Kings River. Marble access?

[tomOzarkVideo]

Hello all.

Any advise for access on the Kings?

We want to float from Marble to Marshall Ford.

Thanks in advance.

[daxhaltom]

It is a very nice float. Be prepared for two low water bridges that must be portaged. Neither is that hard to get over though.

[Clint Rickett]

I'll echo the sentiments of dax in that the float is nice.....the bridges.....#1 isn't any trouble up and over. However, the #2 bridge is a bit more difficult. Pretty simple to get out at the second bridge but, getting back in the river once portaging actually wasn't easy. The downstream banks are steep and the rocks are slick. We managed without incident. Two of us got back in the river on the right and two on the left just as way of comparison. Probably was some easier on river L was the consensus.

Four of us went March 25-26 and spent the night on the river. Our weather was crap but the water was good and scenery great. Fishing was slow likely due to the cold rain, but we did manage to catch a few quality fish. More largemouth than I expected though.

The level we pushed off with at Marble was 4.1 on the gauge. There were a few places that required some scraping through at that level. We were all in "loaded" kayaks. We encountered only one strainer that had to be portaged in the whole trip. We camped at about the 7.5 mile mark according to GPS under the longest sweeping bluff on that section. Don't know the name of the bluff but it is the one that is pictured on Kings River Outfitters webpage. We shuttled ourselves leaving a vehicle overnight at both Marble and Marshall Ford without any trouble at either location.

That section could easily be a two night trip when fishing is involved. We passed up lots of good stuff in order to prevent a late drive home on Saturday. I had always heard about the remote nature of this section, however, there were houses and farm houses scattered out all along the way. It was our first time on that section of the Kings, but we are looking forward to a trip back.

[Yellcounty]

Agree with previous about the scenery, very nice section. Good access at both points. Our first trip started later than it should have due to setting up shuttle, to make a long story short, we basically finished what was supposed to be a nice easy float in almost total darkness.

That trip taught a good lesson learned in scouts, but forgotten over the years...always be prepared.

[kru1]

My wife and I took a 4 night float trip around this same time last year. Left from Marble and took off at Trigger Gap. I remember the first 3 or 4 miles from Marble was more or less a pastoral setting that we couldn't see b/c of the riparian zone. However we could hear chain-saws, tractors, etc... The river was flat and more or less straight.

Once we got to our first bluff we didn't leave them until downstream of Marshall Ford. That is one beautiful section of river. We camped at the first bluff or two that we came upon, but next time we'll push on a little farther. You can't go wrong.

Our 17' canoe was loaded to the gills and we had to empty it to make the portages. No big deal, part of down-river running. Had to line a few rapid b/c of the log jams/sweepers but we didn't want risk pinning our boat.

Both low water bridges we portaged river left. The gauge read 4.65 when we put on and that was pretty low. Keep in mind that the gauge is far downstream and doesn't really correlate with the levels at Marble. Your best bet is to call Erinie at Kings River Outfitters to get the true levels. He'll tell you if that section is running or not.

Have a great trip,
kru

[tomOzarkVideo]

Thanks!!!

We'll portage on the left at the second bridge.

We run the Rockhouse to Trigger Gap stretch quite often. You're right about the gauge.. Hard to get a feel for the level since the gauge is downstream from Osage Creek.

Thanks for the info.. We've had our eyes on this run for a while.

Have fun on the water this week! Hooray for the RAIN!!!!!

[daxhaltom]

I have another question after thinking about that trip a little more. Did anyone see the chicken or turkey cages that had been washed down? Just curious to see if those had ever been removed or if that was going to be a fixture of that float for years to come. I also echo using the left side when crossing the second low water bridge.

[stymie]

I have another question after thinking about that trip a little more. Did anyone see the chicken or turkey cages that had been washed down? Just curious to see if those had ever been removed or if that was going to be a fixture of that float for years to come. I also echo using the left side when crossing the second low water bridge.

Portage River Left at second bridge much easier than right.

The cages are still there.

[daxhaltom]

I hate to hear the cages are still there. Such a pretty float to have to see that. I dont really see a good way of getting them out unless it was completly dry and you could get a tractor in there or if you got a helicopter. lol. There are some nice pictures on a post farther down from this one that should be looked at. Both times I floated this section we camped next to the bluff where the canoe is parked at. I am sure there are others on here of have used that as a camping spot as well. You have to love the Kings because of the little amount of traffic on the river, especially compared to the traffic on the Buffalo. Plus if the government shuts down they cant close any gates to this river.

[WhiteOak1]

We were going to do this section this past Monday and Tuesday but the rain washed us out. Hope to do it next week so leave a couple fish for me...As far as the chicken cages go I've seen them on the War Eagle as well and they're a huge blemish on the creek. I don't know about the cages on the Kings but the ones on the War Eagle are filled with rocks and placed against the banks to prevent erosion. Good luck.

[Clint Rickett]

We saw the cages too. They are an eyesore. They didn't seem to be serving any purpose that I could see. We called Ernie at KRO before we headed up there. He is a fantastic resource for any section of the Kings that I have needed any info on so far. I'm working thru my pics. I will try to post some later. Enjoy the trip

[tomOzarkVideo]

Thanks for the info.. one more question. Is Ernie the only shuttle option for that stretch? I saw mention in an earlier post about the gas station in Marble. All I really need is a ride from marshall ford back to my boats/mrs before we launch.

[stymie]

Thanks for the info.. one more question. Is Ernie the only shuttle option for that stretch? I saw mention in an earlier post about the gas station in Marble. All I really need is a ride from marshall ford back to my boats/mrs before we launch.

Call the station

Kings River Country Store
22784 Highway 412, Huntsville - (479) 665-2323

They have always accommodated us. Not sure if its someone at the store or an outside resource. Ernie will do it but it is a good haul for him for to do a 30 min shuttle.

[tomOzarkVideo]

You guys are GREAT!!!!

Thanks.