Exploratory Trip on the White, 3-11-14. Trip Report

[kru1]

After 10 years of driving by the White on Hwy 16 en route to paddle other streams, I'm finally going to paddle the White. We are going to paddle in the Durham area.

Levels=??? Have no idea but looked floatable yesterday on the way to Jungle Boat
Section=????? Shirley we can find some roads to access.
Time= Meeting at Durham at 11:00

Post up if interested.

kru

[Regud]

I floated that back in '08

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[kru1]

Nice, that looks like the route. Looking at doing the UPper & Durham run in one float. I'm not worried about the lower takeout but the upper seems a bit sketch with the old collapsed low water bridge. Was pondering even putting on at Crosses a mile or two upstream.

Take a look at the next bridge up (Crosses) on gmaps and there is a car/truck with two kayaks on top, and two people walking towards the river.

kru

[geo adams]

George and I used to live near this section of the white and floated it often. We know the river from Patrick to
Elkins. The nicest section to float is Crosses to Thompson cut or also called flat rock about 3 hrs depending on water level. For a longer float you could take out at Durham. The washed out bridge is able to be floated through at most levels unless debris has snagged and blocked it then an easy portage can solve the problem. Another nice float would be to put in at Patrick bridge and take out at crosses 2 or 3 hours, or Thompson cut 5 to 6 hours. To find Thompson cut it is the first county rd on the left after you've crossed the madison county line on 16. It has a steep clay bank at the entrance of this dirt road about quarter of a mile to river. There can be trees to portage, especially Durham to Elkins and this section isn't as nice. If you decide to float from either Patrick or Crosses to Thompsom cut I would be interested in coming along. Need any more info call me at 267-7042. Sherri

[kru1]

Looks like we are going to float Crosses to Durham (Springston). We are coming from Winslow and will drop a car at the take out. If you want to meet us at Crosses we should be up there a little after 11, or Durham at 11.

kru

[geo adams]

Something came up and I can't come. You guys have a wonderful day. Sherri

[kru1]

Sorry to hear that,

Thanks for the information.

kru

[kru1]

What a great day on the river. We set shuttle on the way to the put-in at Springston Ford Rd which is between Durham and Elkins. We put on at Crosses, a low water bridge across from the Pig Trail Gas Station, and were floating by 11:20. The water was a beautiful Ozark Green, the temps were in the70s, and the 15-25 mph winds were at out backs. Perfect.

I'm guessing that it was a 10/11 mile float. The first 4 miles was very similar to the middle section of the Buffalo. There were a lot of chutes and few pools. Looked like at higher flow there would be some fun whitewater. I don't know what the level were, but it felt similar to floating the Mulberry at 2'. Low, but always a line. Trees weren't an issue on this first 4 miles. The collapsed bridge had a lot of rebar and there was a lot more up on the banks so it would be dangerous a higher levels. Flat Rock was a great place to have lunch.

Shortly after lunch we came to Big Island. We had to run the left line. This is where we encountered a lot of trees, similar to the Illinois or Kings Rivers. We dodged trees for the next few miles until we passed Durham.

Once past Durham the river picked up pace and there were a lot of features to mess around with. We were able to surf 2 waves and bottom out on another. At higher levels I am guessing this would also be a fun section.

We were off the river by 3:20 with a half hour lunch. Can't wait to do another section, or this one when it is higher.

kru

[Half Ton]

It is a nice river for sure. Close to home. Thanks fir the trip report and glad to hear you had a great time. iI've never been from St. Paul to hwy 295 or Elkins to lake sequoyah. It's neat how it's own thing going on. I have never fished it, but want to. It is in the best shape of all the forks of the upper white river.

[paddledog]

So has anyone floated Pettigrew to St. Paul? 7.5 miles.
As everyone else has, I have driven by and looked with out ever stopping.
Today (Sun 3/16) may be the day to do it.
Small boats probably as portages are very possible.
I would be willing to go and scout to see how high the river is possible
and float accordingly.
Earlier the better as the temps will be dropping all day.
Any takers?...............

Steve
x479x530x8158x

[cpresoz]

I'm in. We need to hurry like you say. High temp is 45 now with 35 by noon. I'll start loading up now.
West Fork is cooking, too.
My cell is 479-685-3557.
Curtis