Most OVERRATED stream in Arkansas

[Don Harwood]

I agree Shelby, that first rapid below the falls is class IV and the hardest on the creek.
And like iYak said, Spirits at really high water is a different animal!

[jjones03]

woo no doubt about that one. ive been out there alot at low water and that little twisting drop looks ugggggly. not so bad at high water, but when you can actually see whats going on down there, those are some nasty rocks.

[FarPastGone]

I don't have nearly the number of Arkansas runs under my belt as residents, and could see myself having a higher tolerance for what could be considered fun or not coming from Texas, but...

I would have to say Falling Water is the most overrated. I have only run it once, it was near the low according to OWPs, and having to walk the shuttle didn't add a level of enjoyment to it. There are only three or four rapids I remember being pretty fun; the falls, the rapid on the right just below the falls, and some rapid that hugged a wall on river left that the current of ran into a boulder you had to avoid. It was very pretty and the lowerish level probably didn't do it justice. I look forward to running it again at a better level because I do love boulder gardens.

Now this is the take of someone from out-of-state that may or may not be off basis, but I don't think the Cadron is necessarily overrated, more as it serves a purpose. It holds water considerably better then most runs, and is just a somewhat reliable local play run for a large number of paddlers that is able to offer relief in between rains.

As for underrated, I don't know what it is about it, but Camp/Flat Creek gets the honor in my book. One weekend somewhere in the Winter/Spring a couple of us got a really good four-day trip in at the 'tot drainage, including numerous runs down the falls and at least three trips on Baker (one at around 9ft that was a blast), and we decided to jump on Camp/Flat Creek. Honestly our interest in the run started out as a mix-up between the Camp Creek beta on OWP and the Camp/Flat beta on AW. We decided "what the heck", and jumped on it. There was a lot of flatwater in relation to moving water, and we had to deal with some wood and heavy overgrowth impeding a few blind turns into moving water. None of the drops/rapids were awe inspiring, but it was a great run to mix up the Baker/Tot routine Brian and I had repeated several times over a few month period. It was also a good chance to catch up with everyone since we had all been busy trying to get in as many runs as we could in our short time, and were all sleep deprived the first day or so. There was some very unique beauty to it, and also an instance or two of floating through shanty camps back in the woods we had some interesting explanations for. The last couple hundred yards of the run above the confluence with the Cossatot actually had some decent stuff that would be worth running if you were putting on the 'tot at Ed Banks, if only it was easier to get to. However, I suppose that most the time this little creek has water, Baker is running, which would be a shame to pass up for this run.

[A Savage spanke]

I think if anyone is dissing Piney or the Mulberry then it's their fault. Grab a sixteen foot canoe to yourself, an ice chest, and a friend with the same set up, then it's a blast, and some of the most fun I have on water

[jermdog]

I'm with IYak. As far as ease of shuttle and degree of badassness, at 15' or so it's awesome. I'm sticking with the mulberry as overrated. I love it, but the degree of difficulty is not there unless you're wasted in a canoe with a 300 lb. "friend" in the front.

[knu2xs]

With so many over rated streams in Arkansas, everybody should just quit paddling and take up golf. Look on the bright side, the clothes are equally as fashionable.

[Clif]

and in the same price range?

[Prairie Tater]

most overrated: Mulberry
most underrated: Lower Richland

reason: I chose the Mulberry over Big Piney because I feel that the "pucker factor" for first timers is greater on the B.P. Also, the Piney is more remote and has a sense of wilderness which the Berry does not have with its proximity to the road and several farms & houses. I used to go to the Piney just to hike & camp before I ever started paddling it. The Mulberry does have a good play spot (Whoop & Holler) however, and is now park 'n' play. B.P.'s best play spot (Surfing Rapid) has definately changed for the worse (imho) in the past few years. And Wallbanger (the old Roller Coaster) seems to be changing again. Seems to me that the beach on river-right is getting washed out, therefore flattening out the play waves on the left. Anyway, its close, but I give the edge to the Mulberry for being most overrated.

Also, for those who give a darn:
Missouri most overrated: Saint Francis
Missouri most underrated: Bull Creek

Prater

[scott yarbrough]

Oh the drama,

Guys I just can't be convinced that Big Piney is not a barrell of fun. From the Helton's Farm experience all the way down to twin bridges it is a great time. Especially when you have a floatilla of over a dozen rafts or just a couple of yaks. Catch it low at 3'- and it is a great alternative to canoeing the Buffalo. Grab it at around 4'+ and it is great for kayaking and surfing. Jump on it at over 6'+ and it is a rafter's dream, big and pushy.(some features wash out but many new ones start to appear) It is remote, does not require a permit, has good fishing and can be camped out on.
It does have the pucker factor for newbies too. I remember when I first got into kayaking and the beatings that the mother handed down to me. It was quite the accomplishment to me the first time I boofed the mother instead of the mother boofing me.(I'm sorry for the modern day slang,,,,, "Cascade of Extinction") For anybody just getting into whitewater here in Arkansas the Big Piney is like a right of passage. A true stepping stone to move up to harder rivers.

I concur that Falling Water is under appreciated. The first time I was suppossed to get on it with another group of yakkers it was over the low water bridge. I looked at it and two drops of pee came out. Waited a couple of hours for it to seem managable before putting on and later that day got my first combat roll. The feeling of for the first time that I was a kayaker and no longer a posier was unmistakable.

Cheers to us complaining and gripping about something that so many other paddlers across the nation would love to have in their backyard.

[jackatspa]

I dont believe there are any over rated streams in arkansas. only the over rated paddlers that call these spots over rated. Why? because of a long pools, Or expensive shuttles. I got into paddling simply because i love the water. Any water is good water take advantage of that. This is all we have dont Hate Appreciate.


Jack h

(And no Way Rockport is Underrated)

[gannon311]

jack couldn't have said it better

[WoolyJR1]

A bad day on the river is always better than a good day on the couch.