Buffalo River-Nov 14-16 Hwy14-Rush - PICTURES UPDATE

[Eric Esche]

Randy and Richard - thanks for the weather links.

[Richard]

On the Hwy 14 gage at 3.5 we were able to float with some dragging but no need to get out. For those who paddled the Ouachita with Susan last week, expect the wind to be the same but colder. Mostly but not always to our back. Water is still rising.

Paddling a tandem solo may be a challenge. Best to double up.

We will have a better idea Wed evening so stay tuned.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.ph ... all&unit=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?cb_00 ... o=07056700" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Please Confirm if you are going. And let me know if you are not. See update on on the first post of this thread.

[sugarmtngal]

May not be able to attend this trip ..............I'll confirm this evening Eric and Richard.......

[Randy Dodson]

Hey Richard, I sent you a confirmation P.M. So where are we camping Friday night.

Just to throw an idea out there. We could camp at Rush Friday night. That way we wouldn't have to run a two way shuttle before the trip. We could just load up everybody on as few vehicles as possible and head for the put-in Saturday morning.

[Trismegistus]

Albeit prior obligations have me standing on the sidelines -- I am cheering you all on and will be there in spirit. And as the weather may try to separate the "men from the boys", I also make the offer to open my closet of boats, skirts, drytops (small to medium size paddler), tents, pads and other cold weather gear to anyone's use.

This has the makings of an absolutely wonderful trip.

[GutIt]

Greetings Buffalo River Dwellers!

In a word? Confirmed!

Bob Stout, and of course the Illustrious painterbob? Bummer and speedy recovery! If you two don’t do this Run, I will be forced to go again when you guys are in attendance! Be Warned!

I still have a Seat open if anyone wants to know. If not, I’ll just toss a solo rig on the truck by time to load & split on Friday!

I am looking forward to dipping paddles with you guys!

I am also predicting Sunshine at the Put-in! The Sun has beamed down on every Boater I have ever known! I’m wearing shades regardless of the “weather”!

Shine On!

[Ryan Center]

I know this is a stupid question but I will ask anyway, is the water to low for a small raft?

[Clif]

Should be ok, Ryan. May still be on the rise and is moving up into the ample range. Will be some narrow channels thru the gravel.

http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/uv/?s ... 0065,00060" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Still hoping the weather will be a bit warmer than the 44 w/north wind I saw predicted. I don't have good river clothes for my kid at those temps. Man/boy thing eh, Tris?

[Richard]

If you don't mind, we are going to delay saying where until tomorrow. The river at Ponca has crested. It is still rising at Hwy 65 and at Hwy 14. I am confident we will be at or above 3.50 at Hwy 14 on Saturday which means Hwy 14 to Rush will be good. Low but floatable. Little or no dragging.

Hwy 65 is good above 5.5 for Baker Ford down.
This is your chance to voice your preference. Input is appreciated.
This is not a dictatorship and I am willing to be overruled.

I am inclined to think we are better off paddling Hwy 14 to Rush (9 miles) and spend Saturday night at Bice Bend.

Here are some other options.
Camp Friday at North Maumee (vault toilet, no water) float North Maumee to Hwy 14 (10 miles). Several options for camping Saturday night including Spring Creek gravel bar, Spring Creek campground, or gravel bars farther down.

Basecamp at Tyler Bend and float Baker Ford to Gilbert (9.5miles) on Saturday. Tyler Bend has water, showers, visitor center.

Basecamp at Carver (water and vault toilet) float Hasty bridge to Carver(4 miles).

If Hwy 65 gage is 6' or above
Carver to Woolum and overnight at the Nars.
Woolum to Baker Ford and overnight at Peter Cave Bluff.

[Ryan Center]

I am in if I can get a raft down. I don't know the buffalo and the levels it needs to be to get one down.

[Ryan Center]

I'm in for sure. If levels hold for raft, my daughter will be joining me. If not she may or may not come with me in the canoe. The decision is hers and I'm sure she will be in. My vote (if I get one) is to camp on a gravel bar. Who needs a shower for the weekend anyways?

*Ryan Center and maybe Leah

[painterbob]

did you see that moon lastnite?????... no way i'm missing out on this trip .( besides i have never had hot coco delivered to my tent before, so this will be a highlite for me.) and after thinking about it i won't be able to taste the tofu or the beets...

[Randy Dodson]

So if we do Hwy 14 to Rush, where would we camp Fri. night.

I'll go along with whatever the group decides but my vote is for camping Fri. night at Rush and then paddling from hwy 14 to rush with a Bice Bend camp sat. night.

[Richard]

It looks like the river is going to top out at 3.77 at Hwy 14 bridge. I figure it will still be above 3.50 on Saturday.
I had been looking for options other than Hwy 14 to Rush because we had been there just last month but it still remains our best choice. It also helped that a few of you wanted to do this stretch. I also considered three places to camp Friday night. Buffalo Point is closed except for the group sites at the top of the hill and those would be wind blown and there is no water. Spring Creek has a really nice area but it is on the north slope and we would not see sunshine. No water there either. That leaves Rush. Randy has the right idea. We will camp at Rush. It does have water so camp fees apply. Six people to a campsite. I will pay for one if everyone else will contribute toward paying for the other. The campsites are large so we should only need two. I will check with the NPS to see what they are expecting for this weekend. It is modern gun deer season. Probably wouldn't hurt to wear some orange.
Especially if your boat is tan and your paddle is white.

[Clif]

LAst move of the forecast was the wrong direction... it's just wrong. 60s Fri and 40s Sat. The kid is backing out on me. Ya'll have fun.