Newbie Trip to South Fork and Spring River

[Charityn9]

An intermediate rec. kayaker, myself, and my novice sister are planning to get some water time in this summer. We were going to sign up for the recreational kayak class but it filled up. So we are just going to go.
Was thinking of starting off on the South Fork for some easy practice, camping at one of the resorts, then taking on the Spring River from the Dam at Mammoth Springs to a take-out point.
First of all, we'd love to start out with anyone interested in going for shuttling and just knowing someone else is on the river and not just two women.
Second of all, I would like to know where the best take out would be on the Spring River to get a good few hours worth of kayaking, but avoiding the largest falls that I hear are down near Hardy.
Since I was planning on going to the rec school, I have that weekend open. (June 26/27) By then I will have the rest of the gear that we need.
Thanks!

[Clif]

South Fork? Little Red @ Clinton? Few good shuttle sections there that I know of. Why not head up to the Buffalo? Early late or weekdays help avoid the crowds.

I know little of the Spring so.....

[Jim Krueger]

Charity, You might indicate in what town or section of the state you live as there are many club paddlers who could suggest other rivers and trips to enjoy this Summer as well.

Jim

[fishhomer75]

South fork is great. Very easy float. Call Josh @ South Fork resort, he is a great guy and will hook you up with shuttles. They also have a really nice camp ground. 870-895-2803.


P.S. Don't take any fishing gear, no smallies here

[Lifejacket]

First of all, we'd love to start out with anyone interested in going for shuttling and just knowing someone else is on the river and not just two women.

Hard to believe you can't get more reply's with this kinda statement.

[bj1299]

Lifejacket I was thinkin the same thing

[RandyJ]

South fork is great. Very easy float. Call Josh @ South Fork resort, he is a great guy and will hook you up with shuttles. They also have a really nice camp ground. 870-895-2803.


P.S. Don't take any fishing gear, no smallies here

Ditto - good folks - pretty spot!

[Charityn9]

I have already set my dates. If anyone is interested in going I'd love to meet and float with some other safe exprienced paddlers.
Sunday will be the Spring River.
Can anyone give me details on any parts of the Spring River that would be good to know beforehand?
I live in Memphis now, so we do not plan on doing any more driving than there first. I'm not going to the Buffalo yet. Basically because I really want to do the Spring River, then maybe set another weekend to do another.
What class river is the Buffalo? I like swift water, fun rapids, not class VI, probably more like III. I have kayaked in NY, Townsend TN, etc, but nothing crazy. We are rec kayakers.
By shuttling I mean with each other, I can transport my own kayaks, and will pay for shuttle service, but if others are into going then I'd rather shuttle together without campground service.
Thanks ya'll.

[Cowper]

Clif - They're referring to South Fork of the Spring River, not South Fork of Little Red. (both are fine places to be...)

On the Spring, avoid Saturday unless you really like Mardi Gras and all the behaviors that go with a major public party that includes beads and the potential for fist fights.

Don't worry about the "big falls" on the Lower Spring, unless you just don't like getting wet even in the summer. They are not technically challenging; just think "waterslide". That said, I prefer the stretches upstream anyway, because the pools are shorter.

My favorite stretch of the Spring is from the Fish Hatchery down to Spring River Oaks. I haven't done the South Fork, but DeBo has and she speaks highly of it. Also, it has a reputation for having none of the wild behavior that the Spring is famous for.

[Charityn9]

Cowper,
That is information that I am looking for. I have heard of the unruly behavior on the Spring River, so I hope that can be avoided by going on a Sunday.
The Fish Hatchery to Spring River Oaks - appx how many hours would you give estimate it would take? Sounds like fun :)
Thanks for the input.

[Cowper]

For me, it takes from whenever I launch until about an hour before sunset.

Distance is about 7 miles, so most normal folks will make the trip in 3 to 4 hours.

[Charityn9]

So Cowper, the hatchery/spring river oaks is all between the dam and Hardy? I'd like to hit the water around 10 am on the Spring River on Sunday june 27 if you or any others are down. Thanks!

[wet 2 woody]

Was up on the Spring last weekend.....even on Saturday IF you get an "early" start~~~ say before 9am you should miss many of the river revelers. They tend to get on a bit later...also remember "NO Glass containers" they will be out checking boats. It's a big ticket...you don't want to receive!
Paddle Safe

[Cowper]

So Cowper, the hatchery/spring river oaks is all between the dam and Hardy?

Yes, all there. For locations, go to this web address

http://maps.google.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Then “cut and paste” these GPS coordinates into the space provided and hit "search maps". You don’t have to know anything about GPS, this will still take you directly to a map showing the exact location of these places.

N36.46618 W91.52763 Fish Hatchery Put in (I don’t know the “official” name)

N36.39954 W91.52591 Spring River Oaks Take Out

N36.4026 W91.5257 Spring River Oaks Office (go there first to pay your “day use” fee)

[okieboater]

Hi Cowper,

I rarely use Google Maps and quite frankly need to educate myself on it's many benefits.

I did not know you could just paste in GPS Coordinates and get right to that spot on a neat map. Should know this just have not used Google Maps enough to find out it's good benefits.

Your post has helped me with Google maps and no doubt others as well.

I have used my GPS Garmin GPS76CSx (thanks to all the good recommendations I got from this msg board ) along with Garmin Mapquest CD's, to put in river waypoints and get the route working. Great aid to navigation!

But loading Mapquest and getting the right CD loaded is a hassle and I rarely go to the trouble unless I am setting up a float trip.

Cowper, thanks again for your quality posts explaining how things work.

Dave