Topic: Cadron Creek

[JeffHoff]

Daytrippable Class II.  Pinnacle springs run is 3-4 river miles.  3.0 is minimum, 4.5-6.0 is better.  Big watershed keeps it up all winter.


Here's a link to the gauge.
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?dd_cd=02&format=gif&period=7&site_no=07261000

Also, this page is a great resource for finding out what's running in Arkansas.
http://www.ozarkpages.com/cgi-bin/stages.pl?ST=level

[Cadron Boy]

For another nice web site with respect to Cadron Creek and its tributaries you might want to check out:

http://www.cadroncreekoutfitters.com/Canoe_Tripsx.html

Also nearby you will find Cove Creek, South Fork of the Little Red, Archey Fork and the Middle Fork of the Little Red.  Lots of Class II-III paddling within 20-30 mile radius of Clinton, Arkansas.

[mhoward]

I thought I would add Cadron Boy's river gauge before it gets lost in history.


Below 1.4 feet -- nah, look elsewhere.

1.4 to 1.7 feet -- you'll get by and have a good time but you're going to hit a few rocks and you're not going to be doing much surfing.

1.8 to 2.2 feet -- respectable, nothing to write home to mom about but you can find a few nice waves to play and have a thoroughly enjoyable time

2.2 to 3.0 feet -- now we're talking, most of the shoals will offer an assortment of eddies and waves to play, generally considered by most to be "just right"...and you'll know it too because Sarah's wave will start looking glassy smooth and the Ledge -- well you might stay there awhile.

3.0 to 4.0 feet -- now I'm excited, this is putting Cadron Creek near its prime for the intermediate paddler who is looking to surf -- Sarah's wave gets a little mean, but there are now so many other offerings....

4.0 to 6.5 feet -- I'm taking off work

Above 6.5 feet -- an acquired taste -- 'tis a river in flood but it offers a lot of thrills especially the pourover at Cathedral Rock.

[Cadron Boy]

Update 2007 -

Lots of changes on the Creek for this year.  Many of the shoals downstream of CCO have been enhanced and reviews (as taken recently from ACC message board) have been good so far this year:

The Cadron really shines as a play river these days. There were wave trains I've never seen before.... You'll want to see the mega-surfing day we had on the Cadron ….  This creek is definitely one of the most playful to be found in central Arkansas.  Captain Aleve

I've been on the Cadron quite a bit the last couple of months and have been astounded at how much better the river is these days.  Randy Dodson

Wow. For the record, the "Mighty" Cadron Gorge is indeed a blast … I've run dozens of times but I've never had as much fun as today.   There are lots of super surfing waves…   Gordon Kumpuris

So if you're need of a good true Class II run with lots of play waves, great scenery, easy shuttle and friendly folks you might consider paying us a visit here on the Cadron.  And, we even have a nice campground if you want to spend the night -- as it takes more than a day to cover the many delightful runs (Cove Creek, East Fork, Choctaw Creek, Archey Fork, South Fork, Hogans Creek, etc.) you can find within a 20-30 mile radius. 

Cadron Boy

[Cadron Boy]

New Upstream Access -- The Weidower's have opened up access to Cadron Creek upstream of Cadron Creek Outfitters and downstream of Hartwick Mill Bridge for those needing an intermediate access site (see: Weidower Access -- this access site offers a couple of extra miles to the trip down to Highway 65 bridge and a close-up view of Big Bertha Falls.  The campground and access at Cadron Creek Outfitters remains open and is available by reservation in the off season and every weekend (Friday-Sunday) during season (March 12- June 13, 2010) for those seeking a shorter trip or place to camp after a day on the river.    

We applaud the Arkansas Canoe Club in opening up new access sites and recommend this site as a "first choice" option -- especially for those not needing to rent a boat or wishing to stay the night.  Cadron Creek Outfitters will continue to provide shuttle service -- including at the new access site -- for those needing to secure a shuttle.  

P.S.  The Jam Jazz Fest -- with Memphis' FreeWorld and other local jazz greats -- will return to Cadron Creek Outfitters come July!!  Additional concerts next year will include Pronoia II and the Cadron Folk Fest.  Stay posted if you like to combine a little music with your paddlin'. 

[Cadron Boy]

Sadly the access site at Weidower's has been closed to the public.  The Arkansas Canoe Club is currently working to acquire another access upstream of Pinnacle Springs bridge but in the interim one's options include:

1)  Adding 4-5 miles to the trip and put in at Hartwick Mill bridge and paddle down to Highway 65 bridge -- approx. 10 miles, encompassing 5-7 hours.  

2)  Putting in at Pinnacle Springs bridge and paddle down to Highway 65 bridge -- approx. 3 1/2 miles, taking 2-3 hours if you play.  Be careful when parking at Pinnacle Springs bridge to avoid blocking traffic or the gate.  

3)  Putting in at CCO -- which sadly is open to the public only during the "paddling season"  -- this year March 27 to Jun 11th with a few weekends open in February and early March.  Additional times made available only upon prior reservation.  

BTW -- Jam Jazz 2011 is scheduled for the weekend of July 16, 2010.  

[Cadron Boy]

UPDATE -- Cadron Creek Outfitters:

I have been answering a lot of messages so thought it be best to post an update -- here goes --

ACCESS: 

The Weidower access remains closed.  The Arkansas Canoe Club is currently using an access provided by one of its members Ms. Liz Caldwell -- a most charming paddler who is certainly willing to assist paddlers.  The access lies aside Batesville Mountain (between Hartwick Mill bridge and CCO) -- you can contact the ACC or Liz for more information.

Access at Pinnacle Springs bridge remains posted -- however, the local landowner has been receptive to low-impact (absolutely no trash, no glass) paddlers accessing at the site as long as they leave nothing but footprints.  Please do not block gate -- albeit rarely if ever used -- as he doesn't like to see a bunch of trucks/cars parked in front of the gate.  Additionally parking can be found on north side of bridge. 

CADRON CREEK OUTFITTERS

CCO opens the weekend of March 16 at which time all of its properties (Pinnacle Springs, Batesville Mountain, Cove Creek and River Camp) will again be open for access.  If access is needed prior to that time you can call me -- John aka Cadron Boy at 501-993-1650 -- and I will make something work for any low-impact paddler.  After March you can call us at the new CCO office 501-679-4671 to make arrangements for camping, shuttles, rentals, etc. 

CONDITIONS

Expect a considerable amount of downfall -- some of which may require ducking or portage -- after prolonged drought punctuated by repeated flooding.  Remember:  Cadron Creek is an extraordinary water resource offering critical habitat to many wondrous creatures that depend upon downfall -- downfall be good.  Plus it forces us to improve our paddling and scouting skills.

Creekin' and springin' -- the good life!

[Cadron Boy]

2112 UPDATE -- Cadron Creek Outfitters

ACCESS:

No change.  The Arkansas Canoe Club is continuing to work towards establishing a permanent PUBLIC access upstream of Hwy 65 on Cadron Creek.    The ideal location would be the restoration of the access at Pinnacle Springs bridge which was closed in the mid 1990's -- a story all into itself.

All public accesses are open on the lower Cadron (highway 65 bridge and below) are open and no problems are reported at Hartwick Mill and Highway 24 bridges.  A truck parked at Gravesville bridge was broken into this past fall relieving its owner of a iPhone and empty cooler -- the truck had been parked overnight.

Road improvements at Cadron Creek Outfitters are complete and one can again easily drive right down to the water's edge at Pinnacle Springs Campground. 

While on access issues I wish to report that Jerry Shurgar, father of Paige Shurgar (a founding member of the Kings River Watershed Partnership) has posted his property just above Dog Bark Riffle/Highway 65 bridge.  The many purple painted trees certainly serve as another visual distraction (a nice little waterfall lies just behind the trees) and a reminder that access to the Cadron and the surrounding watershed is dependent on the goodwill of private land owners.   Please treat them kindly and respect their property to minimize any further restrictions on open and free passage -- whether on land or water. 

CADRON CREEK OUTFITTERS

We broke ground today on our new store and storage facility.  Thanks goes out to Jonathon Young of Morton Buildings for designing a building that will serve our needs without "breaking the bank".   This 1800 foot building will allow us to better maintain and secure our boats and equipment while freeing up the "old Cargile place" for use as a classroom, bunkhouse, and kitchen.  In addition to Schuyler and Blake who have been with us for many years I'd also like to introduce everyone to Bob Dusek who recently retired from Union Pacific Railroad and who has been working with CCO throughout the winter -- painting, scrubbing, mowing and clearing the grounds -- in preparation for the upcoming paddling season.  We're happy again to have someone on site around the clock every day of the week to provide assistance to paddlers in need.   

CONDITIONS

It's been near-continuous "green box" paddling since November (see: Ozark Whitewater Stream Levels).  Conditions have really been good this winter and with many of the natural gas line pipelines again covered in vegetation we've seen some beautifully green water once again -- not that the Cadron still won't churn brown still after a big rain.   Sadly there are still many more miles of pipeline planned for the the Cadron watershed. 

Kudos also go out to the "friends of the Cadron" who have steadily been removing trash from the watershed and river banks over the past few weeks.   

With thanks to all -- even land owners who paint their riparian forest in purple (for it is presumed it wasn't done without reason) -- our world is a wonderful place in which to live and play.