December Holiday Party

Trip Reports

Brazos River
by John Rich

Lake Charlotte
by John Rich

Labor Day on the Sabine
by Paul Woodcock

Labor Day in the Hill Country
by John & Anne Olden

Lake Charlotte
by Paul Woodcock

PADDLING THE HILL COUNTRY

By John and Anne Olden

The extraordinary amount of rain this summer has kept rivers at paddler-friendly levels this summer. Over two recent weekends (Aug. 25/26 and Labor Day), we camped and paddled with small groups on three Hill Country rivers - the Frio, Medina and Guadalupe. Only the Frio, at 350 cfs on the Concan gauge, was too low.

We hadn’t paddled the Frio in over 15 years, and only remembered how beautifully clear it is. We had forgotten the features of this river that require more water for an enjoyable run (see Donna Grimes’ July story about the Frio). First, we made the mistake of putting in at Garner State Park and going to Hwy 127, which is eleven miles. There are a number of low water crossings, at least two sections with flutes, and a couple of waterfalls. At 350 cfs, the low water crossings and at least one of the waterfalls had to be portaged. Putting in about half way down this 11 miles section would have been better. However the farther down we went, the thicker the tubers became. While they weren’t rowdy, it was sometimes crowded. So cooler weather, higher water, and a shorter trip would be our suggestions. Nevertheless, the river is still pretty. We drove to Garner St. Park from Medina on FM 337. The green rolling hills between Medina and Vanderpool are surely one of the most scenic drives in Texas.

The Medina River (at 670 cfs on the Bandera gauge) from the Patterson St. bridge in Medina to Camp Bandina Rd. presented its usual challenges, with trees in swift, narrow chutes, and one low water crossing to portage. A second low water crossing and a dam were runnable. There were also quiet stretches, with a shady tree canopy nearly all the way. The second weekend we did the run from Camp Bandina to Ranger Crossing, the roadside park at Hwy. 16. The Bandera gauge reading was 565 cfs. This section is similar to the upper run, with slow, tree-lined pools and fast chutes. There are no low water crossings, but there is a bridge at Peaceful Valley Rd. which is portaged on the right. The Stewart Falls area was runnable from both the right and the left. In spite of the landowner’s concrete, the river is cutting a new channel to the left of the falls.

(Debbie Snow braces as she goes over Stewart Falls on the Medina)

(Janice almost disappears as she and Fraser go over the falls)

The Guadalupe at 760 cfs on the Comfort gauge from the dam at Center Point to Herman Sons Camp Rd. is 8.6 miles. Usually we take out at four miles at Homilius Rd. (old Roane Rd.) or Lane Valley (six miles). Since it was Sept. 2 and we weren’t in a hurry, we decided to go a little farther than usual. There are no rapids of note in this additional two miles. However, Herman Sons might be a good putin for the run to Comfort and takeouts below it at various crossings. During out trip we surprised a handsome butterscotch-colored fox on a bluff above the river, and it trotted off, bushy white-tipped tail waving.

On Sept. 3 the Guadalupe run from Hwy. 281 to Rebecca Creek, at 1600 cfs on the Spring Branch gauge, was fun with plenty of water, although there are still long flat places. At one point we heard – but couldn’t see – what we thought was a waterfall. Paddling closer, we found water pouring into an opening at the base of the hillside. There was limestone on either side of the opening, and we could see the river dropping several feet. It was probably the first time we’ve seen so much water going over Mueller and Rust Falls, so we scouted them.

(Rheda Boardman runs through the middle of Mueller Falls)

It was easy to run Mueller down the middle and Rust either to right or left of the center horseshoe.

(Christy enjoys the rush at Rust Falls)

The river was rushing over the bridge at Rebecca Creek, so it’s important to pay attention and get to river right or left well upstream of the bridge.

Over Labor Day the group camped at Pioneer RV Resort in Bandera. There are no trees for tent campers so we set up a tarp. The bathrooms are very nice. Belatedly, we learned that this holiday weekend is also the annual Cowboy Festival in Bandera, which calls itself the Cowboy Capital of Texas. The RV park is just a block from the main street, so on Saturday morning we walked up the hill to stroll through the arts and crafts booths in front of the courthouse before finding a place along Hwy. 16 to watch the parade. There were pre-parade performers, including some twirling lassos and Pistol Packin’ Paula demonstrating her gunslinging skills. Leading the parade were longhorns and many folks on horseback. Fortunately there’s a back way out of the RV park, so we skirted the main street festivities to reach the Medina that Saturday.