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Backpacker Magazine – September 2005
Paddling's Greatest Getaways
16 wild ways to find backcountry solitude and big-time scenery. All this, and you can bring the ice chest, too.
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{Missouri}
Perfect Family Float
Easy paddling and great sidetrips (bat cave, anyone?) distinguish the Eleven Point River.
This is the kind of low-key, backwoods river where the local sheriff's deputy doubles as a canoe outfitter and will happily tell you stories about arresting uppity out-of-towners. Message: Mooning strangers is frowned upon when floating this family-friendly river. Our suggestion? Paddle the Eleven Point-with or without kids-and keep your pants on. Start with a mile-long hike to Greer Spring, where 220 million gallons of agua bubble up through the dolomite every day, more than doubling the river's flow and making it boatable year-round. Stop for a night at Whites Creek Float Camp, on river left about 12 miles from Greer. There you can pick up trails through the Irish Wilderness and explore nearby Whites Creek Cave, a 500-yard-deep cavern full of wild formations (and bats, after mid-September, at which time it's closed).
Get there Put in at Greer Access, north of Greer on MO 19.
Take out at MO 142, east of Billmore. Multiple access points allow daytrips. Rentals and shuttles: www.missouricanoe.org/eleven.html
Season Year-round; spring and fall are best
Difficulty Easy. It's mostly Class I with a few Class II riffles.
Contact Mark Twain National Forest, (573) 325-4233; www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/marktwain
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READERS COMMENTS
was wondering if anyone knew my father kenneth York he guided the Allagash for years.I would be interested thank you
Although you've listed some great waterways, and have limited space for your article, you know, your readers are going to chide you about not listing their favorites. So, to add to that list of incredulousness, when was the last time you paddled down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, in Central Idaho. For raw jaw-dropping beauty, aqueous power, a wicked challenge, and a great trip, you've got to list this gnarled ribbon of water that slices through the River of No Return Wilderness. I could understand leaving other waterways off your list, but not this beauty!
Wow, I can't believe the (insert favorite) river wasn't included. This is the best! Some of the most beautiful scenery is found on the (insert favorite) river....
Wait a minute. Just wait a minute. You left out the Green River in Utah? Whether its Desolation Valley or Labyrnth Canyon or Stillwater, we are talking the most spectacular rafting and canoeing in the country, bar none, nothing even close. Please. Just my humble opinion, but seriously. Green River, for like 200 miles. THAT'S amazing.
Wait a minute. Just wait a minute. You left out the Green River in Utah? Whether its Desolation Valley or Labyrnth Canyon or Stillwater, we are talking the most spectacular rafting and canoeing in the country, bar none, nothing even close. Please. Just my humble opinion, but seriously. Green River, for like 200 miles. THAT'S amazing.
WOW! Do not depend on Larry Rice on this one. First off. The Glory Hole pictured is not even in the Buffalo watershed. Second, the LOWER section will be low in the Fall. The upper half of the river will be virtually dry. The Buffalo is rain dependent, not spring fed. Summer is hot and humid with low algae filled water. The Buffalo is my river. It is by far my favorite river and I spend a lot of time there. Obviously Larry Rice does not. I will be joining Kenneth L Smith tomorrow for a week of trailbuilding on the Buffalo. Ken will be trailbuilding in the fall. If you love trails it is a chance to be in a wonderful place extending the Buffalo River Trail.
rmmcfadden@yahoo.com.
The Allagash is indeed beautiful in Sept / Oct
but the river sections are very shallow and rocky.
You will likely be limited to the lakes.
Summer months usually have the best river flow.
Bring 100% DEET and a head net!
I cant believe yall left out the Alabama Scenic River Trail, a trail that spans from NE Alabama to the Gulf of Mexico and includes the Bartram Canoe Trail, a trail that meanders through the beautiful Mobile/Tensaw River Delta.
http://www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com/
http://www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-adventures/bartram/index.htm
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