Float trip next week

[lbaker]

Next week, July 27-31, is my last week to paddle before I return to work.
I hear a river out there somewhere calling my name. I know it's late in the season. Any suggestions that still or might have water next week. I'm thinking 3-4 days on the water w/camping. I will be driving from NE TX, and 6 hrs. is about the max I want to drive, which would include the Buffalo. Might consider the Spring. Is the Ouachita an option? Will restrict it to weekday to avoid river dorks. Thoughts?
Leigh

[Jaytee]

Buffy is awfully low, especially in the areas that might barely be within your 6 hr drive time limit. Someone can speak better than I to the Ouachita, but I had thought it was pretty much floatable all summer. I don't see how you can drive to the Spring from NE Texas in 6 hours or less.

[lbaker]

Hey Jaytee, thanks, and no the Spring is about 8 hrs, but if that's a close as I can get then it's doable. Most likely if that was the case I might look into south Texas, although they have been really dry too, at least the Spring is fairly constant. And looking at the Buff levels below Tyler Bend it's iffy right now, guess I'm just hoping for a little rain, which it's doing as I speak here.
Thanks, Leigh

[Richard]

For a three or four day canoe/kayak/camping trip, if you don't have a need for white water I would pick Lake Ouachita. Lots of primitive island camping options. Clear water for snorkling. Interesting rocks. It is near Hot Springs so it is relatively close.

Just beyond the Spring is the Eleven Point. It was one of the original Wild and Scenic rivers. Beautiful springs. Clear water. It is pretty cold for swimming. Some people swim but most don't.

I think if you could go this weekend, I would recommend going to the Surf-N-Turf on Saturday. Stay overnight with whoever will be staying then head to Buckville Sunday afternoon. It is on the north side of Lake Ouachita.
It is the best of all worlds. Not all that far away. You get to do both whitewater and flatwater. You get to mingle with a lot of ACC members, then you have some solitude on your own island.

[lbaker]

Thanks for the suggestions Richard, unfortunately I have company coming this weekend, so don't think I'll make it to SnT. I just returned Fri from a Current River trip,my first, and it was awesome. I have heard good things about the Eleven Pt too. I may opt for a Ouachita River/Lake trip...looking for somewhere I can stay wet and cool. I'm not familiar with the release on the Ouachita river during the week, but can look it up, is from Remmel to Rockport and beyond the only stretch doable in the summer?
Glad to hear you are doing well again.
Leigh

[Richard]

Thank you Leigh. I am doing much better.
Jim Krueger or others would be able to tell you more about the Ouachita River below Rimmel Dam and beyond Rockport. The Hunter-Dunbar party really had a time of it getting over the ledge at Rockport. They only made it to Hot Springs and turned around and went home. Lewis and Clark went a wee bit farther.

Speaking of that, this may be of interest to some ACC members.

From: ed_laurine@juno.com <ed_laurine@juno.com>
Subject: "Aux Arc" 2009 Float Trip in December and Road Trip in August

Tentative travel plans for the 2009 Aux Arc keelboat float down the Ouachita River are:
Saturday, December 26: Travel to Duty Ferry.
Monday, December 27th: Leave Duty Ferry, travel about 20 miles and camp about 3 miles north of Harrisonburg, LA
Monday, December 28th: Travel to Harrisonburg, LA, visit for awhile and head for Jonesville, LA, arriving in the evening.
Tuesday, December 290th: Spend the day at Jonesville, LA
Wednesday, December 30th: Travel 14 miles to Jonesville Lock & Dam and spend the night at or near the Corps Park.
Thursday, December 31st: Travel 14 miles to the pumping station ramp south of Jonesville Lock & Dam.
We are taking a road trip on Saturday, August 29th to scope out ramps, camping areas, etc. Respond to this e-mail or call me (501-666-4304) if you would like to go on the road trip.
A link to our keelboat web page is: http://arkansaw.us/KeelboatProject.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Talk to you soon
Ed Williams, President
Early Arkansaw Reenactors Association

They welcome tag alongs.

[Jim Krueger]

Leigh,

It sounds like you will have several options, are you paddling this trip alone?
As far as the Ouachita River; The upper Ouachita R. above Lake Ouachita received a good slug of water yesterday and is now running a little high. and will fall off during the rest of this week so that it might be OK, not too low by next week. On the upper Ouachita you have some outfitters/campgrounds to choose from which could help with shuttles. You could even stage at a campground on the upper Lake or river and make day trips from there if you like.
On the lower Ouachita R., from Remmel Dam to Arkadelphia is about 40 miles of cooler water from the dam. Note though the water will fluxuate with the releases each day but is certainly always plenty to float. On this float, you will probably not see anyone else besides local fishermen. All the riverside land is private but the Ouacita has numerous gravel bars one can camp on. This trip has about three access points along it's length.
If you would care for more detailed information, please let me know.


Best Regards
Jim

[lbaker]

Thank you, as always, for the info Jim,
I would love to have company if anyone would like to join me. Haven't finalized any plans yet.
If I could make it up for SnT, I might be able to satisfy my "itch" :roll: but since I have company coming, and she's driving 4 hrs from the south to get here, not much chance. Poor planning on my part
Leigh

[Jim Krueger]

Leigh,

If your friend was coming to your place say on Friday evening, and she had any interest in floating such as yourself, you could certainly bring her to the Surf&Turf on Saturday. I'd be glad to provide a nice rec. kayak for her or a tandem canoe for you both. Just a suggestion :)


Jim

[lbaker]

Wow Jim, that's really generous of you. I'll check with her.
Leigh

[Louiscov]

Leigh:

I want to paddle the Ouachita a day next week (Tues or Wed). If you choose the Ouachita, I'll paddle a section with you. It seems I always overcommit my summer weekends and I really need a day on some of that WONDERFUL Arkansas water I've missed.

Louis Covington
(Bayou Chapter Ozark Society)

[lbaker]

Well Louis, that sounds great!! It turns out that my friend can't paddle this weekend so I won't make it to SnT. I'd love to get together a do a section of the Ouachita next week. Tues or Wed either one should be good with me.
You can pm me the particulars.
Leigh