Hurricane Lakes Swamp Paddle - October 29

[Stan]

Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is just east of Bald Knob and has lots of interesting places to paddle. On Saturday, Oct 29, a group of paddlers is going to tour Big & Little Hurricane Lakes, which are oxbow lakes off of the White River. The edges of these lakes are filled with cypress. These trees are good size and are nicely spaced. On past trips there has been plenty of water to paddle among the trees. The plan is to paddle along the edge of Big Hurricane Lake, follow an old river channel to Little Hurricane Lake and then work our way back to the put-in on Big Hurricane. No shuttle. Trip length: About 6 miles.

We will meet at 9 AM at the Bald Knob MacDonald's, which is on the east side of Exit 55 off of Highways 67 & 167. We'll then caravan to Big Hurricane Lake. The biggest hazard of this trip is the potential for big waves to form on Big Hurricane if there is a strong wind. Hopefully we will have some nice fall colors.

Unfortunately this trip is the same day as the ACC Board Meeting & the Cadron Creek cleanup. The trip was setup last summer with the Ozark Society event schedule in mind.

"Stan" AKA Margaret Bartelt

[c8mb]

I'll have to try to make this one.

[Shark Attack]

Al, are you going to make this?

[Wildwood]

Stan,
The Cadron Creek litter pickup has been postponed due to not enough water to float. Also, Clif said the trash had been picked up a few days ago by someone with black trash bags. Then today I saw on the KTHV facebook page that a group in Conway has started picking up litter, so I don't know if they were the ones who helped, or not. At any rate, some of us should be able to make it. It sounds like fun.

Jan

[c8mb]

I'm planning on it Wes.

[Stan]

Trip Update.

It's been a couple of months since I paddled Big & Little Hurricane Lakes so I decided to do a pre-trip check today.

While the water in the lakes has dropped a couple of feet there is still plenty of water. The west side of Big Hurricane has a nice band of cypress & water tupelo. We can paddle in this band to avoid wind & waves. To get to this sheltered area from the put-in we can either cross the lake or take a longer sneak route among some trees.

My concerns about not having enough water in the old river channel which connects Big & Little Hurricane were unfounded. While this channel is filled with trees, there is still plenty of water for a very nice paddle!!!!

I plan on taking a couple of "side trips", which are old river channels filled with very nice trees. We'll have to watch for the occasional cypress knee - but avoiding them should not be a problem.

Trip length with the "side trips" is still about 6 miles.

I am looking forward to Saturday's trip.

"Stan" AKA Margaret Bartelt

[MikkiW]

I very much wanted to come but have other obligations for Saturday. If anyone has not been into Hurricane before, let me tell you now you are in for a very enjoyable trip. I was part of a small group that Stan escorted in back in late summer and it was BEAUTIFUL. I know why this is one of her favorite areas to explore. Lots of very old tupelo and cypress that should be putting a real color show now of orange, red and yellow. The weather is supposed to be sunny and in the 60's. The 8 mile drive in to the lakes is really nice too. Poor old me..... I hate to miss this one. Take lots of pictures and post them please.

[old jim]

I have been wanting to paddle in a swamp. I will try to be there.

old jim

[c8mb]

What a beautiful place. We paddled Big and Little Hurricane Saturday, then I spent the night and paddled Three Sisters Lake Sunday morning. I can't wait to go back! Here are some pics I took in Blurvision.....just squint.

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 8e89a9ee7e

[Richard]

Arkansas is a magical place.