Elkhorn Creek

Jay Thomas and and Spalding Hurst ran Elkhorn Creek after work on this Monday. The creek was at about 900cfs. The weather was beginning to cool off from the day, but it was still nice and good run. The paddling was pretty straight forward. Trying to finish before the sun set after putting on at 6 p.m. there wasn't much stopping for surfing, even though they both agreed the surfing wasn't very good at this level.

They finished at 8 p.m. taking just under two hours to run from the the Forks to the old take, shorter, take-out. They hope to get in more after work, weekday runs this year. Join them if you can make it out. 6 p.m. looks like the normal put-in time after driving to Frankfort.

Elkhorn Creek

Spalding Hurst ran the Elkhorn in Frankfort on Saturday. The weather was close to 70 degrees, the sun was out, and the winds blew a nice warm breeze. All of this in winter December. It was a great Christmas present for any kayaker. The creek was at 1000cfs and had plenty of good surfing spots along the way. A great day to be on the water. Many from throughout Kentucky were there to enjoy the optimal weather and water conditions.

Cinco De Elkhorn

The Bardstown Boaters were on the Elkhorn late Monday. The level was at the minimum 400 cfs, but it was still a good day to be on the water. Micahel and Zack headed up one crew, getting on a little earlier. Jay, Josh and Spalding were part of the second group down.

After scrambling around to borrow a helmet, Thanks to BWA's JBob for that, the group was ready for an easy paddle down.

The surfing wasn't all that great, mainly due to Angioplasty not being in. Looks like it is gone completely. The best bet for surfing at 400cfs is the very next rapid.

Elkhorn Creek

Spalding Hurst and Chris Baxter had a last minute Elkhorn run, just beating the sun down. The level was a very fun 3800cfs. Surf city was beefy. S-Turn was actually a rapid. Free beer and a shuttle back were scored at the takeout. Good day.

Elkhorn Creek 600cfs

I ran the Elkhorn today with the Vikings and had a really good time. I had forgotten how much fun the Elkhorn can be even at low water. I did a bunch of surfing wherever it was to be had and the weather was perfect. The water was even warm. Makes me glad that winter is long gone. You guys have got to get on the water with me some time.

A Cold Elkhorn

1800cfs
35 degrees

I've never really gone paddling below 50 degrees before. But on this Sunday, Josh and I ran the Elkhorn at a good level, but on a cold 35 degree day. The run was great, got in some good surfing when I could catch them. The sun was out most of the time and with all the gear on it wasn't too bad out there.

We also had a mini boat rescue situation as the current tried to take Josh's kayak downstream and away from us. It was saved and everything worked out though. Another great ride down the Elkhorn was had.

Forum thread for this trip

First Trip of 2007

Elkhorn Creek
2050cfs

Jay, Bill and I got in our January Elkhorn run to officially kick off 2007. The level was good and the water was moving fast. My favorite spot was the left side of angioplasty where I caught some really good surfing on the big wave there.

Jay demoed a Jackson Hero from Canoe Ky. I don't think it was the creek boat for him though. I still recommend the Huka. We saw one of them at the put-in.

I also found 5 dead mice in my Pyranha kayak. Good thing John didn't make it out or we would have had to dealt with those stinky things riverside.

Awesome day on the water, not cold at all. As long as you stay in your boat, which some of us didn't do the whole time.

Elkhorn at 4,500cfs?

Elkhorn Creek, Kentucky
4,500cfs

I don't really know what the level was, the gauge got hung up the night before somewhere around 5,500cfs. But I would guess the level to be around 4,500cfs. The only concern was the dam. But the dam wasn't that bad to portage. Just go to the left as you always do and go one by one. The rocks you normally step on the get out are just below you and you get out on top of them.

Even with GAF and the Rendezvous going on this weekend there was still a good crowd running the Elkhorn this day. The weather was pretty good and the Elkhorn was running so of course I had to get on it. I had never been on it this high. 3,500cfs was my high before this. It was actually pretty washed out at this level. The water moves fast, you don't even need to paddle.

I ran it with Josh and we found a couple of good play spots at the end. We spent most of the time there surfing and pretty much bombed the rest. It didn't take long to do. I have now ran the Elkhorn 13 times this year. You gotta love home court.

Pictures of the Elkhorn at higher water: one | two | three | four

Elkhorn Creek

1400cfs

What a great capper to the weekend, after having the Poker Run on Saturday I was able to catch the Elkhorn at a good level for Sunday. I paddled with a group of Vikings.

Lots of little play waves were in. The left side at Angioplasty was the better option of the two at this level. The run this day got me thinking about having an Elkhorn race. Beautiful day for paddling.

Sick Day

Elkhorn Creek
2180cfs

Yesterday I played hooky and went kayaking on the Elkhorn instead of going to work. It was great. If retirement could be days spent paddling local rivers I would be in heaven.

The water was moving well this day as I paddled with a large group from the Viking Canoe Club. I caught one really great surf at the rapid just before the house on the river with the large cement landing blocks. I couldn't get on the big waves at surfers and Angioplasty left was washed out, should go right here in the future when the water is this high.

The weather was outstanding and I can't tell you how awesome it is to live 10 minutes from the whitewater destination. Sleep in, go kayaking, get home before dinner. It was perfect.

Just Another Elkhorn Weekend

Elkhorn Creek
Saturday: 2200cfs
Sunday: 1400cfs

We had 2 great days on the Elkhorn this weekend. After Friday nights storms hit the area, we were all set for a whole weekend of great levels on the on backyard whitewater run.

Saturday morning I woke up and began trying to read message boards and water levels on my cell phone. I hadn't heard from anyone yet about when they would like to run the Elkhorn so I headed off to Glenn's Creek. I had never seen it so I thought I would check it out and see if anyone else was there. No one was there at 9:30, but it looked like it was running pretty good. Also I learned that it is very close to my house in Frankfort, so the next time it pours down I will be ready to jump on this one.

Michael then called me, so I met him and his friend at the Elkhorn. It was an awesome run this day at 2200cfs. It was his friend's first time in a kayak, but he ran the Elkhorn with no problems. By the end he was giving his best efforts at surfing and then his best efforts at wet exiting. The surf waves this day were top notch for the ELkhorn with that left side at angioplasty being the best.

After I ran the Elkhorn I went back to Glenns just to have a look at it. It was still running, a little lower than before, but still good to go. Most of Glenn's is road scoutable on 1659. I was told it to take out at a church parking lot in Millville.

Then I went grocery shopping and then back to the Elkhorn. I paddled just down to Church Wave, surfed on it until I was dog tired and then paddled back up to my truck and went home.

Day 2:

On Sunday Jay and his brothers, John and Bill joined me for another ride down the Elkhorn. Jay paddled the canoe for the first time. Bill kayaked for the first time. AT 1400cfs the creek was just about as much fun as the day before. Bill had a couple of swims, but paddled like a champ. I just hope all the new kayakers stick with it.

At the take out someone dislocated their shoulder so the national guard was brought in to watch as the guy was brought up to the vehicles by canoe.

Good times this weekend. No, great times this weekend.

Elkhorn Clinic II

Elkhorn Creek
280cfs

Today, Jennifer and I paddled the Elkhorn at low water. The weather was fantastic and my shoulder was starting to feel better. I think paddling is good therapy on my shoulder.

But anyways, Jennifer had her first kayaking trip! She paddled my kayak and I canoed. It didn't take long before she was tearing it up and wishing the Elkhorn had bigger rapids on it. But even at 280cfs it wasn't that bad. A good day for a float, scrappy but still fun.

She flipped on Colston Lane rapid but swimmed with the best of them. We did some surfing at Angiioplasty. Had a great time. I shouldn't have backed on ya Saturday Zack. But I did get some good pictures down at the Beech Fork on Saturday, home of the future Bardstown Whitewater Park!

Elkhorn Clinic

Elkhorn Creek
340cfs



Today Jay and I took John Thomas out for his first kayaking experience. He said it was a good one. John completed the alpha and the Omega, swimming once a the very beginning, just getting used to the water and wet exits, then swimming again at the very end, getting used to bumping off of rocks.

For the low water level it was surprisingly playful out there. There was a cool side surfing wave at the old bridge rapid. I caught the big wave at the big drop thingy and the right side of Angioplasty was pretty good. The rock wall has been built up there and provides better eddy service.

It was another great day on the water, wish you could have been there!

Elkhorn After Work

Elkhorn Creek
1000cfs



Jay and I ran the Elkhorn after work. There wasn't as much play out there as we thought there might have been, but it was a good little run. Jay is still hesitant to work on his roll. I want a new boat.

Last Day of Winter

Elkhorn Creek
900cfs



Kenny Thomas made his first run down the Elkhorn today and he did it with Jay and I.  And of course he ran it in the Blue Hole.  The temperature only got up to 50 degrees butt it was a nice day and everyone was very comfortable on the water.

We met at the put-in around 11:30 and were on the water by noon. We paddled the shortened section skipping all the flatwater at the end.

The left side of the island was the place to be today.  I never had noticed before what a great ledge there is over there for surfing.  It was very nice today at this level.

We got off the river in time to catch the UK game on radio.  They may have lost to UCONN in the NCAA tournament, but for getting off our butts and getting on water even when we thought it might be a little cold, we are winners.  And if you didn't go with us on the Elkhorn today, well that must mean that you are losers.

Elkhorn List of rapids:
Church Ledge
Dam Rapid
S Turn Rapid or Dale's Railroad Rapid
Hawks Hole (largest gorge wall)
Lunch Stop Rapid
Dead Cow Rapid
Mill Rapid
Upper Colston
Lower Colston
Angioplasty
Surf City
Barking Dog Rapid
FARRT Rapid (Frankfort Area River Rodeo Team)

This was supposed to be a trip to the Rockcastle but due to weather and water we opted for the Elkhorn. But we will still do the Rockcastle very soon, probably in two weeks, so be ready!

*video from the trip

The Mighty Elkhorn

Elkhorn
2100cfs

Jay and I got on the Elkhorn today around 4pm.  The level was at 2100cfs and the temp was around 62 degrees.  I paddled my canoe while Jay test drove my Werner paddle.  I should have taken by kayak though it would have been way more fun.  The left side of Angioplasty is awesome.  That section alone makes the mediocre level of 2000cfs okay. Jay shot some video of me running the dam rapid in the canoe.

Jay Wrote:
Temp was around 60, level was around 2,000.  Lots of small, med, and big play waves.  One good one was the run on the opposite side of the island from Angioplast (the surf wave we always stop at).  It was huge.  I went around it like a byatch of couse, was a little chilly for me to tip.  Water is still on the chill side.  Comeon spring!

Elkhorn before the Winter Meeting

850cfs

Jay, Tim and I ran the elkhorn all in kayaks this fine Saturday.  This was Tim's first time out in a whitewater kayak and he seemed to do real well.  Jay got a combat roll at the last rapid, his very first combat roll.  I guess Jay is ready for anything now!  Justin and Toby had to bow out this day due to un-whitewater related circumstances.

After the paddle we all met in Bardstown for our first annual Bardstown Boaters Meeting.  We had some very good chili, and discussed all the year's upcoming events.  We had about 8 or 9 members present.  The highlight from the discussions was talk about a park at te Beech Fork and an idea for the Bourbon Challenge.

The purpose of the meeting was because we expected January to be so light on paddling.  But now with January ending I have been on the water 4 times and getting to paddle this day, the afternoon of the meeting was an extra bonus.

Elkhorn Paddle II Saturday

750cfs

Toby, Tim and I ran the Elkhorn on Saturday.  The weather was 48 degrees and partly sunny.  Tim ran his Rec Boat and I had my first run in my Rival OC-1.  I loved the ride in that canoe.  I look forward to using for an overnighter.  I do need a longer paddle though.  And maybe a better front airbag.  It was good to be out on the Elkhorn twice this week, much less being on the water 3 times in January.  The rain is still coming though and the weather still quite seasonably warm.  May be able to get a paddle in the day after the yearly meeting.

Elkhorn Paddle I Thursday

1700cfs

I called in sick to work and ran the Elkhorn this fine January day.  The weather was great, 62 degrees and sunny.  I met up with a couple of Viking paddlers, James and Scott.  Many BWA paddlers were out as well.  Be sure to take the left side of the island at this level.  There are some good ledges to surf on that side.

The Elkhorn has been toying with us for the past several months, we get some rain, we think the Elkhorn will come up but it never really did.  This when got these heavy heavy rains and we finally got a window.  I plan on going back this Saturday to test out my new canoe.

This was my first run on the ELkhorn since living in Frankfort. Nice to only drive 10 minutes to get on the river.

One problem with this day. I lost the padding to my helmet, flew out of the truck. That sucks.

Elkhorn is Back

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.