East Fork Cadron

[Jojosand]

Three of my kids were home for a visit so we went on the East Fork of the Cadron from hwy 36 to Barney new years eve. The gauge on the North Fork was 3.5 so the flow was good but not pushy. It took us 4 hours with a half hour stop for a snack. We only had to get out about 4 times to go around trees or empty the kayaks after some waves in the rapids. It was beautiful and everyone enjoyed the day. It is a much prettier paddle with better rapids than than the North Fork of the Cadron. I will be interested in taking some folks next time.

John

[Jim Krueger]

Thanks for the suggestion John. I took a look at that section on Google Earth and it looks interesting. At least at the time these images were made,
it looked nice and clear. Most every time I cross the E.F. Cadron on Hwy 65 it is always chocolate brown...
What were the accesses like on Hwy 107 (Barney) and at Hwy 36, did you put-in/take-out at the bridges? How was the parking? Any other info. milage, class of rapids, etc.

Thanks

Jim

[Wildwood]

By the time it gets to Hwy 65, it always looks nasty! I go from 36 to Barney fairly often, would like to try the section you floated. Give a shout when you go back, please.

Jan

[Jojosand]

It is an 8 ½ mile trip and is prettier with higher bluffs than the North Fork. the water last week was very clear though after a rain it is muddy. There are at least three sections where you have to paddle between tupelo trees with bluffs on one side. I tried to attach a picture but am not sure how to do so. I always linger in these for the beauty. There are lots of short rapids and shoots--usually class i and some class 2 (because you have to turn). It is not the rapids that are dangerous on this route but the strainers in higher water. Here is what the Arkansas tour guide says: The stretch from Highway 36 bridge to Highway 107 bridge is the most popular stretch on the East Fork of Cadron Creek. Tubelo gum trees shade the water as it changes abruptly from calm pools to tumbling rapids every few hundred feet. In high water, standing waves can swamp open canoes and the tupelos in the path of fast current can be canoe wreckers. Special attractions are Star Bluff, Buzzard's Root Mansfield Bluff and Rainbow Falls.

We drive up 107 past Barney go over the bridge and turn right to park. We leave a car here and there is plenty of room and a great take out with lots of room. At the bridge landing where we take out there is a tree in the water that has a large hole/cavity in it. If the water is at or just below the bottom of the hole it is fine. A bit above the hole and you better be experience. We then go back over the bridge and turn left on Tanyard road to hwy 36. Then make a left on 36 and go a couple of miles to the bridge. The put in is on the south side of the bridge. It is about 27 miles north of hwy 64. There is parking for several cars The put in has rocks and some are covered with mud but overall it is not too bad. It is a 12 minute drive from one bridge to the other.

The first couple of miles of the trip go along hwy 36 and are the most boring but after that it gets very nice. I wish I knew a place to put in after the first two miles.

[Jojosand]

Here are some more pictures from the East Fork last Saturday

[Shark Attack]

I'm game! That's all close to some of my family's farmland. Cadron Boy was always after me to paddle with him on this stretch. And the water does not look as nasty as the North Fork!