Upper River Camping Help (tan Vat?)

[steve l]

My wife & I are thinking of hauling the backpacks down for a couple of nights in Mid-Oct (weather permitting). I thought there was a post one time with a shot of the river & a trail or trails along it, but didn't see it as I looked through previous posts.

Questions:

If anyone is aware of the post I think I saw could they give a link?

Is the idea even doable - could we get away from whatever parking area & be able to camp somewhere along the river? We have no problem with having to hike a couple of miles to get to somewhere decent - we would not want to camp with the car.

Is there anywhere safe to park where the car could sit for a couple of days (plan is in Thursday noonish out Saturday noonish).

It's been a long time since I have been on the Current - any gravel up there small, or are there good sized bars?

We would be using spin set-ups (dare I say that after reading a previous thread?!), so I assume jigs, spinners, & I think I saw rapalas.

I assume there would not be a lot of others fishing up there?

And then this question may belong elsewhere, but while on the topic...

Another option would be to do the same & walk into the Jacks Fork around Jam-up cave from the north side using old logging or service roads. Anyone know of possibilities around that? It looks doable, but I'm not sure of car safety.

Any help is appreciated.

[Gene K]

I thought I posted something like that but I don't see it. Anyway...

Yes, it's doable. What's the max distance you want to hike each way? No problem crossing the river during the hike?

Yes, there can be somewhere safe to park the car. Just depends on where you start out.

Yes, there are some good gravel bars that you can hike to.

Others fishing Thursday and Friday would be minimal. Saturday probably see some.

[Gavin]

I'd agree with Gene...he's probably down there more than me.....but friends and I have dropped cars at Baptist, Parker, Cedar, Akers, Pulltite, and Round for years with only a couple incidents. 4-5 years ago a friend had a car break in at Baptist, 3 years ago some friends had some gear lifted out of some tents Pulltite CG...Me, never had a problem.

Depends on where you start too....Camped on the river between Baptist and Parker a couple weeks ago...must have had a wind storm down there...lots of blow downs on the old horse trails in some sections. But it was navigable with a bit of brush busting. Its only a 6 mile float, but I probably walked 10. Give us an idea about your plan, and we could make some suggestions. Cheers.

[Gene K]

I'd agree with Gene...he's probably down there more than me.....but friends and I have dropped cars at Baptist, Parker, Cedar, Akers, Pulltite, and Round for years with only a couple incidents. 4-5 years ago a friend had a car break in at Baptist, 3 years ago some friends had some gear lifted out of some tents Pulltite CG...Me, never had a problem.

I think there are some places I would not care to leave my car. That said, given the right "trail-head," I think there are some possibilities of where he could leave his car.

...must have had a wind storm down there...lots of blow downs on the old horse trails in some sections.

I feel sorry for anyone who might have been camping during that storm! I got down there just a few hours after it passed, and it was hard to even get down YY with all the trees down. No electricity for 7 days. 90 MPH winds that lasted for 40 minutes. Bizarre. More firewood laying around than all the boys in Perryville can sell!

[Gene K]

Camped on the river between Baptist and Parker a couple weeks ago...

Hear any bands where you were?

j/k, we kept it down to a mild roar!

[hank franklin]

Steve, I backpacked from Cedargrove downstream to near Welch once. It's easy hiking with one exception: Waders are NOT hiking boots. If I were to do it again I'd wear hiking books and lug the waders along on my pack. Kind of a pain but necessary, I think. The waders gave me blisters and really just didn't work with a full pack. I've also backpacked from Welch downstream.

In my experience there are trails all throughout the river corridor between Baptist and Akers and it's not hard at all to find them. You will have to have waders however as the trails frequently cross the river. I suppose you could bushwhack and not cross the river but this would be difficult in spots.

[Gavin]

Waders would be a good idea....they arent the most comfortable gear to hike in, but they do a great job of protecting you from ticks, chiggers, and PI. I'd recommend some brush pants and some bug dope at minimum, and be prepared to get your feet wet and do some brush busting because of all the blow downs.

Didnt hear the band Gene, but heard some deer doggers on the Shannon County side of the creek. Seems to be popular down there.

[Kipster]

Hey Gene,

I was floating the same weekend as Gavin and did hear a band (or a loud radio) while camping Sat night. Were you guys down at the big sandy S-turn a half-mile above Parker? If so, we were camped just upstream.

The rain started in shortly before dusk and didn't quit until morning. The river gauge rose 1 foot at Akers that night.

[Gene K]

We were about a mile from the S Turn, and not on the stream.

[steve l]

Hey guys, first off thanks for the replies & info.

We'd be ok with 2-3 miles. No problems with crossing the river, the only problem being no waders for the both of us. Assuming decent weather getting the feet and knees wet will probably be ok, but having to go waist deep with packs is probably not a great idea. As far as bushwhacking I guess its how much is the whacking part?

And it sounds like the car ought to be ok.

Given that, along with the goal being not just fishing but also getting out for probably the last time this year to a quiet pretty spot what is suggested?

Thanks again.

Steve.