Grinders to Buffalo City
Grinders to Buffalo City
I'm doing some long-range planning and I've got a burning desire to kayak from Grinders Ferry to the White River. Can any body give me an idea of just how many days that normally takes? Any other info is greatly appreciated.
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Lupe
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- Joined: Thu Jun 30, 2005 10:48 am
- Name: Heather Huckeba
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Re: Grinders to Buffalo City
Hi there,
Looks like that will be just about 60 miles, assuming you are going to take out right at the Buffalo/White. To do that, you could take out at Riley's Station. They don't provide a shuttle service, so you would need to drop a car there or have one of the concessionaires move your car there, and then there's just a nominal fee to take out there. If you do that you won't have to paddle UPSTREAM on the White which can be hard if generators are pumping, nor would you need to paddle 6 miles DOWNSTREAM on the White to Shipps Ferry. BUT Riley's is directly across from the mouth of the Buffalo on the other side of an island. So you will need to paddle upstream just a bit and then ferry to the island and then ferry to the far bank on the other side of the island. If you are not confident of your ability to do so, then downstream at Shipps Ferry might be a better option.
Either way, how many miles you'll cover each day will depend on water level (if low, plan lower miles; if relatively high you can cover more miles very easily); your type of boat (if you have a long, sleek fast kayak then it will be easier to cover more miles; if you have a relatively short, wide yak, particularly once you add your gear, it could be harder to make the same distance); finally, it depends on your own paddling preference (will you be up and on the water early each day, or do you prefer to have a leisurely morning in camp? do you paddle a lot, or like to float along? will you want to stop for many stretch breaks or taking photos?)
Okay, with all those caveats, you will probably be able to do anywhere from 10 (low end) to 20 or even 25 (high end) miles per day. We just did a 5 day trip with moderate water levels and we did about 15 miles each day with one 20 mile day, and a very short 5 mile day on our last day. We were in canoes and didn't paddle hard and more or less took our time. We were typically not on the water until about 10am each morning, and at camp between 5 and 6 each afternoon. Our overall moving average according to my GPS was a little over 3mph and that included stretches were we weren't paddling and just floating along and taking photos.
A river trip is so good for the soul! I hope you really enjoy your trip!!!
Cheers,
Heather (aka Lupe)
Looks like that will be just about 60 miles, assuming you are going to take out right at the Buffalo/White. To do that, you could take out at Riley's Station. They don't provide a shuttle service, so you would need to drop a car there or have one of the concessionaires move your car there, and then there's just a nominal fee to take out there. If you do that you won't have to paddle UPSTREAM on the White which can be hard if generators are pumping, nor would you need to paddle 6 miles DOWNSTREAM on the White to Shipps Ferry. BUT Riley's is directly across from the mouth of the Buffalo on the other side of an island. So you will need to paddle upstream just a bit and then ferry to the island and then ferry to the far bank on the other side of the island. If you are not confident of your ability to do so, then downstream at Shipps Ferry might be a better option.
Either way, how many miles you'll cover each day will depend on water level (if low, plan lower miles; if relatively high you can cover more miles very easily); your type of boat (if you have a long, sleek fast kayak then it will be easier to cover more miles; if you have a relatively short, wide yak, particularly once you add your gear, it could be harder to make the same distance); finally, it depends on your own paddling preference (will you be up and on the water early each day, or do you prefer to have a leisurely morning in camp? do you paddle a lot, or like to float along? will you want to stop for many stretch breaks or taking photos?)
Okay, with all those caveats, you will probably be able to do anywhere from 10 (low end) to 20 or even 25 (high end) miles per day. We just did a 5 day trip with moderate water levels and we did about 15 miles each day with one 20 mile day, and a very short 5 mile day on our last day. We were in canoes and didn't paddle hard and more or less took our time. We were typically not on the water until about 10am each morning, and at camp between 5 and 6 each afternoon. Our overall moving average according to my GPS was a little over 3mph and that included stretches were we weren't paddling and just floating along and taking photos.
A river trip is so good for the soul! I hope you really enjoy your trip!!!
Cheers,
Heather (aka Lupe)
I've heard that into every life a little of it must fall,
but you'll never catch me complaining about too much of that southern rain.
~ Michael Timmins, Cowboy Junkies
but you'll never catch me complaining about too much of that southern rain.
~ Michael Timmins, Cowboy Junkies
Re: Grinders to Buffalo City
That's EXACTLY what I was looking for. I'm familiar with Riley's - that's where I bought my kayak. It's a Malibu ocean kayak, so it's not exactly sleek. Plus, I love to fly fish and I've spent a little time down there.
It sounds like a four day float, maybe three if we pushed. I'm looking at doing this in the fall, so my guess is the river will be lower unless we have another round of soakers.
I've actually had the maps for years. For some reason, it just finally seems like the time to do it. Thanks for the good advice.
John
It sounds like a four day float, maybe three if we pushed. I'm looking at doing this in the fall, so my guess is the river will be lower unless we have another round of soakers.
I've actually had the maps for years. For some reason, it just finally seems like the time to do it. Thanks for the good advice.
John
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