Buffalo River Trail Crew HELP! (Oct 8 Gilbert) TRIP REPORT

[Richard]

I need a count by tomorrow TUESDAY
How many are going to be at Tyler Bend Friday night for Gumbo.
So far I have six (6) Ken, Patrick, Steve S, Eric, Louis, Richard




PLEASE POST REPLIES ON THE Recreational/Touring PAGE (This One)
Saturday, Oct 8, 2011

Ken Smith, one of the key players in making the Buffalo America's first national river, needs our help. He will be leading three crews of trailbuilders and will be base camping at Red Bluff for three weeks and needs gear brought in from Gilbert. The plan is to load canoes and paddle three miles to Red Bluff. At Red Bluff we will offload the gear and haul it up to the campsite which is about 200 feet from the water.

Options after the gear is all brought downriver includes camping at Red Bluff Saturday night, then either paddle down to North Maumee 8.5 miles or paddle upstream 300 yards to Sand Hole and take out there. Sand Hole is an access to the river used by the locals. Water to Road is about 200 feet. On Saturday, Eric Esche and I did a Sand Hole dry run without gear to see if we could do it and we did.

I am thinking that anyone with a john boat will be much appreciated. If the river level remains low there will be dragging.

We will be camped at Tyler Bend on Friday for anyone wanting to join us then.

Thanks,
Richard

[Deuce]

I may or may not be able to make it, but either way my flat back canoe and 2.5 horse are available.

[Cowper]

I probably can't make it either, but in case that changes, some logistics questions:

What type of gear needs hauling -
Odd shapes or sizes?
Total weight in pounds?

[Richard]

What type of gear needs hauling -
Odd shapes or sizes?
Total weight in pounds?

We will be setting up a camp that will accommodate a dozen people for three weeks. That includes kitchen gear; pots & pans, stoves, propane tanks. Food includes ice chests, food boxes. Three full 5 gallon water containers. Trail tools. I am going to see if I can get four large tents and tables to the site and set up on Friday.
Last spring, all the gear took up most of a 15 passenger van. We were camped at South Maumee and had road access. This year we will be at Red Bluff with only canoe and trail access.
An equestrian club is hoping to bring in some of the stuff.

[Louiscov]

Richard:

I will be there very early Friday 7th and can help all day.

Perhaps we should entice volunteers with a promise of LOUISIANA SEAFOOD GUMBO for the first dozen to commit!! I'd need to know how many by Wednesday noon.

louis

[Richard]

We will be in Tyler Bend campsite #26 Thursday and Friday nights unless it is already taken, in which case we will try for #25 or #27. It should not be hard to find us.
Thank you Louis. I am looking forward to it.

[Eric Esche]

I will probably get in late Friday night or early Saturday morning. I will bring my cargo barge, the 16' Mad River Endurall, as it can carry the most of my 3 boats. What I am worried about is the carrying of the gear up the hill. My knee was in fits all week after last weekend.

Eric

[Louiscov]

Eric:

I can get the gear up the hills, it will be super to have you help paddling it down the river!

louis

[Richard]

I need to have replies by Tuesday afternoon (Oct 4) so that I know where we stand.

Thank you.

[Clif]

Let me get this straight???? If we come camp and float some of your jun...uhh...mmm.. I mean gear downstream, you will feed us gumbo Friday night? I think I have to say yes.

Actually Richard was pestering and twisting my arm till I finally sed ok

Count on 2 for supper from my end

[Shark Attack]

Umpph OK. WIll try to be there.

[Shark Attack]

Is the Sandy Beach (hole) road still viable at all?

[Richard]

Is the Sandy Beach (hole) road still viable at all?

Yes. In surprisingly good shape. Just hope you don't meet oncoming traffic.

[Cowper]

DeBo and I are in for Saturday.

Still need to discuss logistics with Richard some more, but leaning towards the Gilbert down option, and with low water, returning upstream to Gilbert. If the pools aren't moving and you're dragging the shoals, "upstream" and "downstream" doesn't really make that much difference, only the miles count. And it certainly simplifies the shuttle...

The Sandy Beach option may be less total work, but to paraphrase Dr. McCoy, "damn it Jim, I'm a Boater, not a pack mule!" So I'm willing to work a little more to keep it water based.

[Richard]

At this level it is a bit like the Boundary Waters; portage between quiet pools.

To comply with the Truth in Recruting Law, since there is no paddling equivalent of the Teamsters Union, Packmuling may be required
"may be" will most likely be changed to "will" :myday"

Here is the Gilbert to Red Bluff details listing the pools and the in stream portages
Load canoes at Gilbert Swim Hole
Gilbert Swim Hole - broad shallow ledge
Spring Hole - shoal
Bear Creek Hole - shoal
Brush Creek Hole - narrow shoal/chute
Mussle Hole - shoal
Sand Hole - rock ledge then gravel chute
It averages out to be two shoals per mile.
Red Bluff Hole - you are there
Packmuling begins (carrying gear 200 feet up gravel bar into woods.)