Is the upper Buffalo big enough for a small raft?

[chainsawmonkey]

I don't have any friends in the NWA area with kayaks,(mainly because I haven't gone to the chapter meeting yet) but I do have a small raft that I can haul friends in. I'm just wondering if the hailstone run could handle a small raft(water permitting) Never been there before and would like to check it out.

[turboturtle]

If you had been there today, yes!

Can't say bout tomorrow!

Probably be a little to low!

That's guessing, I have as of yet to run it.

Flat water doesn't attract me! Lol

[panicman]

as in upper buffalo do you mean ponca down. Yes there will be plenty of water there for a while. If you mean the hailstone upper run it will be there today but your to late if your reading this now.

[chainsawmonkey]

Okay, just checking, I know it's too low now. For future reference I was just curious. I think I'm gonna do Ponca to Kyle's on saturday if it holds out. 8ft and rising right now...

[Sparky]

I have friends who've run Hailstone in Puma'a and Super Pumas. Not my boat of choice for this run, and I do own a raft. They work good on Hurricane (Newton-Pope) above 7' one Piney USGS. You're probably going to want at least 1' over at Ponca and no matter how small your raft it won't fit well with the 1 1/2 mile of strainers at the end of the run. Richland seems to be the raft run of choice nowadays. Good luck!

Brent

[chainsawmonkey]

I didn't think about Richland as being raftable. Hmmm... Of course, I've never paddled Richland. My raft is a 14' Hyside, kinda small in my opinion. Richland...hmmm I'm looking for good class III-IV stuff.

[panicman]

most people that raft richland are in pumas and shredders. If I was in a 14 footer I would want alot of water in there. It can be done with a good oarsmen wich I am not yet.

[Sparky]

A 14' raft is mighty big for creekin' My wife and I paddle a 10' Sotar SL Elite which is more suitable for creeks. We've used it on the Boxley run in high water to take inexperienced friends and family out for a little whitewater. I still prefer hard boats for creeks. Time to buy another boat, you can never have too many.

Brent

[RandyJ]

Time to buy another boat, you can never have too many.

Brent

Words to live by, right there...

[chainsawmonkey]

Crap... yeah, I'd really like to have a shredder, or a smaller raft. Jack's Plastic has a cute 10'... $*chaching*$ Maybe, one of these days, somehow..... Oh well.

[Tim Eubanks]

I took some "non-paddlin" friends down from Ponca to Kyles in a 14' Avon at 4.5'. Also have rowed my Puma at around 3.5. Have seen 14' oar rig as well a few times.
Have R4'd Super Pumas on Hailstone and Richland and a 14 or 16 down Richland at around 5' or so. (Thanks, Stewart!)

There are many much more qualified to comment than I am, but yes, you can put a raft on the upper Buffalo. It is a great way to get folks on the water who don't have the ability to do it in a hard boat.

[chainsawmonkey]

I did Ponca to Kyles yesterday, took some friends that had never been paddling in their life. It was a good first time rafting experience for them... Well, I think next time the water is high, I'll give the Hailstone a try with the raft. What's the worst that could happen??

[Crane]

A 14' Hyside is too big for Upper Richland... unless there's a buncha water!
The slots are simply too narrow... Shredders work nicely... Super Pumas, too. The Hydise would be fine on a good flow on Lower Richland, though...

[Tim Eubanks]

Think Richland was about 6' that day, the "raft recovery" mission. I think it was Stewart's 16' Avon. The slots were quite a bit bigger as you can imagine. Bigger is better.

[okieboater]

Some years ago, we were kayaking the Hailstone.

I remember it as being a good level but not bank full or even close.

About 2/3 rd of the way done we saw a 14 ft raft with 4 people paddle rafting it. They said no problems. Were having a great time. The only issue I can think of is a couple spots in the lower section where the willows cross the river and make for a narrow passage.

Carry one of the tree branch "loopers" along just in case you need to clear out some willow limbs

My bet is the ARG team has put tons of rubber of all sizes down the Hailstone with no problems.