Current River Missouri Multi-day Memorial Day Weekend

[Jetlab67]

Was looking at doing a solo trip but after some thought I think it would be more fun to meet some new folks and share some fun. I’m new to ACC and did attend canoe school which was a blast. Planning on leaving Little Rock very early Saturday the 25th and be on river by noon. Take out is at Big Springs below Van Buren on Monday the 27th.
Possible launches:
Akers, 69.2 mile trip
Pulltite, 59.7 mile trip
Round Spring, 50.7 mile trip
20-miles a day is no problem for my XP10. I’m self-supported but am open to options.

Paul Smith
Four-seven-nine-2-8-3-eight-nine-7-7

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[Louiscov]

Welcome, Paul.

The upper river is smaller and more intimate. It widens some at Two Rivers and quite a bit below Powder Mill. Cedar Grove to Powder Mill would be a nice 50 mile trip. Richard McFadden knows the river well and may have comments. Please give us a trip report and you SURE DID THE RIGHT THING going to Whitewater School. it really jump statred my paddling a few years ago.

Wish I could join you. I will be at the Spring River/Eleven Point June 28 - 30 and on the Current October 12 - 16. Keep those in mind and have an awesome trip Memorial Day.

louis c

[Jetlab67]

Thanks Louis. Will definitely consider upper river - maybe even Baptist as a launch - to escape the bulk of the holiday weekend crowd. Grew up in Poplar Bluff and family had cabin upriver of Doniphan. Love this river especially in winter. Recently did a solo Eleven Point trip Greer to Riverton. Fantastic!

Thanks again and will consider your upcoming trips. Paul

[Deuce]

Paul, I second Louis's recommendation of the upper river. We put in at Cedar Grove for a three day last winter and agreed we would definitely do it again. The nice thing about launching there is eliminating the need to portage around the low water bridge. We took out at Round Spring. Great float. I know you want to go a little farther, in which case you could just float on to Two Rivers, but don't forget to factor in the five hour drive, which is definitely more of a factor going home. Wish I could join you, but Mrs. Deuce will have pressed me into captain's duty by then.

[Jetlab67]

Thanks Luke! Cedar Grove looks like the best bet, takeout tbd. I just had lunch with a mutual friend - Rob S. from STEP. I mentor on Tuesdays. Speaking of Tuesdays, I'll probably take the 28th off to recover from long drive and all.

Paul

[Deuce]

Cool! STEP is a good thing to be involved in.

[Jetlab67]

I went up yesterday and scouted put-in's. Gonna start at RM 0.0 (Tan Vat access just below Montauk) and do a 4-day SOLO at least down to Powder Mill but maybe further.

I also checked the Cane Bluff and Thomasville launches on the upper Eleven Point. Plenty of water at both.

Paul Smith

[Deuce]

I'm jealous, Paul. That sounds like a great trip, and I'd horn in for sure were it not for captain's duty which generally begins this time of year. Been trying for a couple years to talk Mrs. Deuce into letting me sell the barge. She says "No problem............as long as you buy another one". That low water bridge portage will be a piece of cake with your yak. Have a great time!

[Jetlab67]

Thank Luke. Should be a good time. I'm starting that high to hopefully hook-up on some nice browns. Gonna put in on Friday so as to spend the whole day fishing down to Cedargrove.

Paul