Looking for Input about Felsenthal

[Mike Reynolds]

Wonder if anyone has floated any areas at Felsenthal in South Arkansas? Looking for recommendations on access and places to float.

Thanks,

[Karla]

Debo and Cowper are very knowledgeable.

[Cowper]

DeBo and I think we have really only just begun to scratch the surface on the possibilities down there.

We don't want to claim "discovery" of anything, as I think everything we've seen is well known to some already, but most of it isn't written down anywhere yet that we know of.

What format(s) can you accept information in, and would you rather have a detailed suggested route, or just listing of some good access points and general direction to head out in for explorations of your own?

By formats, I mean, I could send you a couple of sets of waypoints that define some routes, or track logs in Garmin format from actual trips we have taken, or could send you Google map pictures of the routes we followed. What's your pleasure?

EDIT: Found info on one previous trip here: http://forums.arkansascanoeclub.com/vie ... l&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[John Britt]

Mike, Debo and Cowper keep better record than I do but I have paddled about thirty miles in Felsenthal, Mostly on the Union County side. If you are looking for launch sites, Deep Slough has a nice little four mile loop, Shallow Lake has a long ramp and it's just a short paddle to Henderson Bend, Grand Maris has a couple of good launches, above and below the dam.
On the other side Crossett Harbor and Pine Island are about it.
If you are wanting to camp, there is a site just North of the River Bridge, a site at the Shallow Lake launch, Henderson Bend, and Grand Maris has a modern campground.
If you are wanting to float the river, there aren't many palaces to launch for a good float. I would suggest that you look at the Saline. Stillions landing behind Lake GP, and Prairie Island Landing are two that come to mind.
You can camp at Prairie Island but you pretty much have to camp at the park at GP. Of course if you are fishing then you aren't really camping and you can pretty much rest where ever you have a line in the water. Remember you need an activity permit, free from the rangers, to use almost all of the wildlife areas now. Keep your paddle wet and the skeeters at bay.

[Cowper]

I think we just learned who knows it by heart, vs. having to go look at notes!

But John's answer made me realize, we may not have touched on one of the basics - As a NWR, there are some decent maps on one side of the brochure that you pick up at some of the entry points that double as "permits" to be in the area. You get the brochure, sign it to indicate you have read the rules (no "I didn't know" excuses), then carry the map with you.

One of these maps can be found at
http://www.fws.gov/southeast/pubs/felse ... untmap.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and shows most if not all of the places John named. But note that the areas called "permanent pool" on this map do not all have enough water to float your boat.

The Deep Slough loop is one that we mapped out after someone (probably John!) told us to go check it out; it is not shown very well on the map but I can send you a track log that shows that one. One that I think would make a good "in and out" paddle would be to launch at Jones lake, and then paddle over into Blue lake and as far down Blue lake as water levels allow. The next time we go down there we are wanting to check out Pereogeethe lake, Eagle Lake, and the Eagle creek areas.

[John Britt]

Cowper, Jones Lake and Blue Lake are both nice little paddles. There is a "low water" bridge at the pipeline with a large drop on the downstream side. Lots of cypress knees after that. I've never been any further than the bridge. They call the section between that and Lapoile Creek, alligator alley.
This thread got me thinking and I went to the maps and realized that there is a float, on the river, of about eight miles. Start at the campground launch on the north side of the river bridge and float the river to the lock area. Go west to Grand Marais and East to Bull Brake and Pine Island.

[Mike Reynolds]

Hey!

I have been away from the board a while. I just wanted to say thanks so much for all the info!

Mike