Current River Adventure Day Five: Jack's Fork River

Current River Adventure Day 5:  Jack’s Fork River- Alley Spring to Eminence

On our last day our group had dwindled to 10 paddlers in nine boats; John Lorenz, Penny, John & Leigh, Mike, Usci, Henry, C.J., Jay, and me. Butch took the day off and ran shuttle for us. 

The Jack’s Fork is a major tributary of the Current but is smaller and has a less dependable water level. We were told that the upper sections are the prettiest but were now too dry to paddle. We opted for the seven miles from Alley Spring to Eminence. 

If the upper sections are better than this one I can’t wait to see them. True, the water was shallow in places but it had a very lively flow and we zipped along. It’s a good thing we didn’t try this early in the week before we became experienced with the “wads” and with the gravel bars and shoals. More beautiful bluffs, more crystal clear water, more fun! It was a short day and we all headed back to camp to start our preparations to leave on Saturday.

It was a wonderful adventure and I thank everyone who came along. Hopefully we can meet-up soon on another river.

Current River Adventure Day Four

Current River Adventure: Day Four

Two Rivers to Roberts Field: (12 miles)

This was to be our last day on the Current River. We had already lost Tina as she had to be back at work (Bummer), and  Pam, Richard, Kerrie, and Darcy were leaving us tomorrow. Due to extremely negative feelings about Jerk Tail Landing we opted to skip that section and do Two Rivers to Roberts Field instead. Little did we know that the shuttle involved three stream crossings. 

What can I say? Even more gorgeous bluffs and an opportunity to visit Blue Spring, one of the largest in MO. This spring is remarkable for its color which is indescribable and difficult to photograph. It is a dense turquoise that shades to almost violet.

It was a live in the moment kind of day and nobody was in a hurry. Everybody was an expert Current River paddler by now and ready to relax and literally “go with the flow”. 

 Everybody cleaned up real nice for our last evening together and we celebrated by going to the Echo Bluff Lodge for dinner. We were served on their elegant outdoor patio where we nearly froze to death. Fortunately the spirits flowed freely and we got warmth from the stone wall. The food was outstanding too. 

Current River Adventure Day 3

Round Spring

Wild horse hiding in the woods

Day 3: Wednesday: Round Spring to JerkTail Landing (12 miles)

I forgot to mention that our take-out yesterday was at Round Spring. The spring is not on the river so we visited it after we loaded up our boats. I also found photos of the cave that CJ, Jay & I visited.

CJ coming in

Jay lighting the way

Going out

Today we paddled 12 miles from Round Spring to JerkTail Landing. This was our worst shuttle since JerkTail is a 14 miles round trip from the highway on an unpaved mountain road. The landing itself had been destroyed by the floods so we were unsure of how it would look from the river but Richard was confident that he would recognize it. (If not, it was only 12 more miles to Two Rivers.)

Today was notable for miles and miles of tall bluffs rising like fortress walls along the river. As usual, they were pitted with caves and grottos and springs in the riverbed. We had not expected to see wild horses this far upstream so were delighted to encounter a herd of three grazing along a little creek.

Another big one

Mike & Kerrie check it out

Tina spelunking

Despite the distance this was a very laid-back day. Everyone had hit their stride and we were comfortable drifting and floating. Richard found the take-out and all seemed well. We never leave a vehicle behind, so Darcy stayed back with John Lorenz and Penny. Good thing! John’s battery was dead. Darcy drove to the highway to call for help but by the time Butch and I arrived everything was under control. 

We scattered for dinner on our own but regrouped for a campfire gathering between sites 8 & 10. Jay brought his guitar and we had soothing music to finish out our day.

Current River Adventure Day Two

Tuesday (Day 2): Pulltite Spring Access to Round Spring. (10 miles).

Our group was noticeably more relaxed today. Most had mastered the knack of avoiding the  “wads” and had gained confidence in their ability to run the shoals. We paddled just a bit before stopping to hike up to the old Pulltite Cabin and on to Pulltite Springs.  Now this was one beautiful spring and the spring run was like unto it, just gorgeous. 

Pulltitie Cabin

Pulltite Spring

Back in our boats, we passed Fire Hydrant Spring, which gushes from a cave in the wall, and several other unnamed springs. The presence of all these springs resulted in constant changes in the color of the water. Out in the river it was as if we were floating on air but as the springs appeared it would become azure. 

 Today we had an opportunity to climb up to a stunning cave with a waterfall in the back. Boat Parking was limited below the cave so we attempted a zip line across the river with a throw rope and carabiner. I tested it but was found wanting. Either the angle wasn’t right, my fat a… was too heavy, or I was too weak, but after sliding into the current and drinking about 50 gallons of river water, I gave up and floated down stream. (Thank you Kerri and Darcy for pulling me out). Jay had swam the river (!!!!!!) and CJ was successful on the zip line. I opted to ferry my canoe across the river and the three of us explored the cave.

Since I am claustrophobic, this was a PEAK EXPERIENCE for me. CJ and I held hands while Jay held the flashlight. Oh Joy, Oh Boy….it was terrific! Unfortunately it was too dark for photos.

More fabulous bluffs, more gorgeous springs, more flowers, more fun. This was a terrific day. 

Afterwards Mike and Usci hosted Happy Hour on the patio at the Store/Hotel and it was fabulous. Although they were staying in a hotel room, Usci had precooked and frozen wonderful goodies which she heated in an electric fryer. Good thinking

  

Current River Adventure Day 1

Current River Adventure:

Feeling at a loss for words, I have copied the description of the Current River from Wikipedia. It doesn’t come close of course, to the awesomeness of the paddling experience but  I guess you just have to be there.

The Current River is a part of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The uppermost reaches of the river are swift with numerous riffles broken by deep pools of crystal clear water, further downstream the riffles continue but get further apart. Hardwood trees, rock ledges, caves, springs, gravel bars, and towering dolomite bluffs line the banks of the river. Welch Spring, a first magnitude spring, enters the river approximately 14 miles (23 km) downstream from the headwaters, nearly doubling the flow of the river. Other notable springs to add to the river include Cave Spring, Pulltite Spring, and Round Spring. Downstream from the headwaters  the Current River receives its largest tributary the Jacks Fork from the west near the small town of Eminence, Missouri. Blue Spring, another first magnitude spring, empties into the river, 9 miles (14 km) downstream from the confluence with the Jacks Fork.
 
Monday (Day 1): Aker’s Ferry Access to Pulltite Spring (9.5miles). 
Our first shuttle was flawless and we were ready to go by 10 am. Some of our group was unfamiliar with downriver paddling and with the peculiarities of gravel bars, shallow shoals and “woot wads”.  Richard Sullivan led off with Butch and John Lorenz running sweep. It was easy to see the evidence of the 500 year flooding that had occurred just months before as huge trees were uprooted  and gravel had been swept into virtual dunes along the banks. The infamous “woot wads” are created by the massive roots of these trees that tend to get caught up in outer bends where the current is strongest. The unwary paddler gets swept around the bend seeking the deeper water and Bingo(!) right into the “wad”.
Thanks to all the experienced paddlers but especially to Kerrie for keeping an eye out for everyone. As we became more comfortable the group spread out and began to enjoy the challenges of learning to “read” the water (and avoid the “wads”)

Our first stop was Cave Spring. The spring at the back of the cave is 120 feet deep and the cave itself is big enough for several boats to enter, turn around and exit. This was just Too Cool. 

John & Leigh and Kerrie at the mouth of the cave.

John & Leigh inside the cave.

Mike in the cave

Butch leaving the cave

   
 The rock walls were constantly changing and we saw lots of small caves along the water and bigger ones up in the bluffs. There were beautiful fern falls and wild flowers growing in the rocks also. It was stunning. Not to mention the color of the water which ranged from absolutely clear to green to blue to turquoise. This is Usci floating along marveling at the beauty. 

We finished the day with plenty of time for showers before meeting at the Sullivan-Barloga-Douglas  Cottage for Happy Hour (and left-over lasagna).