Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Salado creek? anyone done this /want to do this run again. Have a few questions.

How hard is the walk out?
How much time dones the run need?


Jim Mathews

Check out the Memphis Whitewater web site in the local and favorite rivers link. Tom K posted a very informative description of this river including optimum running level and added it was an epic walk out for one in his group. I have recently checked with camp Tahkodha about allowing put in from their camp and they charge 5$ but really had no information on river description or dangers. I have a rec boat as well and was thinking about running this river too if I could catch it at say 9 stones but would not venture on to this river in a rec boat if it shows anything less. The take out is at the rest area on 167 just south of Batesville and is an 11 mile paddle. I drive through this area everytime I go visit my Parents in Mt. View and have had my eye on this river for sometime. However recent details or any information on it has been difficult to dig up so I share what I have discoverd. I plan on trying to catch at optimum level for me in April or May because I have no real cold weather gear and would appreciate company or information so share what you find please. Thank you, Ray

The key to this run is to get an early start to avoid having issues with the darkness. The few rapids are not that difficult if you know where to be.

Boat control is necessary to avoid a few obstacles, but for the most part, It's pretty straight forward. The biggest challenge is the jungle that comes just before the take-out since the route will change due to levels. One can land right before the jungle on the left and drag through the field and catch the last couple of hundred yards of water to the 167 bridge.

There is the scout camp located on the right side several miles into the trip that can be used to walk out if need be.

I drive over 167 bridge every morning on the way to work. Let me know if you need a level. And you can do it down to about 10 stones. Just get started early.

Roger
Thanks for the info. I will message you if/when I decide to make the trip.

Jim

Is this the write up you were talking about?

http://memphiswhitewater.com/forum/inde ... opic=540.0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For what it's worth, I'm going to give a bit of a differing opinion here. Keep in mind I've only gotten to run Salado once, but from what I recall it's a pretty spirited class II run. I think if you are in a rec boat unless you have paddled challenging class II water in your boat, this run could easily and quickly overwhelm you. There's a lot of maneuvering that will be hard in a rec boat which by it's design just doesn't want to make quick maneuvers. Depending on the level, there are also a few wave trains that will swamp out a rec boat and probably implode those big floppy skirts. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it would definitely be a challenge. Although to be clear, I also think newer paddlers in their ww boats can get in over their heads on this run as well. It's not that it's more than class II - I don't think it is - but it is long, somewhat remote, and tighter, more technical.

I think the key difference is most of what we might say are class II waters in the area are often class I with a sprinkle of class II spots, while I think the Salado is pretty much a solid class II throughout. Add often cold conditions and a long run that doesn't leave much wiggle room for mishaps and it can be a little more epic than many will want!

Just another opinion to consider for anyone thinking about tackling this one...

I'm eager to see the Salado again, so I'll be on alert for if when it's running!

Lupe-

Thanks for your opinion. Kinda thought it was a solid II throughout. Hope it comes up again soon.

Jim