Favorite class 3-4 runs in Ark.

[Peter Holcombe]

Hello All,
I am coming to Arkansas from Colorado to work and boat March 15th- 23rd or so depending on the water. I will be staying in Hot Springs or Clarksville areas and don't mind a drive for good water.

With rain being the unknown, What are some of the best of the best Arkansas has to offer in the class 3-4 range that might/should be running this time of year. From what I have been told the Cossatot is high on the list and I hope to get on it, But what others should I be looking at.

I have also thought about driving out to Eastern Tennessee If it was dry in Ark. I don't know anything about that so If you have a recommendation on that I'd love to hear that as well.

Thanks,
Peter

[JTarver]

Hi Peter, you heard right about the Tot. Great run, great fun. Some others to check out IMO would be Richland creek (upper), Falling water creek ( really close to richland ), and just going by beta from friends Baker creek and Crooked creek.
For runs close to hot springs, but with a little less UMPH you have Hot springs creek, Gulpha gorge, Bull bayou, Little Missouri river.

We also have some park and play at Rockport in Malvern, about half hour from hot springs ( may or may not be running, it's dam released.) and Dierks in Mena. ( same scenario ).

Hope this helps, I'm sure others will expound and give you more options.

Joe

[Trismegistus]

If I could only chose one -- Richland Creek be it.

[L.A.paddler]

Agree with Tris, knock your socks off scenery and darg good whitewater at Richland .

[Lifejacket]

Just my two cents worth, but I love the upper Little Missouri run. It has great scenery and quite a bit of action depending on level, can not believe Joe lumped it in with Gulpha and Hot Springs Creek. I also don't recommend going to the play waves in Dierks, AR through Mena(which is over an hour away).

[JTarver]

Well I was really referring more to the lower little Mo. I probably should've specified that.
The upper Lil Mo. would be great too, fantastic scenery. I added Dierks because it's super fun, and he said he didn't mind a drive. Dierks really isn't much farther than the Little Mo. I figured I would give some park and play options too, just in case that was running and the others weren't.

Joe

[bryanpin]

obviously the rain will pick where you go, but the ozark streams are hard to beat for quality drops and ridiculously nice scenery.....may the rains come down and the creeks come up!!

[Fish]

Just my 2 cents, but if my favorite class 3-4 run in the state may be the East Fork of the Little Buffalo R. (EFLB) If you get a chance to run it, I highly recommend it, but go with someone who knows the area because the shuttle logistics are daunting.

Drop us a note when you're in the area and, rain gods willing, we'll be boating! If it ain't raining here, I'll join you for a trip out east, where the Tellico, Chattooga, etc. will provide plenty of class 3-4 water!

Where in CO are you from anyway? Always looking for friends to paddle with out there. I'll be out there for at least a couple weeks this summer.

- Fish

[Lifejacket]

I think you guys are failing to appreciate the Ouachita's Scenery.

[Peter Holcombe]

Thanks guys, Sounds lie some good paddling if my rain dance will work.

Do many of you paddle during the week? How are many of the shuttles. We do lots of hitch hiking in colorado, is that a good idea/possible in Ark. If the Tot is running is there a good chance others will be there during the week.

How about the Tulsa Wave? is it worth checking out?

Fish, I am in Boulder. If you are out this way let me know.

Thanks,
Peter

[Lifejacket]

Shuttle for the upper Little Mo is great all pavement, takes about 10 min. Hitchhiking might be a problem, The Tot shuttle is all dirt. I will take off during the week if the water is right and not extremely busy. Also check out

http://www.ozarkpages.com/cgi-bin/stages.pl?ST=level" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Has description of runs and some photos courtesy of Fish and others.

[FarPastGone]

Peter I think the Tulsa Wave is broken currently, but Wister Wave in Oklahoma is the new wave that is supposed to be good. As for shuttle I would def. recommend hooking up with people on here the night before or the morning of because a majority of the creek shuttles in Arkansas are dirt roads and can be interesting,

You can usually find someone to paddle with during the week if there is good water abound.

-Matt

[Peter Holcombe]

OK, Look for my posts in a few weeks.
I'm looking forward to some (relatively) warm water.

Here is a gallery from our New Years Day Shoshone run on the Colorado River.
http://homepage.mac.com/peterholcombe1/ ... _Shoshone/

Thanks for all the posts everyone and keep them coming.

Hope to paddle with you all soon.

[Lifejacket]

Awesome pics, I assume you are a professional photographer? What is that surfboard looking contraption?

[Peter Holcombe]

What is that surfboard looking contraption?

That is a SUP (Stand up paddle surfboard). A new way to surf taken from the beaches and recently brought to the rivers. I think it is going to gain popularity this summer here on the Colorado rivers. Just another way to surf/play on the rivers. Seems weird but I cant wait to get on one.