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Post by tallfeather on Jul 22, 2008 13:16:48 GMT -5
Hey Rusty....I'm not sure where Trace Creek is, but sounds like you'll be floating the middle section down to Slink Shoal (BlueRock Take-out for CrazyHorse). Below Bell Bridge are long sweeping bends with good small mouth fishing before 9am and plenty of great gravel bars to stop and swim. Expect slow to moderate current but a lot of dead water in the long stretches entering and exiting the bends.
Take time to check out the spring fed falls, river right as you begin to exit the first bend (Choate Bend) below Bell Bridge. This is the best find of its kind on the Buffalo. Listen for them because you will not see them and pass right by.
Enjoy the trip...the Buffalo is a great paddle and my favorite in Middle Tennessee.
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Post by tallfeather on Jul 14, 2008 12:40:56 GMT -5
Aaron- Welcome to the site. I haven't done any paddling on the Harpeth so I can't speak to the conditions for inflatables. I would suspect there would be no problems as long as it was a quality product & reinforced on the bottom. I suspect you will drag accross some rock along the way.
Typically you can figure a paddle trip at about 2 - 2.5mph depending on the current and how much you paddle. I just finished almost 120 miles on the Buffalo and 2.5mph was on the nose for the biggest part of it.
Its great that you're getting your wife involved. If my canoe had air conditioning, mosquito net and fluffo mattress I might sway my own...lol.
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Post by tallfeather on Jul 14, 2008 12:32:08 GMT -5
Terry-
Did you ever make that overnight trip?
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Post by tallfeather on Jul 14, 2008 12:25:15 GMT -5
Im not real sure what you're looking for specifically. If you are looking for a rental place I am not aware of any that rent tubes; only canoes and kayaks. Buffalo River Camp & Canoe is just off I-40E at exit 143 you can find them here: www.buffalorivercanoe.com/If you have your own tubes and looking for a nice float try putting in at Seedtick Bridge (Seedtick Road off Hwy13S) and floating to Bluehole which is where Buffalo River Camp & Canoe take-out is. Its about a 4.5mile float and they will shuttle you to the put-in. Not sure about the charge. I think its around $25.
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Post by tallfeather on Jul 8, 2008 16:05:19 GMT -5
A couple of outfits on Hwy100 near Pegram rent kayaks but no rafts that I am aware of.
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Post by tallfeather on Jul 8, 2008 16:01:08 GMT -5
Couldn't agree more Terry. I am always taking more trash off the river than my own and I don't mind handing an extra bag to someone who looks like they might need one. LNT.
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Post by tallfeather on Jul 8, 2008 15:54:50 GMT -5
Are those campsites on the gravel bar river left before Bell Bridge at the mouth of the Green River? I was just through there a couple of weeks ago and they did appear to be good sites but didn't notice any hook-ups.
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Post by tallfeather on Jul 8, 2008 13:19:54 GMT -5
Sounds like a good day paddling. How much down time did you have between the two rivers in transport? I've never done any paddling on either but want to do a couple different sections of the Harpeth and Caney Fork in the fall.
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Post by tallfeather on Jul 1, 2008 15:00:47 GMT -5
I know everyone has an opinion on this so I'd like to hear it. I have been casually looking at Kayaks for about 3 months and in no hurry to buy since I currently own a canoe but lets talk pros and cons.
For this thread I would like to limit our discussion to Class I and Class II water. What kind of experience is it you're looking for when paddling these waters? What do you like about your vessel of choice?
I'll start by saying I prefer to camp the river therefore carrying capacity is important. There are times I would like the low profile of kayaks in head and crosswind conditions and their responsiveness in swifts but for the most part my Guide 147 works well (for my needs). What is it you prefer about your rig?
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Post by tallfeather on Jul 1, 2008 14:46:25 GMT -5
Buffalo Camping and Canoe I believe has electric hook-ups. They're just off I-40 on Cuba Landing Road. You might also check Topsy Turvey Campground.
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Post by tallfeather on Jul 1, 2008 14:42:02 GMT -5
Just got back last week and saw nothing of the sorts. You can expect wilder crowds on the holiday weekends but tell me where you don't. I've paddled the Buffalo for years and have at times in my life been right there in the middle of the party mix. I can certainly say there seems to be a bigger effort to keep the river clean now, even those less interested in such. Of the entire 120 miles, I saw only two areas that I would consider excessively littered....Slink Shoals Campground and the areas surrounding Circle E Guest Ranch in Bastin Bend. Seems the folks trail riding don't mind throwing their beer cans just about anywhere. As for the police in trees....that has been rumored as long as people have floated that river. I've never seen it or talked to anyone who got a ticket from anyone other than the TWRA and they're not hiding in trees.
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Post by tallfeather on Jun 13, 2008 13:17:56 GMT -5
Hello Sean. I too am new to the site and there is a lot of great info here. I can not speak to the upper or middle sections of the river but have floated different parts of the lower section for years. I plan to float the upper and middle section for the first time in the coming weeks. I define the lower section as anything below the mouth of Short Creek in Linden.
I can tell you that the river is very nice below the TWRA ramp in Linden but a little slower. There are parts near Lobelville that require a little work, gets wide and deep. Bluffs of limestone tower and overhang the river in many places much like I am sure it does in the other sections. The flow is probably better in the upper and middle sections but lots of seclusion (which I prefer) in the lower reaches of the Buffalo. No commercial outfits below Buffalo Camping and Canoeing near I-40 and unless you plan to take out somewhere on the Duck River or Bakerville Bridge you have no options but private land holders.
Welcome to the site.
I look forward to exploring the upper and middle sections in the next couple of weeks. I'd love to hear from some folks who've paddled them in the last few days.
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Lurking
Jun 11, 2008 8:37:14 GMT -5
Post by tallfeather on Jun 11, 2008 8:37:14 GMT -5
Its starting to dry up a bit... had a great spring and water levels were up accross the state but have now dropped. I expect low water the first couple of days of this particular trip but praying for a good system of rain to come through this weekend. The USGS gaging station just beyond half way has dropped below 3ft for the first time this year which is below average. At the end of the day Im committed to the trip so guess it really doesn't matter what the levels are. Good sturdy drag rope and lots of carbs
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Post by tallfeather on Jun 10, 2008 14:54:02 GMT -5
I'd like to do the Hwy100 - Hidden Lake on the Harpeth one weekend.... where is Hidden Lake take-out? Must be near Hwy70 if you float by Newsome's Mill.
I am interested in canoeing the Ghost near Memphis which I hear is incredible flat water (lots of Cyprus). Has anyone here paddled it?
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Lurking
Jun 9, 2008 13:52:12 GMT -5
Post by tallfeather on Jun 9, 2008 13:52:12 GMT -5
Gotta love paddling during week. I'll be ending a 13 day float on the 28th. My first paddle of the Buffalo stem to stern. Getting anxious! Week from today!
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