Cadron Creek Paddle – February 25, 2023

Cadron Creek Paddle – February 25, 2023

Weather Saturday morning started out wet and rainy.  Fortunately, the rain stopped by 9:00.  We purposefully delayed the put in until 10:00 to let the rain pass.   We were fortunate to have nice weather the rest of the day.  A little on the cool side, but no rain.

After unloading boats and shuttling vehicles to the takeout, sixteen paddlers in 15 kayaks and one canoe set off for a very nice paddle.  We put in at the Highway 65 bridge and took out about 10 miles downstream at the state Highway 285 bridge.  This section of the Cadron creek has high bluffs making for spectacular scenery and enough riffles and short drops to make the paddling interesting.  The rating for this section is Class I and II.  The water level on the Guy gauge was 2.49 ft.  At that level, the riffles and drops were not too ominous.  There were some standing waves that got some of us pretty wet. There was plenty of room to scoot by the Rock of Gibraltar on the right side.  The Rock of Gibraltar is a huge rock that sits right in the middle of the creek and evidently at some water levels, it poses a real hazard for paddles.  Let me back up a bit.  Two paddlers (no names mentioned) took unplanned swims.  They may question my descriptions of the riffles and drops.  But everyone had a great time and are ready to do it again …. I think.  I know this paddler is.

The day ended back at the campground with everyone dining on a big pot of chili and cornbread provided by Teresa Beebe and Rick Watkins.  Other folks contributed to the menu as well.  And, to top it off, Dutch oven cherry cobbler and ice cream.  Can we say YUM!

A big thank you goes out to Cindy and Patrick Mayo for helping with the vehicle shuttle.   They shuttled the remaining vehicles to the takeout while we enjoyed a great paddle.

Paddle Stats:

Put In:   Highway 65 Bridge.  Nice access point with ample parking.

Take Out: State Highway 285 Bridge.  Nice parking area.  Boat ramp down to river was covered with sand and debris. 

Trip Length: 10 miles

Water level at Guy gauge: 2.49 ft

More information about paddling Cadron Creek can be found at:

Ozark Creek Information Summary
The Ozark Whitewater Page 
Cadron Creek Outfitters
southwestpaddler.com

Before the Paddle

Link to  Put In

Link to Take Out

Directions
Greenbrier, AR is about 3 hours from Memphis.

Take I-40 W out of Memphis to Conway, AR.
Take exit 125 for US 65 N toward Greenbrier.
Continue on US 65 to Greenbriar, about 11 miles.
Continue north on Hwy 65 about 6 miles.  After crossing Cadron Creek, look for Ozark Lane.  Turn right and follow road back down to the put in.

Camping and Lodging
Make this a one day trip or a two day trip by including an overnight stay.  Teresa and Paul are planning on camping at Woolly Hollow State Park Friday and Saturday nights.

Nearby accommodations include:
 
Woolly Hollow State Park
Hilltop Inn and Suites