Harpeth River - East Flank Park to Rizer Point

Harpeth River - East Flank Park to Rizer Point

Estimated Length: 5.2 Miles                     

Discharge Day of Paddle: 91 cfs
Date: June 17, 2015
Weather: Sunny and in the low 90's
Time on the River: 2 1/2 hours
Put-In: East Flank Park Canoe Access
Take-Out: Rizer Point Canoe Access

Lex and I took off mid-week to see how the Harpeth was running through Franklin. Middle Tennessee had not had any rain lately so we were curious to find out if we would be bottoming out with the kayaks on the paddle.  We had also heard a rumor that a tree was laying across the width of the river somewhere between East Flank Park and The Williamson County Rec center. Our paddle could turn into a bit of a downer if we were not prepared.

When we got to the take-in at East Flank, sure enough another paddler had written on the map kiosk about the downed tree located after Pinkerton Park. We were ready to tackle it with whatever necessary to make it down river. So we went ahead and launched our kayaks.

The access point at East Flank Park is becoming more and more popular as families use it to bring their kids to play in the water. But once we got on the river, traffic was at minimum. Even with the river flowing at 91 cfs we did not have to get out and drag our kayaks. I did notice that in some spots the river smells were a lot stronger than when we did this same run about a month earlier. Not sure if that is because the river water levels are lower or that the air/water temperatures has risen.  We did sight three different deer on this trip and one had her baby with her.

We did find the downed tree, but enough of it had been removed so we did not have to portage. If we had been in the Old Town Canoe it would have been a different story. The take-out at Rizer Point is great but the distance to the car gets a little long after a couple hours on the river. In all it was a great mid-week diversion. 

Duck River Haskins Chapel Road to Henry Horton State Park

Estimated Length:  8.6

Date: Oct. 1, 2011

Weather:  Sunny and in the 60’s

Time on River: 3 and 1/2 hours

River Conditions: Class I

Distance from Nashville:  45 Minutes

Close By: Henry Horton State Park

Overview:

Fall was definitely in the air as we started our paddle from Haskins Chapel Rd. to Henry Horton State Park. Even though the temperature was chilly the sun was out bright making for a beautiful blue sky.  The leaves have not yet turned but when they do I hope the colors will be vibrant, maybe in the next couple of weeks. I see another paddle trip in the near future.

No other boats were on the river the whole length of the trip. What a difference compared to 6 weeks ago when we made this trip. At that time there were plenty of other canoeists on the river.

The paddle from Haskins Chapel Road to Hopkins Bridge (about 3 miles)  has the most gorgeous bluffs on the Duck River. Every time I come through here it take my breath away.  The next section of river on down to Henry Horton has still has great bluffs but with lots more niches carved into them making some great rock formations. There are a lot of caves along here but all the land owners have signs asking people to stay out and no trespassing.

The only wildlife we saw this trip was a snake that had just found lunch, a small fish and one lone Heron which we followed most of the way down the river. Do Herons ever fly upstream?

Some friends came along who had never been on the Duck River. It may be a while before they return to the Harpeth .

Put-In:  The dirt road access is not the easiest to spot on Haskins Chapel road   It is located between 2 cement barricades and one of them has “keep out” spray painted on the side but once we found it, it was a straight shot to the river.

Take-Out: Henry Horton State Parks one of the easiest river access points along the Duck river.

 

Duck River Carpenters Bridge to Leftwich Bridge

Estimated Length:  8.5 Miles

Date: Sept. 24, 9011

Weather:  Sunny and the temperature in the 70’s

Time on River: 3 hours            

River Conditions:  Class I

Distance from Nashville: 45 minutes

Close By: Less than 10 minutes from I-65 Exit 46

                (all kinds of fast food)

Put-In: Carpenters Bridge (steep bank)

Take-Out: Leftwich Bridge

Overview:

     Do not let the fall weather keep you from planning a trip on the river. Saturday was a perfect day to  be paddling. With the recent rains the water was swift and deep, you did not have to worry about bottoming out and the presence of strainers was minimal. We had the river to ourselves except for the one lone fisherman who was not having much luck.

     As soon as we put in, we spotted a  river otter having his breakfast but we were to slow with the camera. There were lots of Blue Herons and ducks out this morning and the turtles where making their way on to logs as we finished up our trip. This part of the Duck River is within the Yanahli Wildlife Management Area which means there no homes or farmland on the river banks.

     This section of river comes within a quarter of a mile from I-65, so you will hear road traffic for about a 20 minute stretch. This is the only time on the river you will connect with the outside world. The rest of the trip is remote and so very seenic. We love the Duck River!!!

Highlights:

Sequatchie River Highway 127 to Condra Switch Road

Estimated Length:  9miles                           

Date: August 14, 2011

Weather:  Sunny and Hot

Time on River: 4-5 hours

River Conditions: Class I

Distance from Nashville: 2 hours

Close By: Town of  Dunlap about 35 miles northwest of  Chattanooga

Overview: Lex and I took this trip with our son Nick earlier this summer after spending the night in Chattanooga. We had heard the Canoe Sequatchie outfitters where no longer in business so we borrowed a friends kayak. The outfitters are indeed trying to sell their business and are not currently running the river. The Sequatchie Valley is gorgeous, being one of only two rift valleys in the world, the other is in Africa. On the west side is the Walden Ridge and the Cumberland Plateau is on the east.  The rift valley is formed between these 2 parallel geological faults. Not sure what that means but it does make for  a very dramatic back drop when canoeing down the river.

  The part of the Sequatchie we paddled is narrower than its sister rivers the Buffalo or Duck. But more than enough room for us to maneuver our Old Town canoe. The river has great easy riffles and lots of gravel bars to pull over on. The mountains on both sides gave a very regal feel to this paddle trip. We has a great day on the river!

Put-In: Is located at the Highway 127 Bridge, which is where the Canoe Sequatchie outfitters are located. They did not mind us using their facilities to put our boats in and let us park our car in their lot.

Take-Out: Is between Highway 28 and 283 on Condra Switch Road right after you go under the bridge. We left our car along the river close to a corn field. The take-out is difficult due to the steep bank.

Father and Son Getting Ready

Highlights:

•  Lots of shade the whole length of the trip.
• We did not see another person the whole time we were on the river.
• Gorgeous scenery

What to watch out for:

• Deadfall and strainers
• The take out point at Condra Switch Road has a steep incline.