Big South Fork Canyon - Thanksgiving

SOUTH FK CUMBERLAND RIVER AT LEATHERWOOD FORD, TN: 750cfs

Pictures

Josh, Jay and I met up at the Canyon on Saturday for 2 great runs on a warm Saturday in November. Mike Goodman and Mike Brady ran the gorge and we saw them at the bridge, but other than that I was very surprised that no one else was out there paddling this day. We did have a crowd of 4-wheelers at the bridge to watch us run the last rapid of the day. The water was very cold, but it was around 65 degrees so it was a very nice day to be out there.

Josh has a trip report and pictures on his new blog at riveraddict.blogspot.com.

Mike Brady has trip report as well at the Viking Canoe Club forum.

Red River Gorge Hike

Red River: 50cfs

Jay and I met up with his brothers, Bill and John and the four of us headed out into the gorge to try and hike all the way to the Red River narrows where the hardest rapids of the whitewater run are. We were unsure of any trails that existed past Clifty Creek, but we would try to stick to the river and see how close we could get.

We didn't make it. After Clifty Creek the trail turns into a small road, about the size for a 4 wheeler. After the very next creek it begins to wind up the cliff away from the river, then it begins to turn back on it's self and head the opposite direction we wanted to go. It was at this point that we gave up this trail. We couldn't find much of any other kind of trail that kept by the river so we opted to head to Clifty Creek and setup camp.

We had great weather, great if you like to take on all the elements, cold rain the first day followed by just the cold the 2nd. Personally I was glad to be out hiking and camping in this stuff. We had the gear for it. We a had a good fire. It was a whole lot of fun and the scenery was beautiful. I love the Red River Gorge.

Also 50cfs would be very low and any canoe would scrape in many places along the river, BUT it is certainly doable for a canoe to make it down the river. And it may be the best way to see all the great scenery within the narrows.

So look for us next Spring to go back, this time by boat even at a low water level, for another overnight trip into the Gorge.

Also on the way back home we stopped at the Pilots Knob State Nature Preserve and climbed to the top of Pilots Knob where there are some great views of the Bluegrass. We could see Lexington in distance some 35 miles away. It was a very cool side hike outside of Clay City.

Another great trip!

• pictures

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

Red River Gorge

• Level: 150cfs
• Red River Near Hazel Green
• Pictures

On this Saturday Jay and I finally made our long awaited run down the Red River Gorge. We were the only paddlers on this stretch this day as the level was a bit on the low side. But for our fist run this just what we wanted. A low level, so we could test the gorge and see what it is all about. And beauty is what it's all about.

This certainly is a scenic run and you can see it in the pictures. But I can also see how the difficulty of this run increases dramatically as the water rises.

The drive to the put in and time for setting up the shuttle is long. There is a designated put-in just a mile up stream from 746. The first 3 to 4 miles are easy class I rapids. The scenery through all of it is awesome. Especially when you come upon a huge rock amphitheater. At this point you are getting lose to the first real rapids.

I would call everything a III- or II+ at our level Saturday. Around mile 4 the first rapid, Entrance Rapid, is encountered. No problems here. After that is more flat class I water. The next is the falls, a river wide ledge, the center looks to be the best route at higher water. After that is even more flater water. We were starting to wonder if there would even be any more rapids, but soon they came.

Next you really enter the gorge as the walls tighten and bigger boulders lie in the river. The rapids come one after the other now and these could be mean at high water, but at our level they were no problem. You do how ever have to watch out for trees at all times. I accidentally rolled in some squirly water right undera tree I was trying to avoid.

Once you start seeing hikers and campers you know you are getting closer to the park. There are some more class II rapids then some flat water and the bridge at 715.

The run is 10.8 miles and it took us 4 hours to paddle it. We left home at 8am and were home by 8pm. You gotta love those home court whitewater runs. I sure do and I especially love this one. This may make a perfect overnight trip with some experienced paddlers when the water is just right.

I have been eyeing the gorge for 2 years. Hopefully it won't be that long until I'm back.

New River Trip '06

McCreery to Stone Cliff
5.5ft and 5500cfs

First of all there is no alcohol allowed at Stone Cliff. Any drinking of alcohol at Stone Cliff is in violation of the law. The Bardstown Boaters had no trouble with this rule because we follow all rules and regulations. I'm just saying it to warn others who might think they can out wit the park ranger. So according to the signs at Stone Clif, there are bears and there is no drinking of alcohol.

We had a great run on this class II+ section the of New River in West Virginia. The club had a large group that included, myself, Jennifer, Jay, Sarah, Kenny, Shirl, Bill, Michael, Johnny, Tim and Toby.

The weather was too great on Saturday, just our luck I guess, but once on the water and paddling through the rapids it was hardly a concern. The water was actually warmer than the air temperature.

We moved pretty fast down the river. I believe it only took us 3 1/2 hours to make the trip to Stone Cliff where we camped. The water was higher than last year so that moved us along faster as well.

The highlight for everyone was the Ledges. It was the biggest rapid since Silo was washed out and just more of a wave train than anything else. Everyone aced the big rapids. Bill stepped his game up and is quickly becoming a full fledged white water boater. He'll have the fever soon, if not already.

It really was a great trip. I can't wait to do it again sometime soon. Next time we camp out of our boats though. Alcohol allowed.

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.

Poker Run 2006

Beech Fork
2000cfs

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Poker Run this past Saturday. It was a great success. We raised over $800 to go towards bringing in the McLaughlin Whitewater Group to do a site assessment for a Bardstown Whitewater Park. This is our first step towards our goal of raising $2200.

The winning hand was three 9's beating out Kings and 6's. I had guessed trips would end up winning it. Emerson Ballard, a local paddler, played the winning hand and the winnings were donated back toward to the effort.

Even if you didn't get to come out for the Poker Run their will be more opportunities in the future. You can make a personal donation if you like on our whitewater park site:

http://www.bardstownboaters.com/whitewaterpark

And stayed tuned for our next fundraiser coming very soon... The Elkhorn Creek Race!

Thanks to these sponsors for helping us put on the 2006 Poker Run

Boone's Butcher Shop
Horizon Hoppers
Keene’s Depot
Bardstown Mills

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.

The Vikings and I, on the Cumberland

Flow: 580cfs
Lake Level: 705' (Last Drop was in)

I joined up with the vikings this day for a trip on the Cumberland. It was a great run with all of the rapids in all the way down to last drop. Surfers was good and we spent an hour and a half at just that one rapid. Surfers would be the perfect example of rapid for the Whitewater Park.

Screaming right was still the hardest rapid out there. Not that it was hard, but we had lots of flipping going on in our group at that rapid. Center Rock had some carnage as well.

Stairsteps and Last drop were good, they make the trip better since it is quite a hassle to get towed out on the boat and all. It is nice to have a couple more rapids to run.

Ocoee

Normal release level.

Jay, Zack, Jim Fahling and I went down to the Ocoee for our maiden voyage this past Saturday. We left Lexington at about 7pm on Friday and it took a little over 4 hours to get to Chilhowee campground. The next day we broke camp and got ready for our one day pass at running the Ocoee. We scouted Grumpy's and Broken Nose, warmed up in the pool above the run, then decided to just go for it. David Ackerman led us down and it was a perfect run. Everyone did great and we had no problems at all. Jay had a couple of swims at some opportune moments. Now he swears he is going to get his roll down and stop procrastinating about it.

The Ocoee is where my love of rivers started. We used to come here back in high school and every summer after with the Mathews' raft. Seeing all the kayakers here made me want to become a kayaker because it just looked so damn fun. Well now after running it I can say that it is even more fun than it looks like. I loved it. Can't wait to do it again!

Pictures from our trip.

The rapids:

Grumpy's Ledge: Stared at this for too long. Make the ferry and it's all good.
Staging Eddy: Easy
Gonzo Shoals:Easy
Broken Nose: Ran the sneak, it was not hard to make. Should have ran it.
Moonshoot: Surf Wave
Double Suck: Almost ran the sneak, did not. Glad I didn't.
Double Trouble: Big waves, they take pictures here. Got some air.
Flipper: Surf spot? Don't really remember.
Doledrums: Shallow stuff
Surprise Ledge: The end of the Doldrums.
Tablesaw: Biggest rapid. Don't flip. Ran with no problems.
Diamond Splitter: Fun, ran the far right side.
Witches Hole
Accelerator: Fast water, just like the name suggests.
Cat's Pajamas
Hell Hole: Got hella air. So I here, all I saw was the sky.
Powerhouse: Good thing I made my roll from Hell Hole, this one comes quick. Run the right side.

Nantahala 2006

Release Level

This past weekend we had a big group down at the Smokies. All the Thomas clan plus myself and Jennifer. We had planned our Nanatahala run for Saturday, but due to rain and colder weather we pushed it back to Sunday. Instead on Saturday we checked out the Belle Chere in Asheville, which is always very cool. We stayed at the Pisgah Inn on Saturday night. That place is very nice and is not far from Asheville at all. Maybe 25 minutes.

On Sunday morning we all met at the river, at NOC. We went up the road a little bit to rent the duckies from Fast Rivers. That place is much cheaper than NOC and they were very nice. So John Thomas and I kayaked and everyone else were in the ducks. Jay and Sarah together, Bill and Tiffany together, Kenny and Jennifer solo.

We put in at the correct spot tis time and got to start things off with a bang on Patton's Run. A very easy class II+ rapid. But the Nanty is constant, always moving water and fun to paddle. Everyone did awesome, no swims from the duckies and John on only his 3rd time out in the kayak ran every rapid clean. And at the falls, well we all just made the falls look easy. Especially Jennifer, who was making moves all over the place on the river.

After this trip we now know that we need, we want, we will be getting a club duckie. Because everyone who paddled one loved it, and they want to do it again.

Pictures from the trip

Floyds Fork Trip

5.84ft

By Tim Wheat:

Went on a river that I've never been on before. Floyds Fork in southern Jefferson Co. can be a pretty fun 3 1/2 - 4 hour float paddle. Easy access both at the put in and take out. There were 6 of us all together. Me and my buddy from college paddled our kayaks, and there were 2 conoes with 2 newbies each in them. Before long, my buddy and I were spending considerable time chasing coolers, paddles, and beer down the river because the newbies in the conoes kept tipping over.

There is not really a whole lot of flat water on the trip, but quite a few ripples, and 2 - 3 class I parts. The river does tend to bend and curve a lot too. The guage on americanwhitewater.org read 5.84ft that afternoon (not to sure how to compare it to cfs), but as I understand that once it reaches above 8 ft, the river becomes washed out. None the less, it was a pretty fun paddle, and very close to Louisville. I live in the highlands and it only took about 20 minutes to get to the put in. Put in is about 1 1/2 mile south of the Gene Snyder off of Taylorsville Rd. at Floyds Fork park. Take out is down off of Billtown Rd (I can get more specific directions if need be). Total time to run shuttle is only about 30 minutes round trip.

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.

Rockcastle in July

Rockcastle River

310cfs
Lake level: 718ft

Rapids 3 & 4 were covered

Jay and I got in a day trip on the Rockcastle. We thought all the lowers narrows would be covered up, but the lake was only 718ft so we got to run rapids 1 & 2. Rapid 2 was very strong at this level, a big drop and threw you hard into the river left eddy after running it. We both ran Stairsteps a couple of times even though there was a tree fallen into the river at the bottom of it.

The road in has had some repairs made to it and is gravel for a longer stretch. Power lines have been run way back the road as well. But when the road starts going down hill it gets back to being a high clearance, trucks only kind of road.

It is also noteworthy to mention the 2 canoes we say tied up above the lower narrows section. No paddlers in sight. In one canoe was a rifle. Some other kayakers saw them portaging around Beech Narrows the day before and saw the local outfitter looking for them on Sunday. Always lots of excitement at the Rockcastle.

Jay and I hope to plan a trip back to the Rockcastle in October when the leaves are changing colors the area gets that beautiful fall foliage. Maybe we'll do an overnighter then.

Cumberland - Mohawk Canoe #2 R.I.P.

Cumberland River
Cumberland Below the Falls
450cfs

We lost a valuable friend today. The green Mohawk now rest beneath a log on the Cumberland. Maybe one day we will see it again. But until then we only have it's matching partner Mohawk Canoe #1. Their will never be another #2, nothing will compare.

Click here for the Mohawk Canoe Memorial Page

Great time on the Cumberland today. Carnage? What carnage? I didn't really see any carnage out there. I did how ever get to use every single piece of safety and rescue equipment that I had on me. Some of it twice.

6 mile flat water paddle out on the lake? What flat water? Their is nothing like a brisk 12 mile paddle to start your day. I highly recomend it.

Canoes aren't really meant for class III rivers. But you can't take the old school canoe out of the old school paddlers. And now you literally can't take the Mohawk Canoe #2 out of the Cumberland.

Truly one of the legendary whitewater trips of all time.

As for what the river is like at this level it is pretty good. Surfers looked good, but I didn't get surf at all on it. The real problem is that the lake is backed up all the way to Pinball so there really aren't a whole lot of rapids to even run. And even the little rapids have lots of undercut rocks and log jams on them.

Sheltowee Trace

Big South Fork Canyon
680cfs



Three sisters wasn't very much surfable at the low level.  Most things were tamer out there this day.  But I still love the canyon.  Easy to get to, easy to run shuttle and fun to run.

We camped at the big rock before the bridge.  There is another good camping spot just behind the big rock. This was the first night of our 3 day adventure.

The next day we met Jay and John Thomas at the Cumberland Falls and began our Sheltowee hike. The section the Sheltowee Trace that we were doing runs along the river with views of the rapids along the way. Also along the way were some beautiful creeks that feed into the Cumberland. These creeks had some wonderful waterfalls on them.  After a quick 3 miles we camped at Dog Slaughter Creek.  Camp there was amazing. We should camp here some time while paddling the Cumberland Falls section.  A sandy beach with the falls of the creek behind us and a great view of the river in front of us.  That was a pretty cool campsite.

The next day we hiked 12 miles and finished the hike early.  The highlight to that day was lunch at Bark Camp Creek.  The waterfalls along the Cumberland river just kept getting better and better as the day went on though. The hike never grew too strenuous. Just when you think you can't hike another foot your out there for 2 more hours and the time flies by.

*pictures

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!

Paddle Pickup 2006

Beech Fork River
Manton to 49 Bridge
650cfs



more pictures

The 2006 Paddle Pickup was a huge success! Once again volunteers came out in full force even with a forecast of bad weather. For our efforts Mother Nature sided with the Bardstown Boaters as 29 volunteers pulled out as much garbage as we did in the past, filling a huge dumpster along highway 49 with tires, toilets, water heaters, air conditioners, vaccums and beer cans. All pulled from the banks of our beloved Beech Fork River.

For the 2006 Paddle Pickup we paddled 9 canoes and 1 kayak 6.5 miles from Manton bridge to 49 bridge. Halfway along the journey we began filling the canoes to the brim with trash. At the take out we met with 10 other volunteers who had already pulled all the garbage from that area.

We only had one swim during the event. Kenny and Edie, as the 1st generation showed the 3rd generation the ways of the water.

Horizon Hoppers, Dean Watts, and the Bardstown Rotary Club all once again showed their support for the local enviroment by donating everything the Bardstown Boaters needed to pull off this event. But what is appriciated most is the support from the volunteers old and especially new who came out on May 13th and did something we can all be proud of.



We will see you all next year in May for the next Paddle Pickup if not on a river sometime before then!

2006 Participants
Jay Thomas, Spalding Hurst, Justin Janes, Jennifer Miles, Betsy Berns, Lindsay Schultz, Kenny Thomas, Shirl Thomas, John Thomas, David Gerald Seward, Aarin Lee Seward, Tom Lamont, Wes Parish, Ellen Thimme, Ethan Thimme, Edie Johnson, Angela Babb, Melissa Babb, Marie Babb, Jason Jones, Colin Masters, Tim Wheat, Emerson Ballard, Zack Wimpsett, John B. Mathews, David Etheredge, Toby Thompson and Donna Miles

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.