Advice On First Trip

[MobileBear]

I am planning an April trip on the Buffalo. Around April 11 or 12 thru about 14th or 15th to be exact. I will be taking my 14 year old son, and possibly one friend. I have lots of questions. My plan is to put in at Boxley, as I have read that section of the Buffalo is the most scenic. I am expecting to float for 2-3 days. I expect to end at Kyles landing. Is this a reasonable plan? Does anyone have any other suggestions on where to put in, take out, etc. Is this a safe trip for us? I am semi-experienced at canoeing, but haven't experienced rapids. I am an athletic coordinated guy, never had a problem with canoes/kayaks before, but this is a different environment from where I roam, which is Mobile, Alabama.

I think my main fear centers around food, and getting everything packed in a canoe for a 3 day/2 night trip. I am probably being overly concerned. Meal suggestions would be nice. We will be in 1 canoe, unless my friend tags along, which would greatly increase our storage capacity, so I really hope he tags along.

Any outfitter suggestions? I think I have settled on Buffalo Adventures. Weather expectations for that time of the year? Should I camp at the various parks, e.g. Steel Creek, Lost Valley? Should I do short floats and explore some of the trails?

Does anyone on here have river plans for that week?

Thanks,

Eddie

[rubicon31]

http://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/maps.htm

check out the above link for a great map of the mighty buffalo. the upper section is beautiful for sure! on the stretch you are planning you'll have a chance to take short hike up to hemmed in hollow falls. a must, if you get the chance. i'd recommend staying in the campgrounds. gravel bar camping can be fun but be mindful of flash flood possibilites that time of year. don't want to get caught with your pants down! i'd check out BOC in ponca for outfitter/info. they are great. hope you guys have a great trip, i'm sure it won't be your last after you experience it.

[gotmuddy]

I have not floated the upper end of the river, only from Rush down but I loved the float we did last year. We put in at rush and got out at shipps ferry on the white. If you fish or just take a very leisurely route you can easily make it a 3 day float(we did it in two). The area is gorgeous, and the fishing is good too. For weather you just need to keep an eye on rain upstream of where you put in. the higher you are on the river the faster it will flood. For food, unless you have a good cooler I would bring things that dont require refrigeration. I would love to take a trip carrying only a water filter, some freeze dried food and a kelly kettle. That would be the ultimate in simplicity. We camped on a gravel bar and it was nice. Always remember to drag your canoe higher than you think the water can get, then drag it a little more.

Depending on the weather we may be able to make a 2 day float with you if it is on a weekend.

[steve l]

food for a two night trip? Heck, if your cooler is large enough use your imagination. Burgers & dogs are quick, but if you cook beforehand & ziplock it many possibilities. Some menu items from my trips: beef stroganoff, tacos, steaks, bbq pork & mashed potatoes, stew with cornbread muffins, grilled marinated chicken breasts, short ribs w/anaheim peppers in a chipotle sauce, shrimp & pasta with morels. Well, you get the idea. I like the pre-cooking as it leaves more time for fun on the river, plus cooking in foil packs means no mess to clean up.

I use a 70 qt cooler & it will hold 5 days of food for two. that while using 4 blocks & 2? bags of ice. A 54 qt cooler should easily get two nights of food.

Fit is a canoe? Trust me, lots of room if you pack well. Canoeing may be roughing it, be we do it in comfort. Cooler in the middle towards the back. Dry box a bit behind behind the front seat. Folding chairs below the front seat and between the cooler & dry box. Clothes, sleeping bags, tents, air mattresses etc on top of the chairs. Cans of sode/beer and water under the back seat & wherever else it will fit along the sides. Grill under the front seat. Usually more space than expected in the front of the canoe. Invariably we get asked when we if it will fit, but it always does - just think though it & keep the center of gravity low. Oh, helpful hint - get two 15 to 18 foot pieces of rope - tie one to the front & one to the back of the canoe. Very very useful.

Here is my list for a three day trip, and it all fits

utensils (12f12k36s) bug spray zip-locks

toilet paper camera (charge batteries) paper towels

sleeping bags flashlights coffee pot

sheets can opener matches

pillows paper plates/bowls dry box

Dry Clothes chairs ammo box

shirts church key glasses bands

pants snorkals/masks allergy pills

underwear float book/maps aspirin/pills

socks work gloves brillos

shoes oven mitt snacks

sweatshirts/jackets air pump tin foil – foil trays

towels air mattresses soda/beer-Dale's

Wet Clothes big spoon/fork salt/pepper

towels GPS/Batteries lighter fluid

shoes/sandals cutting knife/tongs pliers

swim suits/shorts grill/fish basket rope

hat(s) bailer fanny pack

longsleeve shirts toothpaste/brushes medicine

long pants soap shampoo

underwear deodorant mirror

socks drinking glasses (20) scale

tent(s)/patch/spare poles contact lenses/stuff score cards

rain gear prescrip glasses clothes home

cooler fishing glasses watch/cell

duffel bags spatula dip net

fishing gear fish pins fish net

sunblock camp fire pie thing + filling Stove/fuel

pens (1 more) charcoal thermometer

garbage bags bungee cords binoculars

[Al Agnew]

I don't think I would recommend putting in at Boxley. The Boxley to Ponca section is not as scenic as the section below Ponca, and it has more serious rapids. If you haven't canoed rapids before, and are planning on taking gear for overnight, the chances are very good that you'll dump and get your gear wet at best. Boxley to Ponca has a number of class 2 rapids and some that could be up to class 3 in higher water levels. The chances are good that the river will be fairly high in early April, and I have to tell you that I've floated Ozark rivers in canoes for well over 40 years, and I don't think I'd want to float that stretch with camping gear in the canoe.

Ponca or Steel Creek is a much better put-in. The section from Ponca to Kyles has a few rapids that can be a problem for inexperienced canoeists, especially in higher water levels, but it's much friendlier to the novice to fast water than the stretch above. If the river is at an optimum level and you are prudent and don't hesitate to get out and walk the canoe if things look hairy, you should be able to handle that stretch. For two or three days, you can go from Ponca to Pruitt (a good two day float in good water) or Hasty (probably the best for three days, unless you plan on doing a lot of stopping and not much steady paddling).

The park service does not recommend hiking the Goat Trail across Big Bluff, but in my opinion that's something you just have to do. You'll see what is probably the single best scenic view in the Ozarks. Just don't do it if you have a fear of heights, since you'll be hiking across the face of the bluff, 350 feet above the river, on a trail that is simply a ledge that is less than 4 feet wide in a few places. And Hemmed-in Hollow is also a must do. Only problem with doing those hikes as you float down the river is leaving your canoe full of gear unattended while you hike away from the river.

Unless the water is really high (and probably unsafe to float), you'll find enough gravel bars to camp on that you won't need to use the developed campgrounds. But the campgrounds are okay, too.

[Ham]

I am in complete agreement with Al. I really don't think you want to take on Boxley. I'd suggest Kyle's Landing down to Ozark. That puts you at a little over 6 miles a day for a three day float. You could do Pruitt to Carver if you wanted a two day float.

The entire river is beautiful. I don't believe the hype that certain sections are far and away more scenic that others.

Save Ponca down to Steele for warmer days with a lighter load so WHEN the canoe gets rolled less gear is at risk and you won't be miserably cold.

www.nps.gov take a look at the interactive map to get a look at possible trips. www.usgs.gov for updated water levels

Bobber will see this eventually and hopefully offer his opinions.

[bobber]

boxley to ponca is a whitewater run only! if you don't get pinned in the willow jungle you'll be swamped by large wave trains!! ponca to kyles is still a whitewater run(some swimming happens) , kyles to eurbie is a fast water section. eurbie to ozark, pruit, or hasty, is a good for anyone run! carver to rush is a slower section with long pools ...kinda sum's it up in fast way...spring time camping at kyle's is a zoo! plus the road is bad, you can smoke a set of brakes just going in....if it was me going for the first time i would camp in a campground and day trip the river! you won't lose any stuff plus you have dry stuff to camp in safe and sound.but if you wanted to gravel bar camp i would pick eurbie to hasty or carver you get a little of it all on that section. this river is rated as a classII RIVER.. i work for buffalo river canoes @ (floatthebuffalo.com )as the safety directior.... it's my job to make sure you have a good time! i hope this helps you some? i had to rush it i'm late for my real job!!

[MobileBear]

Thanks for all of the great advice. I really appreciate it. I have definitely cancelled my idea about starting at Boxley. I had some concern about the rapids, camping gear, etc. It would probably be fun for a solo kayak, but maybe not for a canoe loaded with camping equipment, and a 14 year old. I am undecided about how much time I want to spend paddling, and sight seeing. It seems a shame to travel that far, and not see a few of the waterfalls, and trails, e.g. Hemmed in Hollow, but I usually make pretty good time when I paddle. I am jealous of all of you that get to live up there. It sure seems like there is a lot to do in the Great Outdoors. I'm on the coast, and we have our own fun here, e.g. fishing in the Gulf.

Thanks,

Eddie

[bobber]

you would enjoy anything down river from Tyler bend camp ground ,and visitor center. for canoe camping. it's easy moving water. buffalo point another great camp ground both have showers. both have hiking trails. as do most camp grounds, I'm not a hikers. sorry! no help.. but, you could also brake up the trip and hike on the upper end of the river and see if you want to canoe it.. because the trials run along the river .. and camp at Steel creek, kyles or Eurbie or Ozark. .... just and idea?

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, if you want to see some of the sights you can do a one day hike and see the Goat Trail and Hemmed-in Hollow. I've done that hike several times, starting up at Center Point trail head on Hwy. 43, taking the side trail to Big Bluff, back to the main trail and on to Hemmed-in Hollow, then following the old river trail to Kyles Landing. It's about nine miles or so including the detour on the Goat Trail, and the great thing about it is that it's mostly downhill. The biggest problem is that you'll need to cross the river 4 times on the Old River Trail, and if the river is high that isn't possible. Otherwise, however, you can hire BOC or somebody else to run a shuttle for you from Center Point to Kyles just like you were doing a float trip. If the river is too high, you can go Center Point to Compton Trailhead and not have to cross the river, but it's a serious uphill at the end from Hemmed-in Hollow to Compton trail head.

Then do two days farther down the river. I love the section from Woolem to Hwy. 65 a lot.