Duck River Cortner Mill to ThreeForks Bridge

Estimated Length:  6.8                         

Date:  Nov. 8 2011

Weather:  Sunny and in the  70’s

Time on River: 2 1/2 hours            

River Conditions:  Class I            

Distance from Nashville: One hour         

Close By: Shelbyville 

Put-In:  Cortner Mill

Take-Out: Three Forks Bridge

Highlights:

Cortner Mill river access is located on the Parish Patch Farm and Inn. The Inn has limited hours of operation and requires reservations but it’s a lovely setting and their menu looks very appetizing. The put-in for this section of the Duck is right in front of the Inn, so there is lots of parking and you can walk right up the river’s edge. There is access to put-in at the Normandy Dam a few miles up river but you will have to portage around the dam at Cortner Mill. 

The water was running fast and high the day we tackled this upper section of river.  What we thought would be a 3-4 hour trip was completed in 2 1/2.  With the high water, the river became a bit more of a technical challenge. Lex and I canoed this section earlier in the summer and remembered it as being a slow leisurely float. This time we encountered more riffles and deadfall. There are not as many bluffs as other sections of the Duck but has more pastoral views. With farms just beyond the line of trees on the rivers edge. 

Three Forks Bridge take-out is easily recognized from the river but does require a series of steep steps to get back up to the parking lot. Now that the cold weather is here, we not sure when our next trip will be but the goal is to canoe at least one day every month of the year. So come join us…..

Duck River Leftwich Bridge to Howard Bridge

Estimated Length:  6.2 miles                 

Date:  Oct. 30th

Weather:  Sunny and in the 60’s

Time on River: 3 hours

River Conditions:  Class I            

Distance from Nashville: 45 minutes

Close By: I-65

Put-In:  Leftwich Bridge - easy access to the river

Take-Out: Howard Bridge - easy access to the river

Highlights:

The morning started a bit chilly with the temperature in the 40’s but warmed up considerably, by mid-day we were all shedding our sweaters and jackets. The Duck river was picture perfect today, with no wind the water looked like a lake.

 









The leaves falling from the trees on the river bank made a blanket  of color floating on the water.

The highlight of the trip was a stop at “Cheek Bend Caves” alias “Buzzard Caves”. The cave is located just before the river flows beneath I-65.  Spotting the opening from the river was not half as difficult as making the step climb to the entrance.

The cave was perfect for those of us that do not like dark/damp places. Once you step inside and let your eyes adjust, the exit at the top of the bluff was visible without a flashlight. I would still recommend taking one so you do not stumble on the rocks. The view of the Duck River from the bluff was gorgeous.

We did run into some hikers that had walked the 2 mile trail to the caves. Our approach was a lot more fun.

I wonder how much longer we can canoe until the weather chases us off the river till spring. If you ever want to join us please email me and I will let you know where our next river adventure will be.