GOT A NEW CREEK BOAT? WANT TO GET THE SHINY NEW OFF IT?

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

Scouting season is underway now that modern gun deer season has ended is some areas. One gem has already been discovered; it may not have ever been paddled. It will be just the thing to get that embarrassing shine off of your new creek boat. Paddling length: 3.1 miles; gradient: 71 ft. per mile overall with a little bit of 100 feet per mile in the middle; take-out and put-in access is suitable for plain automobiles. NO access between put-in and take-out and no one will be hiking out except along the creek. Class II-III, mostly II+. Item of interest: a railroad used to run beside the creek about 100 years ago; some artifacts of the RR can be found/seen. A little wood needs to be taken care of so look for full details and a run on the creek some time after the start of the new year.

12-28-13 Edit: The first two photos below were taken by ACC poster Bird Dog.


OLD RAILROAD RAIL PHOTO BY BIRD DOG by CaptainAleve, alias Mike Coogan, on Flickr


RAILROAD PARTS PHOTO BY BIRD DOG by CaptainAleve, alias Mike Coogan, on Flickr


REMOTE AND BEAUTIFUL, THE CREEK BURBLES ALONG by CaptainAleve, alias Mike Coogan, on Flickr


STUMBLE FALLS by CaptainAleve, alias Mike Coogan, on Flickr


OUTCROP STEP DOWN; NOTE THE RAILROAD EMBANKMENT by CaptainAleve, alias Mike Coogan, on Flickr


STEEP AND ROCKY WILL PUT A SMILE ON YOUR FACE by CaptainAleve, alias Mike Coogan, on Flickr


INTERESTING by CaptainAleve, alias Mike Coogan, on Flickr


THE BEDROCK EXTENDS INTO THE CREEK by CaptainAleve, alias Mike Coogan, on Flickr


DELICATE, ACCURATE PADDLE STROKES REQUIRED by CaptainAleve, alias Mike Coogan, on Flickr


So many creeks, so little time.

Captain Aleve, alias Mike Coogan

[Tonyrobinson]

If this is somewhere in the Ozarks, I'd love to join in. I'm visiting my parents in Mt. Home for the X-mas week with lots of rain coming. I'm from Knoxville and I've run anything you can name in the SE.

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

It's close to Hot Springs in the Ouachitas. Have a nice family visit!

Mike Coogan, alias Captain Aleve

[Tonyrobinson]

From the geology, I guessed it was in the Ouachitas. Thanks for the reply, and I'm looking forward to a trip report.

[Roger]

TonyRobinson, check you BT messages.

[737driver]

Is this Glazypeau off the Strawberry cutoff? I've been wanting to catch that one bad!!! Too bad I'm out of town. The next time you go, count me in!!!

[bird dog]

Looks like Brush Creek between Cove Mt Fs 83 and fs 666 near the youth Ranch. That is where I broke my arm last year while hiking. Hope to see you guys if that is it?

[Jill M]

I'm in if scheduling works out!

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

You got it right, Bird Dog, Brush Creek. There's a few down trees and some brush that needs attention before I'll be paddling the creek.

Mike Coogan, alias Captain Aleve

[737driver]

Hey Mike, what's the nearest road for the creek?

[bird dog]

I would like to do some pictures (boaters) when you guys decide to run it if my schedule fits.

Some more pictures from the area.

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 3266_n.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 5096_n.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Same as your pic #2 from down stream.

https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 6048_n.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[JTarver]

Mike...any chance this will be running Sunday? As much as I'd like to wander off a couple hundred miles...I cant. I do however hope to hit some stuff somewhat close...maybe some spillways if they still have enough water in them.

Anyone else staying semi close to hot springs area?

Joe

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

The creek only has 5 square miles of drainage area so I expect it will only stay up a day or two. To get to the put-in take forest road 83 off of highway 7. It's located about two miles south of the road to Glenhaven Youth Ranch, just before you get to a hairpin curve. It's hard to see the road until you are right on it; there's a bent up and knocked down sign close to the highway, and the 83 number sign is still standing and clearly visible. Drive 6 miles plus a little down the straight road and you will be at the put-in low water bridge, the only bridge you will encounter. The take-out is on road 666 that turns south off of the road into the Youth Ranch. The low water bridge at the take-out is BIG and long and about 3 or 4 miles down 666.

Write a report if you go.

Mike Coogan, alias Captain Aleve

[bird dog]

Brush creek map with a few pictures (every trail Map link)


http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php ... 8720f9d6ba" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The road numbers on the every trail map are county road numbers I guess?
Forest service roads 83 and 666 are the USFS numbers.






..

[CAPTAIN ALEVE]

Here's a page out of "Perry County: Its Land & People":


Brush Creek railroad history by CaptainAleve, alias Mike Coogan, on Flickr


I will guess that, once the Fort Smith Timber Company railroad crossed to the south side of the Fourche La Fave at Fourche Junction, the rail line stayed close to the river and that spurs were built up the creek valleys in mountainous areas to bring the timber down to the main line. The Brush Creek valley looks like it would offer excellent access to a lot of timberland. Other sections from the book said the timber industry was about played out by 1920, and that you could buy timber company clear cut land for $1 per acre.

Mike Coogan, alias Captain Aleve