Jeff_L

I’m not sure what I’m supposed to “listen” to here. Obviously if I want to avoid jet boats and rafts it does matter where I put in, right? Are there going to be jet boats and rafts at Baptist, or above Akers? Does anybody have a suggested alternative for a less crowded river? I get that holiday weekends are busy, so I’m trying to pick the best trip possible. Like I said, worried about finding camping spots on elevenpoint.

Thanks Al. I've floated below Akers (and Jack's from the Prongs to Two Rivers and pretty much every other river). But I haven't done much late summer / early fall floating due to crowds. When I say I want to "avoid crowds" i mean avoiding a ton of jet boats and avoiding the party floats in rafts (floated Jacks in June and Alley on down was silly). I don't mind other people on the river. My go to for this used to be upper North Fork, putting in at Hebron and floating to Blair Bridge. I float Elevenpoint a couple times a year also, but finding camp sites on that river is so stressful. With this in mind, any recommendations? Will be with 3 people and care most that (1) no giant party floats and (2) being able to find a decent gravel bar to camp 2 nights.

Yeah, I typically use the 100 CFS rule. I just realized there is a gauge at Montauk, so assuming that is good enough to use for putting in at Baptist.

Thanks everyone. When I say avoid traffic, I know it is relative on a holiday weekend, and I’ve seen the USGS and water is above normal. What I don’t know is whether 2x normal is enough to float from Baptist, or whether the “college crowd” puts in at Baptist or Akers or Round Spring. My experience in rivers and in life is that if you choose something slightly less convenient, most of the annoying people are at the convenient spots. But I’d rather not choose Baptist only to discover we are portaging kayaks and gear. If it is floatable from baptist to Akers then that’s the float I want.

Thanks. I'm not sure where Tan Vat is (I'm not familiar with the upper part of the river, so going off maps). I will also call Akers Ferry and ask if they know conditions up river.

Looking to do a 2 night kayak over Labor Day weekend, probably 20ish total miles (afternoon Saturday to morning Monday, I'm slow). Would prefer to put in as high up the river as possible to avoid as much traffic as I can. I floated Akers to Pulltite last October and water levels were fine. Anyone know if Cedargrove to Akers or even Baptist to Akers is floatable this time of year? Thanks.

Trip was great. Harvey's was easy-peasy. Left money and keys, cars were 30' from river at the wrap around take out past the bridge. River was almost perfect. It was near 300 cfs when we put in at Buck Hollow. Quite a few people up there, but perfect weather and water. The river was moving so well that it was easy to finish Saturday evening (put in Friday around 11), just ahead of the storms. Ended up getting a cabin at Rivers Edge Saturday night and having some beers on the deck watching the storm. we didn't fish much, but saw lots of fish get caught. Like I said, lots of traffic on the river, we saw maybe 10+ overnighters on Friday.

Any thoughts on whether a spray skirt is necessary with a flow rate around 400 cfs? The half submerged kayak in 60 degree water is not ideal.

Thanks for all this. I always call outfitters days in advance and discuss plans. Often, they explain that I'm very stupid and my plan won't work.... Harvey's said they will ferry cars from Buck Hollow to Alley on Friday, so easy peasy. Saturday looking a bit dicey, we might just book it and get out at Alley and find a cabin for the thunderstorms.

Excellent advice, thanks. I remember Jam Up from last time, depending on when we get on the river, we might just camp there Friday night. I've never been up to Prongs, but with the water being up, is it worth going up there? Looks like rain tomorrow but mostly dry all of next week, so hopefully back down to closer to 300 by the time we get there. Did 3 days on the Buffalo right after it re-opened from flooding last year. No spray skirt. While the adrenaline was nice, I'd prefer not to replay that adventure. Several swampings that required paddling out 1/2 mile in semi-submerged kayak with my camping gear.

Actually, that would work fine. We will just leave all our gear at Buck Hollow and one of us can work on getting our crap together while the other 2 drive over to Harvey's and hitch a ride back. Thanks! Any other advice on river camps? I recall there area bunch of great sandbars. I assume 3' on the gauge is pretty solid water? Guessing that's where it will be by next weekend.

Gavin, thanks. We are hoping not to have to drive to Alley Spring at all Friday morning and deal with getting hauled, we will have a bunch of gear (although we can stop at Buck Hollow and empty gear I suppose and leave 1 person with it). Do you know if we can pay extra just to have cars picked up and taken there? Otherwise, this is a workable option also.

Floating Buck Hollow to Alley next weekend (Friday to Sunday, 2 nights camping on river). Staying in Mountain View on Thursday night and would prefer to just run up to Buck Hollow and put on. Can anyone recommend an outfitter that would ferry 2 cars Friday morning to Alley? I assume they are relatively safe sitting at Alley for 2 days, we will have spare keys, so can be locked in the car. I haven't floated Upper Jack's in several years, have been doing Buffalo, Eleven Point, North Fork a ton, so any tips are also appreciated. We will do the bulk of the 24 miles Friday and Saturday and get off pretty early Sunday. Some fishing.

Mark, awesome, thanks. We are going to Brian's place first and don't plan to float too far on Friday. I like to take my time setting up camp, so we rarely float past 5 or 6. Will take your advice on fishing as well. I'm much more of a smallmouth guy, but will give it a go. Tough in a 10' kayak to fit everything. Looking at Google Earth, there might be sufficient sandbars at Little Hurricane or Hurricane Creek for 2 of us? Guessing sandbars might pile up a bit at the confluences.

Great, thanks. I would prefer a non-float camp, but might take what we can get. Guessing the river is going to be busy this weekend with the great forecast.