-2937 for more information.
As for the campground, the bulk of it juts into the lake, offering spectacular sunrises over the shimmering waters. This is a birding paradise, with many rare and beautiful species calling the lake, and campground, home. It is not uncommon to see an eagle or osprey soaring high overhead or to catch a glimpse of the rare great cormorants. Other birds you may see include king rails, greater white-fronted geese, gulls, purple gallinules, and, in the winter, several thousand species of migratory birds.
Once again, Amity Campground and the surrounding lake are an angler’s dream, especially if you’re a bass fisher. Largemouth and spotted bass are the main catches, but you can also try your hand at catfish, crappie, and bream. There are two cement boat ramps for you to launch from, along with plenty of room for bank fishing. And don’t forget to bring along that Alabama freshwater-fishing license.
There is no shortage of activities. Besides fishing, the campground has a playground and basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts.
You’ll find two nice hiking trails here as well.