Trip Reports '05
Russell Fork with the Vikings
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Russell Fork River
Release level ~800cfs
Jay and I went to the Russell Fork with the Viking Canoe Club and had a great weekend. On day 1 we ran the Pound and Upper Russell Fork at the standard release level. There were about 25 Vikings in the group. A very strong showing. It was fun to run a rapid then turn around and get to see about 20 more runs of what you just did. We camped at the Breaks Interstate Park ($9 per night), we were off by ourselves there in section B. The camping down at Ratliff Hole ($10 per night) looks cool too. This is where the gorge runners camp.
The upper has some really good technical rapids. I always forget the order and how far until 20 Stitches each time I go. But after the Railroad rapid there is one more rapid and then you are at 20 Stitches. It's right after a big turn in the river. Afterwards there are 3 or 4 more good class II-II+ rapids.
After our run down the upper we hiked into the gorge and checked out El Horrendo and Triple Drop. We hiked in from the Garden Hole side. I think hiking in from Garden Hole or the road close to the gorge take out are about the same in time walking the tracks. The more I look at the gorge section the more I start to think I can run it. But I ain't going to. Yet.
On day 2 we rant the Lower Russell Fork, putting on above Rat Hole which is a pretty good surfing spot. The damn released water didn't reach the lower section until 12:45 so we had to wait for that. It was cool to watch the water rise so fast and I was able to get 6 kayaks onto my truck. A new record.
Meat Grinder on the lower section was the scariest rapid. It turned out to be pretty easy, but it was exciting to run. I guess it shouldn't be rated higher than 20 Stitches, but it looks like it should. I have video of my run through on it here.
Awesome trip. I hope to do the Russell Fork every year in October. Great weather and a great river that's only 4 hours (from Louisville) away!
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New River Again
Saturday, September 10, 2005
3 ft
McCreery to Stone Cliff
We decided that once wasn't enough so we put together a new crew and headed back to the New. Emerson Ballard joined us for his inaugural journey, along with Kenny, Jay, Toby and Beastie. The water level seemed lower than last but it was still great paddling. The weather was great and camping at Stone Cliff was great.
I started catching a cold at the start of the drive there and by Sunday morning was too sick to paddle. So in all we only paddled from McCreery to Stone Cliff on Saturday.
We took our time at Silo scouting and taking pictures. I got to run the canoe through and got that old feeling of whitewater canoeing back. It made me wish more than ever that I had not missed the Rio Grande Paddle. Now I have a huge urge to go canoe camping on some whitewater. Maybe I'll look into getting a good deal on a used whitewater canoe. Maybe a Dagger Rival for $300 from a guy in South Carolina.
Emerson swam some this trip. Beastie did too. And Toby once, while tearing up some surf. I know that everyone enjoyed themselves as this easy section of the New is a whole lot of fun to different types of boaters at all levels. We'll probably be back out there again soon. Maybe not this year. But next year is quickly approaching.
Elkhorn is Back
Friday, September 02, 2005
400cfs
Jay and I finally got back on the Elkhorn, after hurricane Katrina finally gave the area some water. We all thought the huge downpours would bring everything up and for a good while. That wasn't the case. New Orleans got obliterated and all we got was a 3 day window on the Elkhorn. Luckily we got on the Elkhorn by Friday at the last moment. 400 is a good level, plenty of fun to be had at that level. The weather was magnificent too. Now we have our sights set back on the New.
Falls of the Ohio
Friday, August 26, 2005
Jay and I finally checked out the falls last night.
We ran what I assume to be rebar alley. The water was
fast and scrapy on this day. There were a few little
waves but nothing special for surfing. We slowly, as
slowly as we could, made our way down the 400 yard
stretch. It goes by very quickly. Next time we want
to check out the lower site. Not too bad of a spot.
We'll be back.
Full Moon A Risin' On The Beech Fork
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Dam to Camp to Dam
20cfs
Beastie led Tim, Toby, Zach and I up and down the mighty Fork this past weekend. This was a send off trip for Zach, his last Kentucky wilderness trip. He shoves off to Hawaii soon. The water was low, so we couldn't make our planned route of 49 to 31e a reality. But quick on our feet we decided to go from the dam up and then back the next morning. This worked perfectly. Plenty of water held back from the dam.
I also found the perfect route through the dam to modify. We need to move 8 rocks to the side and build up a small ledge. It would be a great chute and ledge drop when water runs through it. A wench on a tree and a long cable could get the job done.
20cfs
Beastie led Tim, Toby, Zach and I up and down the mighty Fork this past weekend. This was a send off trip for Zach, his last Kentucky wilderness trip. He shoves off to Hawaii soon. The water was low, so we couldn't make our planned route of 49 to 31e a reality. But quick on our feet we decided to go from the dam up and then back the next morning. This worked perfectly. Plenty of water held back from the dam.
I also found the perfect route through the dam to modify. We need to move 8 rocks to the side and build up a small ledge. It would be a great chute and ledge drop when water runs through it. A wench on a tree and a long cable could get the job done.
Nantahala
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Paddle Pick-Up
Saturday, July 23, 2005
This Saturday was not so much a paddling adventure
but was certainly an adventure. I never thought we
would have pulled out so many tires and the amount of
garbage that we did, but with 32 volunteers we
certainly put the dent into the cleanup of the Beech
Fork that we were hoping for, and more.
We ran 6 canoes from the fairgrounds to 31E and had 4 wheelers, a tractor and trailer shuttling garbage up the hill at the bridge. We estimate that we pulled out 125 tires and around 1 ton of trash from the river. Next year we might go from 49 bridge to the fairgrounds and do it in May to coincide with the National River Cleanup week.
Everyone put in a lot of hard work this day and the preplanning could not have been more perfectly executed. Also the cookout afterwards was a huge success.
We ran 6 canoes from the fairgrounds to 31E and had 4 wheelers, a tractor and trailer shuttling garbage up the hill at the bridge. We estimate that we pulled out 125 tires and around 1 ton of trash from the river. Next year we might go from 49 bridge to the fairgrounds and do it in May to coincide with the National River Cleanup week.
Everyone put in a lot of hard work this day and the preplanning could not have been more perfectly executed. Also the cookout afterwards was a huge success.
Rockcastle Day Trip
Sunday, July 17, 2005
300cfs
Jay and I got in a day trip to the Rockcastle. A great river day with lots of combat rolling for me, the has helped my confidance on the river I think. After jumping into a whole on Screaming Right last week and now getting worked a touch in the Narrows I feel better about my cobat rolling. I am calm under the water in rapids. The details: We left at 7:30am from Louisville and shoved off at 11:30am on the river. The shuttle setup and getting to the put-in is long. Stair steps was god, we walked around Beech Narrows which looked very grabby this day and then had a blast on the 6 drops of the lower narrows. The lake was at 717ft, this gave us 6 rapids in the Narrows, covering one small rapid that I know of, that was exposed last time at 711ft. So there really aren't a whole bunch of rapids for such a long shuttle, but the Rockcastle is beautiful and no one else goes down there. We got lost trying to get back out to Highway 80. The road signs and maps don't jive very well. When taking Squib-Ano road out take a left at the Adkins/Arthur crossing. I may be getting to a point where I would like some more excitement in my kayaking, but I still love the Rockcastle the best. I think the rating on AW.org needs to be class II-III(IV) Next time I go I hope to get pictures of all the rapids and update the website on AW.
Jay and I got in a day trip to the Rockcastle. A great river day with lots of combat rolling for me, the has helped my confidance on the river I think. After jumping into a whole on Screaming Right last week and now getting worked a touch in the Narrows I feel better about my cobat rolling. I am calm under the water in rapids. The details: We left at 7:30am from Louisville and shoved off at 11:30am on the river. The shuttle setup and getting to the put-in is long. Stair steps was god, we walked around Beech Narrows which looked very grabby this day and then had a blast on the 6 drops of the lower narrows. The lake was at 717ft, this gave us 6 rapids in the Narrows, covering one small rapid that I know of, that was exposed last time at 711ft. So there really aren't a whole bunch of rapids for such a long shuttle, but the Rockcastle is beautiful and no one else goes down there. We got lost trying to get back out to Highway 80. The road signs and maps don't jive very well. When taking Squib-Ano road out take a left at the Adkins/Arthur crossing. I may be getting to a point where I would like some more excitement in my kayaking, but I still love the Rockcastle the best. I think the rating on AW.org needs to be class II-III(IV) Next time I go I hope to get pictures of all the rapids and update the website on AW.
Cumberland Below The Falls
Sunday, July 10, 2005
1500cfs
Jay, Scott and I headed for Corbin, KY yesterday and ran the section of whitewater below the Falls of the Cumberland. It's a bout a 3 hours door to shove off after gearing up, checking in, walking down to shore from the parking lot. We set up a shuttle through Sheltowee Trace, it just sucks having to wait around after the trip for a ride back to our car and to waiting for the kayaks to come back to the outfitter. But the trip was well worth the visit. We had a great time, Jay sam Center Rock, Scott styled it. Scott swam Screaming Right, Jay styled it. I was flipping all over the place improving on my combat roll. I thought I had taken a bad line on Screaming right, but it turned out to be okay. We really should be running this stretch more often since it is so close to home. But it still falls short to the Rockcastle.
Jay, Scott and I headed for Corbin, KY yesterday and ran the section of whitewater below the Falls of the Cumberland. It's a bout a 3 hours door to shove off after gearing up, checking in, walking down to shore from the parking lot. We set up a shuttle through Sheltowee Trace, it just sucks having to wait around after the trip for a ride back to our car and to waiting for the kayaks to come back to the outfitter. But the trip was well worth the visit. We had a great time, Jay sam Center Rock, Scott styled it. Scott swam Screaming Right, Jay styled it. I was flipping all over the place improving on my combat roll. I thought I had taken a bad line on Screaming right, but it turned out to be okay. We really should be running this stretch more often since it is so close to home. But it still falls short to the Rockcastle.
New River Trip: John's Last Paddle
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Day 1
Prince to Thayer
Day 2
Thayer to Thurmond
4 ft
3260 cfs
Toby, Cory, Zack, Michael, Zach, John, Johnny and I went to the new river this past weekend. It was a great time on the river. Day one was much longer with lots more playing in the rapids. We had 3 canoes and 5 kayaks running in our group. There were lots of Outfitter duckies running this section. At our Thayer camp we invented our own rock throwing version of corn hole. Day 2 was short and sweet with Silo being the highlight. Cory had a little swim here, got to use my throw rope to pull the boat to shore before it fell over the next drop. I definitely would like to go back hit this again some time.
Back at White Cloud
Thursday, June 16, 2005
level:
Fredricksburg: 300cfs-390cfs
White Cloud: 700cfs
Went to White Cloud with Jay and Beastie tonight after work and surfed the madness. The wave was actually decent at somewhere between 390cfs and 300cfs on the Fredericksburg guage. So if it is ever reading that low and you are itching for some water to get on, go on out. I was glad I did.
Fredricksburg: 300cfs-390cfs
White Cloud: 700cfs
Went to White Cloud with Jay and Beastie tonight after work and surfed the madness. The wave was actually decent at somewhere between 390cfs and 300cfs on the Fredericksburg guage. So if it is ever reading that low and you are itching for some water to get on, go on out. I was glad I did.
White Cloud Surf Spot
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Elkhorn Creek Again
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Viking Clinic
Saturday, May 14, 2005
May 14th
150cfs
Clear Creek
Barnett to Jett
This past weekend at the Viking clinic was a lot of fun. All the students did very well and the ones that were in the water alot kept a great attitude about things. We had very low water in the Obed system on Saturday and ran Barnett to Jett. Needless to say, it was a long, slow day on the river, but the students in our class progressed alot even in the difficult conditions.
May 15th
575cfs
Big South Fork
Canyon Section
The second day, we went to the Big South Fork and ran the canyon section below the gorge. This is a big step up from the day before with substantially bigger rapids and much, much more flow.
150cfs
Clear Creek
Barnett to Jett
This past weekend at the Viking clinic was a lot of fun. All the students did very well and the ones that were in the water alot kept a great attitude about things. We had very low water in the Obed system on Saturday and ran Barnett to Jett. Needless to say, it was a long, slow day on the river, but the students in our class progressed alot even in the difficult conditions.
May 15th
575cfs
Big South Fork
Canyon Section
The second day, we went to the Big South Fork and ran the canyon section below the gorge. This is a big step up from the day before with substantially bigger rapids and much, much more flow.
Cinco De Elkhorn
Thursday, May 05, 2005
430cfs
May 5th
Toby, Michael, Jay and I made a run down the Elkhorn after work this day. I saw an Oriole out there and a goose stuck on top of a pole. The dead cow was mighty rotten. That thing needs to go away now. Found a good surf spot at the damn rapid. Toby swam a second on S turn. We took out at the quick stop.
May 5th
Toby, Michael, Jay and I made a run down the Elkhorn after work this day. I saw an Oriole out there and a goose stuck on top of a pole. The dead cow was mighty rotten. That thing needs to go away now. Found a good surf spot at the damn rapid. Toby swam a second on S turn. We took out at the quick stop.
Green River through Mammoth Cave
Friday, April 29, 2005
Mammoth Cave Gauge: 16ft - 24ft
Jay, Sarah, Zach, Jennifer and myself paddled the Green River through Mammoth Cave National Park this past weekend. This was after heavy rains so the water level was very high, but the Green is a calm river in this the Green River Ferry to Houchins Ferry. That current kept us moving at a speedy 3 mph without even paddling. At our campsite the river rose about 8 feet while we were there overnight. This was a fantastic trip and the weather cooperated beautifully through out. Some highlights through out were the confrontation with the ferry man and Zach's wood gathering rampages. Beastie became the "Best Dog Ever" after continually jumping in the river to retrieve sticks. I got a speeding ticket driving home. Pretty weak ticket, 10mph over the speed limit. The coolest part of the section we paddled was one spot where an underground spring came in. The only way to get here was to paddle to it. The rest of the scenery along the river was nothing too special. We camped on Boardcut Island.
Jay, Sarah, Zach, Jennifer and myself paddled the Green River through Mammoth Cave National Park this past weekend. This was after heavy rains so the water level was very high, but the Green is a calm river in this the Green River Ferry to Houchins Ferry. That current kept us moving at a speedy 3 mph without even paddling. At our campsite the river rose about 8 feet while we were there overnight. This was a fantastic trip and the weather cooperated beautifully through out. Some highlights through out were the confrontation with the ferry man and Zach's wood gathering rampages. Beastie became the "Best Dog Ever" after continually jumping in the river to retrieve sticks. I got a speeding ticket driving home. Pretty weak ticket, 10mph over the speed limit. The coolest part of the section we paddled was one spot where an underground spring came in. The only way to get here was to paddle to it. The rest of the scenery along the river was nothing too special. We camped on Boardcut Island.
Dead Cow Elkhorn
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Little River
Saturday, April 09, 2005
680cfs
So after a quick few days of planning I ended up on my way to Tennessee at 7am to run the Little river in the Smokies. I met up with John along the way and transfered my gear to his truck. Then at the Elkmont campground we met up with Kyle, Gary, Paul, Meryl and Stephanie from the Vikings. This day we ran a 10 mile section from Elkmont to the Sinks. It was a fantastic run with non stop class II the whole way, the whitewater never stopped, never. And there were 3 real good class III+ rapids mixed in there.
I wasn't expecting those, but not knowing they were there only helped in running them. It was after you finished the rapid that you look back and realized what it was. The craziest one was hidden from the road, which normally runs the entire length of the river. The river becomes about 4 feet wide in a fast chute that falls on it's self. I ended up backwards half way through but managed to stay upright. In fact I never flip this day, so I never had to test my roll on my newly healed right shoulder. Plenty of times where I almost did though. That rapid before the Meanies especially. It was a hard right turn that comes very unexpectedly, where the water rides along the side of a rock, I was all the way under that rock wall on my side scraping my other side against it going through. I had to hold the top brim of the rock to stay up right. John fractured his canoe repair this day, thus re-exposing his canoe leak. Kyle then ran the Sinks while we watched. We camped after eating a steak dinner in Gatlinburg and then drove on home Sunday morning. Great run that could be run from anywhere to anywhere due to the roadside pull offs the whole way. We should go back if there is enough water in it. It was a little low this day at 680cfs. Very boney and technical. We even had a couple of pins. The right amount of water should make the run a little easier. Plus there is a class II section down lower.
So after a quick few days of planning I ended up on my way to Tennessee at 7am to run the Little river in the Smokies. I met up with John along the way and transfered my gear to his truck. Then at the Elkmont campground we met up with Kyle, Gary, Paul, Meryl and Stephanie from the Vikings. This day we ran a 10 mile section from Elkmont to the Sinks. It was a fantastic run with non stop class II the whole way, the whitewater never stopped, never. And there were 3 real good class III+ rapids mixed in there.
I wasn't expecting those, but not knowing they were there only helped in running them. It was after you finished the rapid that you look back and realized what it was. The craziest one was hidden from the road, which normally runs the entire length of the river. The river becomes about 4 feet wide in a fast chute that falls on it's self. I ended up backwards half way through but managed to stay upright. In fact I never flip this day, so I never had to test my roll on my newly healed right shoulder. Plenty of times where I almost did though. That rapid before the Meanies especially. It was a hard right turn that comes very unexpectedly, where the water rides along the side of a rock, I was all the way under that rock wall on my side scraping my other side against it going through. I had to hold the top brim of the rock to stay up right. John fractured his canoe repair this day, thus re-exposing his canoe leak. Kyle then ran the Sinks while we watched. We camped after eating a steak dinner in Gatlinburg and then drove on home Sunday morning. Great run that could be run from anywhere to anywhere due to the roadside pull offs the whole way. We should go back if there is enough water in it. It was a little low this day at 680cfs. Very boney and technical. We even had a couple of pins. The right amount of water should make the run a little easier. Plus there is a class II section down lower.
Elkhorn in April
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
1300cfs
Well it was just one of those after work runs that Jay and I made. The river was fast, but void of any of it's real good features. There is just a certain level where the Elkhorn gets weak and this was it. We ran from the put-in to the first take out in about an hour and 10 minutes. We were trying to beat the darkness and we did so by a long shot. The interesting thing that happened this day was that Jay forgot to wear his nose plugs!!! Can you believe it! We also got to see the dead cow. I'm sure that cow will be real ripe next time we go through. We were the last ones onto the river, but we were not the last ones off.
Well it was just one of those after work runs that Jay and I made. The river was fast, but void of any of it's real good features. There is just a certain level where the Elkhorn gets weak and this was it. We ran from the put-in to the first take out in about an hour and 10 minutes. We were trying to beat the darkness and we did so by a long shot. The interesting thing that happened this day was that Jay forgot to wear his nose plugs!!! Can you believe it! We also got to see the dead cow. I'm sure that cow will be real ripe next time we go through. We were the last ones onto the river, but we were not the last ones off.
Polar Paddle of the Elkhorn
Sunday, February 06, 2005
700cfs
Well it was our first paddle of the year and it was mucho fun to be back on the river after a 1 month hiatus. We managed to get a new paddler out with us, Phillip Ice. This also ,marked the return of Justin Janes to the club after spnding last season out of the country. Beastie went with us as well but stayed in the car at the take-out. Jay and I rounded out the list of paddlers. The weather was around 55 but there was no sun. Wasn't bad at all though. Next up, the Rio Grande.
Well it was our first paddle of the year and it was mucho fun to be back on the river after a 1 month hiatus. We managed to get a new paddler out with us, Phillip Ice. This also ,marked the return of Justin Janes to the club after spnding last season out of the country. Beastie went with us as well but stayed in the car at the take-out. Jay and I rounded out the list of paddlers. The weather was around 55 but there was no sun. Wasn't bad at all though. Next up, the Rio Grande.
