If you missed part I check it out here.
Blue. We like blue. Blue on the American Whitewater gauge links means too high, and in some places too high can be just right. In our experience one such place is the Mulberry River, so a blue gauge on a hot summer day when we were already in the area was a no brainer. NOTE: HIGH WATER BOATING IS FOR EXPERIENCED BOATERS ONLY. KNOW AND STAY WITHIN YOUR LIMITS.
The Arkansas Adventure Guide crew had obligations back in reality that evening, so we determined the best course of action would be to opt for a short day. We zeroed in on the Little Mulberry access to Byrd’s Adventure Center, a six mile trip. We like taking out at Byrd’s for several reasons, not least of which is the fact that we can back the company truck down to the river. That’s not such a big deal when we’re paddling, but when we deploy Blue Steel we need all the help we can get launching and loading.
One thing that makes the Mulberry unique is its proximity to the road. Much of the upper reach is a roadside run and the river is even visible from Highway 215 in spots. Incidentally, 215 is the road to Oark and an Arkansas treasure, the Oark General Store. It’s also a very scenic drive, but that’s another story. Heck, the Oark General Store deserves its own post (note to self), but I digress.
As we made our way along 215 to the Little Mulberry access we quickly came to a realization. The river was not high. In fact, the river was low. We debated possible causes of the drastic discrepancy between the gauge readings and reality but never settled definitively on one. We did learn the lower reach was much higher than the upper, but the gauge readings on the upper were clearly inaccurate.
Jump Start is an easy little rapid on the upper Mulberry, but when the water goes away the rocks come out to play………
D’oh!
No matter! We had boating to get to, and we were about to experience something very special to Arkansas boaters – ELF. ELF is an acronym denoting Extreme Low Flow, and an ELF run is an enjoyable challenge that helps sharpen boating skills, especially in a fourteen foot oar rig. An ELF run is a rite of passage, and in no small measure the difference between a good and bad ELF day is attitude. We were a happy bunch, and I’m pleased to report the same applied to all the other Arkansas adventurers we encountered that day…………
Frisbee anyone?
Our Partners In Crime, Chris and Andy
with one exception. What can we say? Some Arkansas adventurers are just anti-social. This one barely allowed me time for one quick shot and he was gone!
Okay okay, one quick shot. But them I’m outta here!
Sometimes the key to successful Arkansas adventuring is being in the right place at the right time – and being ready.
See you out there!
Deuce
