Multi Day Canoe trip on the Buffalo???? Need beta

[nate-r]

I'm thinking of bringing a group of students to a couple of weeks on the Buffalo river this mid September. Never been on it so some info would help out.
My guess is that the level will be low. Just curious how low for our loaded tandem canoes?
Also we would like a little class 2 action if there is any. If so which section? rapid names etc...
Is the camping good and available anywhere?
Good Shuttle options?
Thanks folks ahead of time. Nate

[Roger]

If no rain between now and then, probably will need to stay around Hwy. 14 and down. Would doubt if you could go any higher up (maybe the Maumee accesses) unless something changes. Suggest you check back closer to your departure. Can always do the wilderness section from Rush down to the White River accesses.

[Richard]

The only rapid that might be considered class II at this time of year would be Clabber Shoals, just below Rush.
You can camp anywhere along the river without restriction except within 1/2 mile of developed camping areas such as Tyler Bend and Buffalo Point.

Here is a guide to the the Buffalo River. It will answer a lot of your questions.
http://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/u ... 09_web.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

PLEASE comply with the spirit of the Leave No Trace seven principles. If you do not know what they are, I would be happy to assist you in learning them.

Lots of things to consider.
Weather and water are obvious. And Roger is right. Think Hwy 14 and below. Also plan on dragging canoes between pools. Expect the current to be nonexistent.

What is the objective of the float?
Where are the students coming from?
What are their ages?
What is their paddling and camping background?
How many miles do you expect to cover?

Answering these questions will enable us to ask more specific questions until the plan comes together to meet your objectives.

[nate-r]

Great info! Thanks again!

As for our group....we are a University Outdoor program. Students ages about 21. Paddling skills vary in this group of ten. From no experience to a couple of class 3 kayakers. Half of them have taken a SWR course.
Strong Outdoor skills/camping with yes, a strong LNT ethic built in the program.
Last year I taught this class on the Nantahala. (Differnet group of students). 1 week on the lake, one week on the river. It went well except for the expedition part Im looking to incorporate.
Objective is Intro to WW canoeing and Expedition Wilderness Travel. So....
I think it would be great to find a stretch of river/wilderness/whitewater to travel on /in for this class. Not much here in the SE especially in Sept.

[Richard]

Not much here in the SE especially in Sept.

Same thing applies to Arkansas generally. Last year was an exception because we benefited from a Hurricane.

If you were willing to split between two areas . . . Lake and river, I would suggest Lake Ouachita because camping is allowed on the islands. Not all CofE lakes allow this. Go to this thread for more information on Lake Ouachita: http://www.arkansascanoeclub.com/mb/vie ... =5&t=13262" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.
The north shore does not get much motorize boat traffic. The downside is that it is 200 miles south of the Buffalo.

The Eleven Point river in So. Missouri is one of the original Wild and Scenic rivers. It is spring fed from the state Hwy 19 bridge and protected for about 30 miles to just above the Arkansas border. They do allow motorized boats and they can be somewhat of a nuisance but weekdays should be no problem. The springs are beautiful. There is a large cave that may be open in Sept.

In all cases be prepared for ticks. They can be deadly. I spent two days in ICU and nearly died from one just two months ago.

When there is water, no river beats the Buffalo for what you want to do. Watch the weather and water conditions. As we move towards January the chance of good water goes up.

[Randy Dodson]

Great info! Thanks again!

As for our group....we are a University Outdoor program. Students ages about 21. Paddling skills vary in this group of ten. From no experience to a couple of class 3 kayakers. Half of them have taken a SWR course.
Strong Outdoor skills/camping with yes, a strong LNT ethic built in the program.
Last year I taught this class on the Nantahala. (Differnet group of students). 1 week on the lake, one week on the river. It went well except for the expedition part Im looking to incorporate.
Objective is Intro to WW canoeing and Expedition Wilderness Travel. So....
I think it would be great to find a stretch of river/wilderness/whitewater to travel on /in for this class. Not much here in the SE especially in Sept.

The lower Buffalo has the wilderness part down, but not the WW. The Eleven Point River that Richard mentioned as well as the Current River in Southern Missouri always have enough water and make for some great canoe camping but there's nothing over class I. They do flow along at a pretty good clip though. I highly recommend the Current in Sept. It has some of the most awesome springs you'll ever see and has good gravel bars for camping on.

What University are you with?