Ozarks Float Trippin' 2018

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OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’

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OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’

June 2018 • Page 3

River Shop has it all It is THE place to go in Eminence for all those forgotten items

By Mattie Link oing camping and floating is all fun and games until someone forgets their tent or their river shoes.

But fear not, there is a shop in Eminence that just might have exactly what they are looking for.

The River Shop, located at 912 Main St. in Eminence, has been open to the public since 2009.

“Before I opened the shop, this place used to be a western wear store,” said Mindy Galloway, owner of The River Shop.

Galloway was an auditor for Nokia Phones before 2009 and had always had a bookkeeping-type job when she decided to open her own business.

“When I started renting the building it took me about three months to get things up and running before I could open. My friend in Tennessee opened a store and she told me what to do, and I did it,” said Galloway.

Galloway saw the need for a general store for area campers and floaters, and decided to do something to help them out.

“There are so many horse places but I didn’t think there was anything for the campers to buy things beside the places they stay or rent a canoe or kayak from,” said Galloway.

The River Shop was opened to help provide campers and floaters with everything they might have forgotten or need more of while staying on the river.

“I tried to think about all the things people forget and I filled my store with it,” said Galloway.

In addition to items people forget, Galloway also buys random items she finds that she thinks will sell, such as old-time picnic baskets, homemade jewelry, and nicknacks.

“I also offer rentals on some things in a special circumstance,” said Galloway.

In the past, Galloway has rented coolers, fans, and fishing poles when a special circumstance qualifies. She charges full price of the item and when they return it, they get half the money back.

“I have several people that come in and say that they didn’t have room in their car for something, or totally forgot something, but don’t need to take it home and in that case, I rent equipment,” said Galloway.

The River Shop sees visitors from all over the United States, including Illinois, Georgia, Texas, and several from the St. Louis area.

“The trail rides bring in people from all over and we get several that come in looking for RV stuff,” said Galloway.

According to Galloway, she gets around 20 customers a day and 2,000 customers every season.

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In addition to renting equipment and selling odd items, Galloway also has common forgotten things in her store such as tablecloths, life jackets, river shoes, swim suits, hats, etc.

“I also listen to my shoppers. They give me suggestions of what to get, and make a note of that item,” said Galloway.

She has gotten suggestions to add sewer hoses and collars for RVs as well as fishing equipment.

Galloway gets her inventory from all over. She gets some things from a distributer, some online, and some miscellaneous items from Walmart to try them out.

“When I see something that may sell in the store, I try it out. You never know when or where you will find some-

thing,” said Galloway.

The River Shop prides itself on having odd things that tourists might need in stock.

“You never know what people need, so if I see something I think someone might need, I buy it,” said Galloway.

After opening the shop, Galloway’s neighbor from across the street decided to retire and shut down his screen printing business. So Galloway bought the business, moved it into her building and added more transfers on it for canoers and fishermen.

“I paid the business off in two years and now the screen printing business is also mine. I’ve made several shirts for the canoers, floaters, kayakers, and fishermen that come in,” said Galloway.

The River Shop is the little store that could, as several of Galloway’s customers have said.

“Before you go to a big store to get something, check with me first. I just might have it,” said Galloway.

(Mattie Link is managing editor of the River Hills Traveler. She can be reached at mattie@sextonmediagroup.com or 800-874-8423, ext. 1.)

Ozarks Float Trippin’ is an annual publication by

River Hills Traveler 212 E. Main St., Neosho, MO 64850 Phone & Fax: 800-874-8423 www.riverhillstraveler.com www.ozarksfloattrippin.com Email: jimmy@riverhillstraveler. com Owner & Publisher Jimmy Sexton Managing Editor Madeleine Link Circulation Manager Chloe Giles Staff Writers Wes Franklin • Mike Roux Bill Wakefield • Bill Oder Tom Boydston • Judy Smith Michelle Turner • Dana Sturgeon Richard Whiteside • Roger Smith River Hills Traveler, established in 1973, is published monthly by Sexton Media Group at 212 E. Main St., Neosho, MO 64850 Subscription prices: $22 per year; 2 years, $40 (Subscription rates vary outside U.S.A. Please call.) Back issues available up to one year from publication, $5 plus tax and shipping & handling. * Mile-by-mile river descriptions provided courtesy of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

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OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’

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A paddler’s paradise: Floating the Ozarks E

By Adam McMullin arly morning fog floats gently above the surface of the James River, just south of Springfield, as paddlers begin sliding boats into the water.

The sun cuts through trees bowing over from the banks of the river, providing the perfect backdrop for a day of floating and fun on an Ozarks river.

As paddlers float through the fog, the many colors of boats show a range of choices for the journey, including canoes, single- and double-person kayaks and paddleboards.

This scene is typical on any one of the dozens of beautiful rivers and streams throughout the Ozarks mainly from late spring through early fall and, for some, during winter as well.

“I like to float when the leaves are off the trees and you can see what is along the river,” said Marty Zerr, president of Ozark Mountain Paddlers.

“A sunny day during the winter when you have the river to yourself and you see plenty of eagles is pretty hard to beat.”

Zerr is passionate about what the Ozarks offers through its rivers and finds himself on the water whenever possible.

He’s not alone. Paddling has exploded in the Ozarks over the past decade, according to Zerr, and he said it’s all about beauty and location.

“The number of great places to float within a couple hours’ drive of Springfield gives you lots of choices,” he said.

“This area has a variety of beautiful rivers from slow, clear, spring-fed streams to fairly challenging white water

when conditions are right.

“And the Niangua, Current and Spring rivers all have large springs that make it possible to float during the dry summer months.”

On summer afternoons, gravel bars on the James River become the perfect place for riverside picnics, swimming, fishing and taking in the beauty of the Ozarks.

Celine Roberts has been floating rivers in the area her entire life and said there’s nothing else like it.

“It’s a way to get away and escape for

just awhile,” she said. “I’ll go with my husband and son and we’ll spend all day on the river in our canoe and not have a care in the world. We’d be out there every day if we could.”

Zerr points out that with the popularity of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways and the Buffalo National River in Arkansas — both a short drive from Springfield — the sport will only continue to grow in the region.

“The kayaks and stand-up paddleboards seem to be taking over,” he added. “You can’t drive the streets of

Springfield without seeing a kayak on the roof of a car or in the back of a truck.”

Where to float Whether you rent a vessel or paddle your own, these area waterways make great floats.

• James River — For a nearby float, paddle the pretty James River Water Trail between the Joe Crighton access and the Lake Springfield boathouse where you can rent canoes, kayaks and Please see OZARKS, 5

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’

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OZARKS from 4 paddleboards.

South of Springfield, the James continues through Christian and Stone counties. A few access points between Delaware Town and Galena include Shelvin Rock, Hooten Town and Kerr.

Or paddle the nearby Finley, a James River tributary, from Finley Park in Ozark or below the dam at Lindenlure Lake.

• Beaver Creek — An hour’s drive through beautiful rolling hills brings you to Bradleyville, a tiny town with a big stretch of spring-fed floatable water.

Paddle five miles down from the bridge in Bradleyville for a nice threeto four-hour float, or take more time from Brownbranch when water is higher.

• Current & Jacks Fork rivers — For wilderness floating through national parkland, head for the Current River and its largest tributary, the Jacks Fork.

Tall bluffs, wooded shores, caves, and clear blue springs showcase Missouri’s natural beauty in the designated Ozark National Scenic Riverways.

• Niangua River — Get a two-fer when you float the easy Niangua which flows through Bennett Spring State Park, a great spot for anglers and campers.

About an hour from Springfield, sections of this river attract Saturday social crowds; on weekdays and some upriver areas enjoy a more serene float.

Multiple outfitters and the state park can help with rentals.

• North Fork of the White River — The North Fork flows through undeveloped land and along private properties and vacation rentals.

Reached in two hours or less from Springfield, this river offers day floats

according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.

• Buffalo National River — The wild Buffalo National River in Arkansas flows freely for about 135 miles. The first U.S. river to earn a “national” designation, it’s about two hours from Springfield and a favorite float for many.

A wonderful upper stretch is noted for beautiful tall bluffs, lush foliage and fun fast water between the low-water bridge in Ponca and Kyles Landing.

Outfitters often launch from Steel Creek Campground. The upper Buffalo floating season is limited; try the lower Buffalo during dryer times of year. with plenty of options for staying overnight.

• Eleven Point River — Float yearround on the wild, beautiful Eleven Point when you put in below Greer Spring, the second largest spring in Missouri.

Upper areas are floatable during seasons with more rain.

• Elk River & Big Sugar Creek — About two hours away in western Missouri, the Elk River offers a laid-back

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experience for novice and experienced floaters.

The river flows along high bluffs and has plenty of gravel bars. Like the Niangua, summer Saturdays are crowded and social.

• Big Piney & Gasconade Rivers — The Big Piney near Licking is a slow and easy float, perfect for anglers, families, and beginners.

It flows into the Gasconade River, one of the most crooked rivers in the world,

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Outfitters Outfitters serving area rivers are numerous. A few, listed throughout the pages of Ozarks Float Trippin’, can get you started.

Other floating resources include: Missouri Canoe & Floaters Association, Missouri Department of Conservation, National Park Service, and Ozark Mountain Paddlers.

(Adam McMullin is with the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau.)

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OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’

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10 awesome float trips you should take today Break out the canoe, kayak or raft – it’s time to go on a float trip in Missouri

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cross the Show-Me State, some 59 waterways are said to be worthy of float trips. Here’s a quick look at just a few of those waterways and what makes them special.

Most of these locations are found in the Ozarks of southern Missouri. The first two make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, a national park devoted to the preservation of these streams.

• Current River – The top stretches beginning at the river’s headwaters in Montauk State Park are the best. Baptist Camp to Cedargrove, Cedargrove to Akers, Akers to Pulltite and Pulltite to Round Spring are all wonderful day floats.

Be sure to visit the ruins of the old sanitarium at Welch Spring, upstream of Akers Ferry.

• Jacks Fork – The bluff-lined top of the river is called The Prongs; it is one of the most wild and scenic river stretches in Missouri.

The river from Alley Spring to Eminence usually has floatable water yearround because of the flow from the spring.

• The Upper Meramec – The top section, from Short Bend to Cook Station, is beautiful wilderness, but floatable only in good water.

The river down to Meramec State Park is great for family floats. Lodging, camping and float trips are available at the state park, and from local outfitters.

• Huzzah Creek – A lovely, gentle stream with plenty of gravel bars for picnicking and swimming.

• Courtois Creek – Much like its sister river, the Huzzah. A nice float begins at Bass’ River Resort or Huzzah Valley campground and ends at the low-water bridge at Scotia.

• Black River – Known for its clarity, the river has several float outfitters in and around Lesterville.

The East Fork of the Black (not floatable, but well worth a visit) flows through Johnson’s Shut-Ins State Park.

• Niangua River – This river begins at Bennett Spring State Park, 12 miles west of Lebanon. Popular with floaters from Kansas City and Springfield, it can be crowded on summer Saturdays.

Lodging is available at the park and at nearby motels that cater to the trout anglers.

Cabins at Shady Beach in Noel, Mo.

• North Fork of the White River – Locally referred to simply as The North Fork, this is a fabulous float that is less crowded because of its location near the Arkansas border in south-central Missouri.

• The Elk River – In extreme southwest Missouri, the Elk is popular with floaters from that section of the Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma. There are many gravel bars and the water is extremely clear.

Shady Beach, in Noel, offers canoe, kayak and raft floating as well as cabins, trailer and tent camping, and ziplining.

• Eleven Point – A gorgeous float, especially from the Greer Spring access to Turner Mill. The spring adds 220 million gallons of clear, cold water to the river each day, making for good floating throughout the year.

Take the mile-long hike down to the spring and see one of Missouri’s most beautiful spots.

Again, these are just a few of the fantastic float trips waiting for you in Missouri. (source: Missouri Division of Tourism)

10 scenic spots to float Here are 10 scenic spots to float in Missouri: • The Prongs on the Jacks Fork — Considered by some to be Missouri’s prettiest float, this is the top of the river and usually a spring trip because it requires high water.

Streaked bluffs decorate the eight miles down to the Buck Hollow access at Highway 17.

• Jacks Fork from Alley Spring to Em-

inence — A year-round float because the spring pumps 84 millions gallons of crystal clear, chilly water a day into the river.

The ancient Alley Mill by the turquoise waters of the spring boil is one of the state’s most photogenic spots.

• Current River from Montauk State Park to Cedar Grove — The float begins at the Tan Vat access just outside the state park, and passes under a canopy of trees with sun-dappled shade.

The stretch contains trout stocked by the park, and offers a quiet spot for anglers.

• Current from Cedar Grove to Akers — The river picks up steam as it passes Welch Spring, which provides 105 million gallons a day.

Be sure and visit the ruins of an asthma hospital built near the spring opening to take advantage of the purported medicinal benefits of the cool air.

The working ferry at Akers is an Ozark artifact.

• Current from Pulltite to Round Spring — After leaving the Pulltite campground, watch on the right for the path that leads back to Pulltite Spring and a restored vertical-log cabin.

Just down river on the same side is the fern-lined opening of Fire Hydrant

Spring.

• Black River at Lesterville — Although it has fewer springs than the Jacks Fork or Current, the Black is one of the state’s clearest streams.

You can see turtles and fish dart across the gravel bottom. Smallmouth fishing can be good.

• Courtois, Huzzah and upper Meramec — The Courtois, locally pronounced “coat-away,” and Huzzah are lovely little creeks with several picturesque stretches.

Outfitters around Steelville offer several floats, including a sampler that takes in parts of all three rivers.

• Niangua from Bennett Springs State Park — Like the Meramec near St. Louis, the Niangua is a favorite of floaters on the west side of the state.

The river can be bank-to-bank boats on summer Saturdays, lonely on weekdays.

• Eleven Point from Greer Access to Turner — A wonderful float in the heat of August, Greer is Missouri’s secondlargest spring with a daily flow of 222 million gallons.

The lush banks full of cane give the river a primordial look. The huge wheel from the old Turner Mill sits mired in a forest creekbed like a steel sculpture.

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June 2018 • Page 7

Love of canoeing leads to new ‘tower’ hobby

By Bob Frakes y experiences with the clear and cool waters of Missouri were formed at a young age.

My mother grew up on Rings Creek near Patterson. In fact, the farm where I spent my summers was blessed with several flowing springs.

The largest had a section of tile inserted vertically and I can still see the watermelons bobbing and smell the mint that grew.

Later, as I got into canoeing, there was usually a crowd waiting to test the cool spring-fed waters of the Current. I would always dive right in as I had learned long ago to just jump right in, as sticking a toe in would do no good.

I climbed Mudlick Tower near there at Sam Baker Park at a young age but actually got into canoeing which led me back to towering.

Let me explain.

My first canoeing experience came close to 50 years ago as I was drafted by several at my local church to substitute as a “dad” on a father/son canoe trip for a father who was not up to the trip.

The advance party was Jim Schuetz, the pastor, and his substitute son. I was a substitute dad and Tom Dare had his son, Tommie.

Since the six of us could get away early we drove over early Friday, picked up the canoe/tent trailer at Round Spring, and met the others at Cedar Grove when they came in after work. We camped there on Friday night.

Early Saturday it was decided to do the car shuffle and put in at Baptist Camp. That would make it Baptist Camp to Akers on Saturday, and Akers to Round Spring on Sunday. That would be about 18 miles each day. I had never canoed but I was up (I thought) for the challenge.

We actually hit the water mid-morning and I was, as you might have expected, the first to try the cool waters.

The water was up some but I didn’t realize that at the time, as I had no reference. I would never again put in there with the water level that high.

It was decided we needed some lessons for the novices. The “J” stroke was demonstrated. So was steering and the different jobs required if you sat front or back.

It was noted that you saved yourself first, and your cap second. We were told it was not a race and to make sure and stop if anyone tipped.

With this we were off, kind of. As the first canoe loaded (both experienced) the son stepped short-side instead of all the way across and flipped the dad in two feet of water!

This was my first hint this might be an “interesting” two days.

This part of the river was, as it is today, faster than farther down. You don’t have to paddle as much but steering is a must. You have to “hit the V” and not the root wads.

We were soon out of the canoe and in the water. Yes, I remember now, watch leaning as you are going to broadside a log.

Keith, my substitute son, and I actually did fairly well. We managed to “muscle” our way through most of the rapids – more will than style.

We were soon back to our original campsite at Cedar Grove. We had time for a quick lunch and a portage around the old low-water bridge.

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A vintage shot from the top of Shannondale Tower of “Shannondale Chute” taken “old school” (35mm color film) decades ago.

Slowly, almost unperceptibly, the rapids got a little wider and the pools slower and longer. The paddling picked up and the rapids got a little easier.

We stopped at Welch Spring. Again, the water was gushing at a level I thought was common but I have never seen since.

After some time there, it was on to Akers to do the car move thing and set up camp on the hill above what is now Jason Place Campground.

Sunday morning we set in at Akers after again doing the car shuffle one two. The river continued to grow larger by the mile. At Cave Spring we had a snack and sermon. We were urged to let the work of God flow, as the waters did from the cave.

After feeding our souls and stomachs, we were off again to Pulltite.

Staying together got more difficult. The large pools were great for swimming and the party began to string out.

Some were there to canoe and swim, others to swim and canoe. We stopped at Pulltite Spring and drifted by Fire Hydrant Spring. The “Alton Club” was private as we drifted by.

Then, it happened!

We rounded a curve and caught a glimpse of a lookout tower. Then we rounded another and drifted right at the tower high on a bluff – Shannondale Tower.

I was curious how the tower sat there in a sea of trees. I made a mental note.

We stopped at the Sinking Creek entry. It would become one of my favorite places as the water there is noticeably warmer.

There was also a wonderful fellow there with his dog. The dog was bound to please. If you showed the dog a rock and threw it in the water, he would swim out, dive, and bring that same rock back.

He was so eager to please that the fun had to stop from time to time to allow him to rest.

From there it was on to the rental at the bridge above to put the canoes and trailer away, do the car shuffle, and head for home.

I was glad I was off Monday, also, as I was now running on fumes. Although the distance for each segment had been about 18 miles, Keith and I had canoed much further than that as we banged from shore to shore trying to find our steering wings.

Even today, I rate this weekend as one in my “top 10 list.” It would have

many plots and subplots. I would find my way up to Shannondale Tower.

Max Gorman, who is now one of my favorite tower friends, lived at the tower at that time with his wife. I think I even talked briefly with a tower worker there, probably Max. His wife would work at Carr’s Canoe and I am pretty sure I remember her there, also. I would return who knows how many times to canoe from Baptist to Two Rivers, and Alley Spring to Two Rivers.

Although I would canoe other rivers, this area would remain my favorite. I returned MANY times. I loved the speed of the upper stretch but maybe

found Pulltite to Round Springs my favorite.

I got better over the years. I even got to the point (not recommended) that I sat my 35mm SLR on my lap as I canoed.

My wife would read a book as I stood in the back with a long paddle and worked our way down the river.

Fast forward to a few years ago. Following my retirement, my wife and I canoed from Alley Spring to Eminence.

We had picked up sandwiches in Eminence and had lunch on a log just the right size for a river couch.

However, I noticed something. With my disk problems in my neck and bad knee, I was not as comfortable in the water as I once was.

We decided to “retire” from canoeing but I have the memories (and pictures and slides) from 50 trips to recall.

I also have my “tower hobby” which grew out of my canoe hobby to work on. Little did I know that when I was asked to “sub” on a canoe trip, so much would change.

Get off that couch, turn off the TV, and enjoy the Missouri outdoors. Don’t forget to: 1) do your homework; 2) don’t overestimate your skills; 3) canoe with someone experienced the first time; 4) it is not a race; 5) stop to help others; and 6) save yourself, not your hat.

The water can be big-time fun but also holds some danger. Don’t ever forget to respect it!

(Questions or comments? Bob Frakes can be reached by email at frakes2@ mvn.net or by phone at 618-244-1642.)

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Sign up for the Traveler’s weekly email newsletter (TravTalk) on our Facebook page or website at www.riverhillstraveler.com. You will enjoy links to stories not in our monthly issue & travel news in the Ozarks.

Longtime River Hills Traveler reader Dan Adams, of St. Louis, visited the Smokey Mountains. He's standing in Cherokee, N.C., at the entrance to the Smokey Mountain National Park. He took a friend along with him.

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June 2018 • Page 9

Camping in the Mark Twain National Forest

By Becky Ewing ummer vacation season has officially arrived and it is time to go camping!

I recently read in the 2018 North American Camping Report that 61 percent of U.S. households include someone who goes camping at least occasionally.

This report is an annual independent study supported by Kampgrounds of America, Inc. Interestingly, almost 20 percent of those households only started camping within the last few years.

The study also found six out of every 10 camping nights are spent on public lands.

For those of you who are in that 61 percent, Mark Twain National Forest has a variety of camping areas to sample.

You will find something for your experience level or for the degree of solitude you are seeking.

On the developed end of the spectrum are the “recreation areas,” such as Council Bluff Recreation Area, which is located on the Potosi-Fredericktown Ranger District.

It is a premier site because in addition to tent and RV camping, there is a 400acre lake, swimming beach, picnic pavilion, concession stand and shower house.

The 12-mile Council Bluff Loop Trail encircles the lake and is open to hiking and mountain biking, and connects with the Trace Creek section of the Ozark Trail. Fees are charged for camping and for day-use parking.

At the other end of the spectrum is primitive camping. As long as you are outside of a recreation area, you can pitch a tent on national forest land, along trails or along a Forest Road, for up to 14 days — for free.

You need to set up camp at least 100 feet from the trail or road, treat all water used, bury human waste, and pack out all trash.

Backcountry camping in one of Mark Twain National Forest’s seven wilderness areas is a form of primitive camping, but is for the more experienced camper.

Your party size must be limited to 10 persons or less. You must set up camp at least 100 feet away from trails, water sources and other camps.

No motorized or mechanized equipment is allowed in these Congressionally-designated wilderness areas.

Before you travel, here are some tips for a safe and memorable camping trip

S

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Mark Twain National Forest offers a variety of camping experiences, from highly developed to primitive sites. Primitive camping is often free but rustic, with few amenities available. Pictured is Hazel Creek Campground on the Potosi-Fredericktown Ranger District.

to Mark Twain National Forest.

If you are a smartphone user, consider downloading two free Apps. The Mark Twain National Forest App will provide you with campground information, locations, and prices, as well as other recreation opportunities.

The Avenza App will allow you to download and open maps, including the Motor Vehicle Use Maps that display Forest Roads that are open to motorized vehicles. Both applications are available for Android phones or iPhones.

The National Recreation Reservation System (Recreation.gov) is a one-stop reservation service for federal public land management agencies that offer reservable campsites in developed recreation areas.

The website allows you to search for campgrounds by state or public land agency or by what amenities are available. In addition to reserving sites, campers can view a map of sites, check availability of specific campsites and the prices, and review comments and photos submitted by the public.

Finally, practice the Leave No Trace seven principles: (1) Plan ahead and prepare.

(2) Travel and camp on durable surfaces.

(3) Dispose of waste properly.

(4) Leave what you find.

(5) Minimize campfire impacts.

(6) Respect wildlife.

(7) Be considerate of other visitors.

(Becky Ewing is the district ranger for the Mark Twain National Forest, PotosiFredericktown Ranger District. She can be reached by email at rewing@ fs.fed.us.)

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A 2-day trip itinerary to Eminence

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ere are two recommended day trip itineraries for some of the most popular attractions in the Eminence area: Day 1 • 1 p.m. — Alley Spring – In the heart of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, take a tour of the historic Alley Mill (one of the most photographed locales in Missouri) and old general store.

• 3:30 p.m. — Rocky Falls – View the falls where molten rock created this epic water feature.

• 4:30 p.m. — Big Spring – The biggest spring is the U.S. produces a flow of 286 million gallons per day. The spring is located four miles from Van Buren in the park owned and operated by the National Park Service.

Day 2 • 7 a.m. — Peck Ranch Conservation Area Elk Tour – Locate and view the state’s new elk herd. Biologist interns could be on hand, if you’re lucky, to review telemetry equipment used to locate and manage elk at the research center.

• 9:30 a.m. — Klepzig Mill – Built in 1928, the “sawmill house” was erected and used to ground grains and run saw logs into flat boards. It sets on the banks of Rocky Creek among steep volcanic rocks called “shut-ins.”

• 11 a.m. — Blue Spring – One of Missouri’s deepest springs at a depth of 310 feet deep, it is the state’s sixth largest producing over 90 million gallons per day.

Called the “Spring of the Blue Sky” by native Indians because of its brilliant color. If immersed in the spring, the Statue of Liberty would be completely underwater.

• 1 p.m. — Shawnee Creek Wild Horses – Domesticated horses were set free during the Great Depression by farmers who could not afford to feed them.

This year marks the 28th anniversary of a federal law that protected the horses and prevented removing them from Ozark National Scenic Riverways land on the Current and Jacks Fork rivers.

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June 2018 • Page 11

4 foil packet recipes for easy & healthy outdoor cooking

T

here’s just something about working up an appetite in the great outdoors that makes food taste a little more delicious.

But when it comes to menu planning for an upcoming camping or RV trip, finding meal ideas that are portable and healthy can be a challenge.

Heather Ray, a nutrition expert for TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), the nonprofit weight-loss support organization, offers four fun recipes that can be prepared in foil packets.

“Foil packet recipes are easy to make, and even easier to clean up,” Ray said.

“Plus, each recipe can be customized to suit your tastes and health goals. And you don’t have to sleep under the stars anytime soon just to enjoy them — you can bake these recipes at home in a 400degree oven instead.”

Hominy Hobo Packet Place two cups of chopped, raw, nonstarchy vegetables in the center of the foil.

Top with a half cup of cooked or low-sodium canned black beans, threequarters cup of canned hominy (drained and rinsed) and a heavy sprinkling of chili powder.

Seal packet and cook over medium heat for about 20–25 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Top with two tablespoons of ripe avocado and one tablespoon of reduced-fat sour cream.

Jammin’ Peaches Slice one ripe medium peach in half and remove pit. Place halves in the center of the foil with the flesh side up.

Spread each half with one teaspoon of no-sugar-added blackberry jam. Sprinkle two tablespoons of granola on each half (a total of one-quarter cup granola).

Seal packet and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes.

Meat Lovers Campfire Fiesta Place two cups of chopped, raw, nonstarchy vegetables in the center of the foil.

Top with two ounces of Southwestseasoned, cooked ground beef and eight chopped black olives. Cut one six-inch corn tortilla into half-inch-wide strips.

Arrange strips around beef and vegetable mixture to resemble a campfire.

Place one-quarter cup of salsa in the center of the strips to make the “fire.”

Seal packet and cook over medium heat for about 20–25 minutes, until vegetables are tender.

Grilled Apple Cheddar Snack Sandwiches Core one small apple and slice horizontally into six rings. Divide one ounce of reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese into three parts.

Sprinkle one-third of the cheese onto each of the three apple rings. Place the remaining three rings on top of the cheese rings to make three sandwiches.

Stack all three sandwiches together in the center of the foil. Seal packet and cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes, until apple rings are roasted and cheese is melted.

Sidebar: Healthy Camping Tips • Make a list. After you make a healthy menu plan, write down everything you need for on-site food prep.

Don’t forget measuring cups, cutting boards, knives, foil, garbage bags, sani-

tation supplies, etc.

• Get the kids involved. This is a great time to talk to your kids or grandkids about all the healthy fruits and vegetables you’re about to cook.

• Stay active. Plan activities such as a family hike, scavenger hunt or dip in the lake.

• Practice food safety. Bring a meat thermometer and plenty of coolers with ice.

Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. Chill leftovers in a cooler with ice.

When cooking raw meat, use a food thermometer to make sure that meat is heated to the proper internal temperature. (Beef, pork, lamb 145°F; hamburger patties 160°F; poultry 165°F.)

Page 12 • June 2018

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’

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OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’

The magic camp light

By Rick Mansfield t had started life a bright red, serving as a brakemen’s signal lantern. It was now more the darker shade of a burnished brick and had left its railroad duties when my great-uncle Art had left the Frisco line.

When they pulled the rails and closed the depot in his hometown, he found himself guiding on the White and Eleven Point for the Bales Boating Company.

It was here it became the property of my Grandfather Hank, Art’s younger brother and cook and guide for the same business.

Not much over a foot in height, it burned with the soft yellow light of most kerosene lanterns of its time.

Manufactured by Adams and Westlake in Chicago in 1927, it was one of their new #250 Kero short-globe lanterns.

And it was magic.

It was on Sinkin’ Creek, a tributary to the Current River, where I first was witness to its mystical charms.

Barely 7 at the time, the family had decided to camp that pretty spring weekend at what was known locally as “The Joe Hole.”

Named for a Thompson, whose family had re-settled the area shortly after the Civil War, it was only a few miles from our rural Shannon County farm.

We’d arrived there in our ’49 Chevy pickup; the women and my father in the front, my grandfather and my siblings in the back.

After setting up camp — an old canvas wall tent, a plastic tarp strung between a couple of trees, and the unloading of coolers and bedrolls; we began our chores.

I

(Drawing by Grace Obenhaus)

Children made a fire ring of rocks and then gathered firewood. Men split and chopped the larger limbs that were gathered, women began cooking.

After supper, the women did dishes and made out beds. Men stoked the campfire. Children played.

That weekend, Grandfather asked if I wished to accompany him on an evening adventure. When he picked up and lit the lantern, I was game.

Dark was just settling in the little streamside valley, the sun having fallen below the bluff to our west almost an hour before.

We headed first to what was left of the old homestead, visiting what endured of a log cabin and a log-walled barn.

We strolled past the rock springhouse and up to a side hollow where a few only partially-rotted rails revealed the place’s former use as a holding pen for stock.

But these were not the descriptions I was to hear that night.

The three remaining walls of the cabin

were a fallen castle; the barn a fort from a distant war. The springhouse was the tomb of a great king; sycamore trees the skeletal warriors from a forgotten world.

Wind was the roar of an unmentionable beast; birdcalls the pleas of elves and fairies wishing to avoid the spirits that meant all harm.

The shadows and warmly, but dimly, lit objects lent great credence to Grandfather’s narration and warnings of foreboding.

I was at that awkward age somewhere between wishing to be a man and struggling with the unwarranted fears of a child.

Though it had been some time since anyone took my hand while crossing a street, the gloomy path before us made me momentarily long for such contact.

June 2018 • Page 13 Grandfather must have somehow sensed as much. Motioning for me to share in the burden of carrying the lantern; he held it out and I grasped the other side of the looped wire handle.

I was no longer afraid. His strength was mine; his confidence my own.

The rest of the walk back to camp was still filled with adventure, as the pallid light of the old lantern persisted to transform our surroundings.

Grandfather continued to hold one side of the handle; I the other. I shared his excitement, as well as his courage.

And therein lay the lantern’s true magic.

(Rick Mansfield is a storyteller and writer, and is always looking for new audiences. He can be reached at emansfield2004@yahoo.com.)

Page 14 • June 2018

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’

RiverHillsTraveler.com

18 camping gear ideas you never would’ve thought of

I

Let them dry on a paper towel for a couple hours… and you have 12 fire starters ready for your next trip.

t doesn’t matter if you’re pulling up to a family campsite in your car, heading out into the backcountry, or going ultra-light and long distance — there’s gear you can bring along that will make your camp experience so much more comfortable… and so much cooler.

Here are some ideas you might not have thought of.

CAR CAMPING 1. Solar shower Bathing in that lake sounds amazing until you realize no actual washing takes place when you run shrieking out of the ice-cold water.

Save the lake for photo ops and do your real bathing with a portable solar shower.

This one from Seattle Sports holds five gallons (enough for a small crew of campers) and if you fill it and set in the sun for a couple hours, you’ll have a nice, warm option for washing off all the accumulated sunscreen/bug spray/mud/sweat/tears from a day of hiking around the park.

2. Folding saw Axes tend to be heavy, and splitting firewood with a hatchet after a long day of exploring outside can be more energy intensive than you bargained for.

Camping saws make quick work of cutting up firewood; they also simplify the process of gathering deadfall (if you’re in a protected area, remember, cutting down trees is not going to be on your agenda for the evening).

3. Mood lighting The solar-charged BioLite NanoGrid LED Lantern and Portable USB Charger charges your devices and gives off 360 degrees of light — for that warm, cozyup-in-your-sleeping-bag glow.

Really going deluxe? Set up ambiance galore for your camp meal with the ENO Twilights LED Light String, with enough power to last 72 hours — which should be plenty of time to make your fireside dinner guests swoon.

6. Double sleeping bag Coupled up? Just super friendly? Either way, a douPlease see GEAR, 15

4. Campfire cooking set Like to show off your chef prowess even if the kitchen is a picnic table (or your lap)? Bring along the Primus Campfire Cutting Set and make everyone eating hot dogs envious of whatever creation you manage to pull together with this oak cutting board and stainless steel knife.

It comes with a fabric case to make it easy to transport, and even if you just end up slicing hotdogs on it for show, it’s easy to wrap it all up and clean it later, when you’re back at home.

5. Dryer lint & old candles & dental floss & egg cartons This takes a bit of prep, but each DIY one-ounce fire starter lasts 15 minutes, is waterproof, and is pretty much guaranteed to start a roaring fire. It goes something like this: Cut up a cardboard egg carton so you have 12 cups and stuff each one with dryer lint. Fold the tops over and pull them closed, then wrap them tight with dental floss, leaving a long strand to grab onto.

Next, melt some old candle stubs (put them in a jar in boiling water in a saucepan). Turn the burner off once it’s melted. Dunk your eggcups into the melted wax by holding the dental floss tail and make sure they’re fully submerged.

RiverHillsTraveler.com

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’

GEAR from 14

paste on a camping trip, and if you’re trying to save weight in your pack, don’t waste your money on little travel versions. Try a more eco-friendly version — before you go, squeeze dollops of toothpaste (about the amount you use when you brush your teeth) onto a plate and let them dry for three days or more.

Store the dried-out dots in a resealable bag with a little baking soda, and you’re good to go. Just add water once you’re out on the trail.

ble sleeping bag can be a great way to share body heat.

Not sure you can commit? Get two identical sleeping bags with opposite zippers. Even mummy-style bags will usually zip together, letting those sweet waves of heat transmit between the two of you.

BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING 7. Duct tape Sleeping bag ripped and there are feathers flying everywhere? Need to keep a container sealed in your pack? Tent collapsing because a pole snapped? Use duct tape to fix just about any camping item in a pinch.

Think you’re getting a blister? Use duct tape on yourself — just lay it flat and wrinkle-free on your skin. If you already have a blister, tuck some cotton or gauze under the duct tape to protect it from the stickiness.

You probably won’t need the whole roll (let’s hope), so bring the leftover roll that’s been kicking around in your junk drawer for years, or wrap a length around your water bottle.

8. Your old pill bottles Need a little dollop of olive oil? Want to bring a couple band-aids? Really into cinnamon? Keep your old pill bottles (or TicTac containers) and fill them with camp-sized amounts of whatever you might need.

Just make sure what you’ve got is waterproof before filling it with olive oil and packing it in your backpack.

Alternative: Cut a drinking straw into pieces and flame-seal one end, fill it with your favorite spice, and flame-seal the other end.

9. A magic wand It’s not actually magic, but it looks like it is. A SteriPen that uses UV rays to sterilize water can be a great, low-effort way to make sure you don’t end up in bed with beaver fever. It’s easier than pumping a water filter by hand, and useful any time you’re adventuring away from a reliable water source. (Bonus: It has a physical filter built in for that grainy water you scooped from the bottom of the lake.)

10. Resealable bags Resealable plastic bags have saved campers many numerous times. Want to keep that pair of special socks dry for snuggling up in your tent? Put them in a plastic bag. It’s raining, and you want to bring a book? Put it in a plastic bag. You’re on a long bike trip and it turns out your shoes aren’t waterproof? Put your feet in a plastic bag (don’t laugh until you’re desperate enough to try it.)

Garbage bags make great pack-liners as well — go for the heavy-duty kind that will last a long time and cut down on the ripping (and subsequent cursing when you find out your pajamas got wet).

11. Sandpaper & Tupperware Glue some sandpaper to the top of a Tupperware container and store your matches inside. Your matches stay dry, and you have a durable surface on which to strike them!

12. Collapsible bowls (with lids) This is probably not worth it if you’re car-camping (just bring the whole kitchen), but totally worth it for

June 2018 • Page 15

backpacking or a longer trip — or if your car is really small.

Collapsible bowls or even whole cook sets can save a lot of space. Bonus points if they have lids and can double as containers for your leftovers. Double purposes are best-case-scenario when you’re out on the trail. Heck, try triple-purposing.

18. Bivy sack Going ultra minimalist? You’ll at least need to consider the “big four” — pack, shelter, bag, and pad — but why not cut down on weight?

Skip the tent and bring a bivy sack. The Outdoor Research Alpine Bivy is only two pounds (light compared to a lot of tents) and gives you 20 inches of breathing room.

13. Kitchen sink Not only is this fodder for endless jokes about how you literally packed the kitchen sink, it’s also super handy — yes, for washing dishes, but also for collecting water, taking a mini-bath, or giving ol’ Lassie a good drink. Bring along some biodegradable Campsuds, and make sure to dispose of your dishwater in a responsible place (i.e., not on your tent pad).

SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT CAMPING 14. Emergency blanket Tiny, lightweight, might save your life… and they make an excellent tent-footprint-in-a-pinch, if your dry desert camping trip just turned into more of a huddleand-stay-dry-in-the-monsoon kind of adventure.

Laying the emergency blanket out on the floor of your tent can provide an extra layer from all that moisture trying to work its way into your snuggly sleeping bags — and reflect your body heat back at you.

15. Corn chips Yes, they’re delicious camp snacks, but they also make great fire starters in a pinch. Don’t dump the whole bag on (save ‘em!) — just stack a few at the base of your stick tepee or log cabin to really get your fire blazing. Want a more natural option? Dried, dead needles from coniferous trees and dry birch bark work wonders.

16. Coffee filters & dental floss Wrap some coffee in a coffee filter, tie the packet shut with dental floss, and steep it like it’s tea! Cowboy coffee sounds amazing until you’re still picking coffee grounds out of your teeth two hours later.

17. Dehydrated toothpaste Dehydrated camp meals have gotten more and more delicious over the years (there’s even ice cream), and it’s easy enough to make your own dehydrated food if you have a dehydrator at home — but why stop with food?

You probably won’t need your whole tube of tooth-

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Explore the Ozarks by day and relax in the comfort of a cozy home by night!

Page 16 • June 2018

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’

RiverHillsTraveler.com

Mile-by-mile descriptions of Missouri’s best rivers & creeks BEAVER CREEK This creek, long a favorite with fly fishermen, is nearly the size of the Niangua River, but has a less constant water supply. In recent years, Beaver Creek, which flows through the Mark Twain National Forest, has become popular with paddlers, due to its general attractiveness and its good gradient. Summer floats, unless you want to wade and fish, should start in the Bradleyville area or below.

• Difficulty: I and II. • Gradients: General- 8.4; Hwy. 76 to Rome - 9.3; to Brownbranch - 8.1; to Bradleyville - 7.6; to Long Creek Bridge - 9.3.

• County: Douglas, Taney.

Beaver Creek Mile-By-Mile Description • 0.0 Hwy. 76 Bridge. Access.

• 1.0 Jackson Mill Spring and hollow on right. Old mill is gone, but mill race remains.

• 3.4 Low water bridge 3 miles southeast of Roy. Turn east off Hwy. 76 on Hwy. AJ. Construction features of this slab may damage a canoe or kayak. Inspect before running. It may be better to walk over.

• 4.2 Spring Creek enters on left.

• 7.7 Bridge and old mill dam, but no mill, at Rome. Portage right. No access.

Private.

• 10.2 Low-water bridge access. Hwy. 76 is 1.7 miles northwest. Next section has some excellent fishing pools.

• 14.7 Hwy. 76 Bridge at Brownbranch.

• 14.8 Caney Creek on left.

• 19.8 Ford. Private access.

• 21.9 Little Beaver Creek on right.

Possible high-water float. Lower 5 or 6 miles have gradient of 13.14.

• 22.6 Hwy. 76-125 Bridge at Bradleyville. Store and gas in village.

Access.

• 25.7 Country road along creek on right. Access.

• 27.1 Bridge on coutnry road 6 miles east of Taneyville. Access.

• 28.0 Road close on right.

• 31.7 Brushy Creek on left.

• 38.4 Long Creek on left. Low-water bridge and access on country road. Hwy. 160 is 2 miles southwest. Below this point, Beaver Creek is backed up by Bull Shoals Lake.

• 41.4 Hwy. 160 Bridge. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Kissee Mills Access. Public campground below bridge on right.

BIG RIVER The Big River, like its sister tributary of the Meramec, the Bourbeuse, is slow.

It differs mainly in that it flows through a more heavily populated area, yet there are many pleasant places along it.

Upper sections near the “lead belt” are subject to many of the effects of urban population and are not recommended even when there is enough water to float there.

Sections both above and below Washington State Park are more attractive, and the park makes an excellent base of operations for base camped floats.

Old mills and mill sites add interest.

The area is so close to St. Louis that it can be reached in little more than an hour’s driving from that city.

• Difficulty: I • Gradients: General - 2.4; Hwy. E to Hwy. 21 - 3.6; to Pine Ford Bridge - 2.2; to Byrnesville - 1.9; to Meramec River 1.5.

• Counties: St. Francois, Washington, Jefferson.

Big River - Mile-By-Mile Description • 0.0 Put-in at mouth of Turkey Creek on county road running north from Bonne Terre, parallel to Missouri Illinois R.R. tracks.

• 1.8 Hwy. E Bridge. Access difficult due to steep slope.

• 6.9 Three Hill Creek on left.

• 9.1 Coles Landing. Ford, reached from north side. Local swimming hole with good gravel bar. Access and campsite. Private.

• 10.6 Spring on right about 20 feet from river and 2 feet above river level.

• 12.0 MDC Jeremiah Blackwell Access on right. No camping.

• 12.2 Mill Creek on left.

• 12.8 Blackwell Bridge. No public access.

• 15.6 Missouri Pacific R.R. Bridge.

• 15.7 Vineland Road Bridge. No public access.

• 16.9 State Hwy. 21 Bridge. No access.

• 20.0 Campground at Washington State Park on left with good access at one place. Park is noted for its Indian petroglyphs, located about 0.5 mile up road to left of dining room facility near campground.

• 20.7 Bridge on Big River Heights Road northeast of state park boundary.

Private access.

• 21.8 Mineral Fork enters on left. This creek is considered, by reptile collectors, to be a good locality for cottonmouth continued on page 17

RiverHillsTraveler.com

BIG RIVER continued from page 16 water moccasins. It is often floatable and has a general gradient of about 9.

• 23.3 Mammoth Bridge. MDC access on southwest side. No camping.

• 28.5 Old Hwy. H Bridge. No access.

• 28.7 MDC Merrill Horse Access. No camping. New Hwy. H Bridge. Fletcher 2 miles west.

• 30.7 Calico Creek on left.

• 34.0 Brown’s Ford Bridge. MDC access on left below bridge (under development).

• 38.6 Engleford Road. No public access.

• 43.4 Private access, camping.

• 45.0 Pine Ford (Hwy. Y) Bridge. No access.

• 50.7 Dry Creek on right.

• 52.3 MDC Morse Mill Access on right bank. No camping. Ball Memorial Park on left bank upstream of bridge.

• 52.4 Morse Mill Dam. Portage right.

Break in dam at left near foundation of old mill is dangerous but a concrete sluice just right of this may be used to slide canoes down when the water is low enough to stand on the dam.

• 52.5 Hwy. B Bridge.

• 54.0 Cabins on left.

• 55.0 Klondike Road Bridge.

• 55.7 Jones Creek on left.

• 62.4 Hwy. BB along river on right.

• 63.2 MDC Cedar Hill Access. No camping. Cedar Hill Bridge and mill dam. Portage left. This is also the best take-out in this area. Mill, on right, still operates but has not used water power since about 1960.

• 63.5 State Hwy. 30 Bridge.

• 68.9 Private Dam. Portage right.

• 69.0 Byrnesville Bridge.

• 73.0 Hwy. W Bridge. MDC House

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’ Springs Access. No camping.

• 74.6 Byrnes Mill Dam. Private.

Portage right.

• 80.9 Hoene Spring (cottage development) on left.

• 82.8 Twin River Bridge. Private access on right.

• 83.2 Meramec River.

Mineral Fork (Big River tributary) • 0.0 Put-in at Hwy. F Bridge. Private land. Parking difficult.

• 3.0 Arnault Creek on right.

• 6.2 Sycamore Creek on left.

• 8.7 Site of old Hwy. 47 Bridge. Private access and camping.

• 10.2 Private slab bridge across creek.

• 13.8 Big River. Next take-out at Mammoth Bridge.

BIG SUGAR & ELK RIVER The Elk River and its scenic tributary, Big Sugar Creek, have become a favorite float with canoeists in the western part of the state.

Big Sugar provides good camping and fishing, and is an unusually clear stream.

In the Pineville and Noel areas, summer cottages are numerous, but the Elk below Noel again has a more isolated quality.

• Difficulty: Mostly II, seldom over.

• Gradients: General - 6.5; Big Sugar from Hwy. 90 to Powell - 8.9; to Cyclone - 6.5; to Pineville - 7.2; (Elk River) to Shadow Lake - 4.

• County: McDonald.

Big Sugar Creek Mile-by-Mile Description • 0.0 In high water, a put-in may be

made on Big Sugar at the Roller Bridge.

Hwy. 90 and KK. A county road parallels much of the creek from here to Powell.

• 5.5 Powell. Road is close to the creek and several bridges make this a good put-in area.

• 6.0 Bentonville Hollow (creek) and Hwy. E Bridge.

• 6.8 Low-water bridge on creek road.

Mikes Creek on right. Creek road (south bank) shortest route to Cyclone. A few poor places in the road.

• 7.8 Kings Valley (creek) on right.

• 12.3 End of Hwy. V at Little Cedar Hollow on right.

• 14.6 Cyclone low-water bridge.

Camping, swimming and good access.

Many floats start here. Best put-in for normal water. Creek road on north side from here to Pineville.

• 20.4 MDC Deep Ford Access (public).

• 20.9 Low-water bridge at “Crag O Lea.” Good access.

• 22.4 “Sugar Beach” (cottages).

• 23.9 Creek divides. Left channel flows into Little Sugar Creek and bypasses Pineville. Right channel is the old channel and shorter.

• 24.3 Little Sugar Creek joins to form Elk River. The lower part of Little Sugar has a gradient of 9 and is floatable in good normal water.

Elk River - Mile-by-Mile Description • 24.5 U.S. Hwy. 71 Bridge. Kozy Kamp. Private campground. River road on south side.

• 25.9 Road close on left.

• 27.4 Road on left bank at Riverside Inn. • 30.3 Indian Creek (on right) nearly doubles volume of river. Indian Creek is a good float stream and is described continued on page 18

June 2018 • Page 17

STREAM GRADIENTS & DIFFICULTY RATINGS

T

he term gradient, as used in this publication, refers to the grade or slope of a stream expressed in feet per mile. For example, a river with a gradient of 11.8 drops on the average 11.8 feet per mile.

International Scale of River Difficulty • Class I — Easy. Fast moving water with riffles and small waves.

• Class II - Novice. Straightforward rapids with wide clear channels. Occasional maneuvering required • Class III — Intermediate. Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and can swamp and open canoe.

• Class IV — Advanced. Intense and powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent water. The rapids may feature large, unavoidable waves and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure.

• Class V — Expert. Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to added risk. Rapids may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes or steep, congested chutes with complex, demanding routes.

• Class VI — Extreme and exploratory. These rapids have rarely been attempted and exemplify the extremes of difficulty, unpredictability, and danger.

Page 18 • June 2018

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’

BIG SUGAR & ELK RIVER

LITTLE SUGAR CREEK

continued from page 17 separately. Water is fast and heavy just below here at high water. Use caution at bridge.

• 30.7 Kansas City Southern R.R. Bridge, closely followed by concrete low-water bridge.

• 31.2 Ginger Blue Resort on right.

• 31.7 “Shady Beach,” good private campground and take-out, on right.

• 32.0 MDC Mt. Shira Access on right.

• 35.0 Mouth of Butler Creek, at Noel, is adjacent to Hwys. 59 and 90. Take-out or continue down Shadow Lake.

• 35.4 Hwy. 59 Bridge over Shadow Lake.

• 35.8 Dam. Portage.

• 36.3 Road close on right. Fair put-in.

• 37.8 Henderson’s Campground. Private. Good put-in.

• 45.3 State Hwy. 43 Bridge. MDC Cowskin Access.

• 47.3 Oklahoma state line. Elk River becomes Lake of the Cherokees in Oklahoma.

This Elk River tributary is floatable in good, normal water.

• Difficulty: Mostly II, seldom over.

• Gradients: General - 9.

• County: McDonald.

INDIAN CREEK This creek is suitable mainly for spring floats but has one of the best general gradients in the Ozarks. However, the gradient is steady and there are really no unusual features in terms of falls or spectacular runs.

It is just a good, steady, fast run through relatively undisturbed countryside, in spite of its closeness to civilization.

• Difficulty: II and III, due to brush, logs and fast turns.

• Gradients: General - 8.7; Boulder City to Elkhorn Creek - 9.4; to Hwy 76 - 8.7; to Elk River - 7.8.

• Counties: Newton, McDonald.

Indian Creek Mile-by-Mile Description • 0.0 Hwy D Bridge access in spring or high water only.

• 0.5 Spring Branch on left.

• 3.5 Wolfenbarger Bridge on Spruce Drive off Raccoon Road.

• 7.4 Mill Dam at McNatt. Stream backed up for about half a mile above this. Portage over dam. Rift below dam is hard on canoes except in high water.

• 8.4 Elkorn Creek on right.

• 10.1 Old bridge 3.5 miles east of Goodman just off Hwy C. Private.

• 11.1 Bullskin Creek on right.

• 13.1 Mayfield Bridge.

• 18.8 Seller’s Ford low-water bridge.

Hwy 71 and Anderson are 0.5 miles west.

• 19.3 Indian Creek Campground at Hwy 71 Bridge.

• 19.8 Hwy 76 Bridge.

• 21.3 Town Hole Access on right, next to Post Office in Anderson. Must carry canoes/kayaks to river. Fair access.

• 21.6 Iron Canning Factory Bridge on county road south of Anderson.

• 24.5 Concrete slab at Bosky Dell Ford, not shown on maps. If there is water over the slab, approach with caution! It is slippery, and there is a 4 foot drop below it. Except in high water, portage right.

• 25.1 Lanagan City Park Access (Lanagan) on right.

• 25.5 Hwy EE Bridge.

• 27.0 Elk River. Next access at lowwater bridge 0.4 mile downstream or at Mt. Shira Access 1.3 miles beyond that, on right with gravel ramp.

Little Sugar Creek Mile-by-Mile Description • 0.0 Put in at Hwy. 90 Bridge northeast of Jane.

• 1.6 Griffin Ford low-water bridge, Hwy. 71 is 0.6 mile southwest.

• 6.9 Havenhurst Mill Dam and Hwy. K Bridge. Portage left. Falls below dam too shallow to run.

• 7.9 Elk River.

BLACK RIVER The three forks of the Black rise virtually within the shadow of the highest point in the state, Taum Sauk Mountain, and join near Lesterville to flow quickly toward the lowest section of the state.

The upper Black is exceptionally clear and has enough feeder springs to produce some good smallmouth bass fishing. Below Clearwater Lake, the river moves more slowly and is less clear but is still a good float-fishing stream.

Some of the most beautiful scenery in Missouri is to be found in the upper reaches of the Black. This includes several “shut-ins,” areas where the stream runs through jumbled rocks and potholes in gorge-like valleys. One such area open to the public is Johnson Shut-ins State Park on the East Fork.

Shut-in Creek, a tributary of the East Fork, has a section which drops 70 feet per mile, but these upper shut-ins of the Black are not boatable. Mill Creek (10.7) is the best starting point during normal or low-water levels. Good camping area at Clearwater Dam. • Difficulty: I, occasionally II. • Gradients: General - 4.8; Centerville to Lesterville - 10; to Hwy. K - 5.7; Clearwater Dam to Hendrickson - 3.9; to Poplar Bluff - 1.6.

• Counties: Reynolds, Wayne, Butler.

Black River Mile-By-Mile Description • 0.0 State Hwy. 21 Bridge above Centerville on West Fork. A high-water run only.

• 1.5 Reeds Spring on right. Adds considerable amount of water.

• 8.4 Junction with Middle Fork. Middle Fork can be run only in spring or high-water. Gradient – 11.1.

• 9.6 Junction with East Fork. A highwater run only, and quite short. Put in at mouth of Taum Sauk Creek. Not runnable above Johnson Shut-ins. Gradient – 16.

• 10.3 Iron bridge. Better take-out or put-in at mouth of Mill Creek.

• 10.7 Mill Creek on left.

• 14.5 Coil Bluff on left.

• 16.0 Warner Bay Spring Branch on right.

• 17.8 Hyatts Creek on left.

• 19.0 Spring and cave in bluff on right side.

• 19.7 Cave Spring 0.2 mile left, against bluff.

• 25.0 Hwy. K Bridge. Last take-out above Clearwater Lake when lake is at full reservoir. Possible camp sites on both sides of the river with a small spring on the west side.

• 32.2 Hwy. CC. Access road.

• 37.6 Picnic area at Clearwater Dam. Take-out or portage left around dam.

• 46.2 McKenzie Creek on left.

• 47.5 Spring 0.1 mile west of river on right.

• 48.6 Leeper. State Hwy. 34 Bridge.

No access. No camping.

• 50.6 Hwy. 49 Bridge at town of Mill Spring. Camping.

• 56.4 Granite Bend. R.R. close on left.

• 59.4 Markham Spring Branch on right. USFS area fee camp and $2.00 boat access.

• 59.6 Browns Crossing. Hwy. A Bridge and take-out. Camping (fee).

• 62.4 R.R. bridge site.

• 63.1 Williamsville Bridge. Road connects with Wayne County. Hwy. A and Butler County JJ. • 66.9 Keener Springs Resort. Fee access, camping.

• 70.1 U.S. Hwy. 67 Bridge. Improved access (vault toilet, accessible ramp).

• 79.1 MDC Hillard Access at Hwy. W. No camping. River flattens from here on.

• 81.3 R.R. bridge.

• 87.3 MDC Sportsmens Park Access on left. No camping.

• 88.3 U.S. Hwy. 60 Bridge in city of Poplar Bluff.

HUZZAH CREEK & COURTOIS CREEK These two clearwater gems, which join their waters to the Meramec River in Crawford County, are only about 100 miles from St. Louis.

Although they are too small to provide adequate floating water at all seasons, the angler will find them pleasant and profitable floating-wading streams.

In seasons of good water, the canoeist will find them quite sporty. Their valleys are relatively unspoiled and have real Ozarks atmosphere.

RiverHillsTraveler.com It would be wise to check water levels of these creeks at Hwy. 8 bridges before attempting floats upstream from the highway.

The names of the creeks are pronounced locally as Coort-a-way and Hoo-za.

Huzzah Creek Mile-By-Mile Description • Difficulty: Frequently II due to sharp turns, obstructions and narrow channels.

• Gradients: Hwy. V to town of Huzzah - 8.9; from town of Huzzah down 7.

• Counties: Crawford.

• 0.0 Dillard access. Only floatable in good water.

• 6.0 Hwy. V Bridge. Private campground and access.

• 8.3 Red Bluff on right. Access on left.

• 8.8 Low-water bridge access.

• 15.3 Shoal Creek on right.

• 16.3 Access at low-water bridge, off Hwy. Z. • 17.3 Spring branch on left.

• 17.5 Private access and campground just across low-water bridge.

• 23.0 Dry Creek on left just above Hwy. 8 Bridge. Dry Creek includes water from James Spring, which has a flow of more than a million gallons per day. Access at bridge. Private campground and access on right, before Hwy. 8 Bridge.

• 28.1 Junction with Courtois Creek.

• 28.4 Huzzah Conservation Area on right. Access on low-water bridge off Hwy. E. Private campground on left.

• 29.4 Meramec River. Access. Next access 2.5 miles downstream at Hwy. H low-water bridge near Onondaga Cave. continued on page 19

RiverHillsTraveler.com continued from page 18 Courtois Creek Mile-By-Mile Description • Difficulty: Frequently II due to sharp turns, obstructions and narrow channels.

• Gradients: Brazil to Hwy. 8 - 9.2; from Hwy. 8 down - 7.2.

• Counties: Washington, Crawford.

• 0.0 Brazil low-water bridge on road between Hwy. Y and Palmer. Better putin below Hazel Creek.

• 2.4 Hazel Creek on right.

• 3.0 Hazel Creek Recreation Area and access in Mark Twain National Forest.

• 4.5 County Road Bridge. Private access.

• 6.7 Lost Creek on right.

• 6.9 Hwy. 8 Bridge. Access difficult at highway.

• 11.5 Low-water bridge. Private camping and parking.

• 12.9 Rocky rapids, which resembles an old mill race, provides good run against right bank. Watch for down trees!

• 15.4 Butts low-water bridge. Good access, campsite or lunch spot. Henpeck Hollow Creek on right. Private campground and access.

• 15.6 Private campground and access.

• 16.3 Low-water bridge on private road.

• 17.8 Take left channel. This is beginning of The Narrows, a narrow, fairly fast section of rhe creek. Watch for logs and down trees.

• 18.2 Cave on left. Good shelter though short.

• 18.4 End of Narrows.

• 19.4 Doss Branch on right.

• 20.4 Huzzah Conservation Area and access, on right, at end of campground.

• 21.2 Junction with Huzzah Creek.

Next take-out 0.3 mile downstream at

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’ low-water bridge off Hwy. E.

CURRENT RIVER Most spring-fed of all the Ozark rivers, the Current may be floated at almost any time of the year, particularly below Welch Spring.

On hot summer weekends, the river is usually crowded. Weekdays floats are much more peaceful. Due to the increase in size of the river and the frequency of motor boats below Big Spring, most canoe and kayak trips are made on the sections above Big Spring.

• Difficulty: I, occasionally II. • Gradients: General - 4.4; Montauk to Akers - 8.7; to junction of Jacks Fork 5; to Big Spring - 3.8; to Doniphan - 3.2.

• Counties: Dent, Shannon, Carter, Ripley.

Current River I Mile-By-Mile Description • 0.0 Baptist Camp Access on county road off Hwy. YY. • 3.3 Ashley Creek on right.

• 6.5 Parker Hollow on left, fed by Schafer Spring].2 miles upstream.

• 8.0 Cedargrove Access. Low-water bridge and campground.

• 8.9 Big Creek on right.

• 11.6 Medlock Spring on right.

• 12.4 Welch Landing Access.

• 12.7 Welch Spring, sixth largest in state, on left.

• 15.7 Akers Ferry Access on Hwy. K. Campground and store.

• 17.8 Lewis Hollow on right at ford.

• 20.9 Cave Spring on left. Water at back of cave is 120 feet deep and comes from Devil’s Well via nearby Wallace Well Cave. Devil’s Well, a sinkhole more than 200 feet deep and partly filled with water, is one mile north of Cave

Spring.

• 23.2 Rock House Cave on right. A meander of a cave, cut off by the deepening river valley, it is now more like a natural bridge than a cave and makes a good shelter.

• 25.2 Pulltite Access. Campground and store.

• 26.0 Pulltite Spring and branch on right. Just below on the same side of the river, are several other minor but interesting springs, one of which is the “Fire Hydrant Spring” gushing from a small cave in the bluff.

• 27.0 Boyds Creek on right.

• 30.2 Jerry J. Presley Conservation Education Center on left, formerly the Alton Club. No access or camping.

• 32.7 Sinkin Creek enters on left. By putting in at The Sinks, where the creek takes a short -cut through a hill via a cave, 6.5 miles of the creek can be floated in good water. Gradient is 10 teet per mile.

• 34.2 Round Spring access, campground, spring and cavern.

• 42.5 Big Creek enters on left.

• 44.7 Bee Bluff on left.

• 46.6 Jerktail Landing on right, on county road offHwy. 19. Access and campsite.

• 51.1 Ebb and Flow Spring, reached by walking 0.25 mile up creek on left.

• 51.5 Jacks Fork River enters on right.

Two Rivers Access (Ozark National Scenic Riverways).

• 52.3 Old ferry site, access and campground.

• 56.2 Blair Creek on left.

• 58.4 Hwy. 106 Bridge.

• 58.7 Powder Mill, an old ferry site, with access and campground.

• 60.0 Blue Spring, ninth largest in the state, has deepest blue color. Reached by a 0.25 mile walk up its branch on the left.

June 2018 • Page 19 • 63.8 Roberts Field access and campground. Rocky Creek enters on right.

The Falls of Rocky Creek, 3 miles southwest of this point, are a scenic attraction of the area.

Current River II • 58.7 Powder Mill, an old ferry site, with access and campground.

• 60.0 Blue Spring, ninth largest in the state, has deepest blue color. Reached by a 0.25 mile walk up its branch on the left.

• 63.8 Roberts Field access and campground. Rocky Creek enters on right.

The Falls of Rocky Creek, 3 miles southwest of this point, are a scenic attraction of the area.

• 66.1 Spring on left.

• 66.6 Carr Creek and Cardareva Mountain on left.

• 69.0 Log Yard on left. Access and campground.

• 69.8 Beal Landing on left. Access.

• 72.5 Paint Rock Bluff.

• 77.7 Waymeyer Access on right at mouth of Chilton Creek, on County Road M-151 off Hwy. M. • 81.5 Pine Valley Creek, also called Henpeck Creek, on left.

• 84.3 Watercress Spring Recreation Area. Forest Service and campground.

• 84.9 Van Buren Riverfront Park Access (Van Buren) and Hwy. 60 Bridge.

• 89.2 Big Spring. Access and campground. One of the largest springs in the world.

• 93.5 Clubhouse Landing. Access and campground, on County Road 60-221 offHwy. 60.

• 97.8 Hickory Landing. Access from Hwy. E at Hunter. Cave Spring-Jordan Spring Branch on left. Jordon Spring, 0.5 mile and Cave Spring, 1 mile up branch. continued on page 20

Page 20 • June 2018

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’

CURRENT RIVER

11 POINT RIVER

continued from page 19 • 98.0 Catarac Landing on right. Access on County Road Z-217, off Hwy. Z and Hwy 103.

• 100.3 Panther Spring on right.

• 103.2 Bog Hollow. PhiHips Bay and Spring on right. Spring about 0.25 mile from river.

• 104.2 Gooseneck campground on right. Access on Farm Road 3142County Road CI0, off Hwy. C.

The Eleven Point is not blessed with gravel bars for camping as some rivers, but is fed by some of the loveliest wild springs in the state. Those of the upper river are relatively small, but Greer Spring, which is the second largest within the state, is surrounded by walking fern and other vegetation in its natural state.

The main outlet boils from its basin and plunges down the hillside to the Eleven Point River 1.25 miles away. The average flow is more than 300 cubic feet per second and the drop is 62 feet. However, a raft run down the spring several years ago resulted in a drowning. The spring is on private property and has been graciously left open to the public, but permission to float the spring will not be given.

Greer Spring nearly doubles the size of the river and makes the Eleven Point below Hwy. 19 quite floatable even in dry years. An 11-mile section of the river below Greer Spring is managed by MDC for rainbow trout. An area known as The Irish Wilderness, through which the river runs, is well named and indicates the character of this cool, fast river.

The Eleven Point is a National Scenic River. Additional maps and literature are available from the supervisor, Mark Twain National Forest.

Current River III • 104.2 Gooseneck campground on right. Access on Farm Road 3142 Country Road C10, offHwy. C. • 105.8 Forest Service campground on left. Bagamaw Bay on right. Limited access road.

• 107.7 Big Barren Creek on right.

Twin Springs 0.75 mile up creek.

• 110.5 Cedar Creek on left. Forest Service campsite in this area.

• 112.8 Buffalo Creek on right.

• 113.0 Compton Camp. Forest Service campsite, on right.

• 118.8 Deer Leap Recreation Area.

Forest Service access on left.

• 119.3 Float Camp Recreation Area.

Forest Service access on left.

• 120.3 Dun Roven unimproved access on right.

• 123.8 Hwy. 160 Bridge.

• 124.0 T.L. Wright Memorial Access (Doniphan) on right. Private campground nearby. Stores, meals, lodging in Doniphan.

• 129.8 Big Island.

• 135.0 Goose Lake, a lake-like pool of the river.

• 136.3 Missouri-Arkansas state line.

• 138.0 Current View. Private access.

• Difficulty: I and II. • Gradients: General - 5.4; Thomasville to Hwy. 19 - 6.5; to Riverton - 5.6; to Stubblefield Ferry - 4.3.

• County: Oregon.

Eleven Point River Mile-By-Mile Description • 0.0 Thomasville. Put-in at State Hwy.

99 Bridge. Section from here to State Hwy 19 not recommended in low-water.

• 0.5 Middle Fork enters and increases flow.

• 1.5 Mill Creek and Barren Fork add more water.

• 3.1 Posy Spring on left is a beautiful small spring issuing from a small cave in a woodland setting.

• 6.1 Blowing Spring on left.

• 6.5 Denny Hollow float camp on left.

Roaring Spring on right.

• 7.3 Graham Spring branch on right.

Spring 0.25 mile up branch.

• 9.3 Cane Bluff. Access and picnic area.

• 12.3 Spring Creek enters on left.

• 14.8 McCormack Hollow on left.

Lake, fishing, spring and picnic area about one mile up Hollow, administrated

by U.S. Forest Service.

• 16.0 Greer Spring Branch. See description above.

• 16.6 State Hwy. 19 Bridge. Campsites and put-in. Trail to Greer Spring 0.75 mile up hill.

• 19.5 Little Hurricane Creek on right.

• 20.0 Mary Decker Shoals. Rapids.

• 20.5 Hurricane Creek enters on left.

• 21.5 Turner’s Mill and spring. Location is also known as Surprise. Access on both sides of river. Camping on south side only.

• 22.0 Stinking Pond float camp on left.

• 26.5 Horseshoe Bend float camp on left.

• 27.0 Barn Hollow float camp on left.

Bliss Spring just downstream.

• 28.5 White Creek float camp on left.

• 31.0 Greenbriar float camp on left.

• 33.4 Boze Mill Spring on left. River valley begins to widen here. Camping.

No access.

• 33.7 River divides. Right channel usually best and provides a fast run over

RiverHillsTraveler.com a ledge.

• 35.7 Riverton and Hwy. 160 Bridge.

Access east side, picnic on west side beneath bridge only. No camping either side.

• 43.0 Thomasson Mill Spring BranchFrederick Creek on right.

• 44.0 Morgan Creek float camp and Blue Spring Branch. Spring is approximately the eighth largest in state.

• 44.3 State Hwy. 142 Bridge. Takeout. Limited camping.

• 48.0 MDC Myrtle Access at site of old Stubblefield Ferry on west side.

Limited camping.

• 49.0 Missouri-Arkansas state line.

GASCONADE RIVER The Gasconade, probably named for French settlers from the province of Gascony in southwestern France, is reputed to be one of the most crooked rivers in the world. Entirely within Missouri, the river winds nearly 300 miles from its source near Hartville to the Missouri River, which is an airline distance of about 120 miles.

In an area near Waynesville, you can float for 15 miles and be only two miles overland from your put-in. Although it has less gradient than some Ozark rivers, the Gasconade has some surprisingly fast sections, yet is still a good, safe family float stream.

Dru Pippin described the Gasconade well in The Rivers of Missouri when he said, “...steep bluffs, gorgeous cuts, hairpin turns, and lazy eddies; hardwoods, softwoods and dogwoods, hidden logs, protruding boulders that weathering has tumbled from adjacent cliffs, wildflowers and shrubs, birds and bees, fourlegged creatures quenching their thirst at my water’s edge, while listless white continued on page 21

RiverHillsTraveler.com

GASCONADE RIVER continued from page 20 clouds float above as though convoying my trip.”

Sections above Competition are suitable only for spring or other high-water periods, unless you want to walk the riffles to fish the inviting pools.

• Difficulty: I, seldom II. • Gradients: General - 2.6; Hwy. 38 to Grimes MiIl - 6.2; Competition - 4.I; to Hwy. 32 - 3.2; to Hwy. 66 - 3.1; to Hwy. 7 - 2.7: to Hwy. 17 - 2.4; to Big Piney River - 2.6; to Indian Fold Bridge - 2.2; to Hwy. 89 - 1.8; to Hwy. 50 - 1.7; to Missouri River - 0.8.

• Counties: Wright, Laclede, Pulaski, Phelps, Maries, Osage, Gasconade.

Gasconade River Map I Mile-By-Mile Description • 0.0 Hwy. 38 Bridge on the Woods Fork of the Gasconade. Just above this point, there is a mill pond dam on the Woods Fork.

• 0.7 Lick Fork of Gasconade on right.

Hwy. 38 Bridge 0.2 mile up this fork is also a possible put-in.

• 2.5 Camp Branch Access. Gravel ramp.

• 11.8 Low-water bridge on Hwy. E. Spring in bluff on left, just upstream from bridge.

• 12.3 Whetstone Creek on right.

• 12.9 Grimes Mill. Old milldam makes good rift in medium to high water. Some good, fast water between here and Manes.

• 14.3 Buzzard Bluff Access, off Hwy. E. Gravel ramp.

• 19.4 Hwy. H Bridge. 21.5 Wilbur Allen Access, off Hwy. 95 on Radford Drive. Gravel ramp.

• 24.7 Burney Ford.

• 27.1 Ford access on Kincheloe Drive.

• 27.7 Beaver Creek on right adds a considerable amount of water to river.

• 28.1 Spring branch on left.

• 29.9 Elk Creek on left.

• 31.4 Watch for log jams and for stumps in riffles between this point and Hwy. O Bridge.

• 32.4 Hwy. O Bridge. No access.

• 33.3 Forest Service Access off Hwy. Z. • 35.3 River divides. Left channel usually best, but check.

• 37.7 Dougan Bridge on Hwy. AD. • 42.8 Forest Service access. South of Falcon on county road.

• 45.0 Hwy. 32 Bridge. Gravens Resort on left.

• 46.7 Lodge and spring on left. Fast riffle just below.

• 48.3 Spring on right.

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’ • 48.9 Spring at base of bluff on right.

Begin long pool.

• 51.6 Anna Adams Access. Slab ford low-water bridge. Between Hwys. 32 and 17. Good canoe/kayak access.

• 65.2 Unimproved ford, crossable in low water. May be used as put-in if approached from east via Hwy. AB. • 71.1 Bridge. Road connects Hwys. K and AB. Private resort on right.

• 74.6 Junction with Osage Fork on left.

• 75.4 Old Hwy. 66 and 1-44 Bridge.

Hazelgreen Access.

• 78.8 Cliff Spring on left shown.

• 80.1 Spring up right bank.

• 84.6 Hwy. 133 Bridge. Access under bridge.

• 92.5 Hwy. 7 Bridge. Mitschele Access. Gravel river access.

• 95.6 Red Bluff on left.

• 96.6 Low-water bridge access on Rochester Road off Hwy. 7 at Ozark Springs. Caution - Portage. Do not run at any level.

Gasconade River Map II Mile-By-Mile Description • 92.5 Hwy. 7 Bridge. Mitschele Access. Gravel river access.

• 95.6 Red Bluff on left.

• 96.6 low-water bridge access on Rochester Road off Hwy. 7 at Ozark Springs. Caution - Portage. Do not try to run at any flow level.

• 100.9 Hwy. T Bridge. Poor access because of steep bank.

• 103.2 The Narrows. Only 0.2 mile across, but 6.5 miles around by river.

• 106.0 Schlicht Spring branch on left is site of former grist mill.

• 106.1 Schlicht Springs Access on Resort Road off Hwy. 133.

• 110.2 East side of The Narrows.

Small spring at base of bluff.

• 112.4 Rock slide on right. Beat left.

Narrow channel at normal flow.

• 112.8 Falling Spring, behind rock dam up short branch on right, has flow of 1-5 million gallons.

• 113.2 Creasy Spring (Bubbling Spring), on the right, has a flow of 1215 million gallons per day, but is flooded when the river is high.

• 113.8 Battlers Mill Spring branch on right. The spring is on the private property and has only about half the volume of Creasy Spring, but was used to operate a grist mill.

• 116.3 Roubidoux Creek on right.

Hwy. 17 Bridge. Undeveloped gravel bar access. Roubidoux Creek has been floated in its upper reaches, but much of its water goes underground so that sections above Roubidoux Spring are neatly dry except in times of run-off. The spring has a flow of from 3-47 million gallons. The three miles of creek below it are floatable only during the spring.

• 118.5 Bridge piling in middle of channel.

• 123.1 Harrison Spring 0.3 mile up branch on left. Private.

• 125.6 River divides. Main channel is on left.

• 126.4 Bell Creek on left. Left branch of creek is a spring branch from Wheeler’s Mill.

• 126.9 Spring on left at base of bluff.

• 128.0 Clemens Creek on left.

• 129.5 Yellow Bluffs on left.

• 129.7 Private access.

• 129.9 Riddle Bridge Access on Hwy. Y. • 131.6 Jones Creek on left.

• 132.9 River divides at Portuguese Point, one of the most scenic areas on the Gasconade. Take left channel against bluffs. Bluffs along bend are approximately 250 feet high.

• 136.9 Mossy Spring 0.2 mile up branch on right. Private campground on left.

• 140.4 Hwy. 28 Bridge. Private access at cabins.

• 141.7 Big Piney River on left. Private access and camping on right bank of Big Piney.

• 143.7 Boiling Spring at edge of river is a second magnitude spring with a flow of 42 million gallons per day but is submerged when the river is high.

• 146.6 Emerald Lake outlet on left.

• 150.0 Hwy. 0 Bridge. Access on either side of river. Jerome 0.4 mile up road on left. Stores, cabins. Little Piney River enters on right, just below bridge.

• 150.2 St. Louis-San Francisco R.R. Bridge.

• 151.2 Jerome Access on left, off Hwy. O. • 153.5 Mill Creek on left.

• 154.2 Table Rock, large mushroomshaped rock in river. Old Whitehouse

June 2018 • Page 21 Ferry site. Access. End of County Road 8500.

• 155.6 Sugamee Hollow and cottages on right.

• 161.7 Thox Rock, square rock in river.

• 165.7 Private lodge on right. Spring down road.

• 166.2 End of Hwy. E. • 167.2 Bell Chute Access on Country Road 513, off Hwy. Y. • 170.3 Johnson Island. Right channel impassable.

• 170.5 Parker Spring on left.

• 172.8 Spring Creek on right.

• 173.0 Hwy. 63-28 Bridge.

• 174.5 Private access at resort on left.

Gasconade River Map III Mile-By-Mile Description • 174.5 Private access at resort on left.

• 179.5 Indian Ford. Private access.

Hwy. 42 Bridge.

• 187.6 Paydown Access on left. Paydown settlement 0.7 mile up Mill Creek on right. Paydown Spring 0.5 mile farther up the branch, once supplied power for two grist mills and the Bray Woolen Mill.

• 191.6 Fish Hollow. County road access on right.

• 194.0 Revis Rock; large rock in river.

• 195.4 Chicago. Rock Island and Pacific R.R. Bridge. Private access on County Road 636.

• 197.4 Daggetts Ford. County Road 634 off Hwy. 63 parallels river here. Private access.

• 198.3 Meyers Spring on left. 0.1 mile from river at northeast end of Cave Bluff. Private.

• 203.4 Hwy. 89 Bridge. Rollins Ferry Access on left. High land at west end of bridge was once encircled by a 9 mile continued on page 22

Page 22 • June 2018

GASCONADE RIVER continued from page 21 oxbow loop of the river.

• 209.0 Lovett Island Owens Creek on left.

• 210.8 Pointers Creek Access on left.

• 213.0 Miller Island and Deer Slough (behind island) on left.

• 214.0 Lower end of Deer Slough at Cedar Bluff.

• 215.7 Massie Island.

• 216.6 Third Creek and Cooper Hill Access on right off Hwy. D. Must carry boat 20 yards to river.

• 219.8 Mt. Sterling Bridge on Hwy. 50. Access under bridge. River slow below this point. Mud bank.

• 222.8 Contrary Creek on left.

Krueger Ford. Road on right to Hwys. K and 50.

• 231.1 Koelling Islands near right bank.

• 234.1 Feigler Ferry land. No access.

• 234.7 Church Bluff on left.

• 235.4 Helds Island Access on right off Hwy. K. Main channel right.

• 236.8 Lower end Helds Island.

• 237.1 Second Creek on right.

• 240.9 Turnpike Bluff on right.

• 244.8 Fredericksburg Ferry Access on right, on Old Ferry Road off Hwy. J. • 252.4 Gasconade Park Access on Oak Street in Gasconade. Last take-out before the Missouri River.

• 252.7 Missouri Pacific R.R. bridge.

• 253.1 Missouri River.

JACKS FORK This tributary of the Current River is one of the wildest and most scenic of the Missouri Ozark streams. Its deep valley is nearly a canyon, with no bottomland fields for the first 25 floatable miles.

It is therefore advisable to camp well above river level if there is any chance of sudden rain. Trips with loaded canoes above Alley Spring are recommended only in spring or after good summer rains.

The few miles immediately above Alley Spring are especially wide and shallow and may have to be walked in low water. Upper sections of the river provide fine fly fishing water.

• Difficulty: I and II. • Gradients: General - 7.3; Prongs to Hwy. 17 - 8.6; to Bunker Hill - 8; to Alley Spring - 7; to Current River - 6.3.

• Counties: Texas, Shannon.

Jacks Fork River Mile-By-Mile Description • 0.0 MDC South Prong Access at Hwy. Y Bridge. Beautiful section, but not recommended during low-water.

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’ • 6.8 State Hwy. 17 Bridge at “Buck Hollow.” Usual put-in for upper section of river. Park Service campground.

• 9.2 Salvation Army camp on left. Access, camp.

• 9.6 Blue Spring comes from cave on left nearly hidden from river by boulders. Narrow run just below spring may be difficult.

• 12.6 Jam Up Bluff and Cave. River entrance of cave is one of the most spectacular cave entrances in state. Cave may be explored in daylight back to lake which is plunge-basin for falls from upper part of cave. Upper section entered through a sinkhole in Lost Hollow which may be reached by climbing up the bluff.

• 15.9 Ebb and Flow Spring on left.

• 16.2 Rymers Access and campground on right.

• 17.1 Bunker Hill (Missouri State Teachers Association resort) on left. No access.

• 22.2 Leatherwood Creek on left.

• 25.2 Bay Creek on left. Access, camp.

• 31.0 Alley Spring, 10th largest spring in state. Old mill, camping, access.

• 32.3 Horse Hollow on left. The old Salem, Winona and Southern R.R. used to run up this hollow and continue up Sinking Branch after following the Jacks Fork from Mahan’s Creek.

• 35.3 Mahan’s Creek on right. Site of old R.R. river crossing just above mouth of creek.

• 37.3 Eminence. Stores, cafes, lodging. Take-out at Lions Ball Park on right side, one-quarter mile below Hwy. 19 Bridge.

• 41.9 Shawnee Creek on right. Access, camp.

• 42.3 Little Shawnee Creek on right.

• 44.6 Confluence with Current River.

Best take-out 0.75 mile downstream at ferry landing.

JAMES RIVER Float trips, for which the Ozarks are famous among smallmouth bass fishermen, reputedly originated at Galena on the James. John boats 18-24 feet long and 4 feet wide were used long before canoes and kayaks became popular and are amazingly maneuverable craft for their size. Some anglers still prefer the stability they provide for casting while standing and the comfort of folding arm chairs which they can carry.

Before the days of Table Rock Dam a five-day float of about 125 miles was available from Galena to Branson, but now little, if any, of the river is floatable below Galena. However one of the fine fishing floats always has been the 22mile section from “Hooten Town” to Galena and this may still be floated even

with john boats.

In high or medium water paddlers can run another 40 miles above this as well as some of the larger tributaries. Most of this water provides fine fishing.

• Difficulty: I; a few places on upper river rate up to III due to obstructions.

• Gradient: General - 4.5; Hwy. 125 to Lake Springfield - 6.3; dam at Lake Springfield to Hwy.14 - 4.3; to Galena 4.

• Counties: Greene, Christian, Scone.

James River Mile-By-Mile Description • 0.0 Hwy. 125 Bridge. McCraw Ford.

Access under bridge.2.7 Hwy. D Bridge.

No access.

• 2.9 Turner Bridge. Old Hwy. D. • 3.0 San Francisco St. Louis R.R. Bridge.

• 6.8 Joe Crighton Access on right, at Kinser Bridge on Farm Road 164. No ramp, but easy canoe/kayak access.

• 9.5 Hwy. 60 Bridge. Lake Springfield backs up water beyond this point.

• 9.7 Farm Road 181 Bridge. No access.

• 10.0 Southwood Access (Springfield City Utilities) on left downstream from Hwy. 65 Bridge. Off Hwy. 65. take Evans Road to Southwood Road. Lake Springfield. which is about 2 miles long, begins.

• 12.1 Public park and access on right.

• 12.3 Kissick Darn. Fair access.

• 12.4 Tailwaters Access (Springfield City Utilities) on right, off Hwy. 65 to Evans Road to Kissick.

• 15.8 Hwy. 160 Bridge. Fair access.

• 18.7 Owens Bridge.

• 20.3 Shallow rapids caused by rock ledge, with brush and logs at bottom.

RiverHillsTraveler.com Walk or line!

• 21.3 Blue Spring on left. Not safe.

• 23.2 Country road bridge. No access.

• 25.2 Wilson Creek on right.

• 26.3 Stone piers of old Delaware Bridge.

• 26.7 Spring branch on left.

• 27.0 Delaware Town Access on left, on County Road 14-31.

• 27.5 Hwy. 14 Bridge Access.

• 28.3 Blue Hole.

• 29.3 Rock ledge at old ford site makes good riffle.

• 31.9 Frazier Bridge on county road.

• 33.5 Shelvin Rock Access on left, on Shelvin Rock Road.

• 33.9 McCafferty Hollow Creek on left.

• 36.2 Jamesville Bridge. Hwys. M and U. No access.

• 36.3 Finley Creek, on left. 37.9 Tory Creek on left. Montague Spring, 2.5 miles up creek, reached via Hwy. O from Hwy. 65. The spring has a flow of nearly 2 million gallons per day.

• 39.4 Silver Lake Branch on right.

• 39.7 Hooten Town Access on right, on Hotten Town Road.

• 40.8 Hooten Hill, on right (high bluff).

• 42.6 Watch for down trees in river along right bank. Use caution, particularly in high water.

• 44.3 Cole Pit Hole access on County Road V-70 off Hwy. V. • 44.7 McCall Bridge.

• 45.0 Old Stillhouse Hollow, on right.

• 46.1 Access on left where extension of Hwy. V parallels rivet.

• 46.3 Goff Creek on left. No access.

Fast run just below.

• 50.4 Private access on right side, off Hwy. AA near O to church. continued on page 23

RiverHillsTraveler.com

JAMES RIVER continued from page 22 • 52.8 Crane Creek on right.

• 53.8 Wheeler Branch and Hwy. AA on right. No access.

• 56.6 Horse Creek on left. H.L. Kerr Access on Horse Creek Road.

• 58.3 Yocum’s Camp on tight. No access.

• 61.0 Hwy. 248-13 Bridge. Access.

• 61.3 Hwy. 13 Bridge. No access.

• 61.6 Y Bridge at Galena. Supplies in town. Lake fishing regulations apply downstream from here. 61.7 Access on right. When Table Rock Lake is not at full reservoir, the river may be floated beyond this point. Inquire locally about conditions and accesses.

MERAMEC RIVER Fed by Maramec Spring and many smaller springs, the Meramec is floated most of the year. The most floated sections are those between Maramec Spring and Meramec State Park, although there is still much reasonably attractive river down to St. Clair or even Pacific.

Beyond that point, however, real estate developments, railroads, and industry may make the river unattractive to some paddlers. For those who do not mind these distractions, the river is floatable right down to the Mississippi. Floats above Maramec Spring are recommended only for high-water periods.

• Difficulty: I, seldom II. • Gradients: General (to Palisades) 3.4; Hwy. 19 to Hwy. M - 7.8; to Hwy. 8 - 5.3; to Hwy. 19 north of Steelville - 4.2; to Onondaga Cave - 3.2; to Moselle 2.6; to Palisades - 1.6 • Counties: Dent, Crawford, Phelps, Franklin, Jefferson, St. Louis.

Meramec River Mile-by-Mile Description • 0.0 Low-water bridge at Short Bend, just off Hwy 19.

• 0.8 Hwy. 19 Bridge.

• 0.9 Short Bend Access. Good access for canoes/kayaks.

• 6.3 Low-water bridge access on extension of Hwy M. • 8.7 Low-water bridge access at Cook Station.

• 10.1 Hwy M bridge.

• 13.4 Low dam. Portage.

• 13.7 Low-water bridge access at Wesco.

• 16.7 Low-water bridge access on road between Wesco and Hwy. U. • 18.7 Low-water bridge access. Hwy. U 1.3 miles north.

• 20.7 Benton Creek on left.

• 26.1 State Hwy. 8 Bridge.

• 26.2 MDC Woodson K. Woods Wildlife Area Access on right. Reached from Hwy. 8. Usually the highest practical put-in.

• 28.1 Maramec Spring branch, on left, is 0.7 mile long and is managed for trout fishing by MDC. The spring, with average daily flows of more than 90 million gallons is sixth or seventh largest in the state. The beautiful park in the area of the spring and branch is maintained by The James Foundation.

• 28.8 Dry Fork enters on the left. Although this creek has a drainage as large as the upper Meramec, much of its water is thought to drain into the Maramec Spring system. Consequently, it is seldom floatable. Its gradient for the lower 23 miles (from Hwy. F) is 5.2.

• 32.8 Richart Spring on left. Not open to the public.

• 35.1 Scotts Ford Access area on northwest side of bridge. Private camp-

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’ ground nearby.

• 41.0 Indian Spring and Lodge on right.

• 41.0 Indian Spring and private lodge on right.

• 42.3 Riverview Public Access. Off Hwy. O. • 43.4 Channel divides. Right may be shallow.

• 43.9 Pine Branch on left. McIntosh Spring is one of the springs feeding this branch. It has a flow of under a million gallons but once operated a water wheel.

• 44.4 Private cottages on left.

• 46.8 Fishing Spring Road access.

• 47.0 Many private campgrounds in this area.

• 47.9 State Hwy. 19 Bridge.

• 50.0 Bird’s Nest access (Crawford County) on right. St. Louis-San Francisco R.R. and county bridges. Good rift in river here. City and private campground.

• 50.5 Whittenburg Creek on right.

• 55.3 Private campground.

• 58.3 Lick Creek on left.

• 59.1 Saranac Spring branch on left and private campground.

• 62.0 Spring branch on left.

• 65.9 Huzzah Creek enters on right.

Section just above Huzzah Creek often has log obstructions. The Huzzah and its companion creek, the Courtois, are floatable and are described separately. Huzzah Wildlife Management Area extends along right bank for next 1.5 miles.

• 66.2 Huzzah Conservation Area and access, off Hwy E. • 68.4 Onondaga State Park, Hwy. H bridge. Public access upstream from bridge on west. Onondaga Cave, about one mile up road to left, is one of the outstanding commercial caves in the state.

East side of low-water bridge private with camping.

• 70.4 Opossum Hollow Creek on left.

• 73.7 Campbell Bridge Access.

• 78.0 Private access canoe rental and campground.

• 78.6 Blue Springs Creek Conservation Area and access on Thickety Ford Road. Low-water bridge removed, but pilings still present. No ramp. Must carry canoe/kayak to river.

Meramec River II Mile-by-Mile Description • 73.7 Campbell Bridge Access.

• 78.0 Private access canoe rental and campground.

• 78.6 Blue Springs Creek Conservation Area and access on Thickety Ford Road. Low-water bridge removed, but pilings still present. No ramp. Fair canoe/kayak access.

• 82.4 Greens Creek on right.

• 83.2 Sappington Bridge Access.

• 85.3 Hamilton Creek on right.

• 85.8 Green Cave and picnic shelter on right in Meramec State Park.

• 86.2 Stater Creek on left.

• 88.0 Meramec State Park boat ramp from Hwy. 185 at state park entrance.

• 88.2 State park picnic ground along left bank, from bridge to Camper’s Spring. Stores for supplies 2.5 miles up road on left or in Sullivan 1.5 miles beyond. Meramec State Park makes an excellent base from which to float the Meramec River and its a fine place to begin or end trips.

• 88.5 Camper’s Spring on right at base of bluff.

• 89.5 Panther Cave, in bluff on right, is small but much visited. The “lower” state park campground extends along the left bank in this area.

• 90.0 Boat ramp - Meramec State Park on left. Watch for rock dike on left.

• 90.2 Fisher Cave 0.2 mile from river on left is operated as a park concession • 91.0 Silver Hollow Creek on right.

• 92.0 Private canoe park on left.

• 92.1 Private concrete boat ramp on left.

• 92.3 Private pavilion on left. Bluff on right.

• 92.4 Gravel bar on right. State forest - overnight canoe camping authorized.

• 94.3 Meramec Caverns and La Jolla Springs. Access. This cave is another one of the commercial ones in the state.

The management provides a park and picnic area for the public along the left bank, below the cave.

• 95.4 Sand Ford Access off Hwy. W. • 98.0 Twin Springs and private club on left.

• 98.7 Roaring Spring, on left.

• 101.7 Pickle Ford (Huff Ford). Poor access on left bank.

• 104.4 Plum Ford.

• 112.0 Hwy. K Bridge.

• 112.2 Indian Creek on right.

• 112.3 Private access at beach on right.

• 117.3 State Hwy. 30-47 Bridge. Private access.

Meramec River III Mile-by-Mile Description • 117.3 State Hwy. 30-47 Bridge. Private access.

• 123.8 Bruns Bridge. Private campground.

• 126.2 Little Meramec River on right.

• 127.2 River ‘Round Conservation Area and access, off TT to Mill Hill to Old Cove Road.

• 131.4 Hillcrest Park private access.

• 132.4 St. Louis-San Francisco R.R. Bridge. Access.

• 132.8 Chouteau Claim Access at junction with Bourbeuse River. County road and bridge 0.4 mile up Bourbeuse.

• 136.0 Robertsville State Park access.

• 139.4 Calvey Creek on right.

June 2018 • Page 23 • 142.7 Catawissa Conservation Area and access on right. Must paddle through lake to get to river.

• 142.8 St. Louis-San Francisco R.R. Bridge.

• 145.3 Hwy. F Bridge. Private access.

• 147.3 Pacific Palisades Conservation Area and access on right, on English Road off Hwy F. • 154.2 Allenton Access on left, off I44, at Allentown-Six Flags Road, go east on Main Street, south on Brown Road to Huntersford.

• 158.0 Big River on right.

• 161.0 Hwy. 66 bridges. Times Beach Access on left, at Lewis Road exit off I44.

• 169.0 Castlewood State Park off Kiefer Creek Road.

• 172.5 Valley Park City Access (Valley Park).

• 173.5 Green Tree Park Access (kirkwood), off Marshall Road.

• 176.0 Ackerman Access at I-44 Bridge. No ramp.

• 179.4 Hwy. 30 Bridge.

• 180.4 Winter County Park with ramps on right, off Corisande Beach Road.

• 183.6 Hwy. 21 Bridge. No access.

• 192.0 Flamm City Access on right below Hwy. 231 Bridge. Ramp. Last access above Mississippi River.

• 193.5 Mississippi River.

NIANGUA RIVER One of the best fishing streams in the state, the Niangua also has the advantage of being closely associated with Bennett Spring State Park and one of the Conservation Department’s trout hatcheries. continued on page 24

Page 24 • June 2018

NIANGUA RIVER continued from page 23 Those who prefer floating to trout fishing in the park often make the park their headquarters while floating the upper sections of the river or the section immediately below the park.

However, the river itself provides many fine campsites for put-in-and-go type floats. In high water, a float could be made from as high as Hwy. M, but the river above Hwy. 32 is seldom floatable.

This river is usually crowded on hot, summer weekends.

• Difficulty: I and II. • Gradients: General - 4.6; Hwy. M to Hwy. 32 - 6; to Hwy. K -P Bridge - 4.2; to Bennett Spring State Park - 4.1; to Prosperine (Mountain Creek) Access 3.5; to Mill Creek - 5.2; below Tunnel Dam - about 3.

• Counties: Dallas, Laclede, Camden.

Niangua River Mile-By-Mile Description • 0.0 State Hwy. 32 Bridge.

• 1.3 Big John Access. Low-water bridge. Good canoe/kayak access. Off Hwy. 32 and County Road 32-79 to County Road K-161.

• 3.4 Greasy Creek on left. Lower few miles sometimes floatable.

• 3.9 River divides. Left channel shatter, but inspect.

• 4.8 Watermill Bridge, offHwy. DO. • 8.4 Durington Creek on left.

• 12.2 Williams Ford Access, off MM, to County Road MM-123 to County Road K-143. Poor canoe/kayak access due to high embankment.

• 13.9 Indian Creek on left.

• 16.2 Hwy. K-P Bridge. Four Mile Creek on right.

• 20.1 Cave Creek on right.

• 22.3 Moon Valley Access, on County Road 00-126. Gravel ramp.

• 23.8 Fort Niangua private access and campground on left.

• 26.5 Cat Hollow on left.

• 29.0 Spring branch on left.

• 29.5 Bennett Spring Branch on right.

No access. Outfitters are available, adjacent to the park. The spring, 1.5 miles up the branch, is sixth largest in the state. A large trout harchery provides fishing for rainbows. Daily trout tag required.

• 29.8 Hwy. 64 Bridge. Spring branch on left. No access.

• 30.2 Bennett Spring Access on left off Hwy. 64.

• 30.5 Danceyard Creek on right.

• 35.0 For next two miles there are several private accesses and campgrounds on left.

• 36.2 Spring branch on right. River turns abruptly left along bluff.

• 36.5 Barclay Conservation Area and access, on left, off Hwy. 64 and County Road 64-152.

• 37.5 Prater Spring Branch on left.

Spring 0.4 mile up branch.

• 38.0 Low Gap. Fast rocky riffle area.

• 38.2 Ho Humm private access and campground.

• 38.3 Old bridge piers.

• 40.0 Gilbettson Ford. No access.

• 40.8 Mountain Creek on right. Prosperine Access, at mouth of creek on County Road AA-980. Gravel bar. Private campground next to access. Good swimming hole just upstream from mouth of creek. Rocky riffle below mouth of creek.

• 42.0 Indian Grave Point on right.

• 44.0 Guthrie Bluff on right.

• 44.9 Oldham’s private access.

• 47.4 Smith Ford. No access.

• 48.0 Blue Spring (also called Big Blue Spring) on right. A canoe can be

OZARKS FLOAT TRIPPIN’ paddled 200 feet up the branch to the spring. Private resort.

• 50.7 Mint Spring branch on left. 53.9 Jakes Creek on left. Lead Mine Conservation Area. Poor canoe/kayak access due to embankment.

• 54.3 Herrick Ford Access. No ford here, but old mill dam site produces a fast shoot. Gravel bar provides good access.

• 56.1 Berry Bluff Conservation Area and access on right. Mill Creek on left.

• 57.1 Berry Bluff, on right, particularly beautiful in fall colors.

• 59.1 AB Creek on left.

• 61.1 Chapel Bluff, on left, is mostly unwooded.

• 61.9 Lake Niangua backs water to this point.

• 63.3 Woolsey (Wilsey) Creek on right. Private access road at creek mouth.

• 63.8 Private access on left.

• 65.3 Private cabins on east side of lake.

• 66.0 Tunnel Dam. Public access and boat ramp on west side. However, there is often no water running in the river between the dam and power house, a distance of about 6 miles. At the dam it is only 0.2 mile across the ridge to the other end of this river meander, but it is no place to portage. End trip here unless water is flowing below the dam. The power house is located on the notth side of the ridge because the original tailrace used a cave that perforated the ridge. It is now replaced by an artificial tunnel.

If the “dry channel” section is floatable, the following distances apply: • 68.0 Ford (slab). South of Edith off Hwy. U. Good access.

• 72.2 Power house on right. Power line. Area dangerous when water is coming through turbines. Use caution.

• 73.5 Power line crossing.

• 74.7 Rodger Ford may be reached from both north and south sides. No crossing here.

• 77.0 Lake of the Ozarks may back water to this point.

• 79.5 Access near mouth of Bank Branch, reached by paddling along right shore of lake.

NORTH FORK OF THE WHITE The North Fork of the White combines a relatively constant flow of clear water from large springs with some of the best whitewater in the Missouri Ozarks.

Since its upper reaches are in Mark Twain National Forest, it retains some wilderness character and has good watershed protection.

The section from Hwy. 14 to Hwy. H is near-wilderness and includes some fine stands of short-leaf pine as well as several large springs. Old mills and a number of National Forest recreation areas enhance the attractiveness of the area for vacationers. Indeed, this river has high-quality recreation value equal to any in the Ozarks.

The river is almost always floatable from Dora down to North Fork Reservoir. Although the gradient of the lower sections is not spectacular, the volume is good and this produces some fairly sporty rifts.

The Little North Fork, in western Ozark County, was a fair float before Bull Shoals Reservoir destroyed its lower reaches. There is now little of it left that could be floated, but it is still suited to wading and fishing in the Hammond area.

• Difficulty: I and II. A few places might rate a low III in high water.

• Gradients: General - 7.5; Hwy. HH to Round Valley Ford - 10.4; to Twin Bridges - 8; Hammond Camp - 6.7; to Hwy. H - 6.4; to Tecumseh take-out 5.6.

• Counties: Douglas, Ozark, Howell useful for road connections.

North Fork River Mile-By-Mile Description • 0.0 Hwy. 76 Bridge. Access.

• 0.5 Low-water bridge on connecting road between Hwys. 76 and E. Access.

• 6.6 Low-water bridge and spring at Topaz. An old mill remains standing. Access.

• 11.1 Slab ford. Access.

• 11.4 Indian Creek enters on left.

• 12.2 Osborn Ford low-water bridge in Round Valley, on County Road AH260 off Hwy. AH and County Road 284 off Hwy. 181.

• 14.8 Hale Ford Bridge access on County Road 275 off Hwy. 181 and County Road W-278 off Hwy. • 16.1 Fiddle Springs Hollow on left.

• 18.7 Bridge on connecting road between Hwys. AA and 14. Hebron Access on left, on County Road 279 off Hwy. 14. Gravel ramp.

• 24.1 Hwy. 14 Bridge at Twin Bridges. Other bridge is over Spring Creek. Access and camping. Roadside park on left bank just above Hwy. 14 Bridge is a popular access and campground. Store between bridges.

• 25.9 Spring Creek enters on left. The lower 8 miles of the creek have a gradient of 12.5 but it is more a wading/fishing stream than a floating stream and tends to be blocked by logs and other obstacles. Big Spring, 2.5 miles upstream, is only a third magnitude spring.

• 26.0 Hicks Spring on right just below the mouth of Spring Creek.

• 28.2 Mary’s Hollow and creek on right. Spring up hillside on opposite side of river.

• 29.2 Hammond Camp Access just off Hwy. CC. Concrete bridge on West Plains Road. Forest Service North Fork Recreation Area and campground on left.

• 29.9 Blue Spring on left, at river level. The flow is seldom less than 7 million gallons per day.

• 33.3 North Fork spring issues from rock ledge on left.

• 33.5 Upper branch of Rainbow

RiverHillsTraveler.com (Double) Spring on right. Lower branch enters river 1500 feet downstream from source. No admittance. Private use only.

This is rated as the fifth largest spring in the state with mid-summer flows of up to 137 million gallons per day. There is a rocky riffle on the bend just below the mouth of the lower spring.

• 35.0 McKee Bridge. Private use only.

• 36.0 The Falls is merely a rock ledge about 2-3 feet high. Chute is best handled from the left and go toward the right, but check first.

• 39.2 Blair Bridge, concrete lowwater bridge, on extension of Hwy. KK to Hwy. H. Access. It is necessary to pull boats over this bridge. Approach with caution, since a broadside approach in medium-high water could result in being swamped and pinned against the upstream side. Just below the bridge are some old concrete bridge piers which produce a tricky channel in low water.

• 39.4 Blair Bridge Access on left, on County Road H-354 off Hwy. KK. • 39.9 Private campground on right.

• 40.9 Spring Creek on left, is fed by numerous springs, none of them large. It has a gradient of 14 on the 6 miles above its mouth but access to it is poor except at the Duncan Ford 2.3 miles upstream.

It has often been floated from this point in springtime and provides a good ride, but a float from Cureall (12 miles) could entail much walking. 42.1 Hwy. H lowwater bridge. Patrick Bridge Access at northeast side of bridge. Gravel ramp.

Althea Spring, rated as Missouri’s 23rd largest, is just downstream on the left.

• 42.3 Althea Spring Branch enters the river at a fast riffle.

• 43.6 Private campground on right.

• 45.3 Hwy. PP Bridge. This is a high bridge, but the old road goes down to the water for easy access.

• 47.0 Dam Mill Dam. Water is backed up for about a quarter mile by this low dam. The dam has been run in high water, but it is a “canoe buster” and you must know the right spot. It is easily “portaged” by sliding the canoe down a shallow chute on the right end of the dam where there is also a rough path around the dam. There is a good rapids below the dam which is easily run.

• 47.1 Dam Bridge. Going under this bridge in high water is dangerous. Approach with caution and make sure there is clearance! The Dawt Mill is one of the most picturesque of those still operating in the area. The run from here to Tecumseh access has a number of riffles depending on lake level.

• 48.8 Repeating Riffle. This is the last drop when the lake is high. A ledge produces good standing waves which whitewater enthusiasts rerun by using a strong upstream eddy on the right to carry them to the ledge again with little paddling effort.

• 49.1 Junction with Bryant Creek.

• 49.5 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tecumseh Access and campground on right. n