Table of Contents
Trip Reports
Natalie Wiest: Boquillas Canyon
Natalie Wiest: Burnham's Ferry
Buffalo
Bayou Trip Report, Jan 15 2006
by Christy Long, Photos by Tracy Caldwell
Terry Hershey Park off of Memorial Mews to Beltway 8
Trip
participants included:
Bob A. (OC1), John B. (OC1), Sandy T. (OC2), Jeannette T. (OC2), Lillian
T. (OC2), Chet T. (OC2), Rosie T. (OC2-1/2), Anne O. (OC2), John O. (OC2),
Janice F. (OC2), Fraser B. (OC2), Christy L. (OC1), Tracy C. (K1), Mathew
B. (K1).
We
met at 9:00 am, ran shuttle, and started dropping our boats into the bayou
around 10:00 am. The day has cool with no wind to speak of and the water
level was low (50-60 cfs). This section of the bayou would be a first
descent for me. We had a great time on the obstacle course setup by nature
and I would like to paddle this section again. Because it is relatively
natural I'm sure it changes often. Besides having a great navigable stream,
the putin and takeout have designated parking spaces for park users, which
is always a plus for river runners.
There
was current and we navigated small rapids, made from trees, rocks, tires,
machine parts, and concrete, one boat at a time to prevent any pile ups.
The fallen tree trunks and branches made downstream progress slow.
We
climbed over some fallen trees and paddled under others. It took strength
and balance to haul the canoes over the trees then walk down the big branches
to get to the boat. Paddling underneath some of the fallen trees required
bending forward and tilting the boat at just the right angel to fit through
the allotted space.
I
sighted an egret, a hawk, and several other birds along the way. Occasional,
I was reminded of the fact that we were paddling in the city, when I sighted
a runner or a family on the trail that parallels the bayou.
After
the shuttle was run and boats tied down, a couple of us went to a Mexican
food restaurant and relived the outing. I want to thank Bob Arthur for
inviting us on this trip and introducing me to this section of the bayou.
