Big Piney

[Jojosand]

I and a friend are intermediate kayakers. We have done a number of rivers with class II (some mild III's) and strainers. We want to do the Big Piney from Helton's farm to Long Pool this Sunday if the water level is down enough. Do we need to go with someone who knows the route?
Thanks
Johh

[Cowper]

Do we need to go with someone who knows the route?

Official answer: No, but it would be really good to add more boaters to your group, or you to theirs. Two really isn't enough if anything goes more than mildly wrong. At higher levels the Piney "feels" easier, but the power of the water is deceptive and things can wrong quickly.

Routes on the Piney are generally apparent as you approach so you can "boat scout". Because there has been high water, as always you should be on the outlook for new strainers.

[ckuntz]

There was a tree on the Mother rapid pretty recently. You normally can take the right hand route and avoid the smaller boulder in the middle and avoid the ledge in front of the rock. Might want to ask Kerry and Debbie Moore if this is a problem.
Chris K

[wet 2 woody]

Myself and 2 others Yaks plan to meet at Long Pool around 10am. They are experienced kayakers whereas I'm just starting this year...barely have a roll...but i have been down the Piney a couple of dozen times in an inflatable kayak or rafts.

too-three-one for nine eight eight...area code 501
woody

[kayakdoc]

My 11 y/o and I are gonna try to be there tomorrow by 10. I have paddled the Piney for 15 years. We'll try to hook up to paddle. Should be a great day. 2nd trip for my 11 y/o.
Hillis

[Jojosand]

Thank you for the replies. Why are you folks going to be there by 10? We were thinking of launching around 1 to use the warmest part of the afternoon. What do you know that we need to know?

John

[kayakdoc]

Time change tonight. Will be getting dark at 5 25pm.
If we meet at 10 am, still won't put on until about 1115 am. It's about a 3-4 hour float depending on playing and beaching!
Hillis

[Jojosand]

Ok. That makes sense. Do you folks bring two cars and park one at Long Pool or do you pay Moore's to shuttle your car?

[kayakdoc]

We can shuttle ourselves if we got two cars. We'll be there a little before 10. We can get dressed and leave dry clothes at the bottom. I can probably get everything on my truck and racks.
Hillis

[Jojosand]

Thanks. My other guys can't leave that early. We will be there at 12. Have a good trip.

John

[debmoore]

Hey John. We put in yesterday about 1:30 and we started losing the sun to the mountains by about 4:00. We were paddling to the sunshine as it starts getting pretty cool when that happens. It is a 30 min. (at least) drive from Long Pool up to Helton's to put in. The creek is still above 5' so it's moving fast but count on a 3 hour paddle anyway. The creek was clear of strainers yesterday at 6.5', but you never know. Be careful and ya'll have a great day!

[kayakdoc]

Thanks Deb, That's kinda what I was thinkin. I'm tryin to motivate Ben to get up and at em this mornin. Tryin to get that way. Thanks for the update. So I guess the tree moved off the mother?
Myabe we'll see ya,
Mike Hillis