Big Maumelle on Saturday

[Edgar]

Thinking about paddling the Big or Little Maumelle early Saturday morning. Anybody interested?

[fryingsquirrel]

If you are thinking about putting in at Pinnacle, and exploring the swamps, I may be in. Been out there a few times with Cowper, it's a pretty area, and you soon forget how close to LR you are.

[fryingsquirrel]

[Edgar]

I put in at the take out down river and paddle in and out.

[fryingsquirrel]

You mean down by the new bridge @ the confluence? I haven't been all the way down there yet.

[fryingsquirrel]

I won't be able to make this trip after all. Oh well, some other time, perhaps.

[Cowper]

I think DeBo and I are going to putt around just downstream of Remmel, maybe getting there at noonish (I hope before, but you know...) I may or may not run DeBo out to just see Bird Island this afternoon just for grins.

You're welcome to join, but if you're still headed to Pinnacle, post and let us know that too, we might just head that way this afternoon on our way back through Little Rock.

[Edgar]

Just got off the water, started at 7:00. Let me know if you go to Bird Island.

[Raynard]

We are new to the paddling venues here. Our background is flat-water paddling in northern Minnesota - a long time ago.

Thinking about, for tomorrow afternoon, Lake Sylvia, Lake Winona or the Sleepy Hollow put-in for Lake Maumelle. Could do the River Mountain put in just above the new Two Rivers Bridge.

Any advice?

[Cowper]

Raynard,
Didn't mean to seem unfriendly by not answering, but by the time I saw your question it was Sunday night so I figured you had already done whatever you were going to do. Did you manage to entertain yourself?

Since none of us caught your question earlier, I'll try to do "penance" by providing a little extra information that might help on some future weekend.

I think all the options you named are decent; I don't have personal experience with them, but for a casual flatwater paddle I think it would be hard to beat Little Maumelle, putting in at Pinnacle Park and paddling downstream and then back up. You might have to wade/drag a couple of shoals, but only for a very short distance. The creek is small; lots of bird sighting opportunities, pretty views of Pinnacle. I like it because you can spend as much, or as little, time as you have, simply by deciding how far downstream to go.
(The ramp is at N34.8387 W92.4913 ) (Cut and paste those coordinates into maps.google.com for a regular road map.)

Others like to put in at N34.8148 W92.4403
which is Burnett Road, a small spur off Pinnacle Valley Road.
Then paddle upstream toward Pinnacle Mountain. Don't forget to put some money in the boat ramp drop-box - this is a private access.

The put in you mentioned near the new pedestrian bridge is free, but the river is bigger there; you're more likely to be sharing the water with power boats. It's probably a decent paddle too; not trying to scare you away from that option, just pointing out some "pros and cons"

[Edgar]

And I'm even later. I strongly recommend doing the Little Maumelle, it was gorgeous!! Nobody out there but me and the birds.

[Deuce]

There's also a fish or two in there if you're so inclined.

[Jim Krueger]

Raynard,

As an Army kid, we were stationed in Minnesota for three years in the early sixties and I've nerver forgotten the more wonderful parts of that experience
If you live in Central Arkansas, the Little Maumelle R. my friends have mentioned is real handy, and quite beautiful now that we're moving into the cooler Fall days. I too recommend it, with the water as low as at present, I'd go for the Burnett (private) access off Pinnacle Valley Rd. Edgar probably put in here and paddled upriver and back on Saturday. There are some 'huge' stands of Bald Cypress trees upstream of the access, and nice mountain views, and the Cypresses should be starting to take on their 'rusty' Fall color.
On the subject of Lake Winona; it's a really scenic lake that paddlers probably seldom take advantage of due to it's location and rather restrictive policies since it is a water source of Central Arkansas. You can 'Google' Lake Winona and get the full scoop, basically you can paddle most of it in a canoe longer than 12', however no kayaks allowed presently. I really think it's a jewel of a lake and have most admired the mountain scenery around it while driving the National Forest "Winona Scenic Drive' during the Winter season when viewing is the best.
On Lake Sylvia; it's also a nice destination in the scenic Ouachita Mountains. Sylvia is a much smaller lake but is much more paddler friendly than Winona since it's not a drinking water supply. Kayaks, canoes, and small Jon Boats/with electric motors permitted. While L. Winona is owned by Central Arkansas Water Corp., Lake Sylvia is owned by the public and is managed by the National Forest Service. Again, just do a search and you'll get more info on Sylvia. I have kayaked all around Lake Sylvia in the past, and it also holds a special place for my wife who attended Camp Ouachita, a Girl Scout camp once located there, when she was young. Over the years, I have mainly returned to Lake Sylvia to park in the lot for the Ouachita Trail there as a place to start my ATV/Motorcycle tours of the National Forest Service roads, to include the Winona Scenic Tour. As a side note, it seems like I have noticed in the past that the main pic-nic, swimming, boat launch area at Sylvia being closed for the Winter shortly after Labor Day, just check with the Winona Ranger District office, in Perryville, I think.
I hope this helps to some extent. Feel free to join in some of the swamp and lake paddling outings you see in the future as well as some of the easier river trips. I know you'll have a good time and meet some nice folks! You didn't perhaps bring any Hamms Beer with you? Being a 10 year old kid from Arkansas at the time, I sometimes lost my wonder with Winter up there after a while but never ceased to enjoy those Hamms Beer commercials at the Minnesota 'Twins' games
Best Regards
Jim

[Edgar]

I spoke with Jamie with the forestry dept and he said the park at Lake Sylvia is closed, but we can park outside the park and carry our boats in.

[paddlecouple]

"N34.8148 W92.4403
which is Burnett Road, Don't forget to put some money in the boat ramp drop-box - this is a private access."

I have never been to this access above and wanted to ask to make double sure I don't get towed leaving my car there most of the day.

So it's private property?

Are there instructions on the drop box on the amount to put in and how long you are able to park there for the day?

Is it meant for weekends or weekday or both, Thanks.