Cadron Creek – SH-65 to AR 285
Arkansas
1 April 2022
by Kent Walters
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Put-in
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SH-65 bridge
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Take-out
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AR-285 bridge
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Gage
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3.97' on USGS 07261000 - Cadron Creek near Guy, AR
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Temperature
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~65-70 deg F
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Sky
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Solid overcast, changing to clear and blue
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Precipitation
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None
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Wind
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negligible
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Participants
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Calvin Doody, Brock Moss, Sam Reyna, Duane Hecklesberg, Kent Walters
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Shuttle
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Self-shuttle
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River Miles
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10.4
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Photos
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Cadron Creek |
We met at the Highway 65 bridge river access at noon and unloaded, ran the shuttle, prepped and got on the water at 1:00. It was a beautiful day, and the water was moving pretty fast. Calvin, who did all of the planning for this trip, mentioned that somewhere downstream was “The Big Rock” that we should probably scout.
Sam, Brock, Duane and Calvin at the SH-65 Put-In
We headed downriver under the cover of a solid layer of grey clouds. The serviceberries were in bloom, with their dogwood-like appearance (from a distance). The hardwoods have yet to leaf out here in Arkansas, but the evergreens behind them were, of course, green. We paddled downstream, watching all the rocks in the water and along the shore.
Sam paddling in front of layered cliffs, which formed some of the shoreline
Some of the cliffs were fronted by leafless hardwoods.
Looking upstream from where we pulled out to scout “The Big Rock” rapid
We paddled through very beautiful scenery, and then, suddenly, there it was - “The Big Rock”.
Sam running “The Big Rock” rapid – it was kind of pushy
Duane enjoying the event
Calvin checking to see how far back we all were
Brock in front of a small waterfall
We saw a red-tailed hawk, bald eagle, great blue heron, kingfishers, ducks and cardinals, along with the usual cooter turtles.
The AR-285 Take-out – a little muddy and a little steeper than it looks, but manageable
A quick reverse shuttle, boat and gear transfer, and we were done – on our way home by about 4:30.
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The author, Kent Walters |