Wetlands Tour - Grassy Lake

[Stan]

Grassy Lake is a hidden treasure and one of my favorite places to paddle in Arkansas. A group of intrepid swampers has been working on a water trail and finished posting the trail signs last week. The recent rains have flooded the lake and I am planning on taking a leisurely tour of the water trail on Saturday, June 8. Interested paddlers are welcome to join me.

Time: 9 AM

Location:
Bell Slough Wildlife Management Area (near Lake Conway)
Parking lot for Bell Slough hiking trail & Palarm Creek boat ramp

Directions:
Take Grassy Lake Road (just south of Mayflower) off of Arkansas Highway 365
Go under I-40 & turn right at the stop sign
Parking lot is on left just after crossing Palarm Creek.
We’ll then caravan to the put-in.

Note: Grassy Lake Road was flooded Tuesday at the I-40 underpass. The meeting place can also be reached by taking a frontage road. At the junction of Arkansas Highway 89 & I-40 on the east side of I-40 drive south on the frontage road past the commuter lot, the oil spill area and some businesses. Bear right when the road forks. Drive past the Grassy Lake Road (which has a stop sign) & cross Palarm Creek.


Recommend bringing:
Binoculars-lots of birds including heron rookery.
Lunch & water
Mosquito repellent????? I have not experienced problems with mosquitoes this spring.

“Stan” (AKA Margaret Bartelt)
(H) 501.224.7472
(C) 501.590.3316

[Cal34]

Yeah all the mosquito's seem to be congregating on the end by the dam.
I was out there photographing snakes in the woods & it was a swarm. I
never see any mosquito's in Grassy lake though when i'm in the kayak.
I will probably go out there tomorrow and get some more beaver and Owl
pictures. Great job on the trail, i'm sure everyone will enjoy it. Those baby
herons sure have grown, Ive been getting shots of them flying lately. Chris

http://www.capturearkansas.com/users/Ch ... rry?page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Raynard]

For someone who does not know the lay of the Lake, a couple of questions if you don't mind. How long a paddle is the trail (distance & time)? Is the trail fairly open or fairly protected from the wind?

[Stan]

The trip will be about 5 miles in length. The amount of time depends on how much bird watching we do. There is no shuttle. Participants wanting to return to their vehicles sooner rather than later can follow the water trail signs back to the parking lot. Grassy Lake is filled with trees and the trail is for the most part very sheltered. There is one rather large open water area but the trail goes along the tree line. Also the forecast for Saturday calls for light wind.

Finding dry land in Grassy is a challenge when the water level is high. I am planning on leaving the trail & paddling across an open water area to dry land for lunch. We'll go to Plan B (probably stopping at a beaver lodge) if it's windy.

I rate this trip as "Easy" and suitable for beginners. I plan to be off the water by 3 PM.

Hope that answers your questions.

"Stan"

[Raynard]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a great trip. Not sure we can make it tomorrow.