June paddling in Arkansas

[DCrowley]

Hey guys,
I'm an paddler from England coming over to AR at the beginning of June for work, and was wondering if there was anything worth running over there at that time or whether is had all dried up by then?

I'd be looking for Grade 3/4ish stuff if possible, and I'll be in the Fayetteville area, but could go for a drive for a week after finishing the work.

Is there somewhere you'd recommend for borrowing/renting/buying kit in that sort of area?

Cheers,

[Regud]

Most runs in the state are rain dependant, but we have been known to get some good rains in June to make things runnable. In the class 3+ range, the Cossatot will likely be running several times. I'm sure our more experienced boaters will chime in as well. Check out these links for info on local runs:
http://www.ozarkpages.com/cgi-bin/stages.pl?ST=level
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/conte ... /state/AR/

I'm sure you could buy some used gear while you are here. This board has a great for sale section. Someone might even have some gear you could borrow.

[DCrowley]

Cheers thanks Ryan.

That's some awesome gauge data you've got there! We've hardly got anything over here.

[Jaytee]

It won't provide the challenge you are looking for but it would be a shame to be all the way over here and not float a stretch of the Buffalo, America's first National River. It is a pristine bluff lined jewel, and the Upper Buffalo (very accessible from Fayetteville) is often still floatable in June (but rain dependent). It's Class I, though, with some small stretches that are Class II when the river is up, so like I said you won't find it technically challenging.

Same for the Mulberry, a designated Wild & Scenic River also a short drive from Fayetteville. More exciting than the Buffy and very beautiful, but still mostly II+ at most and that's when the water is up.

[RomanLA]

If you've got a week, you should consider checking out some dam released stuff out east...the closest thing would be the Ocoee in Tennessee.
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/conte ... l/id/1780/

[Cowper]

Roman beat me to the punch, but I'll add on:

If you have a week, you could even consider renting gear for an overnighter on the Buffalo; with shuttles that would be something like drive up the day you get off, then two days on the river; then on day 4 head east to the Ocoee. In the summer, it runs every day except Tuesday and Wednesday, plus on Saturday and Sunday you can run the "Upper Ocoee", where the riverbed was enhanced for the 1996 Olympics.

You could do both; see the Buffalo and spend some time on the Ocoee. The Buffalo is within 2 hours drive of Little Rock; the Ocoee is about 10 hours away. Rock Creek Outdoors rents "demo" kayaks at the Ocoee; you might have to call in advance since you would need a paddle, lifejacket, and helmet; normally they just rent the boats as part of their "demo" fleet for new boat sales. I'm sure they would provide extra help to an "out of towner" like yourself.

[Fish]

June is also prime time for Colorado boating. Lots of choices there in the front range. Arkansas class 3+ boating is, as others have said, always hit and miss, so we're often traveling to other spots in the summer. This has been a good year in terms of precipitation so far, so we are hoping for a spectacular spring and summer. But you never know what you're going to get.

Hope you have a good time while you're here.

- Fish

[GN YAKN]

One thing you will certainly find is folks willing, and able, to help you out with equipment and local info. Great bunch of paddlers in our part of the world!

Make sure to post again when you get settled in Fayetteville and we'll see if we can't get you out on the water.

We typically get two or three unexpected thunderstorms during the summer months that will get the local creeks up for a day, maybe two. You just have to be ready and be flexible with getting away from life's responsibilities!

Dave

[DCrowley]

Thanks very much guys (and gals?) It's good to see the the paddling community over there is just as friendly and welcoming as our side of the pond!
If Colorado is running during June, is it worth staying out there a bit longer and heading over in that direction?

Cheers again,

[okieboater]

A big yes on Colorado boating in June.

Go to Buena Vista and you have all sorts of runs in a one hour drive.

Should still be some good stuff in June. but it will depend on snow fall and the rate it melts off.

[GN YAKN]

Your chances of finding good water are much better in Colorado than in Arkansas during June! But, problem is you will be spoiled by Colorado.

Dave

[Fish]

There is always whitewater in CO in June. Worst I've ever seen was for it to taper off beginning of July. I've been out there many times in June when the big problem was finding a run that wasn't higher than recommended! :shock:

Colorado will spoil you indeed. Big mountains, super-fast, super-clear, super-cold water. Hard to oversell the place. If I wasn't going to be in Idaho mid-June, that's where I'd be. :)

- Fish

[reedo]

If you go to Colorado, check out River Runners. Lots of great folks and some from Arkansas. Browns Canyon is a great run with lots of close creeks and stuff too!