Red River - Around Adams TN

Estimated Length:  7.5 miles (estimated)               

Date:  May 26, 2013

Weather:  Sunny and in the low 80’s

Time on River: 3 Hours

River Conditions:  Class I            

Distance from Nashville: 1 Hour and 15 minutes

Close By: Adams TN, Port Royal State Park and Red River Canoe Rental

Put-In:  We used the shuttle provided by Red River Canoe

Take-Out: Red River Canoe 

Outfitters:  www.canoetheredriver.com

Highlights:

Lex and I did this paddle back in May and I am sorry that I did not post it sooner but……

The Red was moving the day we paddled and seemed a bit high. We did not find many gravel bars along the way to stop and play but at the same time we did not have to get out and walk the canoe due to low water. The weather was great and the river was not over crowded.

The outfitters at Red River Canoe Rental are great about shuttling those of us with our own boats. Every time we have been here they seem to be doing a booming business with both campers and paddlers. It is so nice to get off the river and have the necessary conveniences, a bathroom, place to change and you can even purchase snacks and drinks.

Lex and I did the upper section of river that took us from private property that Red River Canoe has access to down to their campgrounds. This section of river is a combination of  bluffs and farmland. It is so nice to have help loading and unloading the canoe. The only negative is that with everybody getting on the river at the same time its sometimes hard to spread out and leave the crowd behind. Transportation is an old school bus that has lots of character, remember to bring a sharpie so you can add your signature. When you finish the paddle make sure to check out the “Tree of Soles” as you leave. 

Duck River - Warner Bridge to Halls Mill

Estimated Length:  7.6                                                                 

Date:  June 23, 2013

Weather:  Sunny and in the 80’s

Time on River: 5 hours

River Conditions:  Class I            

Distance from Nashville: 45 minutes

Close By: Chapel Hill, Henry Horton State Park and Cedar Rock Lodge

Put-In:  Warner Bridge

Take-Out: Halls Mill

Highlights:

This is our second time to paddle this section of the Duck river and I am so glad we did it again. The river was running at a decent pace and the water level was perfect. We did not drag once!!!

Our friends from Murfreesboro joined us so the shuttling of cars and canoes was smooth. It is less than a 10 minutes drive from Warner Bridge to Hall’s Mill. Both the take and put-in are an easy access. You can drive almost down to the waters edge.

What makes the paddle an exceptional trip is the waterfalls, located where Fall Creek joins the Duck River.  When we first did this paddle in Oct of 2012 the creek was not flowing as forceful as it was today. What is great is that you can walk right up to the falls, sit down and, let the water cascade over you. 

The rest of the paddle was typical Duck, with high bluffs, gravel bars and tree lined  river banks. What is amazing to me is that on this beautiful Sunday in June we did not see one other person on the river. We did run into some boaters when we ended our paddle at Halls Mill but otherwise we had the river to ourselves. 

 

On the River this Weekend

      The paddling  season has started!!! I was such a wuss this winter and just could not handle the cold. But it has warmed up and Lex and I are planning 2 trips this weekend . The first will be a short trip on the Harpeth putting in and taking out at the Narrows of the Harpeth at the Harpeth River State Park. Our plan is to get on the river sometime around 10am. If anybody would like to join us please shoot me an email so that I know to be on the look out for some company.

   On Sunday we are going up to the Red and using the Red River Canoe Company to shuttle us. We are running the upper section of this river so that we end at the campsite run by the Red River Canoe folks. In total this is about a 12 mile paddle. We have reservations on the 9am shuttle to take us to the put-in for Sunday morning.

     I think the weather is going to be perfect and would love to have some company!!!