WHITEWATER AT RENDEZVOUS IF IT RAINS

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

Don't forget that a couple of fun Class II+ runs are located a few minutes drive from Camp Couchdale: Hot Springs Creek and Gulpha Creek. Both are in the city of Hot Springs.

Hot Springs Creek: Gage at ar.water.usgs.gov/hotsprings This is a brand new gage that we have not correlated with visual inspections. My best guess at this point is that a minimum level for paddling would be 1.5 feet at the Grand Ave. gage. The put-in is at the pedestrian bridge at Greenway Park. If the water is on top of the masonry apron on the river right side downstream of the bridge, there is enough water to paddle. The take-out is just upstream of the Highway 270 (a.k.a. the MLK Expressway or the Hot Springs bypass) bridge. The service road on the north side of 270 is named Television Hill Road and terminates right at the creek. It is rough down close to the creek; 4wd recommended. The run is two miles of slam bang action, solid rock all the way. There is a pipe hazard about half way. On river right a lot of flow goes under a 12 inch pipe that is just above the water; we portage or scoot over the pipe on river left. There are lots of small falls and play waves on this technically challenging run. Here's a map link:



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The put-in for HS Creek is just downstream of where the railroad crosses Shady Grove (Valley St.).

Gulpha Creek: No gage, but is usually runnable before Hot Springs Creek is. Put-in is on Ridgeway Street just west of the railroad crossing; ask the homeowner on downstream river RIGHT for permission to launch and maybe park. The river left area is posted and they are serious about not parking or accessing the creek. They have had a lot of trouble from non-paddlers and had to resort to being tough about trespassing. They don't mind you floating down the creek, just no walking in or parking. Gulpha has brush and trees that can be a problem so scout any questionable rapids. One of the biggest rapids, The Slot, is just below the put-in. Use the eddies above to either boat or bank scout this one. Not far below The Slot is the rapid most likely to have a down tree hazard. The left chute is the most thrilling and carries the most water. The right chute is brushy. This is also a two mile run with the take-out at O'Reilly's biker bar just below the Highway 270 bridge. Ask at the bar for permission to park out back; they have always said yes in the past. The creek contains some technical, rocky rapids, a ledge or two, and some nice scenery.

On Lake Catherine, you can paddle up to the waterfall at the State Park. It should be spectacular if it rains.

Captain Aleve, alias Mike Coogan