Harpeth River - The Narrows

Estimated Length:  5.5  Miles                

Date:  March, 2012     

Weather: Sunny and in the high 50’s

Time on River:  1 and 1/2 hours

River Conditions:  Class I            

Distance from Nashville: 30 minutes

Close By: Kingston Springs

Put-In: Harpeth River State Park

Take-Out: Harpeth River State Park

Highlights:

Turtles on the Harpeth

View along the Harpeth

 

The Harpeth River Narrows is a great place to paddle when you need a quick river fix and live close to Nashville. No shuttling is needed. The paddle is easy and in March we were the only paddlers on the river. Now if you want to try this section or river during the summer months expect a lot of company.

The put-in and take-out are only half a mile apart, shuttle logistics do not get any easier than this. The put-in does have some steep steps that you will have to maneuver but there is a canoe slide to help get your boat down to the water. 

Take-out is just past the Harris Street Bridge on a gravel bar which you can drive your car onto to load up. Either before or after your trip, take the time to hike up the trail to the rock outcrop that has a great view of the Harpeth River.

Within the first 100 yards on the right is Montgomery Bell’s tunnel. It was used to harness water power for an iron forge. DO NOT  go in it, boulders and logs are clogged inside. The Harpeth will take you around a section of land called Bells Bend with views of tree-lined fields and bluffs. About 2.6 miles into the trip, Trace Creek flows into the Harpeth. Eventually the river will meet up with the Cumberland.

Trace Creek

This is a great family paddle and with lots of outfitters close by, anybody can take a trip on the Harpeth!

 

  

Lex and I went and scouted Jones Creek (Dickson County) this week for a future canoe trip. After driving around on some really great TN back roads we found some interesting sights along the way:

Dickson County Courthouse was built in 1833. It is the oldest courthouse still in use in TN.

Mules being trained for a “Mule Pull” missed the picture. Lex really needs to drive a bit slower.

Lunch at The Pit, from what Lex and I could tell this might be the only restaurant in Charlotte, TN. The BBQ was great and we loved the fries.

The Hickerson Hotel on the Charlotte Square Historic District was built in 1853 and was the Union Headquarters in this area during the Civil War.

Finally some pictures of Jones Creek.

We went to the take-out/put-in on

Petty Road

and I am not sure we could maneuver our Old Town Canoe down the banks at this site. We then made our way up to the take out at Timber Ridge and at this location we thought we might be on private property. Lots of No Trespassing signs for some kind of Hunting Club.  

Jones Creek might be great for kayaks but with our 16 foot Old Town Canoe I am not sure how it would navigate. At some points the creek looked narrow and other places a bit shallow. Also, access might be a problem for us with the canoe. It is a bit bulky.

I know the Aquaholics Group will be paddling this creek on Sunday. I am anxious to hear how it goes for them. It looks like a beautiful trip and wish we could join you but not sure our canoe would make the trip.  

Aquaholics have a great trip!!!

Duck River Howard Bridge to Fountain Creek

Estimated Length:  4.5 Miles                 

Date:  December 14, 2011            

Weather: Sunny and in the high 60’s 

Time on River:  1 and 1/2 hours

River Conditions:  Class I            

Distance from Nashville: 45 minutes

Close By: I-65 and Columbia, TN

Put-In: Howard Bridge 

Take-Out: Fountain Creek

Highlights:

This was our last trip of the year and what a gorgeous day to end our 2011 journeys on the Duck River. We could not pass up the good weather and decided to take a quick river trip. Needless to say we had the river to ourselves. The put-in at Howard Bridge is easy, with a car ramp down to the river and a great big parking lot.

 

Howard Bridge



This section of the  Duck River Blueway  is a designated state river and is located in the Yanahli Wildlife Management Area. The trip includes bluffs, islands and the occasional rapids The perfect place to relax with all the holiday stress going on. Mile 148.9  is the beginning of “Stillhouse Hole” claiming to be the deepest spot on the Duck.



Fountain Creek



River access at Fountain Creek is steep but easily recognizable with the Creek flowing into the Duck right before the take-out. Trying to get to this location by car is somewhat tricky, many of the back roads have been washed out. You will need to get back on Hwy 50, do not follow your GPS  unless your car can jump rivers.  

 

Greetings for the New Year! And Happy Paddling in 2012!!!